Back mount
Encyclopedia
Back mount, or rear mount, is a dominant ground grappling position where one combatant is behind the other in such a way that he or she is controlling the combatant in front. Typically, the combatant in the inferior position is lying face-down, while the other combatant is sitting or lying on top. This is a very dominant, if not the most dominant position, since the top combatant can attack with strikes
, or a chokehold
, without the bottom combatant being able to see or defend.
, elbows
and headbutts, or alternatively attempt a rear naked choke
, various collar-chokes
as well as Armbars.
; although this does not improve the positioning
much, it is at least possible to see and block the opponent's strikes from the mounted position. If the opponent has the legs hooked in, those hooks
need to be removed, for instance by pulling them out using the arms. Once they have been removed, there is an increase in mobility, making it possible to wriggle into the mount, or try to turn and entangle a leg into a half guard
. Using the arms to pull out the hooks, however, leaves one's neck open to the rear naked choke. There are effective positional methods of escaping the back mount. http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-3580769824958896705&q=mount+escape
To remove chest to back contact, the mounted opponent can grab an attacker's wrist with two hands and move it over his head to the other side. If the mounted opponent is much larger/stronger than the mounting fighter, he may actually be able to stand up and slam his opponent into a nearby wall or fall backwards onto his back (and opponent). Doing this with enough force may knock the wind out of the dominant opponent, or at least enable one to break free.
Another standard escape involves the mounted opponent touching his head to the ground to temporarily prevent against a choke while also attempting to roll into the dominant opponent's guard. Alternatively, while basing with the head on the ground, the mounted opponent can use his/her legs or arms to remove one of the hooks to make rolling into the guard easier.
If the mounting opponent has their ankles crossed while holding the rear mount (similar to the positioning in closed guard), the opponent being mounted can use a Figure 4 leglock to apply a submission against the dominant fighter. This can result in a tapout or possible injury, depending on the circumstances. Generally, opponents skilled in ground fighting will not cross their ankles or cross them long enough to allow this to happen.
Strike (attack)
A strike is an attack with an inanimate object, such as a weapon, or with a part of the human body intended to cause an effect upon an opponent or to simply cause harm to an opponent. There are many different varieties of strikes...
, or a chokehold
Chokehold
A chokehold or choke is a general term for grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents either air or blood from passing through the neck of an opponent. The restriction may be of one or both and depends on the hold used and the reaction of the victim...
, without the bottom combatant being able to see or defend.
Attacking
To prevent the opponent from escaping the back mount, it needs to be stabilized. This is usually done by hooking the legs on the inside of the opponent's legs, and grabbing hold around the opponent's neck or arms to maintain chest to back contact. Such a position is very difficult to escape from - the opponent can try to roll, but the leg-hooks and chest to back contact will allow user to roll with the opponent. The combatant that has the back mount is in a very advantageous position. He can strike with punchesPunch (strike)
A punch is a striking blow with the fist. It is the most commonly used attack in hand to hand combat. It is used in some martial arts and combat sports, most notably boxing where it is the only type of technique allowed...
, elbows
Elbow (strike)
An elbow strike is a strike with the point of the elbow, the part of the forearm nearest to the elbow, or the part of the upper arm nearest to the elbow...
and headbutts, or alternatively attempt a rear naked choke
Rear naked choke
The Rear naked choke is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. Depending on the context, the term may refer to one of two variations of the technique, either arm can be used to apply the choke in both cases...
, various collar-chokes
Chokehold
A chokehold or choke is a general term for grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents either air or blood from passing through the neck of an opponent. The restriction may be of one or both and depends on the hold used and the reaction of the victim...
as well as Armbars.
Escaping
It is nearly impossible to attack an opponent who is mounted directly behind one's back. If the opponent does not have the legs hooked or chest to back contact, it is possible to roll into the mountMount (grappling)
The mount, or mounted position, is a dominant ground grappling position, where one combatant sits on the other combatants torso with the face pointing towards the opponent's head. This is very favourable for the top combatant in several ways...
; although this does not improve the positioning
Grappling position
A grappling position refers to the positioning and holds of combatants engaged in grappling. Combatants are said to be in a neutral position if neither is in a more favourable position. If one party has a clear advantage such as in the mount they are said to be in a "dominant position"...
much, it is at least possible to see and block the opponent's strikes from the mounted position. If the opponent has the legs hooked in, those hooks
Hooks (grappling)
Hooks is a term in Grappling Martial Arts that generally refers to the use of careful positioning of a practitioner’s feet and legs to control and manipulate the movement or position of their opponent. The most common use of hooks is in the Back Mount position to prevent escape...
need to be removed, for instance by pulling them out using the arms. Once they have been removed, there is an increase in mobility, making it possible to wriggle into the mount, or try to turn and entangle a leg into a half guard
Half guard
Half guard, or alternatively half mount, is a ground grappling position where one combatant is lying on the other, with the bottom combatant having one leg entangled. Sometimes the bottom combatant is said to be in half guard, while the top combatant is in a half mount respectively. The half guard...
. Using the arms to pull out the hooks, however, leaves one's neck open to the rear naked choke. There are effective positional methods of escaping the back mount. http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-3580769824958896705&q=mount+escape
To remove chest to back contact, the mounted opponent can grab an attacker's wrist with two hands and move it over his head to the other side. If the mounted opponent is much larger/stronger than the mounting fighter, he may actually be able to stand up and slam his opponent into a nearby wall or fall backwards onto his back (and opponent). Doing this with enough force may knock the wind out of the dominant opponent, or at least enable one to break free.
Another standard escape involves the mounted opponent touching his head to the ground to temporarily prevent against a choke while also attempting to roll into the dominant opponent's guard. Alternatively, while basing with the head on the ground, the mounted opponent can use his/her legs or arms to remove one of the hooks to make rolling into the guard easier.
If the mounting opponent has their ankles crossed while holding the rear mount (similar to the positioning in closed guard), the opponent being mounted can use a Figure 4 leglock to apply a submission against the dominant fighter. This can result in a tapout or possible injury, depending on the circumstances. Generally, opponents skilled in ground fighting will not cross their ankles or cross them long enough to allow this to happen.