Reverse Mount Bottom is a highly defensive position where the practitioner is mounted but facing away from their opponent, with the opponent’s hips on their back or lower torso. This is an extremely vulnerable position that requires immediate defensive action to prevent submissions, particularly rear naked chokes and back takes. Unlike traditional mount bottom, the defender cannot use frames or visual cues as effectively, making this position particularly dangerous.
The primary objective is rapid escape to less compromising positions through systematic hip movement, turning, and re-guarding sequences. This position often occurs during scrambles, failed takedown defenses, or when an opponent successfully transitions from turtle or other positions. The defender’s back is exposed, creating immediate submission threats and eliminating the visual feedback normally available in face-to-face defensive positions.
Understanding the escape hierarchy and maintaining composure under pressure are critical for survival and eventual position improvement from this highly unfavorable state. The defender must balance immediate neck protection with continuous movement toward improved positions, never allowing the opponent to settle their weight and establish complete control.
Position Definition
- Opponent’s hips positioned on defender’s lower back, lumbar region, or glutes with weight distributed downward through their pelvis, creating heavy pressure on the spine and restricting torso mobility
- Defender face-down or on their side with back exposed to opponent, shoulders pressed toward mat, unable to establish visual contact or traditional defensive frames against upper body attacks from behind
- Opponent has access to defender’s back, neck, and arms from behind, with ability to establish hooks or seat belt control points without defender’s direct visual awareness of hand positioning
- Defender’s hips pinned to mat with limited mobility, torso twisted or flattened with opponent controlling from superior position behind and above, eliminating traditional mount escape mechanics
Prerequisites
- Opponent successfully achieved reverse mount through scramble, turtle attack, or failed escape attempt
- Defender’s back is exposed with opponent achieving top position from behind
- Opponent has established hip-to-back contact with weight distribution favoring control
- Defender is unable to face opponent or establish traditional bottom mount defensive structures
Key Defensive Principles
- Immediately protect neck with chin tucked and hands defending collar/throat area to prevent rear naked choke
- Prevent opponent from establishing hooks or seat belt control by keeping elbows tight and hips heavy
- Create movement through hip escapes and shoulder rolls to turn into opponent and establish frames
- Never allow opponent to flatten you completely - maintain some angle and keep trying to turn
- Prioritize survival and escape over attempting sweeps or submissions from this inferior position
- Use explosive bridge and turn movements to create space and opportunities to re-guard or escape to less dangerous positions
- Keep one shoulder off the mat when possible to maintain escape options and prevent complete flattening
Available Escapes
Elbow Escape → Turtle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Bridge and Roll → Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 25%
- Advanced: 35%
Hip Escape → Open Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 10%
- Intermediate: 20%
- Advanced: 35%
Re-Guard → Closed Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 8%
- Intermediate: 15%
- Advanced: 25%
Technical Standup → Standing Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 5%
- Intermediate: 12%
- Advanced: 20%
Rolling to Guard → Butterfly Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 12%
- Intermediate: 22%
- Advanced: 35%
Explosive Bridge → Deep Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 8%
- Intermediate: 18%
- Advanced: 30%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent is establishing seat belt control or attempting rear naked choke:
- Execute RNC Defense → Turtle (Probability: 40%)
- Execute Hand Fighting from Back → Side Control (Probability: 30%)
If opponent has not yet established hooks or full control:
- Execute Explosive Bridge and Turn → Half Guard (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Hip Escape to Guard → Open Guard (Probability: 35%)
If opponent is high on back with weight shifted forward:
- Execute Forward Roll Escape → Turtle (Probability: 30%)
- Execute Granby Roll → Deep Half Guard (Probability: 25%)
If opponent attempts to transition to traditional mount:
- Execute Prevent Turn Counter → Defensive Position (Probability: 35%)
- Execute Re-guard During Transition → Closed Guard (Probability: 25%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Fastest escape path
Reverse Mount Bottom → Turtle (via Explosive Bridge) → Half Guard (via Hip Escape) → Closed Guard (via Guard Recovery)
High-percentage defensive sequence
