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%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent remains flat and passive, accepting bottom position without immediate escape attempts:
- Execute Transition to Mount → Mount (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Mount to Armbar → Armbar Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Ezekiel from Mount → Armbar Control (Probability: 50%)
Else if opponent attempts to bridge explosively or turn into the mounted side to escape:
- Execute Americana from Mount → Americana Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Kimura from Mount → Kimura Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Side Control to Mount → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
Else if opponent turns away from posted leg or exposes their back during escape attempt:
- Execute Transition to North-South → North-South (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Side Control to Mount → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Back Take Generic → Back Control (Probability: 75%)
Else if opponent successfully frames and begins creating space on the mounted side:
- Execute Mount to Armbar → Armbar Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Triangle from Mount → Mounted Triangle (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Transition to Mount → Mount (Probability: 60%)
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 Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 55% | 45% | 30% |
| Intermediate | 70% | 60% | 45% |
| Advanced | 85% | 75% | 65% |
Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The 3-4 Mount position represents a sophisticated understanding of asymmetric control dynamics in grappling. From a biomechanical perspective, this configuration offers superior base stability against the most common escape vectors while preserving transitional capacity that bilateral mount configurations inherently restrict. The mounted leg functions as a control wedge, preventing the shrimp escape by occupying the space the opponent needs to create, while the posted leg provides a dynamic base that can shift to counter bridge attempts. What makes this position particularly valuable from a systematic standpoint is its role as a transitional hub—it connects mount attacks, side control pressure, and armbar entries within a unified control framework. Advanced practitioners recognize that staying in pure 3-4 Mount for extended periods wastes its strategic value; the position should be viewed as a momentary control point that facilitates movement toward either consolidated mount or immediate submission attacks. The key technical insight is understanding that your weight distribution must remain centered or slightly toward the mounted side, using the posted leg for base adjustments rather than primary weight support. This prevents the common error of leaning away from the opponent, which creates the exact escape pathway you’re trying to deny.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, 3-4 Mount is one of the most underutilized positions at the highest levels, which is surprising given its effectiveness for both control and finishing. When I’m in this position, I’m immediately thinking about armbars and Americanas—the asymmetric configuration naturally creates opportunities for limb isolation because the opponent’s defensive frames are compromised by the angle. The posted leg gives me instant mobility to swing around for armbars without the commitment required from full mount, and if they defend the armbar, I’m already in position to transition to full mount or take their back. What separates high-level execution from basic 3-4 Mount is the constant pressure and threat creation. You can’t just sit there; you need to be actively hunting submissions while using the position’s base to shut down their escape attempts. Against experienced opponents, I use 3-4 Mount as a submission dilemma position—if they focus on defending the armbar, I attack the collar choke or Americana; if they defend those, the armbar opens up. The position scores full mount points, so from a competition strategy perspective, you’re banking four points while maintaining superior attacking capacity compared to traditional mount. That’s a winning combination that more competitors should be exploiting.
Eddie Bravo
The 3-4 Mount is actually the position I go to when I want to maintain maximum offensive threat while staying mobile and ready to transition. In the 10th Planet system, we view mount as a platform for constant movement rather than a static control position, and 3-4 Mount embodies that philosophy perfectly. What I love about this position is that you’re never truly committed—you can flow to full mount, swing for armbars, transition to side control, or even set up unconventional attacks like the mounted triangle without getting stuck in one configuration. The asymmetric base is crucial for dealing with explosive opponents who try to bridge and roll; that posted leg gives you the ability to surf their movements instead of getting caught in a strength battle. From a 10th Planet perspective, I teach 3-4 Mount as part of the overall mount flow system where you’re constantly shifting between mount variations based on the opponent’s reactions. If they’re defending traditional mount attacks, the 3-4 configuration changes the angles and creates new submission entries they might not be prepared for. The key innovation here is recognizing that asymmetry creates opportunities—when your opponent can’t predict which direction you’re going to attack from, their defensive structure breaks down. Stay creative, stay mobile, and use 3-4 Mount as a launching point for combination attacks rather than an end position.