Sneaky Mount

Student Objectives:

  1. The student will develop the transition from Reverse Kesa Gatame to mount by using the Sneaky Mount technique.
  2. The Student will demonstrate increased range of motion by changing body orientation from Side Control to Reverse Kesa Gatame.

Teaching Cues:

  • Put on the blindfold
  • Grab the Toes
  • Toes to Chest
  • Mount

Lesson: Sneaky Mount

The practicing student will start in a good Side Control Position with a Cross Face and a hand to chock the hip. A good assisting partner will start with their hands in the Home Alone position.

The practicing student will move their Cross Face into the “blindfold position”. The blindfold places the armpit over the face and obstructs the view of the assisting partner. Once the armpit is over the face the practicing student will change their body angle from the belly pointing to the floor, to their belly towards the knees. The foot of the leg on top should be posted with the foot flat on the floor and the knee towards the ceiling.

The practicing student will then grab their own toes and pull them towards their chest or face. Make sure that the student's arm is completely on the inside of their legs (including their elbow). If there is any confusion about this please reference the video as it is essential to how this move works.

The foot is first pulled into the chest, and then guided across the beltline of the assisting student. There should be no contact with the assisting students legs and the only clue that the leg has been passed over should occur when the practicing student moves into the mount position.

Possible Extensions:

  • Start the student in Kesa Gatame, then to Side Control, then to Reverse Kesa Gatame.
  • Add the Knee Cut (or any Guard Pass that ends in Side Control) before the Sneaky Mount.

Possible Refinements:

  • Make sure the practicing student does not angle their back towards the floor when pulling the foot to the chest.
  • Make sure the student does not use the space over the tops of the knees to go to mount.
  • If the space is crowded, once the blindfold is put on, have the student shrimp back slightly to have their back and hips crowd into the practicing partners armpit.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

  • How did I do teaching?
  • What could I do better next time?
  • Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?

‍