3-4 Mount Top

Jan 23, 202610 min read

The 3-4 Mount Top position represents a hybrid control state that combines elements of traditional mount with characteristics of three-quarter mount positioning. From the top perspective, this position offers exceptional control while maintaining the mobility to transition between full mount, side control, and various submission attacks. The practitioner sits with one leg fully over the opponent’s body (as in standard mount) while the other leg remains posted outside, creating a three-quarter configuration that maximizes pressure while retaining mobility.

This position emerged as practitioners recognized the tactical advantages of maintaining asymmetric leg positioning during mount attacks. Rather than committing both legs to the traditional mount configuration, the 3-4 Mount allows the top player to maintain a strong base against bridging attempts while preserving the ability to quickly shift weight, adjust angles, and respond to defensive movements. The position scores full mount points (4 points) in IBJJF competition while offering superior submission opportunities compared to traditional mount.

Strategically, 3-4 Mount Top excels as both a finishing position and a transitional control point. Advanced practitioners use this position to create submission dilemmas, particularly targeting armbars, Americanas, and collar chokes, while the asymmetric base provides resistance against the most common mount escapes. The position demands precise weight distribution and constant pressure adjustment to prevent the bottom player from recovering guard or escaping to less disadvantageous positions.

Position Definition

  • Top player’s hips positioned on opponent’s torso/abdomen with one leg fully crossed over the body and one leg posted outside, creating asymmetric weight distribution through the mounted side while maintaining base through the posted leg
  • Mounted leg (inside leg) maintains tight connection to opponent’s ribcage with knee driving into armpit or ribs, preventing space creation and establishing the primary control point for the three-quarter configuration
  • Posted leg (outside leg) positioned with knee on mat outside opponent’s body, foot posting for base and mobility, creating a stable triangular base that resists bridging attempts while preserving transitional capacity
  • Opponent on their back with shoulders flat or partially turned toward the posted leg side, facing upward with restricted but not eliminated mobility, creating defensive urgency while maintaining escape potential
  • Top player’s upper body maintains forward pressure with weight distributed across chest and hips, hands controlling opponent’s arms or posted on mat for base, creating constant downward force that limits breathing and movement capacity

Prerequisites

  • Successful transition from side control, standard mount, or knee on belly with opponent on their back
  • Control of opponent’s upper body with at least one arm controlled or neutralized
  • Opponent flat or partially turned on their back with shoulders in contact with mat
  • Top player’s weight successfully transferred onto opponent’s torso with stable base established
  • Clear path for one leg to cross opponent’s body while other leg maintains posted position for base and mobility

Key Offensive Principles

  • Maintain constant forward pressure through hips and chest, sinking weight into opponent’s diaphragm to restrict breathing and create submission urgency
  • Keep mounted-side knee tight to opponent’s ribs/armpit, eliminating space and preventing the most common shrimp escape pattern
  • Posted leg provides dynamic base adjustments, shifting weight to counter bridge attempts while preserving ability to transition to full mount or side attacks
  • Control opponent’s arms proactively, isolating limbs for submissions while preventing effective framing and escape attempts
  • Maintain low center of gravity with chest heavy on opponent, forcing them to carry your weight while limiting their ability to create explosive movement
  • Use head position and shoulder pressure to control opponent’s upper body, preventing them from turning into you or establishing effective defensive frames
  • Stay mobile and ready to transition, recognizing that 3-4 Mount is often a transitional position leading to full mount, side control, or submission attacks

Available Attacks

Mount to Armbar → Armbar Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 70%

Transition to Mount → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 55%
  • Intermediate: 70%
  • Advanced: 85%

Americana from Mount → Americana Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Side Control to Mount → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 60%
  • Intermediate: 75%
  • Advanced: 85%

Ezekiel from Mount → Armbar Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 60%

Triangle from Mount → Mounted Triangle

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 55%

Kimura from Mount → Kimura Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 65%

Transition to North-South → North-South

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 50%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 80%

Back Take Generic → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 70%

Transition to Mount → S Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Transition to Mount → Technical Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 45%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent remains flat and passive, accepting bottom position without immediate escape attempts:

Else if opponent attempts to bridge explosively or turn into the mounted side to escape:

Else if opponent turns away from posted leg or exposes their back during escape attempt:

Else if opponent successfully frames and begins creating space on the mounted side:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Sitting too upright with weight distributed through the knees instead of hips and chest

  • ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent to generate explosive bridging power, creates space for elbow escape, and reduces submission control
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain forward pressure with chest heavy on opponent, distributing weight through hips into their diaphragm while keeping shoulders over their centerline

