I think he is referring to TM being upright - that is, GZ was flat on the ground while TM was sitting upright on top of him, throwing the punches and beating GZ's head against the ground.
Actually, he was trying to communicate the two aligned with him as opposed to perpendicular. Not sure what actual the correct terminology for that arrangement would be, but it threw me, too, when he started using it. I thought he was saying that they were standing up at first.
This guy is in fear of his life and is second guessing and trying to neutralize everything he says....