Rear Mount Escapes – Grappling Technique
This page provides details on Rear Mount Escapes (or Back Mount Escapes). Rear mount escapes are frequently used in martial arts styles such as Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The rear mount is a very important grappling position because it allows martial arts students to more effectively employ submission techniques and/or hit an opponent with punches and elbow strikes. According to US Army Combatives, a rear 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”. Therefore, martial arts students must practice rear mount escapes because your opponent will be actively seeking to gain a rear mount position against you.
Given the dominance of the rear mount position, it is difficult to escape. However, there are a number of possible rear mount escapes. Nevertheless, in order to be effective against such a dominant position, rear mount escapes must be practiced frequently and under different scenarios.
According to US Army Combatives, the following is a basic rear mount escape:
- This technique begins with the fighter face down and the enemy on the fighter’s back in the rear mount.
- The fighter must first roll over one shoulder so the enemy ends up underneath him, both facing skyward.
- He now places one arm beside his own ear and the other across his body in his armpit. This will prevent the enemy from securing a choke.
- Falling toward the side of his own raised arm, the fighter pushes himself toward his own shoulders using the ground to “scrape “ the enemy off his back.
- Once his back is on the ground, the fighter uses his arms and legs to step over and gain the mount.
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.
Instructional Video for Rear Mount Escapes
Reference Sources
- 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 – 03/03/15