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S-Mount Top | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202510 min read

S-Mount Top

bjjstatemounttopdominantadvancedarmbar

State Properties

  • State ID: S243
  • Point Value: 4 (Mount points)
  • Position Type: Offensive
  • Risk Level: Very Low
  • Energy Cost: Very Low
  • Time Sustainability: Very Long

State Description

S-Mount Top is an advanced mount position where the attacker isolates one of the opponent’s arms by positioning it between their legs while maintaining mount control. The position is named for the “S” shape formed by the attacker’s body when viewed from the side. This configuration provides exceptional control for armbar attacks and represents one of the highest percentage finishing positions in BJJ.

The S-Mount is particularly effective because it simultaneously maintains mount control while pre-positioning for the armbar, essentially combining positional dominance with submission setup. Once established, the opponent has extremely limited defensive options and escape paths.

Visual Description

You are positioned on top of your opponent with one knee slid high near their head or shoulder, while your other leg is posted wide to the side for base and stability. One of your opponent’s arms is isolated and trapped between your legs, controlled by your knees and inner thighs. Your hips remain connected to their torso, with your weight distributed forward to maintain pressure and prevent bridges. Your upper body is upright or leaning slightly forward, with your hands free to control their free arm or prepare for the armbar transition. Your high knee creates a wedge that prevents them from extracting their trapped arm, while your posted leg provides a wide, stable base that makes rolling escapes nearly impossible. This asymmetric position gives you exceptional control over their isolated arm while maintaining all the benefits of mount control, creating a powerful platform for finishing armbars or transitioning to other submissions.

Key Principles

  • Isolate arm fully between legs before committing to finish
  • Maintain wide base with posted leg to prevent rolls
  • Keep hip pressure on opponent to eliminate space
  • Control opponent’s free arm to prevent defensive grips
  • Transition smoothly between S-mount and armbar
  • Use position to create multiple attack options

Prerequisites

  • Solid mount control fundamentals
  • Understanding of armbar mechanics from mount
  • Hip mobility for S-mount positioning
  • Timing for arm isolation

State Invariants

  • One knee high near opponent’s head
  • Other leg posted wide for base
  • Opponent’s arm isolated between your legs

Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State)

Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)

Counter Transitions

Expert Insights

  • Danaher System: S-Mount is the ideal launching pad for the armbar, as it combines positional control with submission setup in a single configuration. Emphasizes the importance of fully isolating the arm before committing to the armbar - patience here dramatically increases success rate. The systematic approach: establish high mount, bait arm extension, slide to S-mount isolating arm, perfect positioning, finish armbar. Each step must be complete before progressing to the next.
  • Gordon Ryan: Uses S-mount as his primary armbar entry in both gi and no-gi. Views it as mechanically superior to other armbar setups because the arm is already controlled before starting the finishing motion. In competition, once S-mount is established, focuses entirely on perfecting the armbar setup rather than rushing - the position is so dominant that time is on the attacker’s side.
  • Eddie Bravo: While 10th Planet traditionally emphasizes back control, recognizes S-mount as exceptionally effective for no-gi armbar attacks. Uses the position to create psychological pressure - opponent knows the armbar is coming but has limited options to prevent it. Emphasizes chaining to mounted triangle if armbar is defended, maintaining offensive pressure throughout.

Common Errors

  • Error: Insufficient arm isolation
    • Consequence: Allows opponent to extract arm and defend submissions, reducing finish rate.
    • Correction: Ensure arm is fully trapped between your knees before attacking, maintain tight leg pressure throughout, adjust position if arm starts to slip.
  • Error: Poor base with posted leg
    • Consequence: Creates vulnerability to rolling escapes, potentially losing dominant position.
    • Correction: Post outside leg wide and firmly, keep foot base strong, distribute weight to maintain balance while attacking.
  • Error: Rushing the armbar
    • Consequence: Gives opponent time to defend and escape, reduces success rate.
    • Correction: Take time to perfect position first, ensure arm is fully controlled, fall back smoothly with proper hip positioning.
  • Error: Losing hip connection
    • Consequence: Allows opponent to create space and potentially escape position.
    • Correction: Keep hips tight to opponent’s torso, maintain pressure throughout transition, use leg squeeze to eliminate space.
  • Error: Not transitioning when defended
    • Consequence: Creates stalemate, wastes dominant position, allows opponent recovery time.
    • Correction: Chain attacks together, move to triangle or technical mount if armbar defended, maintain constant offensive pressure.

Training Drills

  • S-Mount Entry from High Mount: Practice sliding to S-mount from various high mount positions (0%, 25%, 50% resistance), focusing on smooth arm isolation and base establishment.
  • Armbar Finish from S-Mount: Drill complete armbar sequence from established S-mount, emphasizing proper hip positioning, arm control, and extension mechanics.
  • S-Mount to Triangle Transitions: Practice recognizing armbar defenses and smoothly transitioning to mounted triangle, maintaining position throughout chain.
  • Base Maintenance Under Pressure: Partner attempts bridges and rolls while you maintain S-mount, developing automatic base adjustments and weight distribution.
  • Multiple Attack Chains: Flow between armbar, triangle, and technical mount from S-mount, learning to read defensive reactions and adapt attacks accordingly.

Decision Tree

If opponent’s arm fully isolated:

Else if opponent attempts arm extraction:

Else if opponent tucks arm defensively:

Else (opponent stable without escape attempts):

Position Metrics

  • Position Retention Rate: Beginner 58%, Intermediate 73%, Advanced 87%
  • Advancement Probability: Beginner 65%, Intermediate 80%, Advanced 93%
  • Submission Probability: Beginner 60%, Intermediate 75%, Advanced 90%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 28%, Intermediate 18%, Advanced 9%
  • Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds

Optimal Submission Paths

Fastest armbar path: S-Mount Top → Armbar from S-Mount → Armbar Control → Won by Submission

Alternative triangle path: S-Mount Top → Triangle from S-Mount → Triangle Control → Won by Submission

Chained attack path: S-Mount Top → Armbar from S-Mount → Triangle from S-Mount → Won by Submission

Position advancement path: S-Mount Top → Technical Mount Transition → Technical Mount Top → Submissions → Won by Submission

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