6 Week Beginner BJJ Course Material - Side and Mount

Closed Guard Top

Break Wrist / Sleeve Control
Break Head Control
Stop them from sitting up
Control the Hips with your knees and Elbows
Hips up when they attempt to Hip Bump Sweep
Back out on the Scissor Sweep
Wrist Control Stand up
Sit Back when they open legs

Closed Guard Bottom

Collar and Sleeve Grip
Hands on the mats or Hands on the Chest
Pull Knees Forward
Pull the head down then posture up

Top Half

Push the Head Get the Underhook
Sag - Push the Head Get the Underhook
Sag - Get the Far Wrist Trapped
Stand the Inside Leg Up to Combat Base
Drop the Shoulder to Reverse Half
Walk the Foot to the Butt from Reverse Half
Stand and walk the Knees from Knee Shield

Bottom Half

Go to and Underhook and Sit Up
Underhook connect hand to their neck
Go to Knee shield
Go to a Low Half
Shoot Hips under your opponent
Block them from Controlling the head
Collar Tie to the Head

Getting into a defensive posture when your opponent tries to pass your guard in Brazilian jiu-jitsu

When your opponent is trying to pass your guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it is important to get into a defensive posture to prevent them from passing and to set yourself up for an effective counter-attack. Here are some tips to help you get into a good defensive posture:

Stay mobile: When your opponent is trying to pass your guard, it is important to stay mobile and avoid becoming static. You want to keep moving and keep your opponent guessing, making it harder for them to establish a dominant position. Keep your hips and shoulders mobile and use your legs to create distance between you and your opponent.
Keep your elbows tight: One common mistake that people make when their guard is being passed is to flare their elbows out, leaving themselves vulnerable to armlocks and other attacks. To avoid this, keep your elbows tight to your body and use them to help control your opponent's arms and prevent them from establishing grips.
Use your frames: Frames are an essential part of guard retention and defense in BJJ. Use your arms and legs to create frames against your opponent's body, pushing them away and preventing them from getting too close. This will help you maintain distance and control your opponent's movements.
Keep your head up: When your guard is being passed, it can be tempting to bury your head and try to hide. However, this will only make it easier for your opponent to pass your guard and establish dominant position. Instead, keep your head up and your eyes on your opponent, staying aware of their movements and ready to defend or counter-attack.
Avoid being flat on your back: When you are flat on your back, it is easy for your opponent to control your movements and establish dominant position. Instead, try to stay on your side and use your hips to create angles and make it harder for your opponent to pass your guard.

Remember, getting into a good defensive posture when your guard is being passed is essential for preventing your opponent from establishing dominant position and setting yourself up for effective counter-attacks. Stay mobile, keep your elbows tight, use your frames, keep your head up, and avoid being flat on your back. With practice and persistence, you can become an effective guard defender in BJJ.

Stopping your Opponent from Mounting

When you are in side control in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and your opponent is attempting to mount you, there are a few techniques and strategies that you can use to prevent them from doing so. Here are some options:

Frame and shrimp: One of the most fundamental escapes in BJJ is the hip escape or "shrimp." This involves using your legs and hips to create space between you and your opponent, allowing you to escape or improve your position. When your opponent is trying to mount you from side control, you can use this same technique to create space and prevent them from mounting. To do this, use your hands and arms to create frames against your opponent's chest and hips, and then shrimp away from them, creating enough space to get back to guard or recover a more advantageous position.

Regain half guard: Another option when your opponent is attempting to mount from side control is to regain half guard. This involves using your legs to control one of your opponent's legs, preventing them from fully mounting you. To do this, start by framing against your opponent's chest and hip as you would for a shrimp, but instead of shrimping away, use your legs to recover half guard. From here, you can work to improve your position or attack your opponent's base.

Use a knee shield: A knee shield is another technique that can be effective for preventing your opponent from mounting you from side control. To use a knee shield, you will need to bring your top knee up and place it between you and your opponent, creating a shield that they will need to get past in order to mount you. From here, you can use your knee shield to create space and work your way back to guard or a more advantageous position.

