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Mount Position: Complete BJJ Control Guide
Mount is the highest-scoring position in BJJ and the hardest to escape. Here is how to hold it and what to attack once you do.
Why Mount Is the Best Position in BJJ
Mount scores the most points in competition. You sit on your opponent's torso. They lie flat on their back. They can't strike you well. They can't easily reach your legs. Every submission on the menu belongs to you.
The Four Mount Variations
- Low mount. Your hips sit low, near their hips. This is the hardest to escape.
- High mount. You slide up toward their armpits. This opens armbar attacks.
- S-mount. One leg swings around their head, shaping an S. Great for armbars.
- Technical mount. Used when they turn to one side. You follow them and keep control.
How to Keep Mount
Grapevine your legs around theirs to stop the bridge. Keep your weight forward on their chest, not sitting upright. Sitting upright feels stable but actually makes bucking easier. Stay chest-to-chest and heavy.
Roger Gracie's Approach
Roger Gracie won world titles with a simple formula. Take mount. Hold it with pressure. Finish with a cross collar choke. He rarely needed anything fancy. Deep mastery of basics beat everyone he faced.
Submissions From Mount
The armbar, cross collar choke, americana, and ezekiel choke all live here. Which one you get depends on how your opponent defends. Push their arms up and the armbar appears. Let them push you away and the collar opens.
Common Mistakes
- Sitting upright, which makes it easier for your opponent to buck you off.
- Rushing to a submission before the position is stable.
- Forgetting to control the head and arms, giving them room to shrimp.
If an opponent creates too much space to hold real mount, transitioning to knee on belly often keeps the pressure on without fighting for real estate you cannot actually control. Our mount escape guide shows the other side of this exchange. For the finish Roger built his career on, see our cross collar choke guide. Mount scores among the highest of any position under IBJJF rules, tied with back control, which is part of why it's worth fighting so hard to hold.
Tagged with:#mount#top control#fundamentals
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is mount worth in IBJJF competition?
Mount is worth four points, tied with back control as the highest-scoring position in IBJJF rules. You must hold it for three seconds for the points to count.
Why do I keep getting bucked off mount?
Most likely you are sitting upright instead of keeping your weight forward on their chest. Sitting tall feels stable but gives your opponent the leverage they need to bridge you off.
What is the difference between low mount and high mount?
Low mount sits near the hips and is the hardest position to escape. High mount slides up toward the armpits, sacrificing some stability to open up armbar attacks.
Is mount legal at white belt?
Yes. It is a control position rather than a submission, so it is legal and scores points at every belt level under IBJJF rules.
Sources & Further Reading
About the Author
Mohsin AyubBJJ practitioner, 6 years — Gracie Barra
Founder & Editor, BJJ Sportswear
Mohsin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years at Gracie Barra and has competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments. He writes about competition, gear, and athlete careers, and founded BJJ Sportswear to help grapplers find equipment and information they can trust.
- Six years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
- Competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments
- Writes on BJJ competition, gear testing, and athlete careers
This article was last reviewed and updated on 2026-08-01.