Rear Mount

Rear Mount – Grappling Technique

This page provides details on the Rear Mount (or Back Mount). This important grappling position allows martial arts students to more effectively employ submission techniques. The rear mount is frequently used in martial arts styles such as Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When practicing techniques that use a rear mount (i.e. rear naked choke), students should also practice rear mount escapes.

According to the US Army Combatives program, before any submission technique can be applied, a martial arts student “must first gain and maintain dominant body position. The leverage gained from dominant body position allows the fighter to defeat a stronger opponent. An appreciation for dominant position is fundamental to becoming a proficient fighter because it ties together what would otherwise be a long confusing list of unrelated techniques”.

Moreover, according to US Army Combatives, “The back mount gives the fighter the best control of the fight. From this position it is very difficult for the enemy to either defend himself or counterattack. Both legs should be wrapped around the enemy with the heels “hooked” inside his legs. One arm is under an armpit and the other is around the neck and the hands are clasped. Even though a fighter may find himself with his own back on the ground this is still the back mount. CAUTION – While in the back mount, the fighter’s feet should never be crossed because this would provide the enemy an opportunity for an ankle break”.

All grappling techniques are potentially dangerous and should only be practiced under the supervision of a trained martial arts instructor. For more techniques, please visit the main Grappling Techniques section.

Rear Mount Strategies

Reference Sources

  1. Information from Public Domain Document, US Army Combatives FM 3-25.150, http://sill-www.army.mil/428thfa/FM%203-25.150%20%28Combatives%29.pdf, Added – 02/26/15