Block the knee: If your opponent is already starting to mount you, you can use your legs to block their knee and prevent them from fully mounting. To do this, use your legs to create a wall, blocking your opponent's knee and preventing them from getting their leg over and fully mounting you. From here, you can use your hands and arms to frame and shrimp, creating space and working your way back to guard or a more advantageous position. However we discourage using this as it may lead to a submission for your opponent and it may also prohibit you from escaping your hips out more because you can’t use both legs.

Remember, prevention is key when it comes to defending against the mount. Try to stay proactive and prevent your opponent from getting into a dominant position in the first place. But if they do manage to get into side control and start working toward a mount, use these techniques to prevent them from fully mounting you and regain control of the match.

Controlling from Side Control

Controlling your opponent from top side control in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is essential to maintaining a dominant position and setting up attacks. Here are some tips for controlling your opponent from top side control:

Crossface: One of the most important elements of top side control is the crossface. To do this, use your nearest hand to push your opponent's head away from you, creating space and making it harder for them to move. The crossface will also help you control your opponent's upper body and prevent them from turning into you.

Underhook: Another key element of top side control is the underhook. Use your far-side arm to reach under your opponent's near-side arm and grab their armpit. This will give you control of their upper body and prevent them from turning into you.

Shoulder pressure: Use your body weight to create pressure on your opponent's face, chest and shoulders, making it hard for them to breathe and move. This will also help you control their face and upper body and prevent them from turning into you.

Hip control: Use your hips to control your opponent's hips and prevent them from bridging or escaping. Keep your hips low and heavy, and use them to maintain pressure on your opponent and limit their movement.

Remember, controlling your opponent from top side control is about using a combination of techniques to control their upper body, hips, and movements. Use the crossface, underhook, shoulder pressure, and hip control to establish a dominant position and set up attacks. With practice and persistence, you can become an effective top-side control player in BJJ.

Controlling from Mount

here are some tips for controlling your opponent from the mount position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

Base: Establishing a solid base is the first step to controlling your opponent from mount. This means keeping your knees and feet firmly planted on the ground and distributing your weight evenly. This will make it harder for your opponent to sweep you or buck you off.

Laces Down: Use your heels to hook your opponent's thighs, preventing them from turning into you and escaping. Keep your hooks active and adjust them as your opponent tries to move. Make sure to also have the instep of your foot down on the mat. However please do not grapevine both legs.

Crossface: Use your nearest hand to crossface your opponent, pushing their head away from you and making it harder for them to move. This will also help you control their upper body and prevent them from turning into you.

Underhooks: Use your arms to establish underhooks on your opponent's arms, controlling their movements and preventing them from defending effectively. Make sure to get an underhook close to the elbow and not close to the armpit.

High mount: Transition to high mount by stepping over your opponent's head and using your knees to pin their arms to the ground. This will give you even more control over their movements and make it easier to set up submissions.

Pressure: Use your body weight to create pressure on your opponent's chest and restrict their breathing. This will also help you control their movements and limit their options.

Remember, controlling your opponent from the mount position is about using a combination of techniques to establish a dominant position and limit their options for escape. Use your base, hooks, crossface, underhooks, high mount, and pressure to control your opponent and set up attacks. With practice and persistence, you can become an effective mount player in BJJ.

Side to Mount

There are several options to go from Side control to mount. Here are a few options that you need to be aware of.

Deny space: Deny space between yourself and your opponent by using your near-side shoulder to push their head away from you.

Slide your knee up: With your bottom hand grab their far leg. Then with your bottom heel hook your opponent's far-side leg, just above the knee. This will help prevent them from turning into you and give you some leverage to slide your knee up.

Post your other leg: Once your knee is up, post your other leg on the ground for stability. This will provide a base for you to complete the transition.

Bring your other leg over: Bring your far-side leg over your opponent's body and plant it on the ground to establish the mount position.

Control the upper body: Use your arms to control your opponent's upper body, either with a crossface or an underhook. This will prevent them from turning into you and help you maintain control over the position.

Remember, the key to a successful transition from side control to mount is timing and technique. By using your heel to hook your opponent's leg, sliding your knee up, posting your other leg, bringing your far-side leg over, and controlling your opponent's upper body, you can effectively make the transition and establish a dominant position.

Create frames from Mount

Framing is a key skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly when you find yourself in a vulnerable position such as bottom mount. Here are some tips for framing from bottom mount:

Create space: The first step in framing from bottom mount is to create some space between yourself and your opponent. This can be done by using your arms and legs to push or bridge your opponent away from you.

