Reverse Mount Top

Jan 23, 20269 min read

Reverse Mount Top is a transitional dominant position where the practitioner sits on the opponent’s chest or abdomen while facing away from their head, essentially mounted in the opposite direction from standard mount. This position scores 4 points (same as standard mount in IBJJF) but is inherently less stable and more difficult to maintain long-term. It typically occurs during scrambles, failed back take attempts, or when opponents turn away during standard mount control.

The defining characteristic of reverse mount is the backward orientation: the top practitioner’s back faces the opponent’s head while sitting on their torso. This creates unique challenges - no head control, inability to see opponent’s face for reaction cues, and different weight distribution requirements. However, it also creates opportunities for specific submissions (armbar, twister, collar chokes) and serves as an excellent transitional platform to standard mount or back control.

The position’s main strategic value is as a stepping stone rather than a destination. Experienced practitioners recognize reverse mount immediately and flow smoothly to standard mount (simply turning to face forward) or back control (inserting hooks from the reverse position). Attempting to hold reverse mount for extended periods typically results in increased escape success for the opponent. The position’s moderate risk level reflects its transitional nature - dominant enough to score points and create submissions, but vulnerable enough to require quick decision-making about which superior position to convert to.

Position Definition

  • Top practitioner sits on opponent’s torso/chest with hips positioned on sternum or upper abdomen, weight distributed through buttocks and lower back onto opponent’s ribcage, facing away from opponent’s head toward their feet
  • Both knees on the mat on either side of opponent’s torso, with feet positioned near or past opponent’s shoulders, creating wide base for balance despite backward orientation
  • Opponent flat on their back with shoulders against mat, facing upward toward ceiling with top practitioner’s back blocking their view and limiting upper body movement
  • Top practitioner’s hands posted on mat or controlling opponent’s legs/hips, providing balance and preventing opponent from bridging or creating angles for escape

Prerequisites

  • Opponent must be on their back with shoulders to the mat
  • Top practitioner must have achieved mount orientation (sitting on torso) facing away from head
  • Sufficient base and balance to maintain backward-facing position without being rolled
  • Control of opponent’s lower body or legs to prevent immediate escape attempts
  • Recognition that position is transitional and requires quick decision-making

Key Offensive Principles

  • Transitional Recognition: Understanding this position is temporary and should convert quickly to standard mount or back control
  • Weight Distribution: Proper weight through buttocks onto chest prevents bridging escapes despite backward orientation
  • Balance Through Core: Core engagement maintains balance while facing away from opponent’s center of mass
  • Quick Transition Mindset: Mental preparedness to flow immediately to superior positions rather than forcing reverse mount control
  • Opportunistic Submissions: Recognizing brief submission windows without over-committing to attacks from unstable position
  • Knee Control: Wide knee positioning provides base and prevents opponent hip movement
  • Position Hierarchy Awareness: Recognizing that standard mount and back control are superior end goals

Available Attacks

Transition to Mount → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 50%
  • Intermediate: 70%
  • Advanced: 85%

Back Take Generic → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Mount to Armbar → Armbar Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

Transition to Truck → Truck

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Side Control to Mount → S Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Transition to North-South → North-South

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent is relatively flat and not actively defending, assess back control opportunity:

If opponent begins to bridge or create upward pressure through hips:

If opponent turns to either side attempting hip escape:

If opponent extends arm in defensive reaction or attempts to push:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Attempting to Maintain Reverse Mount Long-Term

  • ❌ Consequence: Position becomes progressively less stable over time, opponent adapts to unusual control dynamic, escape probability increases significantly, energy expenditure increases without corresponding control improvement
  • ✅ Correction: Recognize reverse mount as transitional immediately upon entry, make decision within 3-5 seconds (standard mount, back control, or quick submission), execute transition smoothly without hesitation. If you’ve been in reverse mount for more than 10-15 seconds without clear submission setup, you’re making this error.

2. Insufficient Weight on Chest

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can bridge effectively and create angles for escape, makes position unstable and easy to reverse, reduces control effectiveness and increases opponent’s ability to turn into defensive positions
  • ✅ Correction: Keep hips heavy and sink weight directly onto opponent’s sternum/upper abdomen through buttocks and lower back, maintain forward lean with core engagement, eliminate space between your lower body and their chest. Weight should feel oppressive to bottom player even without head control.

