S Mount top represents one of the most submission-oriented positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering the top practitioner overwhelming offensive advantages while maintaining dominant positional control. This position is characterized by sitting perpendicular to your opponent with one leg extended over their head and the other across their torso, creating an S-shaped body configuration that isolates their near arm for attack while preventing escape.
The strategic value of S Mount lies in its mechanical efficiency for armbar attacks and submission chains. Unlike standard mount, which emphasizes chest-to-chest pressure and positional dominance, S Mount sacrifices some base stability in exchange for superior attacking leverage and submission setup mechanics. The perpendicular body angle creates optimal arm isolation and allows you to apply force directly through your opponent’s shoulder joint, making the armbar extremely difficult to defend once proper control is established.
Control mechanics in S Mount top revolve around hip-to-shoulder connection, leg positioning, and arm isolation. Your near leg extends over the opponent’s head with your foot planted firmly on the mat, creating a structural post that prevents them from sitting up or turning away. Your far leg crosses their torso at chest level, controlling their upper body and preventing hip escape. Your hands control their isolated arm while your body weight pins their shoulder, eliminating defensive space and creating the submission threat.
The transition into S Mount typically occurs from standard mount when you identify an opportunity to attack the arm. As your opponent defends submissions or attempts to create frames, you capitalize by swinging your leg over their head and establishing perpendicular control. This transition must be executed with technical precision, as premature or poorly timed movements can result in losing mount position entirely. Understanding the relationship between mount control and S Mount attacking is fundamental to high-level submission offense.
S Mount appears throughout BJJ history as a signature position of submission specialists. Legendary practitioners like Demian Maia, Roger Gracie, and Rickson Gracie have demonstrated the position’s effectiveness at the highest levels of competition, often using it as their primary path to victory. The position exemplifies core BJJ principles: using leverage and technique over strength, establishing dominant control before attacking submissions, and creating mechanical advantages that make submissions nearly inevitable. Modern competitors continue to refine S Mount mechanics, developing increasingly sophisticated control methods and submission chains that showcase the position’s evolution in contemporary grappling.
Position Definition
- Top practitioner sits perpendicular to opponent’s torso with hips positioned tight against their near shoulder, creating an S-shaped body configuration. The near leg extends over opponent’s head with foot planted firmly on mat beyond their far shoulder, while the far leg crosses over their torso at chest level. This perpendicular positioning isolates opponent’s near arm between the legs and creates optimal leverage for armbar attacks while maintaining structural control that prevents escape or reversal.
- Opponent’s near arm is isolated and controlled between top practitioner’s legs, typically with the arm extended across the top person’s body or trapped in armbar position. The top practitioner’s hands grip the opponent’s wrist and control the arm’s position, preventing them from bending their elbow or pulling the arm back to safety. The arm isolation is the primary offensive element of S Mount, creating immediate submission threat while limiting the opponent’s defensive options.
- Top practitioner’s weight is distributed through their posted leg (over the head) and controlling leg (across torso), creating a stable base that is difficult to disrupt despite the perpendicular body angle. Their upper body leans toward the isolated arm, positioning center of gravity to maximize control while preparing for submission finish. The hip-to-shoulder connection must remain tight throughout position maintenance, as any space between the hip and shoulder allows opponent to begin escape sequence.
