A great mount position will enable you to wear out, frustrate and finish your opponents with strikes and submission holds.

In order to develop a great mount, you’ll need to develop skill with the many different techniques designed to shut down all of your opponent escape attempts.

It’s best to practice those fundamental techniques first against a non-resisting opponent and then once you feel ready, against someone who is REALLY trying to escape.

Here’s a breakdown of one drill that I have my students do often to improve their ability to attack from and escape the mount position:

1) First, start off in the mount position atop of your training partner.

2) Set a timer (something with an alarm to sound the end of the round will work best)  for 1 minute and start the round.

3) For the entire duration of the round, try to maintain the mount position while your opponent gives their best effort to escape. An escape is completed anytime your partner establishes their closed guard on you or rolls you over and gets on top.

4) When time expires, switch positions with your partner and reset the timer. It then becomes your turn to escape as many times as you can during the timed round.

When the second round is over, take a short break (1 minute should suffice) and then repeat the drill several times, switching partners every round  if you have the option to.

Once you’ve got a handle on the above sequence you can make things more challenging by making any of the following adjustments to the drill:

Adjustment 1: Top person can apply submission holds.

Adjustment 2: Bottom person only needs to get back to 1/2 guard to score an escape. It becomes so that any guard position (full, spider, butterfly etc.) equals an escape.

Adjustment 3: Increase the length of time that each of you spends on the bottom position.

Adjustment 4: Keep Track of Points (1 point per per escape/submission) and have the athlete with the lower point total at the end of the round do a set amount of pushups (or some other exercise) depending on the score differential (ie. with a score of 5 to 2, the losing athlete would do 5 push-ups per point differential = 3 x 5 pushups = 15 pushups)

With an equally skilled training partner, this drill becomes very challenging and fun!

You’ll find that if you lack solid mount control skills you’ll find that it’s actually easier to escape then it is to hold down or submit your training partner from the top.

Make your mount a NIGHTMARE for the bottom person when doing this drill by learning the 24 techniques in my new –> “Dominate from the Mount : Killer Control” video set

It’s been a project that I’ve wanted to put together for a long time; The idea started after my fight against Josh Koscheck but it had to wait because I first wanted to put out a beginner MMA training program (www.mmaquickstart.com) for all those people out there who wanted to learn the game but had nobody to teach them. Now that MMA Quickstart has been up & running for a while I’m ready and excited to break down the way I like to use the guard position in MMA.

I used a lot of guard work in the fight against Koscheck and afterwards received many email asking for guard training tips and techniques (especially the butterfly guard). The butterfly guard will be fully covered in the series but I’m also including everything else I use from the guard as well as ways to drill and develop your guard game for a real fight.

The technique count has surpassed 150 techniques and is still growing.

I’m not yet sure of a launch date but will post another update soon…

In the videos below I show a basic way to slide into the mount position from side control both in breakdown form and in action. I use this technique in Gi training, no-gi action and mixed martial arts as well. It’s definitely a fundamental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique that use it all the time.

First, a video showing a time that I used the movement during a pro-fight.

Now here’s the technique breakdown to help you use it as well:

Want a kick-ass mount position? Download my free ebook “9 Tips of Dominating from the MMA Mount” here –> CLICK

I’m off to eat and then it’s back to the gym for day 2.

I’ll post again soon!

I actually missed the Strikeforce fight card this weekend because I was away with my wife in Niagara Falls for her birthday.

We stayed in room 3201 in a hotel that only had 31 floors. Figure that one out . We had to take the elevator to floor 31 and then walk up 20 more steps to get to the only room that was up there. Strange and I’ll admit a little bit scary.

Anyways, upon returning home I was sent a video of the Diaz/Cyborg fight. (Thanks John!)

As a fight fan, I always love when Nick Diaz hits the ground during his fights because he always seems to do something interesting while down there.

He’s done a great job over the years of adapting his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game to meet the demands of mixed martial arts competition, making small adjustments to his technique arsenal so that he can apply his attacks and defenses regardless of the fact that strikes are begin thrown at him.

