S Mount, also known as technical mount or mounted armbar position, represents one of the most dominant and submission-oriented positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This position is characterized by the top practitioner sitting perpendicular to their opponent while maintaining mount control, with one leg extended over the opponent’s head and the other leg positioned across their torso. The name derives from the S-shaped configuration created by the top person’s body position relative to their opponent.
The strategic value of S Mount lies in its dual nature as both a controlling position and a launching platform for high-percentage submissions. Unlike standard mount, which prioritizes positional dominance and chest-to-chest pressure, S Mount sacrifices some stability in exchange for superior attacking mechanics, particularly for armbars. The perpendicular body angle creates optimal leverage for shoulder isolation and provides multiple submission paths while maintaining enough control to prevent escape.
From the bottom perspective, S Mount represents an extremely dangerous position that requires immediate defensive action. The bottom practitioner faces the dual threat of submission and positional advancement, with limited defensive options once proper control is established. Understanding S Mount defense is crucial for survival in competition and training, as the position naturally flows from standard mount control and appears frequently in high-level competition.
The transition mechanics into S Mount typically originate from mount or side control, with the top practitioner moving into perpendicular alignment to attack the arm. This position features prominently in the games of submission specialists like Demian Maia, Roger Gracie, and Renzo Gracie, who have demonstrated its effectiveness at the highest levels of competition. The position exemplifies the principle of position before submission, as proper S Mount control makes the armbar nearly inevitable.
Historically, S Mount has been a fundamental component of Japanese judo groundwork (newaza) and was adopted early in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s development. The position showcases the art’s emphasis on positional dominance and technical submission execution, rather than relying purely on strength or athleticism. Modern competitors continue to refine S Mount mechanics, developing increasingly sophisticated control methods and submission chains that make the position even more dominant in contemporary grappling.
Key Principles
-
S Mount is a transitional attacking position - move to submission immediately or return to standard mount
-
Perpendicular body angle provides mechanical advantage for armbar while maintaining top position
-
Control the opponent’s near arm and head simultaneously to prevent escape and facilitate submission
-
Use your legs as structural posts - one over head, one across torso - to create immovable base
-
Bottom must defend the arm first, escape the position second - never expose both arms simultaneously
-
Top practitioner’s hips must stay tight to opponent’s shoulder to prevent space creation and escape
-
Weight distribution shifts from chest pressure to hip pressure when transitioning from mount to S Mount
Top vs Bottom
| Bottom | Top | |
|---|---|---|
| Position Type | Defensive | Offensive/Controlling |
| Risk Level | High | Low to Medium |
| Energy Cost | High | Medium |
| Time | Short | Short to Medium |
Key Difference: Perpendicular body angle maximizes armbar leverage
Playing as Bottom
Key Principles
-
Protect the isolated arm first - never allow full extension as this guarantees submission
-
Keep trapped arm bent at 90 degrees or greater - straightened arms are indefensible against armbar
-
Use free hand to control opponent’s near leg preventing full step-over to complete armbar
-
Create frames against opponent’s hips with free arm to generate space for escape timing
-
Hip escape toward opponent’s legs while maintaining arm protection to recover guard position
-
Never panic and thrash - explosive movements without technical foundation expose the arm to submission
-
If arm is fully extended and opponent has proper control, tap immediately - injury prevention is paramount
Primary Techniques
-
- Success Rate: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 25%, Advanced 35%
-
- Success Rate: Beginner 10%, Intermediate 20%, Advanced 30%
-
- Success Rate: Beginner 5%, Intermediate 10%, Advanced 15%
-
Technical Standup → Standing Position
- Success Rate: Beginner 5%, Intermediate 10%, Advanced 20%
-
- Success Rate: Beginner 8%, Intermediate 15%, Advanced 25%
-
- Success Rate: Beginner 12%, Intermediate 22%, Advanced 32%
Common Mistakes
-
❌ Straightening the trapped arm in attempt to pull it free from opponent’s control
- Consequence: Creates perfect armbar setup - extended arm is mechanically indefensible and leads to immediate submission
- ✅ Correction: Keep arm bent at all times, grip own collar or gi to maintain bent position, pull elbow tight to body
-