3. Narrow Knee Base

  • ❌ Consequence: Unstable balance facing backward, easy for opponent to tip you off-balance with minimal hip movement, vulnerability to bridge-and-roll escapes increases dramatically, difficult to maintain position during opponent’s defensive movements
  • ✅ Correction: Keep knees wide and positioned outside opponent’s ribcage, create broad base similar to standard mount but adjusted for backward orientation, engage adductors to maintain connection while allowing flexibility for balance adjustments, feet should be positioned near or past opponent’s shoulders.

4. Hands Not Posted for Balance

  • ❌ Consequence: Loss of stability when opponent moves, difficulty maintaining position during escape attempts, vulnerability to being rolled backward or having weight shifted, reduced reaction time to opponent’s defensive actions
  • ✅ Correction: Keep at least one hand posted on mat for balance support, use hands to sense opponent’s movement and adjust weight distribution, alternate hand posting with leg control as needed, maintain connection with mat for stability reference while facing away from opponent’s upper body.

5. Over-Committing to Submissions from Reverse Mount

  • ❌ Consequence: Loss of position entirely, opponent escapes to better position during submission attempt, wasted energy on low-percentage attacks, failure to recognize better opportunities in standard mount or back control
  • ✅ Correction: Only attempt submissions if setup is completely obvious and opponent has made critical defensive error, prioritize transitioning to standard mount or back control over forcing submissions, use reverse mount primarily as transition platform rather than submission platform, maintain position hierarchy awareness.

6. Ignoring Opponent’s Head Position

  • ❌ Consequence: Missed opportunities for back control when opponent turns, failure to recognize turtle transition possibilities, reduced awareness of opponent’s escape attempts since you cannot see their face or upper body clearly
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain awareness of opponent’s head position through feel and peripheral vision, recognize that head turning toward either side signals back take opportunity, use hands to monitor shoulder and head movement, stay cognizant that backward facing reduces visual information requiring heightened proprioceptive awareness.

Training Drills for Attacks

Reverse Mount to Standard Mount Flow Drill

Partner starts flat on back. Practitioner sits in reverse mount and practices smooth 180-degree rotation to standard mount, focusing on maintaining weight and connection throughout turn. Practice both directions (spinning over each shoulder). Emphasize keeping knees wide and weight heavy during transition.

Duration: 3 minutes per direction

Reverse Mount to Back Control Transition Drill

From reverse mount position, practice inserting hooks for back control while maintaining top position. Partner remains relatively passive but can attempt minor defensive movements. Focus on smooth hook insertion without losing mount positioning. Practice recognizing when opponent’s body position allows back control versus when standard mount is better option.

Duration: 5 minutes alternating partners

Reverse Mount Defense and Re-Counter Drill

Partner actively attempts to escape reverse mount using bridges, hip escapes, and rolls. Top practitioner practices maintaining position briefly (5-10 seconds maximum) then flowing to either standard mount or back control based on opponent’s escape direction. Builds recognition skills for reading opponent movement patterns from reverse position.

Duration: 3-minute rounds, switching roles

Scramble to Reverse Mount Drill

Start from various scramble positions (failed back take, turtle transitions, mount escape attempts). When reverse mount opportunity appears, recognize it immediately and establish position, then immediately transition to standard mount or back control. Builds pattern recognition for when reverse mount naturally occurs and develops habit of treating it as transitional.

Duration: 4-minute rounds with position reset after each transition

Optimal Submission Paths

Shortest Armbar Path

Reverse Mount Top → Mount to Armbar → Armbar Control → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission

High-Percentage Mount Consolidation Path

Reverse Mount Top → Transition to Mount → Mount → Mount to Armbar → Armbar Control → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission

Back Control Progression Path

Reverse Mount Top → Back Take Generic → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Advanced Twister Path

Reverse Mount Top → Transition to Truck → Truck → Twister Finish → Twister → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner30%50%20%
Intermediate50%70%35%
Advanced70%85%50%

Average Time in Position: 10-30 seconds (transitional position)

  • Mount - Primary progression - standard mount is superior position and natural transition from reverse mount
  • Back Control - Superior progression - reverse mount provides excellent back take opportunities via hook insertion
  • S Mount - Advanced variation - high mount position accessible from reverse mount for armbar setups
  • Technical Mount - Related controlling position - similar point value with different control mechanics
  • Truck - Transition target - reverse mount can flow to truck for twister attacks
  • North-South - Alternative transition - reverse mount can transition to north-south when opponent creates certain angles
  • Armbar Control - Submission option - reverse mount provides armbar opportunities when opponent extends arms
  • Crucifix - Related control position - similar backward orientation with arm control focus
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