Mount Position: The Ultimate Dominant Position in BJJ

Mount Position: The Ultimate Dominant Position in BJJ

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in mount control | Last Updated: January 11, 2026

The Mount Position is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most dominant controlling position alongside back control. Worth 4 points in IBJJF competition—the maximum positional score—mount gives you complete control over your opponent while they carry your weight and face relentless submission attacks from above.​

According to NAGA Fighter’s mount analysis, few positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offer as much dominance as the mount, and it’s a position so powerful that Roger Gracie called it the ultimate position in BJJ. The bottom fighters are stuck carrying your weight and have limited escape options while you attack.​

Evolve MMA emphasizes that the mount position is one of the most dominant controlling positions in BJJ, and it is arguably one of the most valuable lessons a student will learn that can be applied in a self-defense situation. Landing in the mount is a common position to be in a fight, so learning how to utilize it for offense and learning how to escape it can be extremely helpful.​

After coaching hundreds of students and using mount position extensively in competition, I’ve found it’s the fundamental goal after passing guard—the natural destination after executing knee slice, toreando, or leg drag passes. Mastering mount control separates good grapplers from great ones.

Whether you’re a white belt learning positional hierarchy or a brown belt refining championship strategies, understanding mount mechanics gives you the highest-value top position that leads to the most submissions and match victories.

What Is the Mount Position?

The mount is one of the most dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the top player straddles their opponent’s torso with their knees on the ground and hips controlling their opponent’s movement.​

Core Mount Components:

• You’re on top straddling opponent’s torso
• Both knees on ground (or variations)
• Hips control their movement
• Chest-to-chest pressure applied
• Bottom player pinned with limited options
• You’re free to attack submissions
• Worth 4 points when held for 3 seconds (IBJJF)

Evolve MMA describes: A mount is a position where a person or fighter lays on top of the opponent using the feet and the legs to create a strong set of wedges that will control and limit the movement of the hip and torso of the opponent, making the threat of submission more likely.​

Understanding what is guard in BJJ helps you see why mount is so valuable—you’ve completely passed their guard and achieved maximum top control.

Why the Mount Works

Positional Supremacy

NAGA Fighter explains: In NAGA and other competitions, the mount is one of the highest-scoring positions. Fighters who can hold it and rack up points often control the pace of the fight, forcing their opponent into desperation mode.​

Strategic Advantages:

• 4 points (maximum positional score)
• Weight advantage: Opponent carries your entire weight
• Limited escapes: Very few escape options available
• Submission access: Multiple high-percentage attacks
• Pressure control: Can drain opponent’s energy
• Psychological impact: Extremely demoralizing position

The bottom player must survive while you attack—complete role reversal.

Roger Gracie’s Legacy

NAGA Fighter emphasizes: Since the early days of Vale Tudo, the Gracie family demonstrated that mount control allows smaller fighters to dominate larger opponents.​

Roger Gracie’s Mount:

• Called it “the ultimate position in BJJ”
• Famous for holding mount with textbook pressure
• Finished fights with simple but effective submissions
• Cross chokes and armbars became legendary
• Built entire championship game around mount

Roger proved that fundamental mount control beats flashy techniques.

Gi vs. No-Gi Applications

Mount works in all contexts:​

Gi Mount:

• Additional grip options for control
• Collar chokes (cross choke)
• Lapel grips and entanglements
• Can trap opponent’s arms with lapels
• More control options available

No-Gi Mount:

• Requires tighter body pressure
• Underhooks and wrist control essential
• Arm triangle and Ezekiel prioritized
• Grapevining legs more crucial
• Floating mount adjustments critical

Both contexts effective—just different details.

Mount Variations

Low Mount

NAGA Fighter describes: In low mount, the top player stays closer to the opponent’s belt line, keeping their hips heavy and applying smothering pressure.​

Low Mount Features:

• Positioned near opponent’s belt line
• Hips heavy on their torso
• Smothering pressure applied
• Drains energy over time
• Harder for bottom player to create space
• More defensive/control-focused

This variation emphasizes pressure and control over immediate attacks.