Sometimes, skill on the mats in sport Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t fully translate into success within the cage. Not for Diaz though as he has been very successful in both arenas.

Last weekend, when his fight with Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos hit the ground, his BJJ skills were immediately put to the test. They passed with flying colours as he slapped on a beautiful arm lock from the guard position.

After watching him apply that technique –one that contained many small but important details–, I decided to make a video breaking down the fundamental BJJ attack.

Here it is…

Someone posted the actual arm lock on youtube as well:

If you want to receive many other training tips, videos and my FREE “Developing the KO Punch” EBook sign up for my “Fight Crew” Mailing list. Just enter your name and email address in the box located on the top right side of this page =======>”

Fortunately, I’ve only had to defend myself once or twice in my life, but both times I was glad that I have training in mixed martial arts that’s for sure.

I share some of the juicy details regarding one of those instances in the video below…

and here’s the video breakdown of the techinque I used to get up from the curbside…

I made sure to include that technique –and many others– in my MMA QuickStart training program because it’s a vital part of a strong foundational ground game.

Speaking of MMA QuickStart, you can still get the entire package, for the super discounted launch price but you must act quick because the price goes back to normal on Thursday night at midnight.

==> The MMA QuickStart Training Program

Train hard, train smart and most importantly have fun!

It’s now available..and on sale until Thursday at midnight.

=> The MMA QuickStart Training Program

It’s time to get off to the best start in your MMA training!

Master the basics in 12 weeks!

Train anytime you feel like it, anyplace you want.

Learn the most important fundamental details that many MMA’ers are missing.

Don’t hesitate, pick it up today and get a free gift as a quick action bonus…

=> The MMA QuickStart Training Program (Click soon to take advantage of  the launch discount special)

Train hard, train smart and have fun with guys!

Jeff

I’m really glad you liked it and I hope it helps you get hit less often during your training and of course your fights as well .

A few guys posted and emailed to tell me that they like to keep their front foot facing forward instead of using my slightly inward style foot positioning.

What’s their reasoning for using that variation?

A few of them said so they can easily step forward while extending their jab.

They were wondering if I had any trouble jabbing from my stance.  If you watch any of my fights notice that the jab is one of my best weapons.

My stance is the main reason the punch works so well for me during training and in my fights!

It just takes some solid instruction and a lot of practice to master it.

In response to those questions I created a video to break down the basics of how I throw my jab and have also included some footage of me landing it against some tough opponents.

The instructional part of that video is one of the 100+ training videos that make up my new MMA QuickStart Training Program.

The program, designed specifically for beginners and those looking to master the basics is now available

===> www.mmaquickstart.com

It’s full of many great features and I’m very excited to say that it is ready to launch after more than two years in development.

Win a FREE Copy!

I’m starting a contest right now to give away 3 FREE COPIES OF THE MMA QUICKSTART PROGRAM.

==> Contest now closed <====

All you have to do is tell me — WHY YOU NEED THIS PROGRAM? (in 300 words or less). Post your answer in the comment section and I’ll pick the 3 winners this Saturday night.

Good luck!

Also if you’re in the Mississauga, Ontario area be sure to check out my striking coach’s school, he is the best! – ALL CANADIAN MARTIAL ARTS

My New MMA Training Program for Beginners!

To be completely honest, I remember a time, nearly fifteen years ago, when I couldn’t imagine my life without the thrill of competition.

I’d often ask my Dad, who was a three-time Canadian champion, when he had to retire from fighting.

I was worried that with every passing year my time to retire would come. Funny thing was that I was probably only twenty-three years old at the time.

What would I do? The thought was truly unbearable.

Unfortunately, I was forced to stop fighting in 2007 because of post concussion syndrome caused by an accumulation of hits taken throughout a lifetime of martial arts

Did my world end?

I’ll admit it; things were really rough for a while but I now find myself more motivated than ever before.

My goal?

A powerful desire to teach others how to become skilled mixed martial artists. To help them achieve their goals and experience the many benefits MMA training has given me in my life.

