Mount top represents the pinnacle of positional dominance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering maximum control combined with extensive submission opportunities. From this elevated position, the top practitioner controls the opponent’s torso while maintaining multiple pathways to finishing submissions or advancing to superior positions like technical mount or back control. The position awards 4 points in IBJJF competition, reflecting its strategic significance in positional hierarchy.
Effective mount maintenance requires sophisticated understanding of weight distribution across multiple contact points. The practitioner must balance chest pressure that pins the opponent while maintaining base width through knee and foot positioning that resists bridge attempts. Modern mount control emphasizes dynamic weight shifting that maintains pressure while advancing toward submission positions. Static mount holding, while secure, fails to capitalize on the position’s offensive potential and allows skilled opponents to implement escape sequences.
The submission arsenal from mount includes both upper body and lower body attacks, creating multi-directional threats that overwhelm defensive efforts. Armbar transitions through technical mount and S-mount positions provide high-percentage finishes, while collar chokes including cross collar chokes and ezekiel variations create immediate tapping threats. The Americana and kimura attacks target the shoulder joint, often forcing defensive reactions that open alternative submission pathways. Understanding submission chains from mount - where defense against one attack creates vulnerability to another - separates advanced practitioners from intermediate competitors.
Positional advancement from mount follows systematic progression through variations including low mount, high mount, technical mount, and S-mount. Each position offers specific submission access while requiring different base structures and weight distributions. The mount specialist understands these variations not as separate positions but as fluid continuum where transitions between them create submission opportunities through accumulated pressure and defensive reaction patterns. Competition success from mount depends on this systematic approach rather than explosive commitment to single submission attempts.
Position Definition
- Top practitioner’s knees maintain floor contact on either side of bottom’s torso with hips driving forward to maintain chest-to-chest pressure, while bottom practitioner’s shoulder blades remain pinned to mat surface
- Top practitioner’s weight distributes across chest connection and hip drive into bottom’s torso, while maintaining base width through knee positioning that resists bridge and roll attempts
- Top practitioner’s hands remain free for submission grips or base posting, while bottom practitioner’s defensive frames create minimal space between bodies without achieving full extension
Prerequisites
- Successful guard pass establishing chest-to-chest connection with opponent’s back on mat
- Both knees established on floor surface on either side of opponent’s torso
- Opponent’s shoulders pinned to mat with top practitioner’s weight preventing immediate standup
Key Offensive 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
Available Attacks
Armbar from Mount → Armbar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Mount to Armbar → Technical Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Americana from Mount → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Cross Collar Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Ezekiel from Mount → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Triangle from Mount → Mounted Triangle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Kimura from Mount → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Back Take Generic → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Arm Triangle → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Transition to Mount → High Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 55%
- Intermediate: 70%
- Advanced: 85%
Loop Choke from Mount → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Monoplata from Mount → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent maintains defensive frames with elbows tight to ribs and no escape movement:
- Execute Transition to Mount → High Mount (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Americana from Mount → Won by Submission (Probability: 55%)
If opponent begins elbow escape sequence with hip movement creating space on one side:
- Execute Transition to Mount → High Mount (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Mount to Armbar → Technical Mount (Probability: 60%)
If opponent extends arms to push chest attempting to create space:
- Execute Armbar from Mount → Armbar Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Mount to Armbar → Technical Mount (Probability: 70%)
If opponent bridges explosively attempting upa escape with arm and leg trap:
- Execute Back Take Generic → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Arm Triangle → Won by Submission (Probability: 50%)
If opponent turns to side exposing back during escape attempt:
- Execute Back Take Generic → Back Control (Probability: 80%)
- Execute Transition to Mount → Technical Mount (Probability: 65%)
Optimal Submission Paths
High Mount to Armbar Sequence
Mount Control Top → High Mount → Technical Mount → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission
Americana to Armbar Chain
Mount Control Top → Americana from Mount (defended) → Mount to Armbar → Technical Mount → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission
Collar Choke Series
Mount Control Top → High Mount → Cross Collar Choke → Won by Submission
Back Take from Mount Defense
Mount Control Top → High Mount → Back Take Generic → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Triangle from Mount Setup
Mount Control Top → High Mount → Triangle from Mount → Mounted Triangle → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 60% | 50% | 40% |
| Intermediate | 75% | 65% | 60% |
| Advanced | 90% | 80% | 80% |
Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds for skilled practitioners before submission or position change