The back mount is a dominant position in BJJ. In it, you control the opponent by taking their back and forcing them to submit via choke. This position gives you access to the opponent’s vulnerable side, limiting them and gaining you more power and advantage by putting them in a defensive position.
In this article, you will understand the back mount in BJJ and find tips on mastering this position and using it effectively in your game. Taking the dominant position opens pathways, gives quicker access to submissions, and prevents opponents from escaping.
What is the Back Mount
It is a fundamental Brazilian jiu-jitsu position practiced at all levels. This usually begins from the mat where you and the opponent are in a sitting position. Usually, once you see that your opponent’s back is open and your access is free, you can start grabbing them by hooking your arms over their shoulder, and the other goes under the arm and connects both your hands by creating a seatbelt grip.
Your feet lock around your opponent’s legs to prevent them from standing, escaping, or attempting a sweep. The feet should be spread wide, and pressure should be applied to the sides of your opponent’s legs to flatten and control them.
What makes the Back Mount A Critical Technique in BJJ?
Assuming this dominant position may seem easy at first, but as your opponent’s skills progress and the level of match you take adds difficulty, attacking the back and assuming the mount will need more detailed steps and a combination of techniques.
Maintaining back control becomes crucial when your opponent shifts into a defensive mode. The mount demands attention to detail and often requires deciding whether to transition to the underhook or overhook side.
Here are the key elements that make the back mount a critical technique.
Positional Dominance
The back mount allows you to assume positional dominance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, granting you maximum access and control to your opponent’s most vulnerable areas. It’s often called the “king of positions” because it has unmatched potential to neutralize the opponent. It’s no surprise that this position holds such high regard.
Strategic Advantages
When you take the opponent from the back and successfully initiate the mount, you can finish the match while securing points for control. This position also allows you to limit your opponent’s mobility, restricting their ability to change position, move their arms or legs effectively, or escape.
Effective Submissions
Taking the back gives you a high percentage to target the neck and immobilize your opponent’s hips and legs. It gives you quick access to submissions like chokes and armlocks. It allows for a seamless shift to attacks that preempt and neutralize any defense or counters your opponent might attempt.
Combination with Hooks and Grips
Using hooks and grips is essential for securing a strong back mount. Maintaining the hooks tight and firm while holding your mount position allows effective attacks. With proper hooks, your opponent becomes defenseless and immobilized, enabling you to transition seamlessly into submissions or chokes.
Difference between back mount vs back control.
Now, let’s quickly define back mount vs. back control, as these two are often confused and give key distinctions for each.
Back Mount: Back mount refers to a specific dominant position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the player controls the opponent using hooks—either overhooks or underhooks. This position is achieved after the opponent’s back is exposed, commonly called a back attack. Once secure grips, such as a seatbelt grip or wrist lock, are established, the player assumes the mount position while maintaining control over the opponent’s back.
Back control: Back control is a general term for any technique where the player controls the opponent from the back to limit their movement. This control doesn’t necessarily involve achieving a mounted position. Instead, it can be applied in various scenarios, such as standing, sitting, or transitioning through positions like guard or sweep.
How to execute Back Mount in BJJ?
The distinct steps to performing the back moun in BJJ can be applied to Gi and No Gi. These involve core techniques and offensive and defensive strategies. Understanding the essential steps and mechanisms makes this position effective.
Key techniques in back Mount
The key steps to secure the back mount revolve around four core mechanisms, each contributing to control, stability, and submission.
- Step 1: Securing the Back
Once the opponent’s back is exposed, you will start by taking it. This move requires precise timing, as you aim to establish close contact with a chest-to-back connection. - Step 2: Apply Seatbelt Grip
Next is to secure control of the opponent’s upper body with a seatbelt grip. Wrap your arms across their chest and the other arm over their shoulder. Lock your hands together to prevent them from turning to you. - Step 3: Using Hip Control
Next, drive your hips to the lower back to create pressure and prevent them from escaping. Observe and keep your mount position in place as you do this. - Step 4: Set Up for Submission
Stabilize your opponent’s body with a hook and seatbelt grip while setting the ideal angle for a smooth transition to a submission. From there, you can shift to a rear naked choke if the hook is near the neck or transition to a bow and arrow choke.
How to Maintain Your Back Mount
Maintaining a back mount requires more than tight control or heavy pressure; it involves strategic positioning and awareness. Pay close attention to your opponent’s movements as they attempt to escape.
Here are some key details to keep in mind:
- Fix Control with Your Hooks: Secure your hook with constant tension and keep your feet active to adjust as your opponent moves. This will give you a good measure of the probability of their escaping.
- Proper Body Positioning: Maintain the chest to back connection aligned with your opponent’s spine to maintain control and apply pressure. Avoid making crossed feet, as crossing them can compromise alignment. Maintain your position and seatbelt grip securely. Hold steady and focused until you’re ready to commit to the choke.
- Adjust grips: Utilize leverage by adjusting your grips during tension to overhooks or underhooks. Modifying your grip while controlling them counters the opponent’s defenses.
- Adapt to the Opponent During Transitions: The finer details lie in adapting to your opponent’s movement. Monitor their escape attempts and respond to directional shifts. For example, if they bridge to one side, shift your weight or adjust your hooks to maintain control and prevent them from turning into you.
- Gauge Pressure for Control: Remember not to overexert yourself. Too much pressure can create openings for your opponent to escape, while too little pressure allows them to break free. It’s crucial to balance pressure with proper body alignment and positioning.
Offensive Techniques from the Back Mount
Offensive techniques as submissions and control moves pair seamlessly with the back mount, making it a highly versatile position. Understanding which techniques to apply while in the back mount can surprise your opponent and limit their options, keeping them guessing and unable to predict your next move.
Submission Techniques from Back Mount
Here are submission techniques that offer the highest percentage of finishing the match and securing a win.
- Rear-naked choke (RNC): Control the open from the back and connect your mounting position to execute the choke as you hook across up the neck.
- Bow-and-arrow choke: use your opponent’s lapel (for gi) for leverage to execute the choke.
- Armbar: A classic submission you can easily connect with the back mount is the armbar, which quickly transitions from back control to armlock.
Control Techniques
Elevate the mount position with tight control using the following techniques.
- Hooks to counter opponent: Use your hooks to prevent your opponent from escaping.
- Transitioning between submissions: Transition smoothly between submissions to maintain the attack and keep your opponent defensive.
Defensive Techniques Against the Back Mount (Common Escapes)
The following are standard techniques to address opponents attempting to take your back. Here are common escapes for countering when they try to apply the mount position.
- Shrimping Out of the Back Mount: Use your hips to bridge or shrimp to create space and dislodge your opponent’s hooks to regain guard control.
- Hand-fighting to Counter RNC: Use active hand-fighting to break the grips, neutralize your opponent’s attempts to secure a choke, and control their arm.
- Recovering Guard: You can turn into your opponent to reestablish a guard position, escaping the back mount.
Conclusion
With consistent practice and application by joining tournaments, you can elevate your grappling game by mastering a solid, unbreakable back mount. Focus on refining your hooks and grips while developing sensitivity for proper foot placement and pressure. Although many practitioners can execute the back mount and counters are continually evolving, having a strong understanding of this dominant position—and effectively capitalizing on its advantages—will make your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game formidable and hard to beat.