BJJ Graph

Mount

Dec 09, 20257 min read

The Mount position represents the pinnacle of positional dominance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, awarded 4 points in IBJJF competition. From this elevated position, the top practitioner sits astride the opponent’s torso with their knees on either side, creating overwhelming control through gravity and positioning. The Mount has been refined over decades as one of the most devastating positions in grappling, offering numerous submission opportunities while maintaining exceptional control. Modern Mount control focuses on creating submission dilemmas where defensive movements open new attacking opportunities. The position’s effectiveness stems from the top practitioner’s ability to use their entire body weight to pin the opponent while maintaining freedom of movement for attacks. From bottom Mount, the position represents a critical defensive challenge requiring systematic escape knowledge and composure under extreme pressure. The escape hierarchy prioritizes establishing frames, creating space through hip movement, and recovering guard through technical precision rather than explosive strength. Understanding Mount from both perspectives is essential for complete grappling development, as it represents the intersection of positional control and submission finishing ability.

Key Principles

  • Weight distribution - Top maintains heavy hips while keeping upper body mobile for attacks

  • Base maintenance - Bottom must prevent further advancement while creating escape opportunities

  • Submission chains - Top uses opponent’s defensive movements to transition between attacks

  • Systematic progression - Top advances through mount variations (low to high to technical) methodically

  • Frame creation - Bottom establishes defensive structures to prevent submissions and create space

  • Hip control - Both top and bottom battle for hip positioning as the primary control mechanism

  • Energy management - Bottom conserves energy while top applies sustained pressure

Top vs Bottom

VariantBottom RiskTop RiskBottom EnergyTop EnergyKey Difference
MountHighLowHighLowHighest points with control-submission balance
High MountHighLow to MediumHighMediumElevated knees maximize submission access
Modified MountHighLow to MediumHighLowOne leg posted for enhanced base stability
S MountHighLow to MediumHighMediumPerpendicular body angle maximizes armbar leverage
Technical MountHighMediumHighMediumStepped leg creates armbar angle advantage
Mounted TriangleHighMedium to HighHighMediumMount pressure with triangle mechanics
Mounted CrucifixHighLowHighLowMount stability with arm isolation control
3-4 MountHighLow to MediumHighMediumAsymmetric leg configuration for submissions
Mount ControlHighLow to MediumHighLowElevated position maximizes submissions

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Frame early and often - Establish elbow-knee frames before top settles heavy hips

  • Protect neck first - Keep chin tucked and hands defending collar/neck region

  • Small movements accumulate - Create incremental space rather than explosive escapes

  • Never flat on back - Maintain slight angle to prevent full weight distribution

  • Hip before shoulder - Escape hips first, then work to turn shoulders

  • Energy conservation - Use technical movement over strength to preserve stamina

  • Systematic progression - Follow escape hierarchy rather than random techniques

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Lying completely flat on back with no defensive frames established

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to distribute full weight, making escape nearly impossible and exposing to submissions
    • ✅ Correction: Immediately establish elbow-knee connection frames and maintain slight angle to prevent flat positioning

  • ❌ Attempting explosive bridge without trapping opponent’s arm or leg

    • Consequence: Opponent easily maintains base, wastes defender’s energy, and may take back control
    • ✅ Correction: Only bridge explosively after properly trapping arm and posting foot, or use as distraction before shrimp

  • ❌ Pushing directly on opponent’s chest or shoulders during escape attempts

    • Consequence: Creates straight-arm vulnerability for Americana and Kimura attacks
    • ✅ Correction: Frame on hips, cross-face area, or use forearm frames rather than extended arm pushing

  • ❌ Turning to side prematurely without creating sufficient space first

    • Consequence: Gives up back control to opponent who can insert hooks easily
    • ✅ Correction: Create space through shrimping first, then turn only when sufficient distance exists

  • ❌ Using only upper body strength to escape without engaging hips

    • Consequence: Rapid energy depletion with minimal position improvement
    • ✅ Correction: Focus on hip escape mechanics and leg drive rather than arm strength

  • ❌ Reaching up to grab opponent’s head or collar during escape

    • Consequence: Exposes arms to Armbar and Americana attacks while reducing frame effectiveness
    • ✅ Correction: Keep elbows tight to body and use frames on hips and cross-face area

  • ❌ Panicking and attempting random explosive movements without strategy

    • Consequence: Energy depletion, increased submission vulnerability, and worsening position
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain composure, breathe, and execute systematic escape sequence

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Heavy hips, light hands - Maintain weight through hip pressure while staying mobile above

  • Control before submission - Establish dominant control before committing to finish attempts

  • Create submission dilemmas - Every defense opens new attack, forming inescapable chains

  • Progressive advancement - Move systematically from low to high to technical mount as opportunities arise

  • Pressure application - Use constant forward pressure to exhaust opponent and reduce defense effectiveness

  • Base adaptation - Adjust base width and posting positions based on opponent’s escape attempts

  • Submission from reaction - Allow opponent’s defensive movements to guide attack selection

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Sitting too high on opponent’s chest without proper base control

    • Consequence: Vulnerable to explosive upa/bridge escapes resulting in position reversal
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain hips at solar plexus level with wide base until advancing to high mount deliberately

  • ❌ Posting hands too far from body during attack transitions

    • Consequence: Creates space for opponent’s hip escape and guard recovery
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hands close to opponent’s body, using tight grips and maintaining chest pressure

  • ❌ Committing to submissions prematurely without proper control

    • Consequence: Opponent escapes mount during attempted finish, returning to neutral position
    • ✅ Correction: Establish dominant grips and control first, then progress methodically to submission

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to create frames without transitioning position

    • Consequence: Opponent builds strength in frames and eventually escapes to guard
    • ✅ Correction: Immediately advance to high mount or attack arms when frames are established

  • ❌ Remaining static in low mount without attacking or advancing

    • Consequence: Gives opponent time to develop effective frames and escape strategy
    • ✅ Correction: Constantly threaten submissions or advance position to maintain offensive pressure

  • ❌ Using only upper body strength without engaging hips for pressure

    • Consequence: Reduced control effectiveness and increased energy expenditure
    • ✅ Correction: Drive weight through hips while keeping upper body mobile for attacks

  • ❌ Ignoring opponent’s turn to side, allowing back exposure

    • Consequence: Miss opportunity to advance to superior back control position
    • ✅ Correction: Immediately follow opponent’s turn, inserting hooks for back control transition

  • Side Control - Common transition to mount via knee slide or step-over

  • Back Control - Technical mount serves as bridge position between mount and back control

  • Knee on Belly - Alternative dominant position often used to set up mount transition

  • North-South - Transitional position when opponent turns during mount escape attempts

  • Closed Guard - Primary target position for bottom mount escapes

  • Half Guard - Intermediate position during mount escapes before full guard recovery