If you are anything like me, you will spend A LOT of time in the bottom of side control as a white belt. Like literally an eternity. I would almost rather be mounted than have someone smothering me from side control with a strong cross face. I have probably watched more youtube videos on side control escapes than anything else in jiu-jitsu. Of course its always better to defend PRIOR to giving someone side control, but it is bound to happen at some point.
This first video is how I learned the “first” side control escape. There are many details that I have focused on with trying to perfect this movement. For example, with the arm that is framed to his neck, keeping my elbow high when I am bridging into my opponent has been helpful. Really using that forearm to grind into his neck or face helps make this work.
The video below shows the “second” side control escape that I learned. This one has been a little more risky for me, as I have struggled to convert the single leg at the end of this escape.