Learning to finish fightts—is a critical component of being a competent grappler. You want to invest a lot of time and effort into learning and mastering submissions, especially in BJJ and MMA. Eventually, it’ll help you win more fights and do so smoothly.
So you want to know which submissions are best from the Full Mount position. Well, fantastic. You’re on your way to becoming a better grappler—I hope you’re ready.
However, you also want to start learning and familiarizing yourself with other types of techniques to get into dominant positions effectively. Without these types of techniques, such as knowing the dominant positions in BJJ and passing the opponent’s guard, you won’t be able to get to the point where you use a submission.
But this article will be about the Mount position and the best submissions you want to know to finish fights from it.
We have got a lot to cover, so I hope you’re ready. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our list.
#9 – Arm Lock
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm Lock | 8 | 7 | 7 |
The Mounted Arm Lock is an exceptionally effective submission. If you recently started your BJJ journey, you should already be familiar with it, as it’s an essential move all novice grapplers should know.
So what is it, and how do you perform it properly?
The Arm Lock is a submission that targets the arm (as you probably have guessed.) You want to isolate the arm first and then hyperextend it. This will force the opponent to tap out, giving you the win.
Here are the steps to perform it flawlessly:
- Start in Mount
- Transition to the S-Mount position
- Lean toward the opponent’s feet
- Move your foot so both your feet will be parallel
- Hug his hands
- Lean backward
- Apply pressure by hyperextending
- Wait for the tap
Pretty simple. I believe that a visual aid will help you better understand the proper execution of this technique. Here’s a fantastic video that showcases the Mounted Arm Lock.
And if you want to learn more about Arm Locks and how to perform them from all positions, follow this link.
#8 – Armbar
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armbar | 8 | 7 | 8 |
The next technique we’ll review is the Armbar. Like the Arm Lock, it also targets the arm, but differently. Nonetheless, it’s also a basic technique you’ll learn in your first weeks of BJJ training. Hopefully, you’re familiar with it.
If you’re not, let’s see how you can perform the Mounted Armbar yourself:
- Start in Mount
- Stay close to the opponent
- Overhook the opponent’s arm (the one you’re targeting)
- Your second arm goes on the opponent’s chest
- Transition your leg near the opponent’s head
- Lean and move the same leg to be parallel with your other leg
- Isolate the opponent’s arm
- Raise your hips
- Hyperextend the arm
- Wait for the tap
You want the opponent’s thumb to face the ceiling. You cannot cause enough pressure and physical pain when the opponent’s thumb isn’t facing upward.
This is the primary mistake novice grapplers make with this submission.
Likewise, the finishing move here consists of two directions: first, when you raise your hips, and second, when you pull the opponent’s arm down.
At the end of the day, this is a fairly simple and basic technique. You want to do it smoothly and quickly. Remember, slow is smooth—and smooth is fast. So don’t rush things; take it slow and see how everything falls into place.
Learn everything about the Armbar by following this link.
#7 – Ezekiel Choke
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel Choke | 8 | 6 | 7 |
The next submission we’ll review is the Ezekiel Choke. This move has something special about it, which makes it way more attractive. However, before we reveal this unique trait, it’s also worth mentioning that it’s highly effective and painful.
- Start in Mount
- Place the opponent’s hands on his own neck
- Place your chest on his hands
- Pull his hands back using your chest
- Slide your right hand across his neck
- Grab your left arm Gi with your right hand
- Your left hand now goes on the opponent’s neck
- Apply pressure with your left hand on his neck
- Apply more pressure with your body weight
- Wait for the tap
So, the particular trait is that you don’t need to give up your Full Mount position for the sake of submission. This means that if you’re unsuccessful in performing it—you can stay in the mount, keeping your current advantage.
Once you get your right hand across the opponent’s neck, it’s all a matter of being quick with your left hand. The last thing you want is for the opponent to block your left hand and sweep you.
The Ezekiel Choke is an exceptionally effective choke, which will allow you to cause a lot of damage to the opponent quickly. Make sure to play around with this choke to see which tweaks feel most comfortable.
Learn more about the Ezekiel Choke by following this link.
#6 – Guillotine Choke
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guillotine Choke | 9 | 7 | 8 |
The Guillotine Choke, perhaps the most effective choke in BJJ, is a technique you can perform from the Mount position. Knowing it will allow you to threaten the opponent in many ways, as the opponent now has to think about you doing it to him, forcing him to defend against it.
