The back mount is one of BJJ’s most dominant and effective positions. You can finish a fight swiftly once you’re in that position. But you can also make countless mistakes on your way there.
What this article will do—is point out these mistakes while offering practical solutions to them. I wish I had had access to this article when I learned about this position, as it could have saved me a lot of time experimenting.
Once you know and understand the basics of the back mount, nothing will stop you from mastering it quickly and easily.
After all, the best way to learn is from someone who has been in your position before and climbed through it. This applies to all areas of life.
Here’s what we’ll discuss in this article:
- What is the back mount?
- How to use it
- Its basics
- Variations
- How to maintain
- How to set up
- Ninja Tips
- Submissions
- How to escape
Alright, we have plenty to cover, so we better start. Let’s dive into the first section: what it is.
What Is a Back Mount in BJJ?
BJJ, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, includes various positions you want to master. These positions will help you dominate your opponent by giving you an edge. These will be more effective in real fights where your opponent has never grappled. First, let’s examine what the back mount is (in BJJ.)
The back mount is a dominant position that gives you access to the opponent’s back. You must use your hands and feet to lock the opponent in place. Submitting the opponent from this position is easy, especially against an opponent who has never grappled before, such as using The Rear Naked Choke.
But before you try the Rear Naked Choke on your grappling partners, you want to read this article. It’s more than difficult to set up and get into the back mount position without having the proper knowledge.
Alright, in short, the back mount is when you’re behind your opponent and have a tight lock on his back. He shouldn’t be able to maneuver himself out of your hold if you know the basics and have some experience.
So, this was the first section. Now that you know what it is, let’s review how to perform it properly.
How to: Back Mount
Performing the back mount is an essential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) position that involves taking the opponent’s back and controlling them from behind. Here’s how to perform the back mount in BJJ:
- Begin by securing a dominant position over your opponent, such as mount or side control.
- Look to transition to a position where you can attack your opponent’s back. One way to do this is to begin setting up the back take by securing a grip on your opponent’s collar or arm.
- Begin to move to the side of your opponent and bring your leg over their body. Your leg should be positioned so that your foot is on the opposite hip, with your knee behind their shoulder.
- Use your other hand to grab the same-side collar or arm and pull your opponent towards you.
- Use your hooks once in position to secure your position by crossing your feet behind their thighs.
- Use your arms once you have both hooks to control your opponent’s upper body by either securing a seat belt grip (with one arm over their shoulder and the other under their arm) or by grabbing their collar.
- Begin to look for submission opportunities such as the rear naked choke, or control your opponent from this dominant position.
The back mount really isn’t difficult to execute. First, however, you want to follow the steps I listed in this section to perform the most basic transition from side control or full mount to back mount.
Now, let’s dive deeper into ways you can set up (transition) into the back mount.
How to Set Up the Back Mount
As you’ve understood, you can transition from the most dominant positions to the rear (back) mount. You can start in the full mount or even side control and control the opponent’s back. Let’s now review the one transition I recommend you learn first.
You want to start in side control to perform this back mount setup. The next step is to underhook his hand with your far hand and place your other hand between his body and triceps. Then, bring your knee up to the opponent’s shoulder. Finally, you pull the opponent toward you and gain back control.
This move is one I stumbled upon many times, but it’s not as common as others. However, executing it can be quite simple, especially if you’re a novice BJJ trainee wanting to gain rear mount more often.
You’ll hopefully be able to follow through with this instructional video to understand better what this move looks like. Then, make sure to experiment with it to see if it fits your style. If you like it, you can use it in your spars and even competitions; it’s highly effective.
Back Mount Basics
So now you also know a way to set up the back mount. Well, that’s awesome. The essential missing piece is the basics. You want to learn them as soon as possible, so you can maintain this position while submitting the opponent.
So, this is what this section is for. In it, we’ll review the basics you must know to perform the back mount flawlessly.
Alright, let’s dive in.
#1 – Have a chest-back connection
The first rear mount basic is to have a chest-back connection. This is because you want your chest to face the opponent’s back.
When you think about it, when will you have more force, when you’re close or far from the opponent? Close, of course. So you always want to aspire to have your chest touch the opponent’s back.
If you follow this guideline, you’ll find yourself more capable of maintaining this position, as you’ll have more force to use to control the opponent.
So this was the first basic. Let’s dive into the 2nd one.
#2 – Hook your hands
The 2nd back mount basic is to hook your hands. Again, you want to control the opponent using both your lower and upper body. This makes sense when I say it.
However, many novice grapplers only use their legs (hook them) to control the opponent. You can see how this makes them miss out on so much available force.
Hooking (wrapping) your hands around the opponent will help you control the opponent far more reliably. In addition, your opponent will easily escape your back mount if you only use your lower or upper body.
