[MO3.02] Basic Mount Technique-(Knee Pinning and Side Mount) 

This is the point in the conflagration where uke has been thrown to the ground and you decide to continue the fight to subdue the opponent. Knee pinning happens before uke can regain his/her composure. Too many unskilled fighters have some knowledge of the guarding position, and a skilled fighter knows to go into this position also upon contact with the ground. The guard allows the opponent to strike with his/her feet to prevent you from taking a position above the hipline. This is also an older method of crossing the hipline.

Mount:

Student-1: (Uke) Back to the tatami in the guarding position.

Student- 2: (Tori) Pre-guarding position (Standing).

Execution:

• (Tori) Slap uke’s knees together, if his/her feet are on the tatami (mat), and then push them to the side.
• (Tori) Once uke’s knees are sideways, pin his/her legs, and make a side-mount above the hipline.

Note: If uke’s legs are straight, his/her knees can also be pressed downward to the tatami. Pin uke’s knees before he/she can place you in the guarding or defensive position.

• (Tori) Hop over the knees and quickly pass the hipline into a side-mount.

Practice Options:

1. (Tori) Clear the hipline and utilize strikes, chokes, and locks.
2. (Uke) Keep uke at bay and do not allow your knees to be slapped together.
3. (Uke) Strike with your feet from the ground.
4. (Uke) Trap one of tori’s legs and take them down.