The Mount

First we will explain the mount position in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The mount is one of the trade mark positions and is known to be the best position in any Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fight. One of the things that makes this the best position is because with minimal effort you are able to control your opponent using your body weight. The guy on the bottom will usually waste all their energy trying to desperately escape this position. Also, in a Mixed Martial Arts fight, with this position you will have optimal leverage to strike your opponent and your opponent will have very little leverage to be able to strike you. Typically, in a Jiu Jitsu match with a BJJ Gi the guy who gets mount goes straight for the collar with one hand and leans his head to the opposite side to start any submission attempts.

To have the full mount position on anyone, your opponent must be flat on his back and you must be right on top of him with your hip on his hip and both of your knees on both sides of his body. You should try to get as high up as possible. If you stay on his hip it will make it easier for him to escape the position with a sweep. Be careful not to go to high because that will make it easier for him to escape as well. I have always been taught that to be able to keep a mount position it is similar to riding a horse or a bull. You must hold on and shift your body weight when needed to stay on as long as possible.

The Back Mount

The back mount is another great position to have your opponent in. Again in this position with minimal effort you can control your opponent. However, with this position you do not have as much leverage in the strikes as the mount. The most common submission from the back is the rear naked choke. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the Gi, typically people will get chocked with their gi lapel. To get the best training of this position, you should train this with your Bjj Gi. Your Bjj Gi will greatly help your technique to this move and will allow you to learn more chokes and submissions from this position.

To keep this position fully you must have both of your hooks in to prevent them from spinning into your guard. You must also remember not to put your hooks in too deep because for brown and black belts you will get your ankle in a vulnerable position for a submission even though you have the dominant position. With your hands you should go for the over-under control and with the hand that is over grab hold of the Bjj Gi lapel on the opposite side. This will give you optimal control, and from here you must try to work your submissions without giving up position.