Reverse Mount Bottom → Defensive Position (Neck Protection) → Turtle (via Shrimp) → Deep Half Guard (via Granby Roll) → X-Guard (via Hook Insertion)
Technical escape progression
Reverse Mount Bottom → Side Control (via Bridge and Turn) → Open Guard (via Frame and Shrimp) → Closed Guard (via Hip Movement)
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 15% | 25% | 5% |
| Intermediate | 30% | 40% | 8% |
| Advanced | 45% | 55% | 12% |
Average Time in Position: 15-45 seconds before escape or opponent advancement
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Reverse mount bottom represents one of the most systematically challenging defensive positions in grappling because it removes your primary defensive tool - visual awareness of your opponent’s attacking intentions. The fundamental problem is geometric: your spine is exposed, your neck is vulnerable, and your ability to establish defensive frames is severely compromised by the angle of attack. The solution must be hierarchical and systematic. First priority is always neck protection through proper chin position and hand placement - this buys you the time needed for escape. Second, you must understand that staying flat is death; you must constantly work to create angles through hip movement and shoulder positioning. The escape sequences from reverse mount follow predictable patterns based on your opponent’s weight distribution. If their weight is high on your back, forward rolling movements become viable. If their weight is centered on your hips, bridging and turning movements are your primary tools. The key is recognizing that every second in this position without progressive movement toward escape is a second closer to submission or worse position. Your training must emphasize movement under pressure, maintaining composure when you cannot see threats, and executing escape sequences with technical precision even when experiencing significant physical disadvantage.
Gordon Ryan
I’ll be honest - if you end up in reverse mount bottom in competition, something already went very wrong with your positioning or scramble management. That said, everyone ends up here sometimes, and how you handle it determines whether you lose the match or survive to fight another round. My approach is simple but requires commitment: explode immediately and constantly. The worst thing you can do is give your opponent time to settle their weight and establish control. The moment you feel them land in reverse mount, you need to be already moving - bridge, turn, shrimp, whatever creates space. In competition, I’ve seen guys try to be methodical here and they just get their back taken or choked. You need panic energy but controlled panic. Protect your neck first - that’s non-negotiable - but then move like your life depends on it because your match does. The turtle position is your friend here; if you can get to turtle, you’ve already improved your situation dramatically. I also use a lot of Granby roll movements because they’re explosive and create angles my opponent can’t easily follow. The reality is this position is all about damage control and energy management. You’re going to spend energy getting out, so make every movement count. Don’t waste motion on half-attempts. Commit fully to each escape, and if it doesn’t work, immediately transition to the next option. The guys who hesitate or second-guess their escapes are the ones who get stuck and submitted.
Eddie Bravo
Reverse mount is sketchy as hell, man. It’s one of those positions where being creative actually helps because your opponent expects you to do the standard escapes, and those might not be there depending on how they’re controlling you. In 10th Planet, we actually drill this position more than most schools because no-gi creates so many scrambles and weird transitions where you can end up here. The key thing I teach is what I call ‘intelligent panic’ - you need to move aggressively but not stupidly. Protect that neck like it’s your bank account password, but then start creating chaos with your hips. I love using the Granby roll here because it’s unexpected and creates so much movement that even if you don’t fully escape, you’re forcing your opponent to react instead of attacking. Another thing we work on is the psychological aspect - this position feels terrible, you can’t see what’s coming, and that messes with people’s heads. You have to train yourself to stay calm even when your lizard brain is screaming. We do specific drills where the top person is trying to choke you while you escape, so you get used to that pressure. Also, don’t sleep on using your legs creatively here. If you can get your feet on their hips or create any kind of hook, you can disrupt their base and create escape opportunities. The traditional BJJ escapes work, but sometimes you need to get weird with it. Mix in some wrestling scrambles, some judo rolling movements, whatever creates the chaos you need to improve position. Just never, ever stop moving until you’re out or you’re in a better spot.