High Mount

Evolve MMA teaches: Going to the high mount will give you better chances of controlling the head and arm of your opponent while the weight of your body is dropped onto his chest.​

High Mount Characteristics:

• Weight shifted forward
• Sitting on upper chest/sternum
• Severely limits bridging and shrimping
• Isolates opponent’s arms
• Highly vulnerable to armlocks
• Mounted triangles available
• More offensive/attacking position

NAGA Fighter adds: By shifting their weight forward and sitting on the opponent’s upper chest and sternum, the top player severely limits the bottom player’s ability to bridge or shrimp.​

S-Mount

The most attacking mount variation:​

S-Mount Configuration:

• One knee close to opponent’s head
• Other leg tucked with foot near hip
• Body forms “S” shape
• Hardest mount to escape from
• Offers plenty of attacks
• Isolates arms perfectly for armbars

BJJ Fanatics notes: The higher mount is when an athlete shoots their knees up under the armpits of their opponent—used in attacking formation to manipulate opponent’s arms.​

Technical Mount

Transitional control position:​

Technical Mount Setup:

• Opponent turns to their side (escape attempt)
• Scoop knee tight behind their back
• Step up onto other foot
• Heel close to their sternum
• Maintains 4 points in competition

Applications:

• Great attacking platform for kimura
• Gift wrap scenarios available
• Easy to take opponent’s back
• Controls escape attempts
• Worth 4 points (IBJJF)

BJJ Fanatics emphasizes: This position is a great attacking platform into a kimura, or a gift wrap scenario, and becomes extremely easy to take an opponent’s back.

​

Getting to Mount

From Guard Passing

Most common entry:​

Passing to Mount:

• Execute knee slice pass
• Or leg drag pass
• Or toreando pass
• Establish side control first
• Step over their body
• Slide knee over torso
• Secure mount position

NAGA Fighter describes: One of the most reliable ways to secure mount is by executing a knee cut, leg drag, or torreando pass, then sliding a knee over the opponent’s torso.​

From Half Guard

Direct entry:​

Half Guard to Mount:

• Establish top half guard
• Execute knee slide pass
• Or back-step pass
• Clear opponent’s legs
• Land directly in mount

Well-timed passes allow you to skip side control entirely.

From Sweeps

Offensive mount entries:​

Sweep to Mount:

• Execute flower sweep from guard
• Or lumberjack sweep
• Sweeps naturally land in mounted position
• Immediate 6 points (2 sweep + 4 mount)
• Match-changing sequence

From Turtle

Rolling entry:​

Turtle to Mount:

• Opponent in turtle position
• Roll them forward
• Establish mount instead of back control
• Alternative to back attacks
• Positional choice based on strategy

Maintaining Mount

Balance and Base

NAGA Fighter teaches: Keep your knees wide for stability, adjusting to your opponent’s movements to stay on top.​

Balance Fundamentals:

• Wide knees for stable base
• Adjust to opponent’s movements
• Don’t stay rigid—flow with their attempts
• Weight distribution critical
• React to bridges and shrimps

Balance drills: Have partner try to buck you off while you maintain mount.

Chest-to-Chest Pressure

Critical control mechanism:​

Pressure Application:

• Smothering pressure forces energy expenditure
• Heavy mount makes shrimping/bridging harder
• Chest stays on their chest
• Don’t give them breathing room
• Constant weight on torso

NAGA Fighter emphasizes: Smothering pressure forces the bottom player to use more energy when trying to escape.​

Leg Positioning

Evolve MMA teaches: The first detail is that soles of the feet must be up and glued as much as possible to the hips of the opponent to prevent movement; the legs must be under the arms to deny the opponent space.​

Leg Control Details:

• Soles of feet UP (not flat)
• Glued to their hips
• Legs under their arms
• Denies space for elbows to ground
• Prevents them creating frames

BJJ Fanatics notes: The first element of having a strong mount is that the attacker must keep their legs on the inside or under the defender’s elbows.​

Grapevining

Advanced control technique:​

Grapevine Setup:

• Hook your feet inside their thighs
• Spread their legs wide
• Eliminates bridging power
• Makes escape extremely difficult
• More commitment to position

Grapevining sacrifices some mobility for maximum control.

Neutralizing Escapes

NAGA Fighter teaches: Expect immediate escape attempts—grapevine their legs, cross-face to prevent turning, and anticipate upa (bridge and roll) or elbow escapes.​

Escape Prevention:

• Cross-face prevents turning to side
• Grapevine stops bridges
• Hip pressure prevents shrimping
• Anticipate upa (bridge and roll)
• Adjust base as needed

Top Submissions from Mount

Armbar from Mount

The most fundamental submission:​

Setup:

• Opponent extends arms defending chokes
• Creates easy opportunity to isolate limb
• Pivot to S-mount position
• Control wrist (thumb up)
• Sit back for armbar

NAGA Fighter notes: The armbar is highly effective because opponents often extend their arms when trying to defend chokes.​

Evolve MMA adds: As the famous John Danaher said, get comfortable using your legs as it will always be stronger than your opponent’s upper body.​

Cross-Collar Choke (Gi)

Classic gi submission:​

Execution:

• Four-finger grip inside opponent’s lapel (near neck)
• Other hand grips outside other lapel (four fingers)
• Don’t bend wrists
• Pull elbows to chest without flaring
• Hook feet into opponent’s legs (stability)
• Place head on ground while pulling
• Attacks carotid arteries

Roger Gracie finished countless black belts with this “simple” choke.