That desire and the fact that so many people out there are in search of quality MMA training inspired me to create my new MMA QuickStart Training Program.

and finally after more than two years in development it’s ready!

You’ll be able to purchase it this Monday Night (December 13th) at 12 O’clock midnight (EST)

I designed the MMA QuickStart Training Program to:

• Get you off to the best start in your MMA training by teaching you the foundational techniques in the right order.
• Lead you through every single workout with step by step instructions.
• Prevent you from developing bad habits that are nearly impossible to break.
• Allow you to train anytime and pretty much anyplace you like.
• Get you into great shape while you have a lot of fun.

I’ll be having a contest before the launch date where I’ll be giving away 3 FREE copies of MMA QuickStart.

Check back tomorrow to find out how you can win…

Of course, as a coach, I’ll miss the opportunity to KO my opponent in front of 20,000 fanatical fans or win the “Submission of the Night.” bonus check at my next UFC fight.

That’s OK. My rewards are the kind words of appreciation I’ve received from my students both on and offline are just as awesome.

Here are a few of my favourites so far…

14 Time UFC Fighter Spencer The King Fisher

Alon Z

“I am 35 Years old and extremely busy running a business…I have been training (during my off season) 3 months a year in the Winter with Jeff Joslin for around 10 years now doing private lessons…

Although I live and work in Toronto and have to commute over 2 hours (round trip) to see Jeff, it is well worth it. Training with Jeff is like therapy for the mind and body and despite trying some local MMA guys here and there, there is NO Comparison for having Jeff train me.

He is not only extremely knowledgeable, he is intelligent and organized and teaches you in a systematic way so that you can build on your learning (even if it is not as consistent as you would like). Also he is a down to earth guy who is easy to talk to and has a great sense of humour (which makes the sometimes gruelling sessions more enjoyable!)

I cannot get motivated to go to the Gym, or do Cardio but cannot wait to get to my training sessions with Jeff every time we have a session scheduled.

Although I run a successful business…I have struggled over the years with anxiety, depression etc…and there has been no medication as effective as training with Jeff to get me through difficult times.

Training with Jeff has been an important part of my life and I look forward to training with him for years to come…”

Ryan Dickson - (4-0 Amateur MMA Fighter)

“I began training with Jeff Joslin just over three years ago. Since then I’ve improved tremendously and am enjoying every second of it.

I’ve had four MMA fights and won each of them thanks to the coaching of Jeff and the preparation we did for each.

Jeff has a very effective and extremely fun style of teaching that is easy to learn from. I believe his method of teaching works so well because of his intense focus on the basics. In all my competitions I really feel that my fundamental techniques are what have made the difference.”

Tapio T - Japan

“Hi Jeff,

I just got a knee injury so my training isn’t going as well as it could. I was a bit depressed for a while because of it, but your tips gave me more strength to go on and find new aspects in training!! Thank you so much for the message. It gave me more hope!

Your videos have also helped me a lot to get my basics in real good condition. There were so many wrong things that I was concentrating on and the videos helped me correct those things!!

Thanks again and please keep up the good job!!”

Tapio T – (Japan)

Paul Guagliano, Head of Boys Phys. Ed, Westmount Secondary School

“I have been a Martial Artist myself for over 20 years and I can say, beyond any doubt, Jeff is the best instructor I have ever met.

His voice, mannerisms, discipline, control and pace to his classes, are second to none. My students love him. Each and every time he teaches one of my classes, not only are my classes learning valuable, efficient, appropriate, self defense moves, even with my background, I learn too.”

I’ve written a lot of stuff about and shot a lot of video of the training here in Iowa with Spencer Fisher as we get prepared to do battle on October 16th at UFC 120 in London, England. I won’t be sharing any training video footage or other training until after the fight is over but I will be putting together a compilation of everything.

I did however record a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique –great for gi, no-gi and mma training- that I was working with a group of guys down here. Be careful when you apply it in action because sometimes the other person doesn’t realized that it’s a solid submission and then resist tapping and hurt their shoulder badly. Go very slow with it when you apply it.

Here it is.