🏔️ Mount Submissions Guide

🥋 Purple ★★★☆☆ Intermediate

Mount is the highest-scoring regular position in BJJ and provides access to a wide variety of submissions — knowing all your options makes you unpredictable and extremely dangerous.

Contents

    High Mount vs. Low Mount Attacks

    Mount positions affect which submissions are available. Low mount (hips on hips): americana, kimura, and ezekiel choke are primary. High mount (hips near shoulders, technical mount): armbar, cross collar choke, and head-and-arm triangle are primary. Learn to transition between low and high mount to access different attacks.

    Armbar from Mount

    Step to technical mount (one knee slides toward their head, other remains on the ground beside their hip), raise the far knee over their arm and shoulder, sit back to collect the arm, and finish. The key entry challenge is that opponents will not give a straight arm — attack when they push you or try to frame.

    Cross Collar Choke from Mount

    Deep cross-collar choke from mount: reach the far hand deep into the collar (4 fingers in), then bring the near hand to the other collar, use both hands to apply a scissors-like pressure closing the neck. Requires good posture and upper body connection. Most effective from high mount.

    Ezekiel Choke from Mount

    The ezekiel choke (sode-guruma-jime) from mount: thread one forearm behind the neck, grip your own sleeve or bicep with the choking hand, and apply pressure by driving the forearm into the neck. Unique because it can be applied from low mount without changing position — excellent surprise attack.

    Head-and-Arm Triangle from Mount

    When the opponent frames with one arm on your hip or pushes you: trap that arm across their neck (push their elbow to the mat), drop your weight, and apply the arm triangle choke. The key is trapping the arm quickly before they can retract it. Often set up by threatening the armbar.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the easiest submission from mount for a beginner?

    The americana (key lock) is the most accessible mount submission for beginners because it requires minimal technical setup — you simply need the opponent to have their arm in an L-shape. Practice from low mount first.

    How do I submit someone who just defends their neck with both hands?

    When they lock their hands to defend the neck: attack the armbar (they cannot simultaneously protect both the neck and arm), or use the ezekiel choke which can work even through their defense because of the sleeve mechanics.

    Why do I get bucked off when trying to submit from mount?

    Two issues: (1) Too much weight forward — opponents buck most effectively when you are weight forward; stay over the hips, (2) Not maintaining balance through the submission attempt — practice finishing mechanics while maintaining mount base.

    Related Guides

    → ⬆️ Top Game Guide→ ⚔️ Passing Styles Guide→ 🔗 Submission Chain Guide→ 🎯 High Percentage Attacks→ 🎯 Back Attacks Guide

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I prevent my opponent from bridging out of mount?

    Maintain tight hips and control their shoulders by either grabbing their arms or posting your forearm across their collarbone. Keep your weight distributed forward, making it difficult for them to generate upward momentum.

    What are the most common submissions from mount?

    The most fundamental are the Americana (keylock) and the armbar. As you progress, you'll also explore chokes like the Ezekiel choke and collar chokes, as well as more advanced submissions like the triangle from mount.

    My opponent keeps turning into me when I try to set up a submission from mount, what can I do?

    This often means your base isn't tight enough. Focus on controlling their hips and shoulders to prevent them from creating space to turn. If they do turn, use it as an opportunity to transition to a better position or a different submission like a kimura.

    Common BJJ Problems & FAQ

    Q: Why do I feel a sharp pain in my neck when trying to apply a 🏔️ Mount Submissions Guide like an armbar from mount?

    This often happens when you're not properly isolating the opponent's arm and are instead trying to crank their head. To avoid neck pain during an armbar from mount, ensure your chest is tight against their shoulder, your hips are heavy, and you're using your legs to control their body while your arm secures their wrist and elbow.

    Q: How can I effectively transition to a 🏔️ Mount Submissions Guide like a triangle choke when my opponent is defending by posturing up?

    When they posture up, your goal is to collapse their posture to create the angle. Drive your shoulder into their chest to break their base, then use your legs to hook their hips and pull them down, creating the necessary space to swing your leg over their head for the triangle.

    Q: What's the best way to maintain control and prevent my opponent from escaping when I'm in the 🏔️ Mount Submissions Guide position and they're trying to buck me off?

    To maintain mount against a bucking opponent, keep your weight forward and your hips low, almost grazing their hips with your own. Use your knees to dig into their inner thighs, creating a strong base, and actively use your arms to frame against their biceps or shoulders to prevent them from creating upward momentum.