# Mount

> A dominant top position in which the attacker straddles the opponent's torso to control movement and isolate the arms or neck.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/mount
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/mount.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/mount
- **Category:** position
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** fundamental
- **Aliases:** full mount, montada
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

Mount places the top player's knees and hips around the defender's torso while the chest controls the upper body. Low, high, technical, S-mount, and seated variations change the balance between pinning pressure and submission access.

Strong mount control follows the defender's frames rather than fighting every bridge head-on. The attacker climbs above the elbows, widens or narrows the base as needed, and uses crossface or underhook control to make escapes predictable.

## Key principles

- Keep your knees connected to the torso while adjusting the base.
- Climb above the defender's elbows before isolating an arm.
- Post against bridges without giving away too much upper-body space.
- Switch between pressure and mobility rather than remaining rigid.

## Common entries

- **Guard pass:** Stabilize side control and walk the near knee across the torso.
- **Back-control transition:** Follow a defender who turns their shoulders toward the mat.
- **Knee-on-belly:** Slide the knee across once the far elbow and hip are controlled.


## Productive next actions

- **Arm triangle:** Trap one arm across the neck and settle the shoulder line.
- **Armbar:** Move to high or S-mount around an isolated elbow.
- **Cross-collar choke:** Use layered collar grips while keeping the hips heavy.


## Defensive priorities

- **Elbow-knee connection:** Build frames and recover a leg inside without extending both arms.
- **Bridge and roll:** Trap a posting side before driving the hips and turning.
- **Hip escape:** Create a small angle, move the hips away, and insert a knee frame.

## Rules and safety

Scoring and permitted grips vary by promotion and division. Check the current organizer rules before competing.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## Related techniques

- [Arm-Triangle Choke](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/arm-triangle)
- [Armbar](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar)
- [Side Control](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/side-control)
- [Back Control](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/back-control)

## Associated athletes

- [Roger Gracie](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/roger-gracie): Ten-time IBJJF World Champion and ADCC double-gold legend, widely regarded as the greatest gi grappler of all time.
- [Gordon Ryan](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/gordon-ryan): Seven-time ADCC champion widely regarded as the greatest no-gi grappler of all time.
- [Saulo Ribeiro](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/saulo-ribeiro): Five-time IBJJF World Champion, two-time ADCC champion, Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu co-founder, and author of Jiu-Jitsu University.
- [Tainan Dalpra](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/tainan-dal-pra): Four-time IBJJF World Champion (gi) middleweight and AOJ star under Guilherme Mendes—one of the most dominant gi competitors of his generation.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/mount and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*