Mount CONTROL Tips!
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Mount·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
This video I'm helping a couple of my guys with controlling from the mount position and I show 3 ways to crossface your …
Mount
Family騎乗位(Kijōi)
TraditionalTranslation: mount
Overview
The Mount family covers the dominant ground position where the top fighter sits on the bottom fighter's torso, with legs straddling the body. [1] The mount is one of the most dominant positions in the grappling hierarchy — the top fighter can use bodyweight, gravity, and the ability to post with the hands to maintain control while attacking with strikes and submissions. [1],[2] This family covers full mount (standard straddling position), high mount (hips near the chest/shoulders), low mount (hips near the waist), S-mount (modified mount for armbar attacks), and mounted crucifix (both arms trapped). [2],[3]
History & Origin
The mount has been recognised as a dominant position since the earliest grappling traditions, depicted in ancient Egyptian and Greek wrestling art. [1] BJJ formalised the mount as one of the premier positions in its hierarchy, worth four points in IBJJF competition — tied with back control for the highest positional score. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The mount is one of the two highest-scoring positions in BJJ (four points), reflecting its tactical superiority — the top fighter can generate maximum downward pressure while the bottom fighter has severely limited defensive options. [1] In MMA, the mount is one of the most dangerous positions because it enables devastating ground-and-pound with full bodyweight behind the strikes. [2] Ribeiro describes the mount as the position where the top fighter can most effectively combine pressure with submission attacks. [3]
Lineage
The mount has been recognised as dominant since the earliest grappling traditions. [1] Judo formalised the mount through tate-shiho-gatame (vertical four-corner hold). [2] The Gracie family elevated mount attacks, with Roger Gracie's cross-collar choke from mount becoming the most feared submission combination in IBJJF history. [3]
Competition Record
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Gravity-assisted top control — body weight pins the opponent's torso to the ground
Joints Involved — Attacker's hips (heavy base), knees (clamped for ride control), opponent's spine (pinned)
Force Vector — Downward — gravity plus active hip pressure maximises control and submission opportunities
Positional Mechanic — High mount raises the centre of gravity above the opponent's shoulder line, isolating their arms for attacks
Position & Entry
From guard pass completion — After passing the guard, establish mount by placing knees on either side of the opponent's torso
From sweep — Complete a sweep from guard and land directly in mount position on top
From side control (knee slide) — From side control, slide the knee across the opponent's belly and settle into mount
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring po...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, mount scores 2 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal dominant position
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— UWW — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match ...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal, pin scores points
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The mount is the second most dominant position in grappling (after the back) — the top player sits on the opponent's torso with both knees on the mat, providing striking ability, submission access, and maximum control (Saulo Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University, 2008)
✓Mount scores 4 points in IBJJF competition, tied with back control for the highest point value
✓From mount, the submission options are: cross choke, Ezekiel choke, armbar, Americana, mounted triangle, and arm triangle
✓The mount is maintained through: grapevine hooks (legs hooking inside the opponent's legs), low hips, and head-and-arm control
✓In MMA, the mount is the most devastating position: ground-and-pound from mount is fight-ending — the opponent cannot effectively defend strikes
✓Roger Gracie is the greatest mount specialist in BJJ history: his mount-to-cross-choke sequence finished elite black belts consistently
✓The concept of 'riding' the mount: when the opponent bucks and bridges, absorb the energy and resettle rather than fighting it
Common Mistakes
!Sitting too high on the opponent — low mount with the hips down is more stable and harder to escape
!Not using grapevine hooks — the hooks prevent the opponent from bridging and rolling
!Crossing the ankles under the opponent — crossed ankles can be caught in an ankle lock; grapevine instead
!Posting with the hands on the mat — maintain head-and-arm control; hands on the mat invite the upa escape
!Staying in mount without attacking — mount is an attacking position; constant submission threats are necessary
!Not following the opponent's escape attempts — when they turn, follow; when they bridge, absorb and resettle
!Treating mount as a resting position — the opponent is always working to escape; maintain active control
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Pass the Guard — clear the opponent's legs to advance to this dominant position
2Settle Weight — distribute body weight to maintain heavy pressure
3Control Arms — manage the opponent's arms to prevent frames and escapes
4Threaten Submissions — attack to force defensive reactions and maintain dominance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules and Regulations [2] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [3] IBJJF Rules and Regulations
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] IBJJF Rules and Regulations [2] UFC official statistics (ufcstats.com) [3] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules and Regulations [2] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [3] IBJJF Rules and Regulations
6CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] IBJJF Rules and Regulations [2] UFC official statistics (ufcstats.com) [3] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
base stability, heavy hips, ride ability
Favours
heavier build with strong hips for pressure
Key muscles
hip adductors, core, glutes, quadriceps
Sub-techniques
Full Mount
