1-800-BJJ-HELP #169 Handfighting from Mount
Jan 11, 2026
Jake Luigi, a BJJ practitioner and content creator behind 'Less Impressed, More Involved BJJ,' shares his expertise on handfighting from mount. He dives into strategies for dealing with tight elbows and wrist positioning, elaborating on the importance of the forearm-in-front underhook and the challenges it presents. Jake compares conservative and aggressive grips, highlighting the risks of each. He also discusses transitioning off mount when facing escapes and emphasizes a risk-averse approach to maintaining top control.
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Pin The Wrist Before Attacking The Elbow
- If their wrist is higher than their elbow, pin the wrist first to make the elbow flare out.
- Then use an inside bicep tie to penetrate the elbow and secure an underhook while preventing their forearm from blocking you.
Armpit Entry Kills Mount Offense
- Allowing the defender's hand into your armpit dramatically reduces finishing chances from mount.
- Small hand placements by the bottom player cascade into leg and head actions that can collapse your mount.
Switch To Elbow Attack When Hands Drop
- When the opponent brings their hands to your hips, attack the elbow directly since their forearm is less likely to reach your armpit.
- Use a cross grip on their wrist and punch the underhook aggressively to retain wrist control and secure the underhook.