Establish frames: Once you have created some space, use your arms and legs to establish frames. Frames are structural barriers that you can use to control your opponent's movements and prevent them from advancing their position.

Elbow frames: Use your elbows to create frames against your opponent's hips or thighs. This will help prevent them from moving up towards a high mount or transitioning to a submission.

Knee frames: Use your knees to create frames against your opponent's legs or hips. This will help prevent them from applying pressure and limit their ability to attack.

Use your frames to escape: With your frames established, use them to create the space you need to escape from bottom mount. You can use your frames to push your opponent away, create angles, and eventually work your way back to a neutral or dominant position.

Remember, framing from bottom mount is a defensive technique that requires timing, positioning, and persistence. By creating space, establishing frames with your elbows and knees, and using your frames to escape, you can defend against your opponent's attacks and work your way back to a more advantageous position.

Create Frames from Side Control

Framing is an important aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and it is especially crucial when defending from bottom side control. Here are some tips for framing from bottom side control:

Create space: The first step in framing from bottom side control is to create some space between yourself and your opponent. This can be done by using your arms and legs to push or bridge your opponent away from you.

Establish frames: Once you have created some space, use your arms and legs to establish frames. Frames are structural barriers that you can use to control your opponent's movements and prevent them from advancing their position.

Use your arms: Use your arms to create frames against your opponent's upper body. Place your forearm across their throat or chest and use it to push them away or create space to move your hips.

Use your legs: Use your legs to create frames against your opponent's hips or legs. Place your shin or knee against their hip or thigh and use it to control their movement and create space to escape.

Use your frames to escape: With your frames established, use them to create the space you need to escape from bottom side control. You can use your frames to push your opponent away, create angles, and eventually work your way back to a neutral or dominant position.

Remember, framing from bottom side control is a defensive technique that requires timing, positioning, and persistence. By creating space, establishing frames with your arms and legs, and using your frames to escape, you can defend against your opponent's attacks and work your way back to a more advantageous position.

Side Control Variations

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are different variations of side control, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the most common types of side control:

Standard Side Control: This is the most basic and common type of side control. In this position, you are perpendicular to your opponent, with your chest or shoulder against their chest or shoulder, and your legs on either side of their body. You can control your opponent's near arm with your underhook or crossface, and control their far arm with your near-side hand.

Bottom Modified Side Control: This is a variation of side control where you shift your weight towards your opponent's legs, rather than their upper body. This can make it more difficult for your opponent to bridge or escape, but may limit your ability to attack.

Top Modified Side Control: This is a variation of side control where you shift your weight towards your opponent's head, rather than their lower body. This can make it more difficult for your opponent to get a frame inside to escape, but may limit your ability to attack.

Each type of side control has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best position to use will depend on the situation and your personal preferences. It is important to be comfortable with all types of side control and to be able to transition between them as needed.

Types of Mount

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are several variations of the mount position, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common mount variations:

Standard mount: This is the most basic and common mount position. In this position, you are sitting on top of your opponent's torso, with your legs on either side of their body. You can control your opponent's arms with your knees or by grabbing their wrists.

High mount: This is a variation of the standard mount where you slide your knees up closer to your opponent's armpits, putting more pressure on their chest and making it more difficult for them to bridge or escape.

Grapevine mount: In this variation, you wrap your legs around your opponent's legs, preventing them from bridging or bucking. This can be an effective control position, but may limit your ability to attack.

S-mount: In this position, you sit on your opponent's torso, but shift your weight to one side and bring one leg across their body, trapping their near arm between your legs. This can be an effective control position for attacking your opponent's arm or transitioning to other positions.

Gift wrap mount: In this position, you control your opponent's far arm by grabbing their wrist with one hand and reaching across their body to grab their far lat or shoulder with your other hand. This can be an effective control position for attacking your opponent's back or transitioning to other positions.

Each type of mount has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best position to use will depend on the situation and your personal preferences. It is important to be comfortable with all types of mount and to be able to transition between them as needed.

Closed Guard Micro Drills

Half Guard Micros Drills

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6 Week Beginner BJJ Course Material - Side and Mount