Technical Mount VS S-Mount Differences??? (For Beginners)
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Standard S-Mount·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian·Added by Admin
This video I teach the simple difference of when I use the technical mount and s-mount. Check out the details and you a…
Standard S-Mount
GenusスタンダードSマウント(Sutandādo S Maunto)
TransliterationTranslation: standard S-mount
Overview
The Standard S-Mount positions one leg swung up with the foot alongside the opponent's head, the other knee remaining by the hip, with the top fighter's hips angled to create the S-shape. [1] The standard S-mount provides immediate armbar access — the top fighter can fall back for the armbar with the head-side leg already in position to clamp over the face. [1],[2] The S-mount also provides submissions options including the mounted triangle and wrist locks. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard S-mount is the baseline version of this advanced mount variant. [1]
Lineage
Developed in advanced BJJ competition. [1]
Competition Record
Used in high-level BJJ competition. [1]
Images
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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
Variants
Low mount — hips heavy on the opponent's belly, grapevines in for stability
High mount — knees under the armpits, arms isolated for submissions
S-mount — one knee high under the armpit, other leg across for arm attacks
Technical mount — one leg hooked, one knee posted, modified for back-take transitions
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
✓Standard S-mount execution: from high mount, walk one knee past the opponent's shoulder until it reaches beside their head, post the opposite foot near their hip, angle the body into the 'S' curve, and control the near arm (Danaher, Mount Attacks, 2020)
✓Step 1: from high mount, choose which arm to attack — climb the corresponding knee past the shoulder
✓Step 2: the attacking-side knee advances until it presses against the opponent's head/ear
✓Step 3: the opposite foot posts on the mat near the opponent's hip for base
✓Step 4: angle the body to form the 'S' shape — the torso curves from head to hip
✓Step 5: control the near arm: grip the wrist or bicep of the arm you intend to armbar
✓Step 6: from here, fall back for the armbar: swing the far leg over the head and extend the hips for the finish
✓The S-mount is the last position before the armbar: it should feel like the finish is inevitable from here
✓Drill: from mount, climb to S-mount and finish the armbar — 5 reps per side
Common Mistakes
!Not advancing the knee far enough past the shoulder — the knee must reach the head for proper S-mount
!Posting the foot too far from the opponent — keep the base foot close for stability
!Not controlling the arm before falling back for the armbar — the arm must be gripped before committing
!Falling back for the armbar without pinching the knees — the knees must squeeze the arm during the armbar
!Rushing through S-mount without establishing control — take a moment to secure the position
!Not angling the body into the 'S' shape — the curve is what creates the control dynamic
!Only training S-mount on one side — develop the position on both sides
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] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] 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
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use S-mount versus technical mount?
Coach Brian emphasizes that S-mount works best when your opponent is flat on their back—tuck your leg in tight. Use technical mount when your opponent is on their side, as S-mount positioning on a turned opponent compromises your balance and makes you vulnerable to escape.
How do I prevent my opponent from capturing my leg in S-mount?
Keep your foot positioned to prevent your opponent's frame escape—if your leg hangs down, they can capture it. By positioning your foot correctly, you make it much harder for them to shrimp or escape, even though some movement is still possible.
What's the key to securing S-mount position?
Coach Brian stresses that in S-mount, you want to be tucked under your opponent's elbow with good control, using your toe in the back for stability. This tight positioning gives you really good control and sets up submissions like the armbar.
How does the Standard S-Mount work?
The Standard S-Mount positions one leg swung up with the foot alongside the opponent's head, the other knee remaining by the hip, with the top fighter's hips angled to create the S-shape. The standard S-mount provides immediate armbar access — the top fighter can fall back for the armbar with the head-side leg already in position to clamp over the face.
Where does the Standard S-Mount come from?
The standard S-mount is the fundamental S-mount configuration, developed as the optimal mount position for armbar finishes in BJJ. It represents a key position in the mount-to-armbar transition sequence.
Is the Standard S-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 Standard S-Mount?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Standard S-Mount?
The standard setup chain: Pass the Guard → Settle Weight → Control Arms → Threaten Submissions.
How do I defend against the Standard S-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 Standard S-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 Standard S-Mount in competition?
Used in high-level BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard S-Mount?
Top errors to watch for: Not advancing the knee far enough past the shoulder — the knee must reach the head for proper S-mount / Posting the foot too far from the opponent — keep the base foot close for stability / Not controlling the arm before falling back for the armbar — the arm must be gripped before committing / Falling back for the armbar without pinching the knees — the knees must squeeze the arm during the armbar.
What are other names for the Standard S-Mount?
The Standard S-Mount is also known as Sutandādo S Maunto, Classic S-Mount, Basic S-Mount, Foot-Under-Head Mount.