Sensei Xande explains Mount

Today at Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Austin

Mount and Arm-bar from Mount

Most important thing about the Mount?

The number one thing about mount is control and establishing dominance. You need to be able to switch angles depending on your opponent's reaction. You need to be able to know when to get a low or a high Mount, grape vine the legs, or go to technical Mount, in order to settle and control the position.

Why don’t you just pull the arm instead of using your chest? 

To restrict the movement. If you just control the limb, you’re giving your opponent the opportunity to get it out. By using your chest and body you can restrict the movement making it difficult for them to put their arm to the floor. 

Should you go to “S” Mount if the person is flat on the floor or on their side? 

“S” Mount should be when the person is flat on the floor. One of the legs needs to hook the opposite shoulder of the arm that your catching. You don’t want to do the “S” Mount if they are on their side. 

What is the thing that people get wrong the most? 

Being too stiff. It’s not a pin and control, if you’re too stiff and the opponent bumps and moves you become very compromised. Your structure is more stiff, the more rigid you are. You need to adapt and flow to compensate for their every move.

When you pull the arm, in an arm-bar, what do you do if you can’t push the other arm?

Keep the tension. If there’s no tension there’s no energy to push on the arm. Pushing while leaning back is important because there is a resistance you can use to your advantage.