I can set it up. I can get mount, grape vine and crush the guy, keep my weight low and get my knees in under their arms (in their armpits) all the time keeping my weight on them, but when I try and get my leg under I have to lift my hip and lose the crushingness(tm) and often get swept.

One blue belt I asked to help me said, "well maybe you're just not flexible enough and s-mount isn't your thing"

While it's true I have the flexibility of dry spaghetti, I am still convinced I can do this.

Anythoughts on keeping my crushingness(tm) on them while I bring the leg up and under their head?

Many thanks

I'm not much of a mount player, I prefer side control and back; however, when I do try to transition to S-mount, it's usually from side-control.

Oddly enough, my instructor actually covered this a few weeks ago.

Go for a gi choke from side control (if on their right side, sneak your left hand onto their left lapel while fishing your right hand under their right arm and just under the collar. From here, you have a choke, and if you get it, finish it (durr); however, a great option is to wait until they start to reach over with their left arm while turning into you in order to resist the choke. That's the perfect time to swing your right leg over their shoulder and comfortably under their head for a nice and tight S mount (if not, swing your left leg around the raising arm for an arm bar), just don't forget during the transition that your left leg needs to be planted too, from here, you can just roll to your back, plant your left leg against their hip while you do it and use it for a bit of leverage, and enjoy the triangle.

Edit: I think I should mention that I'm super flexible...granted, I don't think the move above requires much at all.

I have horrible flexability and I get S-mount all the time.

You could try grabbing under his head and arm and pull him towards you while you work your leg under.

Or stretch your hip outs

You could try grabbing under his head and arm and pull him towards you while you work your leg under.This is probably the best answer for you at this point in time. Also, keep in mind that if you are getting swept, you might need to back your balance point off to the side a little.

You could try grabbing under his head and arm and pull him towards you while you work your leg under.

Or stretch your hip outs
Always pull the head up when you're ready to move your leg. This virtually eliminates your opponent's ability to upa.


This is probably the best answer for you at this point in time. Also, keep in mind that if you are getting swept, you might need to back your balance point off to the side a little.
Excellent advice. Sit on the pectoral region opposite the side of the leg you move.

Ok I see what you guys are saying and that makes a lot of sense. I think thats my big mistake in that I am trying to bring my leg in but not shifting to the side and there's no way to do that with out creating space and relieving pressure.

This Thursdays class secret mission is S mount

Thanks for the advice, the BJJ Jihad never fails me

"Base" is a mobile, adjusting assertion.



As you move your leg behind their head, you need to adjust your balance point-like infant pupeteer and the rest of the guys sugest. Pulling on the head eliminates the need for shifting your balance but its good to figure out both ways. Try doing the leg switch on a bench and check the changes in balance you get, there's actually alot going on.


think of getting on your Ducati motorcycle from the back: you don't just swing your leg over, you need to move up as you do it...well, I'm full of all kinds of stupid analogies...

yah you have to relieve pressure a create space for a second, but I guess thats the risk of s-guard. I think you'll just end up doing it faster and being swept less often eventually after practicing it some more.

I am pretty sure know that I think of it and read what guys like Cassius and JNP say that, when for example I want to go for an armbar on the guys left arm that I have been doing it wrong and shifting my weight off him to my right to try and bring my right leg up and under and I need to (while controlling the head) shift my weight to my left so I am still sitting on the person and put my leg under.

Take a look at Bravos mount to the triangle transition. I use that method and have been successful with it. While I do have some flexibility I am not as gumby as Eddie.

What I have found is the higher I get my left knee under his shoulder and keep it and his head off the mat with my left arm the less likely I am to get rolled over. Then I will place my right knee on the arm if I cant get a smooth transition. That helps to hold them down to then lift the head higher and put my leg under his head.

As a totally unflexible top game person (I have no bottom game), I can comment on S-Mount tightness. I use it all the time. Unless I have someone who is exceptionally agile on their back, I will always go to S-Mount from full mount. S-Mount to arm-bar is Gracie Barra fundemental day one stuff. My school hammers it hard into you.

The crushingness you are losing needs to be made up by squeezyness. If you are not flexible you will not be able to drop hips enough to maintain crush like you would have in a normal mount. make sure the heel is dug in good just obove the hip, keep it tight while you slide it up the ribs and into shoulder. And the opposite knee is deep in the back of neck/top of shoulder. Squeezing you legs gets the control. Squeeze the legs good - it should be unpleasent. Post the upper leg out a bit so you don't get swept. You still need some vertical crush, but if you lack flexibility work on your squeeze.

So during rolling today I went with another white belt who I was bigger stronger and mor experienced than and was able to sweep and mount fairly easy.

Still fucked it up though.

Although this time I didn't get swept while I brought my right leg under his left arm. I controlled his head and had no problem.

But when I tried to finish to armbar I leaned back and shifted my ass to his left so I wasn't sitting on him and to swept --- twice.

I didn't realize what I did wrong until I though about it as I was driving home

Oh well step by step.

I will master this move!

So during rolling today I went with another white belt who I was bigger stronger and mor experienced than and was able to sweep and mount fairly easy.

Still fucked it up though.

Although this time I didn't get swept while I brought my right leg under his left arm. I controlled his head and had no problem.

What's your left knee doing here? If you're doing the slow controlled armbar finish here, not the post on chest and spin one, your left knee has to go out and away from his body first, then in and right by his head. Like a big curve. If you try and bring it up tight to his chest directly under the armpit you'll lose balance like you describe.

Keep hold of his far elbow there too (in addition to the armbar arm).

Then lean forward and to your right to clear your left leg over his head. If you do it right, you can finish the armbar sitting on top of him without laying back. Or lay back to finish.

I go to S mount a lot when people try to turn on their side to do the half guard leg trap escape from mount. If it's timed right in transition you don't use tightness, you just end up there.

Set it up by threatening the cross choke. If I'm attacking the right arm I take my right forearm and place it in his throat. When they push away with their right arm I slide up into s-mount. I disagree with putting my knee on the opposite side arm. This limits your attacks