Overview
Mount top is the most dominant and most threatening position for submissions in Jiu Jitsu.
LEVELS:
Spider Monkeys (5-7 yrs.)
Chimpanzees (7-9 yrs.)
Juniors (9-12 yrs.)
Teens (12+)
Technique
Day 1
Demonstrate mount starting instruction at the toes and knees. Students should have their big toes touching, knees squeezing, and their weight off their partner. Start them out with wiffle balls, tennis balls, or something else in their hands and have them hold mount using only their legs to ride the bull. Work in 90 second intervals switching bull and rider every 90 seconds.
Show students safe places for their hands to land for balance in mount; either in low, wide airplane base with one arm or each side of the head, or with two hands on one side of the head. Emphasize the danger of one hand on each side of their partner’s head (susceptible to upa escape).
Now introduce the head snatcher (cross face) and elbow in the ear. Emphasize keeping weight to one side without a kickstand. Drill with Bull Rider and add the call outs “low airplane,” “head snatcher,” and “elbow in the ear.”
Day 2
Review the position and start with one round of Bull Rider with hands-free to assist. Remind them of the work the legs do and how the arms can protect and threaten submissions.
For younger kids, teach Americana and Cross Collar choke. For older kids, teach transition to Arm Bar, as well.
Game
Bull Rider
This game starts with one player in Mount as the Bull Rider. The goal is to maintain Mount position for a set period of time with adaptive resistance from the player on bottom. Variations include one hand in the collar and one overhead or Hot Lava Hands where the rider's hands can only briefly touch the mat.
Technique Review
ALL LEVELS
Identify mistakes typically seen (or if a common mistake was noted during the drill). Emphasize the importance of controlling their partner in this dominant position before applying submissions.
Drill
Objective of the Drill
Partners begin in Mount top and bottom. On bottom, the goal is to escape. On top the goal is to stay on top and submit using one of the submissions taught this week. Reset if the partner on bottom escapes or the partner on top successfully submits.
SCHEDULE • 60 MINUTE CLASS
| Roll Call | 3-5 min |
| Warm Ups | 5-10 min |
| Life Skill Chat/Storytime | 5-10 min |
| Game Break/Jiu Jitsu Virus | 2 1/2-5 min |
| Technique | 10 min |
| Water Break | 1 min |
| Technique/ Technique Review | 5-10 min |
| Technique Review | 5 min |
| BJJ Life Skill Stripes/Promotions | 5 min |
| Game/Dodgeball | 2 1/2 min |
| Closing Circle Student of the Day & Move of the Day |
Promotions
Promotions or stripes are awarded at the end of each class when due. If student is part of Leadership team or Submission Samurai the will be iron manned with their entire class in the after class programs.
Measurable Outcomes: SPIDER MONKEYS
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Correctly name the position as Mount.
- Maintain proper posture with bridging pressure from partner.
- Effectively use Americana and Cross Collar Choke to submit.
Measurable Outcomes: CHIMPANZEES/JUNIORS
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Correctly name the position as Mount.
- Maintain proper posture with bridging pressure from partner.
- Effectively use Americana, Cross Collar Choke, and Arm Bar to submit.