What you’ll learn about in this article: top control BJJ, pinning techniques BJJ, BJJ pinning, Power Ride, Craig Jones instructional, wrestling rides BJJ, how to pin in jiu‑jitsu, side‑control pin, mount control BJJ
Why Top Control Wins Matches (and Saves Energy)
Top position is king in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu. Whether you roll for fun after work or shoot for the podium at ADCC Trials, solid top control lets you
- rack up dominant position points (IBJJF, ADCC, EBI, you name it),
- funnel opponents into predictable escapes you can counter for submissions, and
- conserve gas while they burn calories bridging and shrimping.
Yet many grapplers still float instead of pinning. A true pin forces the bottom player to carry your weight and stay there — think of classic side‑control pressure or Khabib‑style chest‑to‑back “rides”.
Foundational Principles of Pinning in BJJ
- Connection before pressure. Glue your hips/shoulders to theirs before you crush.
- Wedges & posts. Knees, elbows, and cross‑faces that stop the hips from turning.
- Weight distribution. Aim your body weight through the solar‑plexus line, not the mat.
- Head position = steering wheel. Where your head points, your pin goes.
- Transitions, not hesitation. Float only to settle in a better pin (e.g., side‑control → north‑south) as escapes begin.
Master these and every top position below becomes a nightmare for the person underneath.
Core Pinning Positions & Transitions
1. Side Control Variations
- Traditional side‑control: Chest‑to‑chest, cross‑face + underhook.
- Kesa & scarf‑hold: Great for big‑man pressure but watch the back‑take.
- Tight‑waist ride (wrestling crossover): Far‑side underhook & near‑side hip wedge — featured heavily in Power Ride.
2. North‑South
A 180‑degree pin that flattens hips and opens arm‑exposure (kimura/N‑S choke).
3. Mount & Technical Mount
High knees under armpits, heels pinching. Use grapevines or cross‑wrist rides to trap arms à la Craig Jones.
4. Knee‑on‑Belly & Smash Pass Pins
Great for passing score + submission threat (near‑side armbar, paper‑cutter choke).
5. The Ride Family (Wrestling Meets BJJ)
- Spiral ride → back takes.
- Claw ride → arm triangles.
- Far‑wrist & two‑on‑one rides → exposes posts for turnovers.
These rides let you pin without the gi, chain‑wrestle, and rack up ADCC‑style control time.
Essential Drills to Sharpen Top Control
| Drill | Goal | Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy hips side‑to‑side | Learn weight transfer across torso | 3×1 min |
| North‑south windshield wiper | Smooth hip switch vs. frames | 3×1 min |
| Ride retention vs. turtle | Keep harness while partner granbys | 5×30 sec |
| Mount to tech‑mount ladder | Flow between pins as opponent bridges | 4×1 min |
Add positional sparring (start in mount/side‑control and only score escape or submission) to test progress.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Floating knees. Weight leaks onto the mat.
❌ No underhook battle. Bottom player turns to knees every time.
❌ Rushed transitions. Pin for three beats before you move.
❌ Ignoring cross‑faces. Nose‑turn = hips‑turn.
Take It Further with Craig Jones’ Power Ride System
Craig Jones distilled years of ADCC experience into “Power Ride: A New Philosophy on Pinning.” Inside you’ll learn:
- How to blend wrestling rides into no‑gi BJJ for hour‑long top control;
- Entries straight from popular passes (body‑lock, knee‑cut, half‑guard);
- Easy‑to‑drill sequences that frustrate guard players and open straight‑footlocks, triangles & back takes.
Ready to transform your top game today? Grab Craig Jones’ Power Ride instructional here → (Or read our full craig jones power ride review.)
Why We Recommend It
- Fresh content for 2025. Rides are the modern answer to slippery no‑gi scrambles.
- Entertaining + digestible. Craig’s Aussie humor = watchable reps.
- Lifetime updates. BJJ Fanatics adds bonus footage as systems evolve.
Invest once, dominate for years.
Conclusion
Top control isn’t just about staying on top; it’s about pinning with purpose. Master the principles above, drill the rides, and borrow high‑level systems like Craig Jones’ Power Ride to leapfrog plateaus. The next time you hear a training partner exhale in frustration beneath you, you’ll know: mission accomplished.
