Modified Mount BJJ: White Belt Guide

1. From a head-and-arm control (e.g., after a knee-slice pass), secure your opponent's far hip with your near arm, hooking the crease of their hip joint.
2. Place your opposite hand on their same-side shoulder blade, creating a "seatbelt" grip on their upper body.
3. Drive your chest down onto their chest, ensuring your sternum makes contact.
4. Shift your weight forward, pressing your hips towards their feet, lowering your center of gravity.
5. Bring your knee closest to their head across their body, aiming to place it just past their hip bone.
6. Simultaneously, step your trailing leg up, bringing your foot to the mat outside your opponent's hip.
7. Ensure your hips are heavy and low, creating a solid base that prevents them from bridging effectively.
8. Your goal is to have your hips lower than your opponent's shoulders, with your knees close to their body.

• Incorrectly placing your weight too far forward and high, with your knees wide apart, can cause your opponent to bridge and roll you; this hyperextends your knee joint, risking ACL tear.
• Grabbing the opponent's gi pants too tightly without establishing hip control allows them to shrimp and escape; this uncontrolled movement can lead to your elbow getting caught and potentially dislocated.
• Failing to keep your hips low and heavy allows the opponent to create space by pushing your knees; this can lead to your own knee getting trapped and twisted, risking meniscus damage.
• Rushing the transition without securing grips can result in your opponent creating a "frame" with their arms, leading to you losing balance and them escaping to half-guard.

1. Solo drilling: Practice the hip and leg movement from a sprawled position, focusing on the hip-to-hip connection and knee placement. (50 reps)
2. Partner drilling (no resistance): With a compliant partner, practice the transition from a passed guard position to Modified Mount, focusing on grip and weight distribution. (20 reps)
3. Light resistance drilling: Partner offers minimal resistance, allowing you to practice maintaining the position and hip pressure. (20 reps)
4. Controlled rolling (25% resistance): Attempt the transition during light rolling, focusing on achieving the position and holding it for 10 seconds. (5 rounds)
5. Controlled rolling (50% resistance): Focus on securing Modified Mount and transitioning to a submission within a live rolling scenario. (5 rounds)
6. Live rolling (75% resistance): Integrate Modified Mount into your regular rolling, aiming to maintain control and attack submissions. (10 rounds)

WHEN TO ATTEMPT:

• Immediately after successfully passing your opponent's guard, especially if they are on their back with legs extended.
• When your opponent attempts to shrimp or recover guard, and you can cut off their hip.
• When you have established a strong head-and-arm control after a pass.

PRIMARY COUNTERS:

• The most common counter is the opponent attempting to bridge and roll. To defend, keep your hips low and heavy, drive your chest into their sternum, and maintain your seatbelt grip.
• If the opponent tries to shrimp and create space, immediately adjust your hips to follow their movement, maintaining your knee-on-hip pressure.
• If they try to push your knees away, reinforce your base by widening your stance slightly while keeping your hips low and anchored.

Watch step-by-step breakdowns from black belt instructors: