Low Mount

The Low Mount is a variation of the Mount position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the top practitioner positions their hips lower on the opponent’s torso, typically around the opponent’s hips or abdomen. This positioning emphasizes control over Pressure and Base, making it an excellent tool for maintaining dominance and nullifying escapes.

Purpose of Low Mount

Control and Stability

  • Provides a highly stable base to control the opponent and limit their movement.

Escape Prevention

Setting Up Transitions

Submission Opportunities

Key Features of Low Mount

Hip Positioning

  • Your hips rest lower on the opponent’s body, typically on or below their hips.
  • This positioning limits the opponent’s ability to bridge effectively.

Leg and Foot Placement

  • Your feet should be tucked under the opponent’s thighs or hips, creating hooks to secure control.
  • Avoid crossing your ankles, as this reduces mobility and exposes you to potential Leg Locks.

Weight Distribution

  • Keep your weight centered and heavy, distributing it evenly through your hips and thighs.
  • Avoid leaning too far forward or backward, as this compromises your Base.

Upper Body Engagement

  • Use your arms to control the opponent’s upper body, applying Frames or Pressure on their shoulders or chest.

Common Uses of Low Mount

Stabilizing the Position

  • A defensive approach to secure the Mount position when the opponent attempts explosive escapes.

Submission Setups

Transitional Control

Positional Dominance

  • Wear down your opponent by applying Pressure and limiting their options.

Transitions and Submissions

To High Mount

  • Slide your hips higher on the opponent’s torso when they become less active or exposed.

To S-Mount

  • Transition by isolating an arm and shifting your weight to one side.

Submissions

  • Americana: Use the stability of the low mount to isolate the opponent’s arm.
  • Armbar: Trap and isolate the opponent’s arm, then pivot into the submission.
  • Mounted Triangle: Create angles to lock in the triangle from mount.

Defensive Considerations

Bridging Escapes

  • The low position helps neutralize explosive Bridge attempts by pinning the hips.

Elbow Escapes

  • Use your hooks and weight distribution to counter the opponent’s Elbow Escape attempts.

Leg Traps

  • Keep your feet active to prevent the opponent from trapping them during escapes.

Drilling Tips for Low Mount

Solo Drills

  • Practice hip mobility drills to simulate weight distribution and balance.
  • Combine with transitions into High Mount or S-Mount to build fluidity.

Partner Drills

  • Drill stabilizing the low mount while your partner attempts to bridge or Shrimp.
  • Practice transitions into submissions or other mount variations.

Live Sparring

  • Use low mount during positional sparring to develop control and adaptability under resistance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaning Too Far Forward

  • Shifting your weight forward reduces pressure on the opponent’s hips and opens you to sweeps or counters.

Inactive Feet

  • Failing to use hooks or maintain active feet allows the opponent to trap your legs during escapes.

Ignoring Upper Body Control

  • Focusing solely on the hips can give the opponent space to frame or disrupt your balance.

Rushing to Submissions

  • Prioritize control before transitioning to submissions to avoid losing position.
Tip

Low mount is a key tool for building positional dominance and setting up high-percentage submissions. Focus on balance, pressure, and deliberate transitions to maximize effectiveness and control.

Advancing Low Mount

Transitions from Low Mount

To High Mount

  • Slide your hips higher onto the opponent's chest while maintaining control. Use pressure and hooks to stabilize your position as you shift upward.

To S-Mount

  • Isolate an arm by pulling it across their chest, then shift your weight toward their shoulder while sliding one leg under their head and the other over their chest.

To Technical Mount

  • When the opponent turns to their side, adjust by sliding one knee near their head and the other behind their back, ready to attack or stabilize.

To Side Control

  • If the opponent bridges and exposes space, move your hips laterally and secure Side Control while maintaining top pressure.

Submissions from Low Mount

Americana

  • Use your weight to pin the opponent’s chest and isolate one arm. Grab their wrist and lock your other arm underneath their elbow. Apply pressure to finish the submission.

Armbar

  • Trap the opponent’s arm and swing your leg over their face while keeping their arm isolated. Sit back and extend their arm to finish.

Mounted Triangle

  • Create space to pull one arm across their body and trap their head and arm with your legs. Lock your feet into a triangle configuration and squeeze to finish.

Ezekiel Choke

  • Slide one hand inside their collar and use your other hand to grab your own sleeve. Apply pressure to their neck for the choke.

Cross Collar Choke

  • Establish deep grips on the opponent's collar, cross your hands, and apply pressure to their carotid arteries with your wrists.

Sweeps from Low Mount

Trap and Roll Sweep (if reversed)

  • If the opponent bridges effectively and starts to reverse the mount, trap one of their arms and post leg, then roll them over to regain a dominant top position.

Back Take Sweep (as they turn)

  • If the opponent exposes their back while attempting to escape, follow their movement, secure Seatbelt control, and transition to Back Control.

Passes from Low Mount

Knee Slide Pass (if regaining control)

  • If your opponent recovers half guard while transitioning from low mount, use a Knee Cut motion to clear their legs and secure Side Control.

Step Over Pass

  • If your opponent traps one of your feet during an escape attempt, step over their leg while maintaining Pressure to reestablish control.

Escapes from Low Mount

Elbow Escape Shrimp your hips to create space, then insert one knee between your opponent’s legs and recover Guard.

Bridge and Roll Escape

  • Trap one of the opponent’s arms and their leg on the same side, then bridge explosively and roll to reverse the position.

Hip Escape

  • Use controlled Shrimp movements to slide your hips out and create enough space to recover Guard or transition to a neutral position.

Backdoor Escape

  • If the opponent leans too far forward, bridge, and slide your body backward underneath them to escape.

Takedowns Leading to Low Mount

Double-Leg Takedown

  • Drive your opponent to the mat with a Double-Leg Takedown and transition directly into Mount, adjusting into low mount for control.

Body Lock Takedown

  • Secure a tight grip around their torso, lift, and bring them down while landing in a controlled low mount position.

Trip from Guard Pull

  • Engage their base and sweep their legs while pulling them forward, landing in a low mount after passing their Guard.
Tip

Mastery of low mount depends on fluid transitions and control. Prioritize stability, Pressure, and maintaining positional dominance before advancing to submissions or allowing your opponent opportunities to counter.

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