Let’s see how you can perform it:
- Start in Mount
- Slide your right arm across the opponent’s head
- Lift his head using your right hand
- Place your left hand under the opponent’s right arm
- Finger-walk his right arm up
- Bring his head to your other shoulder
- Wait for the opponent to pull his head out
- Once he does, slide your left arm across his head
- Lock your hands
- Apply pressure by twisting your hips
- Wait for the tap
You want to ensure your elbow is on the ground when you slide it across the opponent’s head. This will do 2 things: (1) It’ll allow you to lift the opponent’s head easily, and (2) it’ll ensure the opponent isn’t capable of putting his head down.
BJJ is all about control, and this choke definitely gives you plenty of control. So you cannot not learn it, assuming you don’t want to. By now, hopefully, you’ve already learned it in your first few weeks of BJJ training.
If you haven’t, it’s time for you to learn and master the Guillotine Choke.
And, of course, if you want to learn everything about the Guillotine Choke, follow this link.
#5 – Kimura
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimura | 7 | 9 | 8 |
The next submission we’ll review is the Mounted Kimura. This is a basic BJJ submission, as it’s pretty easy to execute. While it’s typically performed from the Guard positions, you can also execute it while mounted. Therefore, we’ll now review this variation of the Mounted Kimura and see how you can perform it yourself:
- Start in Mount
- Grab his wrist and elbow (of the same arm)
- Push the same arm down
- Your elbow should touch the opponent’s head
- Slide your other arm under his forearm
- Lock your Kimura grip
- Apply pressure backward and upward
- Wait for the tap
When you push his arm down, ensure you’re not pushing it toward him. This will be useless. Instead, slide his arm across your leg, making it a bit easier for you.
You also want to stay as tight as possible to the opponent. The last thing you want to happen is for the opponent to push and sweep you. So you avoid that by getting closer to the opponent and using your legs to apply inward pressure.
The Mounted Kimura gives you a lot of control. It’s also reasonably uncomplicated. Follow this link if you want to perform the Kimura flawlessly from all variations.
#4 – Monoplata
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monoplata | 8 | 5 | 7 |
The Monoplata is a technique you’re not as likely to learn in the first few weeks of your BJJ training. That’s because it’s relatively complicated compared to techniques like the Kimura and Armbar.
However, you want to start learning the Monoplata as soon as you understand the Full Mount position. It’s an excellent submission you can go for in many situations and leave the opponent exposed.
- Start in Mount
- Get close to the opponent and wait for an underhook
- Post up when you feel the underhook
- Step your left leg up
- Grab the outside of your knee
- Grab the opponent’s wrist with your left hand
- Push the same wrist down
- Place your shin on the opponent’s biceps
- Step your left foot a bit higher
- Fall onto your hip
- Grab the opponent’s wrist with your free hand
- Slide your leg down
- Apply pressure by extending the elbow
- Wait for the tap
These 14 steps shouldn’t take more than 15 seconds. However, you have to act quickly if you want to get this Mounted Monoplata correctly.
If you take your time and hesitate to post up, your training partner will sweep you and gain the advantage. Likewise, if you take your time in going through the steps, the opponent is much more likely to block your offensive means.
Learn other variations of the Monoplata and tips to perform it flawlessly—by following this link.
#3 – Grapefruit Choke (Helio Gracie)
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grapefruit Choke | 6 | 9 | 8 |
This variation of the Grapefruit Choke is extremely effective. It’s also excruciatingly painful. So you want to use it with caution, especially if you’re in training.
Similar to the Ezekiel Choke, you don’t need to leave your Mount position to perform it. Your training partner will try to sweep you, of course. However, you can go attack and remain in the Full Mount position, keeping you with the advantage for the remainder of the fight.
- Start in Mount
- Grab his lapel with both hands
- Open the lapel to the sides
- Roll the Lapels
- Have your knuckles apply pressure on the neck
- Use your body weight for more pressure
- Wait for the tap
The video I listed shows another variation, which might be even more effective. It’s a bit more complicated, but you want to watch the entire video to ensure you understand both variations.
The Grapefruit Choke can be insanely painful and dangerous. Once the opponent taps, you want to release all pressure immediately, especially in training.
You can argue that you want to keep the pressure if you’re in a competition, which makes a bit of sense. However, pay attention to your training partner. It’s critical that you release all pressure when he taps, as this isn’t an enjoyable experience.
If you want to learn more about the Helio Gracie Choke, follow this link!
#2 – Americana
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americana | 8 | 10 | 9 |
The Americana is an iconic submission in BJJ and other martial arts, such as MMA. It utilizes very similar steps as the Kimura, but is different.
If you want to know what’s the difference between Kimura and Americana, follow this link.