But use both, and you’ll find this position more reliable than ever.
#3 – You can follow the opponent’s movement
Many novice grapplers think that they must let go of their hold once the opponent turns to the side. Then, they can transition into another dominant position or give up their superiority altogether.
However, that doesn’t have to be the case.
You can follow the opponent’s movement and turn with him wherever he goes. The back mount does suggest where we’ll face as long as you’re behind your opponent. If you have a chest-back connection, you’re in the clear.
Please don’t be afraid of turning with the opponent. You might feel like you’re giving up control when you first start performing it, but I promise that’s not the case.
Why do you give up your back control because the opponent turns? Of course, he’ll turn; that’s his entire goal.
#4 – The opponent’s goal is to turn around
As mentioned in the 3rd basic, the opponent aims to turn around. So you don’t want to give up your extremely dominant position just because the opponent turns around.
It’ll be better if you block his turns in the first place. Next, you can block the opponent from turning by controlling his hips. Next, you must apply pressure using your legs and arms to limit the opponent’s movement.
In which position can you turn more easily, when your opponent holds you close to him while limiting your hip movement or when you’re free to move?
Knowing that the opponent’s goal is turning around will help you control him. Try and limit the opponent’s movements by controlling his hips’ movement using both your arms and legs.
#5 – Transitioning to the different back mount variations
The 5th basic of the rear mount understands your possibility to transition to the different back mount variations as the opponent does.
We’ve already understood that the opponent can turn around, and you can follow him. Likewise, we’ve understood that your opponent aims to turn around and get you on his guard.
Well, you can also transition to the different back mount variations as you wish. That means that you don’t have to wait for the opponent to make a move and then follow him.
Rather, you can shift your weight at once to one of the sides and transition from one back mount variation to another. For instance, you can transition into the Belly Down variation (which we’ll examine in the following part) to have more control over your opponent.
Alright. You don’t want to miss the following section, as I’ll review 3 different rear mount variations you must know to master this dominant position.
So without further ado, let’s dive in.
Back Mount Variations
This part is all about variations. Knowing these variations will allow you to transition from one to another with few issues. You’ll be able to control your opponent by using your body weight to maneuver you and your partner to wherever you want.
This will eventually bring you more control.
Variation #1 – Belly Down
The first rear mount variation is the Belly Down. This is perhaps the most effective one, as the opponent has two forces to deal with: your body weight and gravity. So for the opponent to escape, he’ll have to lift you (upward force.)
The upward force will be harder to deal with, as gravity works against you. Think about it: the opponent will pin you to the ground while applying as much pressure on you. Would it be easy to deal with? I think not.
That’s why you should transition to the Belly Down rear mount variation regardless of where you currently are. You’ll be able to control the opponent much more thoroughly if you do so.
So, this is the first variation.
Variation #2 – Roller Coaster
The 2nd variation is the Roller Coaster. Can you imagine what it looks like? Now that you’ve guessed what it looks like, here’s what it is and why it’s so effective.
The Roller Coaster back mount variation is when you and the opponent sit, and you’re behind him, holding. It allows you to hold the opponent in a relatively comfortable position (for you.) Therefore, you’ll have plenty of control while maintaining this position for extended periods.
The Roller Coaster is the variation I often see, as it’s beginner-friendly. You don’t need to know much about BJJ to perform it successfully. Instead, you need a basic understanding of the back mount position.
And, of course, you can transition using your body weight to any of the other variations, such as the one I’ll cover in the following section.
Variation #3 – Belly Up
While more rear mount variations exist in Jiu-Jitsu, this will be the last one I’ll cover in this article. However, with time, you’ll start to discover them one by one on your own. You don’t need anyone to tell you about a new variation if you consistently practice BJJ.
But knowing the basic ones (the ones I covered in this article) is more than beneficial.
The Belly Up, rear mount variation is when the opponent and you are facing the ceiling (belly up.) Again, you must be behind the opponent while attaining as much control as possible.
I’ll say that this variation is less beginner-friendly than all the other ones I reviewed in this article. Transitioning to different variations will be difficult, as gravity now works against you. And you’d have to lift the opponent, which will be complicated, especially if he’s more significant than you.
At last, I always see advanced grapplers and MMA fighters finish this position using the Rear Naked Choke. So, you definitely want to experiment with that in the future.
So this was the variations sections. Now, let’s see how to maintain the back mount properly.
How to Maintain the Back Mount
This section will provide one small tip to help you maintain the back mount for more extended periods. You can use it from all variations, so don’t hesitate to implement it right after reading this article.
You want to hook the opponent with a C-grip when you’re in back mount and want to maintain this position for a long. Then, you want to use your legs to wrap the opponent and force him to surrender control. The amount of force you can apply in such a position is astounding.
