I know everyone is waiting for a very exciting technique for this month.  After all it's the first one of the millennium.   Obviously it will need to be something very exotic.  Very wild - Many a reverse, rolling side Russian Key Lock.  Maybe a wrapping California Choke the the ever popular flying monkey armbar.  But instead of those I have chosen the side hold down.  I know what your saying - The Side Hold Down?  Every yellow belted Judokian knows how to do that - what a jib? Right? - Wrong!  Despite being a very common hold down it is generally performed in an ineffective manner.  Note I did not say wrong - I said ineffective.  When performed in an effective manner you should be driving into your opponent; causing pain and discomfort.  You should break his body line and make him take your weight.  This will allow you to move freer and faster while at the same time your opponent is likely to do something to endanger himself that will lead to submission.  Now in Judo or point games when your leading and playing the clock this is not as important.  But when the name of the game is submission it is vital you work this position to led to a hook.

Yoko shiho gatame : Side body

The side body hold down has a number of variations. You can do tying up both arms, one arm or neither. You can add a leg and turn it into a cradle. The key to this hold down is keeping half of your opponent crushed to the ground. Tori’s weight is driven in and down; not across. Push you hips into the ground below Uke's center of gravity.   When done right it should feel like you are pinching half of Uke's chest to the mat. The most common mistake made with this hold down is pushing to far across Uki’s body. The second biggest mistake is holding your weight off of Uke.  Often seen in Judo where there is no need to go for submissions players will often use a "hug and hold" version of this holddown.  This gives the illusion of control but in fact does little to threaten or cause pain to Uke.

Here is the hug and hold from two angles.  You can see Tori is up on his knees.  He needs to bow at the hips to make chest to chest contact.  This way of performing the side hold down is not only easy to escape it also makes escape unnecessary.  Here Uke's has Tori as well as the other way around.  Uke is under no pressure and can turn into, turn over or capture Tori's head when ever he wants to.   By being on his knees, rather then his toes Tori will also be slow to adjust and must rely on arm strength to control Uke as his posture has eliminated the ability to use his hips

During a scramble it may be necessary to adjust your body and pop up on a knee to reposition - But at no times should your weight raise above Uke's center of Gravity.   You should always be able to drive your weight from your hips and maximize pressure on your opponent. 

At times you will need to turn your hips as you drive.  In the picture to the left I'm nearly caught in a guard - but with my body position I'm able to drive my weight and turn onto Uke's leg; pinning it and taking the side position.  In the photo to the left Pete is able to secure the side position against a much larger, stronger opponent by keeping his hips low and his body in a position that drives into Uke's side where he can not bring his power to bear.

Once you secure your position push your hips to the ground.  The effect should be to put tremendous pressure on Uke's chest as well as causing an un-natural bend in his body.  This should set up a plethora of submissions including arm locks, neck cranks, suffocation's and others.

Keys to the Side Hold Down
pinning the shoulders
Crush the chest
Drive weight, cause pain and discomfort
driving off the toes
Look for submissions

Escapes

As with any escape; they best time to escape is immediately. Try to create space that will allow you to roll into or away from Tori. If you can not create space; then do the opposite. Grab Tori’s head and pin it to the ground; at the same time grab Tori by the belt and get as much of your forearm under Tori as possible. With his/her head held to the ground; bridge and press. It Tori is driving into the hold down; their body will be taught and they will go up and over like a stiff board.

If Tori head is out far enough you can also choke then. Grab your pant leg and pull your leg up high to trap Tori's head between your upper thigh and the outside blade of your forearm. Use a twisting motion across the outside of Tori neck will cause a strangle.

Alternatively you can catch Tori's head with you leg and pull him into a side triangle choke.

Another method is you get an arm under Tori and try to create some space.  As you arch (bridge) up perform a hard cutting motion with your legs - Similar to a hip switch and turn out of the hold down.  You must perform this technique with full commitment and quickly to have any chance for success. You should be able to roll out from under Tori (move yourself - not your opponent) and take his back.

The Real beauty of the side hold down is that you can move from here to many other position including a top smother, arm and head, mount and others.  I like to get into this position and let my opponent begin to set his escape;  then just before he makes his move I will switch hold downs forcing him to re-start.  During the entire hold down I'm keeping pressure on and wearing him down.  Generally you can 'blow a guy up' in under a minute making your submission beautiful but superfluous.