Here’s how you perform the Americana from Mount:
- Start in Mount
- Grab the opponent’s elbow
- Grab the opponent’s wrist
- Push both down (of the same arm)
- Let go of the elbow grip
- With your free hand, slide it under his arm
- Grab your wrist
- Adjust your body to the side
- Pull the opponent’s arm down
- Twist your fingers inward
- Apply pressure
- Wait for the tap
It’s that easy. However, you can mess up this submission along the way at numerous points, such as at the finish. When you go for the finish, you want to apply force in as many directions as possible.
For example, you want to apply force downward and inward, by doing a motorcycle movement with your wrist. You also want to pull the opponent’s isolated arm downward, to hyperextend it and force him to tap.
It’s a basic submission; but basic isn’t easy. Ensure to follow all the steps I presented to become more successful with it.
Follow this link to master the Americana and win more fights.
#1 – Spinning Kneebar
| Submission | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinning Kneebar | 7 | 7 | 7 |
The last submission we’ll review is the Spinning Kneebar. This is the first leg lock I’ve mentioned, as I believe this variation is the best you’ll find. It’s demanding to counter, as most grapplers aren’t familiar with the proper defense against it.
Here’s how to perform the Mounted Spinning Kneebar properly:
- Start in Mount
- Hook your foot between the opponent’s legs
- Post on the opposite side
- Pivot your foot
- Turn around
- Hook his leg
- Grip the opponent’s leg
- Fall to the far side with his leg
- Apply pressure by hyperextending the knee
- Wait for the tap
As you can see, performing it isn’t as burdensome. You will learn it in a short period, allowing you to skyrocket your leg lock abilities.
If you want to become a sound user of leg locks, follow this link.
The Kneebar is one of BJJ’s most effective leg locks (submissions) you must know. Follow this link to read about the Kneebar and what makes it so powerful.
This was the primary part of the article, the most effective submissions from the Mount position. You’re now more capable of finishing from the Mount position, which is excellent news.
You want to train each technique one at a time, and not simultaneously. That will allow you to build better muscle memory in the long-term.
Tips to Finish From Mount
And now folks, let’s dive deeper into tips to finish from the Full Mount position. You want to familiarize yourself with these tips as often as possible, so you can begin to win more fights.
I’m a big believer in investing a lot in learning submissions when you’re just starting out, as winning is a known renowned motivator. The more you’ll win, especially in the beginning where wins aren’t common, the more motivated you’ll be to continue training.
Seeing progress is a fantastic way of fueling your motivating tank and staying consistent. If you want to stay consistent in BJJ & other martial arts, follow this link to a course of mine on the topic.
Tip #1 – Stay close to the opponent
The first tip is to stay as close as possible to the opponent. You want to ensure tightness to get rid of any chance that the opponent will sweep you and end up in an advantageous position.
Instead, you want to stay tight to the opponent. You’ll notice immediate results when you implement this tip into your Mount game.
And once you go for a submission, straighten up.
Tip #2 – Squeeze your knees
The 2nd tip is a controversial topic, but I decided you need to know it. It doesn’t matter what I think about it, what matters is that you might find it beneficial.
Squeezing your knees inward will help you control the opponent to a better degree. And control is everything. Once you have a sound hold on the opponent, he won’t be able to go for any escape or other move, which is your primary concern.
There’s control, and there’s being in Mount. These two don’t come together. So you want to ensure both when you’re in the Mount position.
Tip #3 – Learn as much as you can
The 3rd tip is a practical mindset you want to adopt. Learning as much as possible will improve your grappling abilities. It does that by letting you know more techniques, more moves, and more submission.
Imagine how much more capable you’ll be if you know more entries. You’ll also be able to finish fights sooner, quicker, and with a higher winning percentage—by learning more submissions.
Even the masters are always learning. There’s never a stop to the knowledge BJJ has to offer.
Best Submission From Mount
The best submission from Mount is the Americana. Not only is it exceptionally effective, but it’s also a basic and uncomplicated technique to learn and execute. White belts will be able to use it in their first few BJJ training weeks and start to win more fights using it. All grapplers should learn the Americana from Mount.
Final Words
To wrap up, this article was a blast to write. I had a lot of fun seeing many variations of various submissions I didn’t know about.
There isn’t an end for BJJ knowledge. You can always learn more, which is what I take from the production process of this article.
You can start winning more fights by learning these submissions and implementing them one by one. Please don’t try and learn them all at once; this is a mistake I made when I started my martial arts journey.
Focus on a few techniques at a time. This will help you build better muscle memory and become a much more competent grappler.
And if you want to learn about BJJ’s best beginner moves, follow this link!