Here’s a quick overview of one of SBGi’s signature moves, the shoulder of justice. It’s a great way to hold top position in cross sides and has the added benifit of having a cool sounding name. Good deal all around.
Step 1: Block out the guard.
Make sure you are using either the knee or hand to block out the guard so that the bottom person can’t simply slide the knee in and pull guard. At SBG we teach this a a fundamental for holding top. You are always blocking out the guard with either the knee, the hand, or the hip. In this case I’m using the knee.
Block out the guard with the knee.
Step 2: Get the underhook
This is the step where we control/capture the upper body. Controlling the upper body while blocking out the guard are steps 1 and 2 of the fundamental 5 of holding top.
Starting to get a good underhook.
Step 3: Grab the underarm and pull him off line.
You want to kink his spine and pull him out from a straight line. This makes it harder for him to bridge or shrimp.
Grab his armpit from below and pull towards you. This takes him offline and curves his spine.
Step 4: Drop your near shoulder.
Move your near shoulder back towards his legs a bit and attach it to his chest. This sets you up in the right position to apply the pressure in the next step. It allows you to get under his chin more easily.
Drop your shoulder down and attach to his chest.
Step 5: Find the sweet spot and apply.
Move your shoulder towards his head while keeping it attached to his body. This should put it right under his chin in the sweet spot. Apply pressure by extending your near leg and sprawling your hips down. You should feel the pressure go towards his head and not towards the far shoulder. Your elbow should not leave the mat.
Move the shoulder into place. The sweet spot is below the chin on the neck.
Extend near leg and move hip towards the mat to apply pressure.
Nice post! I have a question though.
The “Shoulder of Justice” is used allot in my academy, both for side control and in various half guard passes. The guy that showed it to me advocated turning the opponents head away from you. His rational was that by doing so the opponents spine is twisted, taking away his ability to turn into you and thus eliminating a direction of escape. What is your opinion on this?
Yes, the head should turn away. If he can turn his head towards you then he can escape by turning into you.
I agree Tony…
As usual, phenomenal post. I know it takes a lot of time to do all the video work, so thanks!
Hi Cane,
I’ve been taught this technique in the past (I used to train with Karl tanswell at SBG Manchester in England) and found that it was good for holding the guy down, but not for transitioning to a submission. Do you not feel that Saulo Ribeiros application of side hold where you concentrate your pressure on the hips is more practical and enables you to attack for subs more easily? Maybe this is more of a fundamental technique which can be utilised by beginners as they are developing their game?
Hi MJ,
Thanks for the comment. I agree that shoulder of justice is great for holding down. Not as great for hunting for subs. The primary purpose of the technique is to cook the bottom guy and settle the game down a bit. When I get the bottom guy flat and settled I’ll usually begin to transition to other positions to hunt for subs. The shoulder of justice is indispensable for me though because it really settles the bottom guy down in a way that lets me play the other games.
Thanks for replying Cane. Your points are fair and I suppose in a competition situation it’s good to have a technique that can give you a rest (whilst staying safe) before you start looking for the finish!