Quarter Mount

What This Is

Quarter mount is the position that occurs when the top player has completed one step of the mount — the knee has crossed the opponent’s hip line and is on the mat — but the second leg has not yet come all the way through to complete flat mount. The top player is positioned at approximately 45 degrees to the opponent: one knee on the mat across the body, the other leg posted out to the side for base. The opponent is partially pinned and partially on their side.

Quarter mount is understood in two ways. First, it is a transitional position — the natural stage between side control and full mount during the mount completion sequence. Most mounts pass through quarter mount, so understanding it prevents the mount attempt from stalling at this stage or being reversed. Second, it is a deliberate attacking position: the 45-degree angle and the opponent’s partial side position create attack lines for the kimura and armbar that are not as available from flat mount.

Because the opponent is partially on their side, the near arm is exposed in a different orientation than it would be from flat mount. The near elbow is often up — the opponent using it to frame and prevent the mount from completing. That upright elbow is a kimura target. The top player who recognises this converts the opponent’s defensive posture into an attack rather than fighting to complete a flat mount against the frame.

The Invariable in Action

Quarter mount is inherently a position of contest — the opponent is partially on their side with the ability to frame and bridge. The top player who attempts to hold quarter mount passively without progressing to full mount or attacking will find the opponent framing effectively and reversing or escaping. Quarter mount is a position to move through, not to hold. The top player must either complete the mount or attack immediately from quarter mount — stalling here is losing.

The kimura and armbar from quarter mount both require arm isolation before the submission applies. In quarter mount, the near arm’s isolation is partially achieved by the top player’s knee position — the knee on the mat across the opponent’s body restricts the near arm’s movement to one side. The submission attack completes the isolation that the positional structure has already partially created.

Entering This Position

From Side Control — Mount Completion

The standard route. From side control, the top player brings the near knee over the opponent’s hip and onto the mat across the opponent’s body. This first knee step creates quarter mount. The second step — bringing the far knee through and to the other side — completes flat mount. Quarter mount is the natural intermediate stage in this sequence. The top player must not pause here under normal circumstances — the mount completion should be a continuous movement unless an attack opens.

From Mount — Lateral Shift

From flat mount, the top player shifts their weight laterally — moving their hips to one side and bringing one knee up — to create a quarter mount angle. This deliberate entry is used when the top player wants the 45-degree angle for a kimura or armbar entry rather than attacking from flat mount. It is a positional adjustment rather than a full transition.

When Opponent Turns Into You During Mount Attempt

When the opponent turns onto their side to prevent the mount completion — a common defensive response — the top player is in quarter mount as a result of the opponent’s movement. This is the most common involuntary quarter mount: the mount attempt met lateral resistance. From here, the top player either drives through the turn to complete mount or uses the exposed near arm for an attack.

From This Position

Complete the Mount (POS-TOP-MOUNT)

The default output when no attack is available. Drive the second knee through and flatten the opponent. This requires managing the opponent’s frame — the elbow or arm they are using to prevent the mount completion. Post one hand on the mat past the opponent’s head to shift weight forward, taking the frame out of the equation, then bring the knee through.

Kimura (SUB-KIM-KIMURA)

The primary submission from quarter mount. The opponent’s near arm is typically up and framing — the elbow high, the hand near the top player’s hip or chest. This is the kimura entry position. The top player catches the wrist with the near hand, threads the far hand behind the elbow, and grips their own wrist. The kimura from quarter mount is applied with the top player’s body low and the shoulder lock driving the opponent’s arm behind their back. The position’s angle makes the shoulder lock more direct than from flat mount.

Armbar (SUB-ARM-ARMBAR)

When the opponent’s arm is extended — posted on the mat to bridge, or reaching to the mat to prevent being rolled — the armbar is available. The top player captures the extended arm, steps over to S-mount or falls directly for the armbar from the quarter mount angle. The arm extension that the opponent uses defensively provides the straight arm required for the elbow hyperextension.

Common Errors — and Why They Fail

Error: Stalling in quarter mount without attacking or completing the mount. Why it fails: Quarter mount is a dynamic position. An opponent who is not being threatened will use the frame and turn to recover to guard or create a reversal. The position deteriorates over time without forward movement. Correction: From quarter mount, the immediate decision is: is an attack available? If yes, attack. If no, complete the mount. Do not pause.

Error: Missing the kimura when the opponent’s elbow is up. Why it fails: The framing elbow is the most common sight from quarter mount, and it is a kimura invitation. A top player focused only on completing the mount will ignore this attack and fight the frame instead. Correction: Recognise the high elbow as a kimura opportunity before attempting to force the mount completion. Attempt the kimura first; if it fails, complete the mount.

Error: Allowing the opponent to create distance and recover guard from quarter mount. Why it fails: If the top player’s weight is not distributed forward, the opponent can shrimp and create enough space to bring a knee inside. From quarter mount this is easier than from flat mount because the opponent is already partially on their side. Correction: Keep the weight low and forward in quarter mount. The chest-to-shoulder contact prevents the shrimp that allows guard recovery.

Drilling Notes

Systematic Approach

Phase 1 — Mount completion from quarter mount. From quarter mount, practise completing the mount with a partner who offers the standard defensive frame (elbow up). Work the weight shift over the head and knee-through sequence until it is automatic. Ten reps each side.

Phase 2 — Kimura from quarter mount. Partner in quarter mount position with elbow up in the standard frame. Top player captures wrist and completes kimura grip. Partner offers light resistance. The goal is to confirm the grip path from this angle — it is different from kimura from closed guard or side control. Ten reps each side.

Phase 3 — Decision drill. Partner in quarter mount defends with: (a) elbow up — top player attacks kimura; (b) elbow down, arm extended — top player completes mount; (c) turns further onto side — top player completes mount from the far side. Partner chooses response, top player reacts.

Ability Level Guidance

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