Marcelo explains to Ali how to close the distance on an opponent who stubbornly posts against your body as you attempt to establish Side Control. The answer is to roll your shoulders so that the post is parried quickly enough to close the remaining distance and establish a control. If your opponent is also posting on the mat to prevent you from pinning him down, it is better to clear his arm after getting close as opposed to dealing with it first and then closing in. In jiu-jitsu, energy expenditure should be dependent on taking paths of least resistance and conserving yourself for high percentage attacks.