The Nutcracker a.k.a. Terror Dome

The Nutcracker is one of the first submissions I started doing when I began training no-gi with Eddie Bravo at 10th Planet. 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 hitting the twister every time 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 to make sure that I did not lose my 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 !

• Step 1

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.
• Step 1

From this angle you can see that my right hand is on my temple to stop him from hooking my head & neck.
• Step 2

Next I take my right arm from Bence's armpit and I slip it under his neck.
• Step 2

My arm under his neck. Sometimes I block his left hip first and then control his neck, it just depends on what is happening in the moment.
• Step 3

I shift my left arm from Bence's knee to his left hip setting up the transition to North.South.
• Step 4

Once I have Bence's hip blocked I bring my right leg from his hip transitioning to N/S.
• Step 4

At this point I can sometimes catch an arm triangle if his left arm stays trapped behind me.
• Step 5

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.
• Step 5

Here 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.
• Step 6

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 need surgery on both knees so I can't bend them any more than you see in the pic. but the lower your base the better.
• Step 6

When I go to my knees I want my right knee as close to Bence's neck as possible.
• Step 7

When I feel that the moment is right I put my head on the mat near his right hip. I maintain H & A control and then bring my right knee onto his neck and then...
• Step 8

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.
• Variation #2

Sometimes people will lock their hands over your back so that you cannot get space for your knee.
• Variation #2

What I started doing was posting my right hand on his face weakening his grip...
• Variation #2

and creating space for me to bring my knee onto his neck. I am still holding under his left arm with my left arm.
• Variation #2

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