2. Allowing the mounted-side knee to drift away from opponent’s ribs, creating space on the inside

  • ❌ Consequence: Enables opponent to insert elbow and begin shrimp escape sequence, leading to half guard recovery or full escape
  • ✅ Correction: Keep mounted knee tight to ribs/armpit with constant inward pressure, using knee as a wedge to prevent any space creation on the inside

3. Posting the outside leg too far from opponent’s body, creating weak triangular base

  • ❌ Consequence: Reduces ability to counter bridging attempts, makes position unstable against explosive movements, and limits transitional capacity
  • ✅ Correction: Position posted leg close enough to maintain strong base but far enough to allow hip mobility and weight shifts to counter opponent’s movements

4. Neglecting to control opponent’s arms, allowing them to establish effective frames

  • ❌ Consequence: Permits opponent to create space, push hips away, and execute escape sequences with higher success rates
  • ✅ Correction: Proactively control at least one arm at all times, isolating limbs for submissions or pinning them to reduce defensive capacity

5. Remaining static in 3-4 Mount without transitioning to full mount or attacking submissions

  • ❌ Consequence: Wastes the position’s transitional advantages, gives opponent time to develop escape strategy, and reduces finishing rate
  • ✅ Correction: Recognize 3-4 Mount as a transitional position leading to full mount, submissions, or side attacks—maintain constant offensive pressure

6. Leaning weight toward the posted leg side instead of maintaining centered pressure

  • ❌ Consequence: Creates escape pathway on the mounted side, reduces submission control, and makes position vulnerable to bridge and roll
  • ✅ Correction: Distribute weight evenly or slightly toward mounted side, using posted leg for base adjustments rather than primary weight support

7. Failing to adjust position when opponent begins turning into the posted leg

  • ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent to escape to turtle or recover guard by turning away from mounted side pressure
  • ✅ Correction: Immediately transition to side control or north-south when opponent begins turning, maintaining top position throughout the adjustment

Training Drills for Attacks

3-4 Mount to Full Mount Transitions

Partner starts in bottom mount position. Top player establishes 3-4 Mount, then transitions to full mount by bringing posted leg over. Bottom player offers 25% resistance. Drill both sides. Focus on maintaining pressure throughout transition and securing mount without allowing space creation.

Duration: 3 minutes per side

Submission Attacks from 3-4 Mount

Top player establishes 3-4 Mount against compliant partner. Cycle through armbar, Americana, and Ezekiel setups without finishing. Bottom player offers light resistance and defensive frames. Focus on recognizing submission opportunities based on opponent’s arm positions and maintaining control throughout attack sequences.

Duration: 5 minutes continuous

3-4 Mount Retention Against Escapes

Bottom player attempts specific escape sequence (bridge and roll, elbow escape, or shrimp escape) at 50% intensity. Top player maintains 3-4 Mount position or transitions to maintain top control. Reset after each escape attempt. Focus on base adjustments, weight distribution, and counter-transitions to prevent escape success.

Duration: 2 minutes per escape type

Dynamic 3-4 Mount Positional Sparring

Start in 3-4 Mount position. Bottom player attempts any escape at 75% intensity. Top player maintains position or improves to full mount/submissions. Round ends when bottom player escapes to guard or top player achieves submission control position. Focus on realistic pressure, timing, and transition recognition.

Duration: 3-minute rounds, 5 rounds

Optimal Submission Paths

Shortest path to armbar

3-4 Mount Top → Armbar Control → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission

High-percentage Americana path

3-4 Mount Top → Mount → Americana Control → Americana from Mount → Won by Submission

Ezekiel finishing sequence

3-4 Mount Top → Mount → Armbar Control → Ezekiel from Mount → Won by Submission

Triangle transition path

3-4 Mount Top → Mount → Mounted Triangle → Triangle from Mount → Won by Submission

Kimura control path

3-4 Mount Top → Kimura Control → Kimura from Mount → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner55%45%30%
Intermediate70%60%45%
Advanced85%75%65%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds

  • Mount - Parent position - primary advancement target from 3-4 Mount
  • 3-4 Mount - Sibling variant - opposing perspective of same position
  • Side Control - Common transition target when opponent turns or escapes mounted side
  • High Mount - Advanced variation - higher positioning with increased submission access
  • S Mount - Variation - alternative asymmetric mount configuration for armbar attacks
  • Technical Mount - Variation - another asymmetric mount used for back take and control
  • Armbar Control - Primary submission target from 3-4 Mount position
  • Americana Control - Common submission target when opponent’s arm becomes isolated
  • Positional Hierarchy - Concept - understanding 3-4 Mount’s place in position advancement ladder
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