Using a C-grip on the opponent will allow you to control him while maintaining the back mount for as long as you want.
Different coaches will teach various methods of maintaining the back mount. I stumbled upon this video when I wrote this article, and I thought it was creative and opened your mind. So I encourage you to watch it!
Now that you know how to maintain the back mount for extended periods, let’s review some ninja tips you want to implement to start seeing more results and finish with the rear mount position.
Back Mount Ninja Tips
Alright, no introduction: let’s dive into ninja tips you want to implement to see more results with the rear mount.
#1 – Your choking arm should be on the bottom
The first tip we’ll review is that you should strive to have your choke arm on the bottom. Essentially, you want to lean toward your choking arm.
What is your choking arm, you might ask? Your dominant hand.
So, if your dominant hand is your right, you want to strive to lean to the right side. What ends up happening is that you’re more capable of getting the Rear Naked Choke.
#2 – Stay as tight as possible to the opponent
The 2nd tip is about control. Your goal is to have as much control over the opponent as possible. Consequently, you want to be as tight as possible to your opponent, leading to you applying more pressure on your hands and feet.
How do you do that?
You want to get as close to the opponent’s hips with your hips. So do that—and you’ll be more capable of applying pressure to the opponent in your direction.
That will make your rear mount harder to escape.
#3 – Use your rear hand to clear the opponent’s grips
So, you have your choking and rear hand. By now, you should know which hand is your choking hand; if you don’t, read the first tip.
You can clear the opponent’s hands and even legs with your rear hand. That will prevent the opponent’s escape tries. Your opponent will try and clear your choking hand with his arm (most likely), and you can use your rear hand to remove his arm.
The opponent’s action should lead to a suitable reaction. This is how it works in BJJ.
#4 – Transition into the back mount often
I wish someone had told me I should strive to be in the back mount more often. Instead, I only used the most familiar positions, which made them even stronger.
However, you want to focus on your weak positions as much, if not more, than on your strong positions. For example, if your closed guard is phenomenal and your back mount isn’t as solid, you want to transition into the second one more often.
What will end up happening is that your weak points suddenly become your strong points. And your strong points become your even stronger points.
I think it’s a win-win situation.
#5 – You have to practice
Although reading this article is helpful, there’s nothing like good ol’ practice. Of course, you want to practice as often as possible, especially the back mount, which you’re likely not as often in as side control.
Practice, practice, and more practice. That is the key to success.
So, this was it; now let’s go over submissions from the back mount, perhaps the most critical section for the white and blue belts in this article!
Best Submissions From the Back Mount
Knowing how to finish from the back mount is almost as important as setting this position and understanding its basics. So, this section will be about my favorite submissions from the back mount, including a video of lots of submissions you can learn.
Here are the best BJJ submissions from the back mount position:
- Rear Naked Choke
- Collar Choke
- Armbar
- Bow and Arrow Choke
- Triangle Choke
- Kimura
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of these submissions will depend on various factors, including your opponent’s skill level, size, and strength. Therefore, practicing these techniques regularly and learning how to set them up effectively to increase your chances of success is essential.
How to Escape the Back Mount
You can learn and use many ways to escape the back mount. Different coaches will teach different techniques and move you can use to escape this dominant position.
So let’s go over my favorite way, which is also beginner-friendly. I know that some of you reading this article are white belts, so it’s one of my aims to make this article as beginner friendly as possible, which, hopefully, I’ve been able to accomplish.
You want to get your hips out of the opponent’s hook first to escape the rear mount position. You can do that by lifting your leg and pushing the opponent’s leg to the side. Then, you want to push your elbow down while sliding your head out of his arms grip.
That’s it; you’ve escaped the back control position. Unfortunately, most advanced grapplers will not let you perform this move as quickly as I’ve written.
You can, however, keep experimenting with it to see if it’s suitable for your style. If you’re a white belt, I encourage you to start practicing this move as soon as possible.
Remember, you want first to escape the opponent’s leg wrap and then get your head out of his hook. Here’s what this move looks like:
Final words
I’m a big fan of BJJ. It has taught me how to fight while bettering my mental and physical self. So if you want to read about some of the most common and helpful benefits you’ll gain from consistently training BJJ, follow this link.
So you now know everything you need to start practicing the back mount yourself. But, of course, it’s always important to keep reading and learning about what you want to improve.
That is why I have no doubts you’ll be able to master the back mount exceptionally quickly. I also am confident you’ll become an excellent BJJ practitioner, as your will to learn is astounding.
While the back mount is an insanely effective and dominant position, it’s not the most dominant one. Follow this link if you want to learn about the most dominant and effective positions BJJ has to offer.
And, here are other articles you’d enjoy reading: