Become Fighter
Mount and side control: MMA guide
How to hold the dominant positions without losing balance, and how to stay safe in them.
Side control and mount are the two positions that let you control a person on the floor. The principles are the same in both: keep weight on the opponent, control the hips and head, and move before they can recover.
In MMA they are also where strikes come from. Learn the control first and the strikes later.
Key points
- Side control: chest across their chest, hips low, head near theirs, near arm under the neck.
- Mount: knees pinched on the ribs, hips low, feet tucked, hands wide for balance.
- Keep your weight forward onto their upper chest. Lifting your hips lets them escape.
- Control their near elbow. Without elbows they cannot frame.
- Move to the next position rather than staying still.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Staying upright. Keep your chest low on the opponent. Height gives them room.
- Neglecting the elbows. Pin the elbow with your forearm or hip so they cannot frame.
- Stopping once you arrive. Keep moving. Staying still gives the opponent time.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Ground fundamentals module of MMA foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Ground fundamentals
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.