Nathan Leverton – Total Grappling Series – Side and Top Position Vol.1

Volume One Nathan begins by emphasizing the significance of positional control and developing a decent pin – the concept of position prior to surrender.
The first pin dealt with is the judo staple’scarf hold,’ also known as head and arm.
There is a description of how to hold a conventional scarf hold, a modified (arm underhooked) scarf hold, and a reverse scarf hold.
Then, three standard side control postures (head and forearm), both arms past, and cross body are defined (overhook on arm and underhook on body).

The need of blocking the hips in order to keep the guard from being pulled is emphasized.
Finally, the top two places (north-south) are described.
The traditional method, in which you lay at an angle pinning your opponent’s head and chest (and its many hand positions), and the short-base style, in which you kneel on your opponent’s head.
Nathan then links submissions to them after noting some specifics about holding all of these positions.
Forearm choke, key lock, and neck crank are all variations on the modified scarf hold.
Common escape attempts and how to thwart them are also covered.
The next step is side control.
A side choke is described in detail, as are two variants of neck cranks and a step-over-the-head straight armbar.
This move was detailed by employing a slight semicircular pull to maximize the force applied on precisely the appropriate area of the opponent’s arm to obtain a submission.
Then you’ll learn how to include kimura, triangle, far armbar, conventional armbar, and step over kimura into your equation.
Nathan connects all of these actions and provides solid critical analysis of the minor details that help you tighten the positions and make them effective.
Many tactics, as most grapplers understand, rely on incredibly exact application to determine success or failure.
Differences of an inch or less, or tightness or looseness in a technique, may make or break it.
Again, some typical methods’ defenses are shown, and the DVD concludes with some good footage of Nathan using the techniques in sparring.