BJJ Graph

Mount Control

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Mount control represents one of the most dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the top practitioner straddles the opponent’s torso while the bottom practitioner lies supine. This position is awarded 4 points in IBJJF competition, reflecting its strategic dominance and submission potential. The mount offers unparalleled offensive opportunities, combining positional control with direct access to high-percentage submissions including armbars, collar chokes, and Americanas.

From the top perspective, mount control requires a sophisticated understanding of weight distribution, base maintenance, and submission mechanics. The practitioner must balance offensive aggression with defensive awareness, as overcommitment to submissions can lead to sweeps or escapes. Modern mount strategy emphasizes gradual advancement through positions like low mount, high mount, and technical mount, each offering distinct submission pathways and control mechanisms.

From the bottom perspective, mount represents a critical defensive scenario requiring immediate escape action. The bottom practitioner faces constant submission threats while managing crushing pressure and positional advancement. Survival depends on defensive framing, hip movement, and systematic escape sequences that create space and recover guard. The ability to defend mount effectively separates intermediate practitioners from beginners, as mount escapes require technical precision under intense pressure.

The mount position exists within a complex ecosystem of related positions including technical mount, S-mount, high mount, and mounted triangle. Each variation offers specific tactical advantages, with transitions between them creating layered submission threats. Understanding these positional relationships enables practitioners to maintain control against sophisticated escape attempts while maximizing submission opportunities. The mount serves as a cornerstone of positional jiu-jitsu, where position dominance creates submission opportunities rather than forcing low-percentage attacks.

Key Principles

  • Weight distribution across chest and hips maintains control without sacrificing mobility

  • High mount positioning increases submission accessibility at the cost of base stability

  • Grapevine hooks prevent hip escape attempts but limit mobility for submission transitions

  • Head control and cross-face pressure eliminate defensive framing opportunities

  • Incremental position advancement from low to high mount creates submission chains

  • Bottom must prioritize space creation before attempting escape movements

  • Bridge timing must coincide with top practitioner’s weight shifts to create escape opportunities

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensiveOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelHighLow to Medium
Energy CostHighLow
TimeShortLong

Key Difference: Elevated position maximizes submissions

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Establish defensive frames immediately to prevent cross-face control and maintain breathing space

  • Never allow arms to extend fully or cross centerline where they become vulnerable to armbars

  • Keep elbows tight to ribs to protect against Americana and armbar attacks

  • Hip movement creates escape angles that static bridge attempts cannot achieve

  • Escape attempts must time with opponent’s weight shifts rather than fighting stable positions

  • Protect neck by keeping chin tucked and preventing collar grips or gift wrap control

  • Progressive escape sequences move through half guard rather than attempting full guard recovery immediately

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Extending arms fully to push opponent’s chest creates immediate armbar vulnerability

    • Consequence: Opponent transitions to technical mount or S-mount for armbar finish
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain bent elbows with forearms creating frames against opponent’s hips and biceps

  • ❌ Flat bridging without hip angle creation fails to off-balance opponent

    • Consequence: Energy expenditure without positional improvement, leading to exhaustion under pressure
    • ✅ Correction: Bridge at 45-degree angle toward opponent’s posted hand while trapping arm and leg on same side

  • ❌ Attempting escape movements while opponent has stable base and centered weight

    • Consequence: Failed escape attempts that worsen position as opponent advances to high mount
    • ✅ Correction: Wait for weight shifts during submission attempts or position adjustments before initiating escapes

  • ❌ Turning to side or exposing back in panic response to mount pressure

    • Consequence: Immediate back exposure allowing opponent to establish hooks and seat belt control
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain face-up position while using systematic escape sequences through half guard

  • ❌ Crossing arms over centerline or allowing gift wrap control during defensive movements

    • Consequence: Arm isolation enabling Americana attacks or gift wrap position leading to back take
    • ✅ Correction: Keep elbows inside opponent’s knee line with hands protecting neck and maintaining frames

  • ❌ Neglecting neck defense while focusing solely on hip escape movements

    • Consequence: Collar choke or ezekiel choke finishes during escape attempts
    • ✅ Correction: Chin tucked with one hand protecting collar while other hand frames against hip

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Weight distribution across chest and hips creates pressure while maintaining mobility for submission transitions

  • Base width through knee positioning provides stability against bridge attempts without sacrificing advancement capability

  • High mount positioning trades base stability for increased submission accessibility

  • Grapevine hooks eliminate hip escape attempts but limit mobility for technical mount transitions

  • Cross-face and head control prevent defensive framing while creating submission entries

  • Submission chains exploit defensive reactions where armbar defense opens choke opportunities

  • Incremental position advancement through mount variations accumulates pressure leading to submissions

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Sitting upright with weight centered on hips rather than driving chest pressure forward

    • Consequence: Opponent easily executes elbow escape by creating space under hips without resistance
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain forward lean with chest pressure driving into opponent’s sternum while hips stay low

  • ❌ Posting both hands on mat to maintain base creates no submission threat

    • Consequence: Opponent escapes systematically as position offers no offensive pressure to prevent escape timing
    • ✅ Correction: Keep one hand free for collar grips or arm isolation while using weight distribution rather than hand posts for base

  • ❌ Committing fully to armbar attempt without establishing positional control first

    • Consequence: Opponent escapes during transition when base is lifted and weight shifts off chest
    • ✅ Correction: Advance to high mount first, then transition through technical mount with controlled weight distribution

  • ❌ Remaining in low mount without advancing position or threatening submissions

    • Consequence: Static position allows opponent to time bridge attempts and implement systematic escape sequences
    • ✅ Correction: Continuously advance toward high mount while threatening submissions that force defensive reactions

  • ❌ Narrow base with knees positioned close to opponent’s body

    • Consequence: Vulnerable to bridge and roll escape as narrow base provides insufficient resistance to rolling motion
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain wide base with knees spread apart and feet positioned for posting against bridge attempts

  • ❌ Leaning too far forward during submission attempts without maintaining hip control

    • Consequence: Opponent shrimps hips out creating space for guard recovery during overextended position
    • ✅ Correction: Advance hips first when moving to high mount before leaning forward for submission grips

  • High Mount - Advanced mount variation with knees higher on torso for increased submission access

  • Technical Mount - Asymmetric mount variation with one leg extended for armbar access

  • S Mount - Transitional position between mount and armbar with leg configuration resembling letter S

  • Mounted Triangle - Submission control position combining mount pressure with triangle choke mechanics

  • Mounted Crucifix - Arm isolation position from mount creating multiple submission pathways

  • Side Control - Common transition point when moving to or escaping from mount

  • Knee on Belly - Alternative top position used when mount control is threatened

  • Back Control - Superior position accessible when opponent turns during mount escape attempts

  • Closed Guard - Primary recovery position when successfully escaping mount bottom

  • Half Guard - Intermediate position during incomplete mount escapes from bottom