❌ Using both hands to push against opponent’s leg over head without protecting trapped arm
- Consequence: Opponent easily secures armbar as you actively extend your own arm into submission position
- ✅ Correction: One hand protects arm (gripping collar), other hand controls opponent’s leg - never abandon arm defense
-
❌ Panicking and thrashing randomly without technical escape structure
- Consequence: Exhausts energy, creates opportunities for opponent to secure submission, prevents technical escape execution
- ✅ Correction: Stay calm, maintain defensive posture, wait for opponent’s adjustment to execute precise escape technique
-
❌ Attempting to sit up or crunch toward opponent while arm is trapped
- Consequence: Feeds arm deeper into opponent’s control, makes armbar completion easier by removing defensive space
- ✅ Correction: Stay flat or slightly turned away, create frames with free arm, escape hips away from opponent
-
❌ Failing to control opponent’s near leg with free hand during escape attempts
- Consequence: Opponent easily steps over head to complete armbar or transitions to mounted triangle
- ✅ Correction: Always maintain control of opponent’s near leg with free hand to prevent full armbar setup
-
❌ Turning away from opponent to protect trapped arm
- Consequence: Gives up back control or allows opponent to establish rear mount with both hooks
- ✅ Correction: Face opponent, keep shoulders square, use technical frames rather than turning away
Playing as Top
Key Principles
-
S Mount is an attacking position - move to submission immediately or return to standard mount
-
Hip-to-shoulder connection is critical - any space allows opponent to begin escape sequence
-
Control opponent’s isolated arm continuously from transition through submission completion
-
Use your legs as structural posts creating immovable base despite perpendicular body angle
-
Armbar is primary submission but maintain awareness of triangle, americana, and mounted triangle options
-
Weight shifts from chest pressure to hip pressure during mount-to-S Mount transition
-
If opponent successfully defends armbar, transition back to mount rather than forcing low-percentage finish
Primary Techniques
-
Armbar from Mount → Armbar Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 60%, Intermediate 75%, Advanced 85%
-
Triangle from Mount → Mounted Triangle
- Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
-
Americana from Mount → Americana Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 55%
-
Kimura from Mount → Kimura Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 50%
-
Transition to Back Control → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
-
- Success Rate: Beginner 70%, Intermediate 80%, Advanced 90%
-
Mounted Crucifix Entry → Mounted Crucifix
- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 50%
-
- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
Common Mistakes
-
❌ Transitioning to S Mount too early before establishing solid mount control and arm isolation
- Consequence: Opponent escapes during transition, losing dominant mount position entirely and allowing recovery to guard
- ✅ Correction: Secure mount control first, control opponent’s arm, then transition smoothly to S Mount only when arm is fully isolated
-
❌ Failing to maintain hip-to-shoulder pressure during S Mount control
- Consequence: Creates space allowing opponent to pull arm back, hip escape, or roll to turtle position
- ✅ Correction: Keep hips glued to opponent’s shoulder throughout control and submission attack, weight forward to eliminate space
-
❌ Stepping leg over head too far or too aggressively without proper control established
- Consequence: Loses balance, creates opportunity for opponent to sweep or escape, potentially gives up position entirely
- ✅ Correction: Maintain control first, step leg over deliberately, keep foot planted firmly for structural base
-
❌ Releasing grip on opponent’s wrist prematurely before armbar is fully secured
- Consequence: Opponent pulls arm back immediately, escapes submission, potentially escapes position
- ✅ Correction: Maintain continuous wrist control from initial isolation through complete submission finish
-
❌ Forcing armbar when opponent has strong defensive posture established
- Consequence: Wastes energy, creates opportunity for opponent to escape, potentially loses mount position
- ✅ Correction: If armbar is well defended, transition to alternative submission or return to mount rather than forcing low-percentage finish
-
❌ Allowing opponent to control your near leg with their free hand
- Consequence: Prevents stepping over head to complete armbar, gives opponent leverage for sweep attempts
- ✅ Correction: Pin opponent’s free hand with your far arm or create angle that makes leg control impossible
-
❌ Leaning too far back during armbar attempt compromising balance and control
- Consequence: Opponent rolls you over, escapes armbar, potentially reverses position to their advantage
- ✅ Correction: Maintain forward lean with hips tight to shoulder, only lean back when arm is fully extended and control is absolute