Knee Shield Passing
Knee Shield Passing refers to techniques used to overcome the defensive Frames created by an opponent’s Knee Shield—a common variation of Half Guard where the bottom player uses their knee and shin to maintain distance, block pressure, and set up sweeps or submissions. Passing the knee shield requires understanding Angles, Pressure, and how to dismantle the bottom player’s Frames effectively.
Goals of Knee Shield Passing
Neutralize the Knee Shield
- Break through or bypass the barrier created by the opponent’s knee and shin.
Control the Upper Body
- Prevent the opponent from framing or creating space for guard retention.
Clear the Legs
- Move past the shielded leg and pin their hips for a successful pass.
Key Principles for Passing the Knee Shield
Avoiding Distance
- Don’t allow the opponent to extend their Knee Shield fully. Stay close to deny them leverage.
Control the Opponent’s Hips
- Prevent their hips from pivoting or creating angles by applying downward Pressure.
Grip Fighting
- Break any grips that anchor you or maintain the distance they want to establish.
Use Angles
- Attack from unexpected directions rather than driving straight into the shield.
Techniques for Passing the Knee Shield
Smash Pass Against the Knee Shield
Control the Upper Body
Flatten the Shield
- Use your free hand to push down on their knee shield while driving your hips forward.
Slice Through
- Slide your knee through their shield, similar to a Knee Cut, while keeping tight pressure on their hips and upper body.
Neutralize the Shield
- Control their knee and thigh with your hand.
- Step your free leg back and over their legs, pivoting to face their hips.
Pass to the Other Side
- Use your hips to pin their legs and transition into Side Control or even Back Control.
Toreando Variation
Disengage the Shield
- Grip their shin or pant leg and push their knee away.
Move Around the Guard
- Use lateral footwork to circle to the side, bypassing the knee shield entirely.
Secure Control
- Transition to Side Control or Knee on Belly.
Enter Double Underhooks
- Dive under their Frames, securing control of both legs with tight underhooks.
Stack and Pressure
- Lift their hips while smashing the knee shield into their chest.
Complete the Pass
- Walk around their legs into Side Control.
Key Concepts for Success
Break the Frame
- Use your hips, hands, or Grip Fighting to weaken their knee shield and prevent them from pushing you away.
Stay Tight
- Maintain close Connections to deny space for sweeps or submissions.
Pressure and Leverage
- Apply consistent Pressure to flatten their frame, making it easier to pass.
Common Mistakes
Driving Directly Into the Shield
- Overcommitting forward allows them to off-balance you or transition to sweeps like the Coyote Sweep.
Ignoring Grips
- Allowing them to establish grips on your collar or sleeves can hinder your ability to pass.
Failing to Control the Upper Body
Strategy
- Use a combination of pressure-based and angle-based passes to keep the opponent guessing.
- Adjust your passing approach based on their defense. For example, if they extend the shield too far, you might disengage and use a Toreando or Backstep Pass.
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