S-Mount

What it is

S-mount is a high mount where one leg is folded under your opponent's head so your legs form an S shape around their trapped arm. It is the loading position for the armbar from mount: the arm is already isolated, and the finish is a matter of sitting back. If you are under it, clasp your hands and keep the elbow bent while you turn into them; straightening the arm to push is handing it over.

What you want from here

• On top: from high mount, when one of their arms is pushed up or across and you want the armbar.
• On top: when the bottom player defends the armbar by clasping their hands, S-mount lets you keep the weight on and attack with the other hand.
• On bottom: keep the hands clasped and the elbow bent, turn into them, and work the knee back under their leg.
• On bottom: the window to escape is small, so move the moment they shift their weight to sit back.

Key details

• One knee high behind their head, that foot tucked under their shoulder, so their head cannot turn away.
• The other knee pinched against their ribs, with your shin across their chest.
• Chest heavy on their trapped arm, hand on the mat for base or gripping the arm.
• Keep your weight forward and your hips low until the moment you sit back for the finish.
• On bottom, elbow bent and the hand clasped to your own collar or your other hand.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: lifting your hips to adjust the legs. They slide the trapped arm free and turn to their knees.
• Mistake: sitting back for the armbar without a grip on the arm. They pull the elbow out and the position is gone.
• Mistake: on the bottom, extending the arm to push the leg off. The armbar finishes before you can bend it again.

How it is escaped or passed

• Clasped hands, elbow bent, turning into the top player and shrimping the hips away.
• Bridging to the side of the high knee and sliding the arm out when the weight shifts.
• Hitchhiker escape (thumb up, turn toward them, pull the elbow past their hip) while the arm is still bent.