Mount Position Fundamentals
The mount is a dominant position suitable for submissions and strikes in mixed martial arts or self-defense contexts. Proper positioning requires tucking the feet behind the opponent's buttocks and pinching the knees together to maintain tightness and balance. The hands are used reactively to prevent being bridged to either side while the legs maintain positional control.
Capitalizing on the Push Defense
When a mounted opponent pushes away to escape, this defensive reaction creates the ideal setup for an armbar. The defender should respond by placing both hands to the mat and positioning the knee and hips behind the opponent's arm before executing the sweep motion. This timing converts the opponent's own defensive effort into a submission opportunity.
Hip Placement and Elbow Control
The critical principle in armbar execution is keeping the opponent's elbow above the line of the attacker's hips. Positioning the hips behind the shoulder prevents the elbow from dropping below this line, which would eliminate finishing pressure. To achieve this hip positioning, the attacker must unweight their legs by placing hands on the ground, allowing the hips to climb toward the shoulder.
Blocking Shoulder Movement
Once the first leg is positioned next to the opponent's head, the attacker must prevent shoulder shimmy by stepping the heel behind the shoulder to block lateral movement. The second foot is then curled against the head to prevent the opponent from scooting away. This two-point blocking system eliminates the primary escape routes before the final position is secured.
Leg Positioning Without Hip Lift
A common error is standing up to swing the second leg over, which lifts the hips and allows elbow escape. Instead, the attacker should lean to the side and post on the ground, allowing the leg to swing across without raising the hips above the elbow line. This maintains positional integrity while transitioning to the finished armbar configuration.
Finishing Mechanics and Knee Pinch
In the final armbar position, pinching the knees together is essential for efficient pressure application. Wide legs require excessive arm extension and can risk groin contact, whereas pinched knees allow the attacker to rotate over a fixed point with minimal arm movement. The opponent's thumb should point away from the attacker's body to orient the elbow joint for hyperextension rather than flexion.
Sequence Summary
The complete armbar from mount involves placing hands to the mat, shooting the knee behind the shoulder, blocking with the heel, leaning to post while swinging the second leg over, sitting to the ground with pinched knees, and lifting the hips while maintaining thumb-up wrist control. Each step serves to control specific escape routes while progressively securing the joint lock until the opponent submits.
Armbar from mount
Key Takeaways
- •Mount Position Fundamentals
- •Capitalizing on the Push Defense
- •Hip Placement and Elbow Control
- •Blocking Shoulder Movement
Full Course Playlist → https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDrQXekZsfYZfV1QZ4T5UkxLwFwQ12EbP Find the Introduction course here → https://submeta.io/@lachlangiles/courses/introduction One of the worst mistakes you can make from the mount position is to attempt to push your opponent off with extended arms. Unfortunately, this is our natural instinct. In this video, we teach you how to take full advantage of this mistake by using it to transition to the armbar. The armbar, one of the most common submissions in grappling, is a submission that pits our whole body against our opponent’s elbow joint. More from Lachlan https://www.submeta.io/@lachlangiles Subscribe to watch a huge range of courses all designed to plan, personalize and optimize your game. Follow SUBMETA https://www.instagram.com/submeta.io https://www.facebook.com/submeta.io
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about from mount?
This video covers mount position fundamentals, capitalizing on the push defense, hip placement and elbow control. It provides detailed instruction from Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne.
How long does it take to learn from mount?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 7-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing from mount?
In the final armbar position, pinching the knees together is essential for efficient pressure application. Wide legs require excessive arm extension and can risk groin contact, whereas pinched knees allow the attacker to rotate over a fixed point with minimal arm movement. The opponent's thumb should point away from the attacker's body to orient the elbow joint for hyperextension rather than flexion.