Prerequisites
- You have achieved mount position and established dominant control over opponent
- Opponent’s near arm is exposed or vulnerable to isolation through their defensive reactions
- Your base in mount is secure enough to transition safely without risking position loss
- You have identified a clear submission opportunity that warrants transitioning from mount to S Mount
- Opponent is unable to establish effective defensive frames or create sufficient space to prevent transition
Key Offensive 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
Available Attacks
Armbar from Mount → Armbar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 60%
- Intermediate: 75%
- Advanced: 85%
Triangle from Mount → Mounted Triangle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Americana from Mount → Americana Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 55%
Kimura from Mount → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 50%
Transition to Back Control → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 70%
- Intermediate: 80%
- Advanced: 90%
Mounted Crucifix Entry → Mounted Crucifix
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Gift Wrap to Back → Gift Wrap
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent’s arm is isolated and extended with proper control established:
- Execute Complete armbar immediately → Armbar Control (Probability: 85%)
- Execute Adjust hip angle for perfect leverage → Armbar Control (Probability: 80%)
If opponent successfully bends their arm and grips their collar for defense:
- Execute Break grip with wrist control → Armbar Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Switch to triangle attack → Mounted Triangle (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Return to mount and reset → Mount (Probability: 70%)
If opponent turns away from S Mount to protect arm:
- Execute Take the back immediately → Back Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Establish gift wrap control → Gift Wrap (Probability: 65%)
If opponent brings free arm across body to defend:
- Execute Switch to triangle setup → Mounted Triangle (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Attack second arm with americana → Americana Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Transition to mounted crucifix → Mounted Crucifix (Probability: 50%)
If opponent begins effective hip escape creating significant space:
- Execute Abandon S Mount and secure mount → Mount (Probability: 85%)
- Execute Complete armbar quickly before escape → Armbar Control (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Direct Armbar Finish
Mount → S Mount Top → Armbar Control → Won by Submission
Triangle Chain
Mount → S Mount Top → Mounted Triangle → Triangle Choke Front → Won by Submission
Back Attack Series
Mount → S Mount Top → Gift Wrap → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Mounted Crucifix Path
Mount → S Mount Top → Mounted Crucifix → Choke from Crucifix → Won by Submission
Alternative Arm Attack
Mount → S Mount Top → Americana Control → Americana from Mount → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 60% | 65% | 55% |
| Intermediate | 75% | 80% | 70% |
| Advanced | 85% | 90% | 85% |
Average Time in Position: 20-60 seconds from entry to submission or position change
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
S Mount represents a critical juncture in the mount attack system where we sacrifice some positional stability in exchange for dramatically improved submission mechanics. The perpendicular body angle creates optimal leverage for the armbar by allowing you to position your hips at an angle that makes it mechanically impossible for your opponent to keep their arm bent once you begin the extension. The key to effective S Mount control is understanding that this is not a static position - it is a transitional attacking position that should flow directly into submission. Your hip-to-shoulder connection is the critical control point. Any space here allows your opponent to begin their escape sequence. When transitioning from mount to S Mount, think of it as a smooth, connected movement rather than discrete positions. You are moving from one form of control to another while maintaining constant pressure and arm isolation. The most common error is transitioning too early before the arm is properly isolated, which results in position loss. Establish the arm control first in mount, then execute the transition with technical precision.
Gordon Ryan
S Mount is probably my highest percentage position for finishing armbars in competition. The beauty of it is that once you have proper control, the armbar is almost automatic if you know the mechanics. When I transition to S Mount, I’m already thinking about the finish - the position and the submission are the same thing in my mind. The key details are: keep your hips tight to their shoulder the whole time, control their wrist with both hands until the last second, and step your leg over their head deliberately, not explosively. A lot of people rush this and lose the position. In competition, I’ve noticed opponents panic when I lock this up because they know what’s coming. That panic is useful - they make mistakes trying to escape. If the armbar is defended well, which is rare, I immediately look to take the back or switch to a triangle. Never waste energy forcing a defended submission. The transition game from S Mount is huge - armbar, triangle, back take - all flow together naturally if you understand the position properly.
Eddie Bravo
S Mount is old school but it’s still money in both gi and no-gi. The 10th Planet system uses this position heavily because it sets up not just the armbar but a whole chain of attacks. Here’s what most people miss: when you’re in S Mount, you control their whole body with just your leg position and hip pressure. That’s efficient as hell. The armbar is the obvious finish, but pay attention to their free arm. If they bring it across to defend, you’ve got triangle right there. If they turn away, you’ve got the back. The position creates these automatic reactions that you can exploit. In no-gi, S Mount is even more powerful because without grips to hold onto, their defensive options are way more limited. They can’t grip their collar or gi pants to defend the arm, so the armbar comes faster. Train the transition from mount to S Mount until it’s completely smooth - you should be able to do it in one motion. And always remember: if the submission isn’t there, go back to mount. Don’t sacrifice position chasing a submission that’s not happening.