Mount of Death > Spider Swim

The Mount of Death is a powerful and highly controlling position in grappling, where the practitioner applies intense pressure on their opponent from the mount, making it difficult for the opponent to move or escape. Transitioning from the Mount of Death to the Spider Swim technique allows you to effectively neutralise your opponent’s attempts to defend or escape, setting up submissions or maintaining control.

Here’s a detailed description of transitioning from the Mount of Death to the Spider Swim:

Step-by-Step Description:

1. Establish the Mount of Death:
• Secure the Mount: Begin by achieving the Mount of Death position. You should be seated firmly on top of your opponent’s torso, with your knees wide and your feet hooked around their hips. Ensure that your weight is distributed evenly and that you are applying significant pressure through your hips.
• Chest-to-Chest Pressure: Lean forward slightly, pressing your chest against your opponent’s chest. Drive your hips downward, applying intense pressure to restrict their breathing and movement.
2. Control the Arms:
• Isolate the Arms: Your opponent will likely try to use their arms to push you off or defend themselves. To maintain control and prevent escapes, focus on isolating and controlling their arms.
• Trap the Arms: Slide your knees up towards their armpits, pinning their arms against their body. This will limit their ability to use their arms effectively, making it easier for you to maintain control.
3. Transition to Spider Swim:
• Initiate the Spider Swim: Once you have established control over your opponent’s arms, transition to the Spider Swim technique. This involves a coordinated movement with your hands and arms to further destabilise your opponent’s defence.
• Spider Swim Movement: Place your hands on your opponent’s chest or biceps. From here, alternate between swimming each arm under and around their arms, as if you were “swimming” through their defences. This motion is reminiscent of the arms of a spider, hence the name.
• Disrupt Their Defence: The Spider Swim motion allows you to continuously disrupt your opponent’s attempts to block or push you off. By alternating your hands and arms in a fluid, swimming-like motion, you prevent them from establishing a strong defence.
4. Maintain Pressure and Control:
• Stay Tight: Keep your chest close to your opponent’s body and continue to apply downward pressure with your hips. This pressure, combined with the Spider Swim, makes it difficult for your opponent to bridge or roll out from underneath you.
• Control the Head: As you perform the Spider Swim, use one of your hands to occasionally control your opponent’s head, pressing it against the mat. This further limits their mobility and ability to escape.
5. Set Up for Submission:
• Look for Openings: The continuous movement of the Spider Swim will likely create openings for submissions. As your opponent’s defences weaken, you can transition to submission attempts such as an armbar, Americana, or even a choke.
• Maintain Control: Even as you transition to a submission, ensure that you maintain the pressure and control of the Mount of Death. This prevents your opponent from escaping and keeps you in a dominant position.
6. Finish or Transition:
• Submission: If an opening presents itself, move directly into a submission technique, using the control established by the Mount of Death and Spider Swim to secure the finish.
• Maintain Position: If no clear submission is available, continue using the Spider Swim to maintain control, wearing down your opponent until a better opportunity arises.

Key Points for Mount of Death > Spider Swim:

• Apply intense pressure from the Mount of Death to control your opponent and restrict their movement.
• Isolate and control the arms by pinning them with your knees.
• Use the Spider Swim motion to disrupt your opponent’s defences and prevent them from escaping.
• Maintain pressure and control throughout the transition, keeping your opponent trapped and vulnerable.
• Look for submission opportunities created by the Spider Swim or maintain the position until an opening arises.

The Mount of Death > Spider Swim transition is a powerful combination that allows you to maintain dominance over your opponent while continuously disrupting their attempts to defend. This sequence is highly effective in both grappling and submission scenarios, ensuring that you stay in control and ready to finish the fight or match.