BJJ Moves Directory

From Side Control to Full Mount

Step 1: Establish control and posture
- Maintain a solid base in side control, keep your weight centralized, and frame around the opponent's torso. For Gi, use a sleeve/collar grip; for No-Gi, rely on an underhook and cross-face to control the upper body.
Step 2: Create path with the near knee
- Posture up slightly, plant the near knee on the mat near the opponent's hip, rotate the hips to face their chest, and slide that knee across the torso to the far side. A brief knee-on-belly pressure can help create the angle.
Step 3: Swing the hips and complete the move
- Shift weight forward, swing the far leg over, land the knee near their hip, and drop into full mount. Maintain a solid base with toes pointed and hips low to seal space.
Step 4: Secure and control
- Sit back into mount, establish the seatbelt grip, pinch the knees together, and keep the head high over the opponent's chest to prevent escapes and set up follow-up jiu jitsu moves.

This transition is a natural progression from top control in gi or no-gi, enabling a dominant mount position in jiu jitsu moves. It’s beginner-friendly and builds step-by-step confidence for how to improve top control.

Telegraphed timing, losing control of the far hip, failing to pin the hips, leaving the back exposed, not maintaining a tight seatbelt.

Practice slowly with a cooperative partner, reset after each step, keep hips low and active, and use feedback to refine the flow of this bjj technique.