SubFamilyThe Full Mount subfamily covers the standard mount position where the top fighter sits with the hips on the opponent's torso, legs straddling the body, and full bodyweight applied. [1] Full mount provides a stable platform for ground-and-pound in MMA and submission attacks in grappling, with the bottom fighter's options limited to bridging, framing, and escape attempts. [1,2] Full mount variants include the standard mount (neutral hip position), grapevine mount (legs hooking inside the opponent's legs), and gift wrap mount (controlling both arms with one arm). [2,3]
3 genera·3 techniquesExplore
High Mount
SubFamilyThe High Mount subfamily covers the mount variation where the top fighter slides the hips up toward the opponent's chest or shoulders, creating a higher mounting position that increases submission access. [1] The high mount provides better armbar, triangle, and mounted cross-choke angles because the top fighter's hips are closer to the opponent's head and shoulders. [1,2] The trade-off is slightly less base stability compared to full mount, as the higher position makes the mount easier to bridge. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Low Mount
SubFamilyThe Low Mount subfamily covers the mount variation where the top fighter's hips are positioned low on the opponent's waist or hips, providing a more stable but less submission-oriented mounting position. [1] The low mount is typically used for control and ground-and-pound rather than submission attacks, as the lower hip position provides better base against bridging. [1,2] The low mount is common in MMA where maintaining the mount for striking is the priority. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Mounted Crucifix
SubFamilyThe Mounted Crucifix subfamily covers the mount variation where the top fighter has trapped both of the opponent's arms — one under a leg and the other controlled by the hands — while mounted, completely immobilising the bottom fighter. [1] The mounted crucifix combines the dominance of the mount with the arm control of the crucifix, creating one of the most controlling positions in grappling. [1,2] It allows completely undefended strikes in MMA and a wide range of submission attacks in grappling. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
S-Mount
SubFamilyThe S-Mount subfamily covers the modified mount position where the top fighter swings one leg up alongside the opponent's head while keeping the other knee by the hip, creating an S-shaped body configuration that provides ideal armbar positioning. [1] The S-mount is specifically designed as a submission platform for the armbar — the leg by the head is in position to clamp over the face, and the hip positioning provides the correct angle for armbar execution. [1,2] The S-mount represents one of the highest-percentage armbar set-up positions in grappling. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
The mount is the most dominant position in ground fighting. In early UFC events, Royce Gracie consistently achieved mount and finished opponents from there. In IBJJF, mount scores 4 points — the highest positional score. (IBJJF Rules v6.0; Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent the knee-elbow escape while controlling the mount?
Coach Brian emphasizes monitoring your opponent's attempt to dip their foot and point their knee toward the mat to scoop your ankle—hide that foot with yours to prevent the escape while maintaining upper body control.
What should I do if my opponent turns to their side in the mount?
Coach Brian advises using a cross face to control their head and prevent the escape; if they continue turning, you can jump to technical mount or drop back to the mat and cross your ankles to prevent them from lifting you.
How do I stop my opponent from escaping when they're turning and getting their leg straight?
Coach Brian recommends closing off the open side by applying a cross face with your forearm tight against their face, then jumping down to catch the position so your shoulder can control them if they try to bridge or turn.
How does the Mount work?
The Mount family covers the dominant ground position where the top fighter sits on the bottom fighter's torso, with legs straddling the body. The mount is one of the most dominant positions in the grappling hierarchy — the top fighter can use bodyweight, gravity, and the ability to post with the hands to maintain control while attacking with strikes and submissions.
Where does the Mount come from?
The mount has been recognised as a dominant position since the earliest grappling traditions, depicted in ancient Egyptian and Greek wrestling art. BJJ formalised the mount as one of the premier positions in its hierarchy, worth four points in IBJJF competition — tied with back control for the highest positional score.
Is the Mount legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring position; IJF: legal — Legal, osaekomi (pin) — 10-19 seconds scores waza-ari, 20 seconds scores ippon; ADCC: legal — Legal, mount scores 2 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal dominant position; UWW: legal — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match by fall; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal, pin scores points
How dangerous is the Mount?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Mount?
The standard setup chain: Pass the Guard → Settle Weight → Control Arms → Threaten Submissions.
How do I defend against the Mount?
Standard counters include: Bridge (Upa) — explosive hip elevation to off-balance the top player / Elbow-Knee Escape (Shrimp) — create space by driving elbow to knee and hip-escaping / Frame — establish forearm frames to prevent the top player from settling weight.
What are the variants of the Mount?
Common variants: Low mount (hips heavy on the opponent's belly, grapevines in for sta…); High mount (knees under the armpits, arms isolated for submissions); S-mount (one knee high under the armpit, other leg across for arm …); Technical mount (one leg hooked, one knee posted, modified for back-take t…).
How effective is the Mount in competition?
Roger Gracie's mount-based attack system produced 10 IBJJF World Championship gold medals, with the majority of his submissions coming from mount via cross-collar choke. In UFC, the mount has been used for ground-and-pound finishes in hundreds of fights.
What are common mistakes when doing the Mount?
Top errors to watch for: Sitting too high on the opponent — low mount with the hips down is more stable and harder to escape / Not using grapevine hooks — the hooks prevent the opponent from bridging and rolling / Crossing the ankles under the opponent — crossed ankles can be caught in an ankle lock; grapevine instead / Posting with the hands on the mat — maintain head-and-arm control; hands on the mat invite the upa escape.
What are other names for the Mount?
The Mount is also known as Kijōi, Mounted Position, Tate Shiho Gatame, Full Mount.