Mount Control Details in BJJ — Dominating from Top
☰Contents
- High vs. Low Mount
- Weight Distribution in Mount
- The Grapevine vs. Foot Positions
- Arm Control Hierarchy
- Preventing the Upa and Elbow Escape
- Step 1: Establish Base and Weight
- Step 2: Choose Your Height
- Step 3: Control the Arms
- Step 4: Attack with Submission Chains
- Step 5: Maintain Through Transitions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this technique used for?
Learn the detailed mechanics of mount control in BJJ. Master weight distribution, hip position, arm control, and submission chains from the mount.
Mount is one of the highest scoring positions in BJJ, but many practitioners struggle to maintain it effectively. True mount mastery goes beyond just sitting on your opponent — it requires precise weight distribution, proactive hip control, and the ability to switch between high and low mount to maximize pressure while setting up submissions.
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High vs. Low Mount
Low mount (hips near opponent's hips) provides stability and makes escape attempts difficult. High mount (hips near the chest/armpits) opens submission opportunities but is harder to maintain. Elite grapplers switch between the two fluidly.
Weight Distribution in Mount
Never post your weight on your hands — keep it all on your hips. Hands should float or be actively attacking. Hip-to-hip contact creates the most stable, heaviest mount. Sink your weight into the mat through the opponent.
The Grapevine vs. Foot Positions
Grapevine (feet hooked inside opponent's legs) immobilizes the bottom player completely but limits your mobility. Feet-flat position (feet outside the hips) allows better movement for submission entries. Choose based on opponent's escape attempts.
Arm Control Hierarchy
From mount, arm control determines your submission options. Underhook = Ezekiel choke or gift wrap. Overhook = armbar or triangle setup. Both arms free = crossface and collar choke options.
Preventing the Upa and Elbow Escape
The two main mount escapes are upa (bridge and roll) and elbow escape. For upa: widen your base and post a hand when you feel the bridge. For elbow escape: keep knees heavy on the ground, float your hips to counter the hip escape.
Step 1: Establish Base and Weight
When transitioning to mount, immediately widen your knees and drop your hips. Crossface the head with one arm to control posture and prevent the upa before it starts.
Step 2: Choose Your Height
Assess the situation: opponent is bridging → drop to low mount and widen knees. Opponent is flat → advance to high mount and start working submission grips.
Step 3: Control the Arms
Reach down and collect an underhook, or use a palm-down post on the shoulder to begin working the gift wrap. Arm control is the gateway to every mount submission.
Step 4: Attack with Submission Chains
In high mount, attack the Ezekiel choke first. If defended, work to S-mount for the armbar. If they straighten the arm, transition to the triangle. The chain prevents any single defensive answer.
Step 5: Maintain Through Transitions
When the opponent successfully starts an elbow escape, float your hips and slide your knee back in under their thigh. Constantly readjust your position to stay ahead of the escape attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this technique used for?
Mount Control Details is a fundamental BJJ technique used to control, escape, or submit opponents in training and competition.
How long does it take to learn?
Most practitioners develop basic competency within 3–6 months of consistent drilling, though true mastery takes years of rolling.
Is this technique suitable for beginners?
Yes — this technique forms part of the core BJJ curriculum and is taught at all belt levels with appropriate progressions.
Related Techniques
Common Mistakes in Mount Control Details
Sitting Too High
Mounting high on the chest gives your partner room to bridge and roll. Sit low — hips near the belt line — and sprawl your weight through your knees.
Reaching Forward Too Early
Leaning forward to grab the collar before establishing hooks invites the upa escape. Secure weight distribution before attacking.
Neglecting Hip Control
Without controlling the hips through knee pressure and foot hooks, escapes become trivially easy. Drive knees inward and maintain active pressure.
Abandoning Base
Losing base while attacking submissions allows reversals. Keep your base wide, weight centered, and never over-commit to a single attack.
Training Tips for Mount Control Details
Shadow Drill at Full Speed
Perform the technique slowly, then progressively increase to competition speed while maintaining crisp mechanics. Video yourself to catch form breakdowns.
Use a Skilled Partner
Training with a partner who can give realistic resistance and honest feedback accelerates technical development more than repetitions with a passive uke.
Isolate Weak Phases
Break the technique into phases and identify which phase breaks down under pressure. Spend disproportionate drilling time on that specific phase.
Compete in Tournaments
Competition reveals real weaknesses that controlled training obscures. Even white belts benefit from early competitive experience.
Learning Progression for Mount Control Details
- Start with controlled drilling of the core mechanics at 30% resistance.
- Progress to positional sparring: your partner starts in the relevant position and you practice Mount Control Details with moderate resistance.
- Integrate into flow rolling — actively hunt for Mount Control Details opportunities without forcing.
- Add to live sparring with full resistance. Focus on recognizing setups, not just finishing.
- Record and review footage to identify timing gaps and mechanical errors.
Recommended Drills for Mount Control Details
- Isolated Entry Drill — With a cooperative partner, repeat the entry sequence for Mount Control Details 20 times each side. Focus on timing and body positioning.
- Reaction Drill — Partner resists at 40–60%. Practice recognizing when the Mount Control Details window opens and executing within 1–2 seconds.
- Chain Drill — Link Mount Control Details with 2 follow-up attacks. If the primary is defended, flow immediately into the backup without pausing.
- Timed Round — 3-minute positional round: start in the setup position and apply Mount Control Details as many times as possible. Track completions per session.
Related Video
More Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from bucking me off from mount?
To prevent a buck, keep your weight low and forward, driving your hips into their chest. Maintain tight grips, like a gable grip around their neck or controlling their arms, to limit their movement and leverage.
What are the most common mistakes people make when holding mount?
A common mistake is getting too high on the opponent's chest, which gives them space to bridge or shrimp. Another is not actively controlling their hips and arms, allowing them to create frames and escape.
How can I transition from mount to a submission effectively?
Once you have solid mount control, look for submission opportunities like the armbar or americana. Maintain your base and pressure while setting up the submission, ensuring you don't lose your dominant position.
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
You're likely not anchoring your hips low enough and keeping your base too narrow, causing your center of gravity to be directly over your opponent's. To fix this, focus on driving your hips down towards their sternum, creating a wide base by spreading your knees and shins across their chest and shoulders, and slightly leaning your weight forward to keep your center of gravity over their body.
When your opponent attempts a bridge, immediately tuck your chin to your chest and drive your hips down and forward, almost as if you're trying to sit on their face. Simultaneously, spread your knees wider and dig your shins into their hips and ribs to create friction and prevent them from generating upward momentum.
You're probably relying too much on your arm strength to squeeze and hold your opponent down, which is inefficient. Instead, focus on using your body weight and leverage by keeping your hips heavy and driving them into their chest, and use your arms primarily for framing and controlling their posture by gripping their shoulders or biceps, not for a full body squeeze.