The Nutcracker is one of the first submissions I started doing when I began training no-gi with Eddie Bravo at 10th Planet Hollywood back in '06-07. I found myself in side control from the top a lot. Guys would try to regain half guard setting themselves up for the twister. Instead of going for the twister I started blocking their hip but without a gi on I had to go North South to maintain the position.

As I was going to North South I was catching Head & Arm control a lot. One day while I was drilling with one of the guys I asked if I could try something. He was like sure so from North South, Head & Arm control I brought my knee up and brought it down on his neck. After I let go he sat up with a shocked look and was like “Yeah, but can you be rolled over ?”

I started doing the Nutcracker in class and it was working like 90% of the time. There are a couple of little things that I describe below that I was doing that will make sure that you do not lose your base. Most people don’t drill North South defense so they were not expecting a knee to crush their dome.

I showed the technique to Eddie and he was like “it’s legit.” I have never seen anyone do this in MMA or any grappling tournaments yet. The Nutcracker is not the most technical submission out there but you will have total control of your opponent from the top and once you lock the submission in they are sure to tap quick !

The Nutcracker a.k.a. Terror Dome is a choke if the forearm and shin are cutting off the arteries. If not, it just hurts so much that they will tap.

Jason Mallory has Bence Beretcz in Twister Side Control. My right elbow is tight in Bence's right armpit and my right knee is tight to his left hip for control. I am also blocking his knees with my left arm and my head is on his ribs to protect my head and neck.

Next I take my right arm from Bence's armpit and I slip it under his neck while keeping my head tight to his body.

I shift my left arm from Bence's knee to his left hip setting up the transition to North South.

Once I have Bence's hip blocked I bring my right leg from his hip transitioning to N/S.

Through this whole technique you want to make him carry your weight on his chest. Once I transition to N/S with head & arm control I keep my hips low, spread my legs for base and angle my body off at a 30 degree angle. You have to keep your hips low in case he tries to bring his legs up and get a hook in. If he tries this just squeeze the H & A and keep your hips low until he settles down.

From this angle of step one you can see that my right hand is on my temple to stop him from hooking my head & neck.

My arm under his neck in step two. Sometimes I block his left hip first and then control his neck, it just depends on what is happening in the moment.

At this point I can sometimes catch an arm triangle if his left arm stays trapped behind me. Some people call it a Darce or Brabo choke.

When I have the North South position you can see that I am not in a straight line with Bence. My body if off at an angle. This helps maintain base. If you are in a straight line with you opponent here it is easy for him to roll you over and get the top position.

Also my head is tight to his body. I am using a Ball & Socket grip with the H & A control. Last thing, my head should turn to face the opposite direction of the trapped arm as in the next picture below. If you leave your head facing the arm as in the picture above you are leaving yourself open to counters.

Once he settles down I go up to my knees while holding the H & A tight. You want to keep your base as low as possible here. I needed surgery on both knees when I shot these pics so I couldn't bend them more than you see in the pic. but the lower your base the better. When I go to my knees I want my right knee as close to Bence's neck as possible.

When I feel that the moment is right I put my head on the mat near his right hip for base so I don't get rolled over. I maintain H & A control and then bring my right knee onto his neck and then...

I hold the H & A tight, drop my weight down on his neck for the tap. I am not pulling up with my arms to get the tap, I am holding the H & A tight and dropping my weight down. Your head should come off the mat at this point and your weight should be back in your hips for good base to finish the Nutcracker.

Sometimes people will lock their hands over your back so that you cannot get space for your knee in order to do the Nutcracker.

What I started doing was posting my right hand on his face weakening his grip...

and creating space for me to bring my knee onto his neck. I am still holding under his left arm with my left arm.

Once my knee is in position I regrasp my hands with the Ball & Socket grip, drop my weight and get the tap.

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