Americana (Keylock)

Shoulder lock from mount:​

Setup:

• Isolate far side arm
• Control their wrist
• Pin wrist to mat
• Snake other arm under (figure-four grip)
• Force elbow upward
• Torque on shoulder joint

NAGA Fighter describes: This shoulder lock works well against opponents who keep their arms close to their chest in a defensive shell.​

Can also be used as threat to set up other submissions.

Ezekiel Choke

Works gi and no-gi:​

Mechanics:

• Control opponent’s head
• Forearms behind their head
• Grip inside sleeve of opposite hand (gi) or use naked forearm (no-gi)
• Non-gripping hand extends down to other wrist
• Applies pressure on carotid arteries
• Minimal requirements to work

Evolve MMA notes: The Ezekiel choke does not require any athleticism—it has minimal requirements for it to work, which makes this technique applicable to grapplers of any background.​

Mounted Triangle

Advanced submission:​

Setup:

• Go to high mount first
• Control head and arm
• Body weight dropped on chest
• Attack elbows
• Walk arm toward 90-degree angle
• Pin other arm with legs
• Pull head and lock triangle

Versatile submission that can be done from any position where you see an angle.

Mounted Guillotine

Modern application:​

BJJ Fanatics notes: The guillotine is probably more deadly from the mount position, due to how the head is reefed in the upward direction.​

Setup:

• Opponent turns to escape
• Head becomes available
• Lock guillotine grip
• Maintain mount pressure
• Finish with upward pull

Position Before Submission

Evolve MMA emphasizes: As John Danaher famously said, “position before submission”.​

The Principle:

• Stabilize mount BEFORE attacking
• Rushing for submissions loses position
• Control first, attack second
• Good control dictates match result
• Discipline and proper timing essential

BJJ Fanatics adds: It is extremely important not to lose position whilst attacking submissions from the mount.​

Training Mount by Belt Level

For White Belts: Building Foundations

Start with fundamentals:

Priorities:

• Master maintaining basic mount
• Practice chest-to-chest pressure
• Learn proper leg positioning
• Study cross-collar choke (gi)
• Perfect armbar mechanics

Resources about first BJJ class expectations help beginners understand positional progression.

For Blue Belts: Developing Control

Build complete systems:

Development:

• Learn all mount variations
• Study Roger Gracie footage
• Practice submission chains
• Master escape prevention
• Develop both gi and no-gi games

Exploring blue belt development goals helps structure mount integration.

For Purple/Brown Belts: System Mastery

Perfect championship applications:

Advanced Focus:

• Develop invisible pressure
• Perfect submission timing
• Create seamless transitions
• Master all escape defenses
• Build signature mount game

For Black Belts: Teaching and Innovation

Refine and innovate:

Master Level:

• Develop teaching progressions
• Perfect competition strategies
• Create innovative attacks
• Master Roger Gracie level control

Competition Strategy

IBJJF Gi Competition

Mount dominates points-based formats:

Strategic Advantages:

• 4 points (maximum)
• Often creates insurmountable lead
• Multiple submission opportunities
• Forces opponent desperation
• Controls match pace

ADCC and No-Gi

Equally effective without gi:

No-Gi Applications:

• Tighter pressure required
• Works in submission-only
• Creates finishing opportunities
• Favored by elite competitors

MMA Applications

Dominant in mixed martial arts:

MMA Mount:

• Safe from opponent’s strikes
• Can rain down ground and pound
• Submission threat constant
• Positional control crucial
• Often ends fights

The Mount Legacy

From the Gracie family’s Vale Tudo dominance to Roger Gracie’s world championship reign, mount position represents BJJ’s most complete top control position. What makes it special isn’t complexity—it’s the simple principle of using gravity, pressure, and positional control to dominate opponents while they carry your weight.

Roger Gracie built a legendary career on fundamental mount control and basic submissions executed perfectly. The Gracie family demonstrated that smaller fighters can dominate larger opponents from mount. And forty years from now, grapplers will still be pursuing mount because the positional value is timeless.

The mount proves a fundamental BJJ truth: master the basics, and you can beat anyone. Whether you’re finishing with Roger Gracie’s cross choke or transitioning to modern attacks, mount position provides the ultimate top control that leads to match victories.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Roger Gracie instructional content, IBJJF competition footage, and contemporary mount specialists. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts using mount in tournament settings. Strategic applications based on IBJJF, ADCC, MMA, and self-defense contexts (1993-2025).

Sources Referenced:

• NAGA Fighter mount mechanics and usage
• Evolve MMA mount attacks and control
• Roger Gracie mount system
• Gordon Ryan mount control methods
• IBJJF rulebook and competition analysis

Last Updated: January 11, 2026