Kneebar

The Kneebar is a submission technique targeting the knee joint, specifically designed to hyperextend the opponent’s leg by isolating it and applying pressure against the knee. Similar to an armbar but applied to the leg, the kneebar requires controlling the opponent’s leg while leveraging your hips to apply force to the knee joint. This technique is effective and versatile, making it a valuable submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, and mixed martial arts.

Key Concepts

Joint Lock

  • The kneebar hyperextends the knee joint by forcing it beyond its natural range of motion.

Leg Isolation

  • The opponent's leg is fully trapped and controlled to prevent escapes or counters.

Leverage and Positioning

  • Proper body alignment and control maximize the submission's effectiveness while minimizing the risk of escape.

Execution Steps

Isolate the Leg

  • Secure the opponent’s leg by gripping their ankle and controlling their knee, ensuring their leg is straightened.

Create Proper Body Position

  • Position your body so their knee is near your hips, with their foot trapped against your chest or shoulder.

Secure the Leg

  • Wrap your legs around their isolated leg, crossing your ankles to lock it in place. Your hips should be aligned with their knee joint.

Control Their Hips

  • Prevent the opponent from rotating or escaping by controlling their hips with your legs and body weight.

Apply the Lock

  • Gradually extend your hips while pulling their ankle toward you, creating hyperextension in the knee joint.

Common Entries

From Half Guard

  • Transition into the Kneebar when the opponent’s leg is extended during a guard pass or defense.

From Closed Guard

  • Attack the Kneebar during sweeps or transitions when the opponent’s leg becomes isolated.

From Side Control

  • Roll into the Kneebar when the opponent’s legs are exposed during an escape attempt.

From Mount

  • Transition to the Kneebar if the opponent bridges or pushes against your hips to escape.

From Butterfly Guard

  • Use the Butterfly Sweep to elevate the opponent and trap their leg for the Kneebar.

From X Guard or Single-Leg X Guard

  • Isolate the opponent’s leg during sweeps or transitions to secure the Kneebar.

During Scrambles

  • Exploit moments when the opponent’s leg is extended or exposed during dynamic exchanges.

From Turtle Control

  • Trap the opponent’s leg when they post or attempt to recover guard.

From Leg Lock Transitions

Tips for Success

Control Their Hips

  • Prevent the opponent from rotating or turning by pinning their hips with your legs and weight.

Secure the Leg

  • Tight control of their knee and ankle minimizes the risk of escape.

Leverage Your Hips

  • Engage your hips to generate the force needed to hyperextend the knee.

Gradual Application

  • Apply the pressure slowly and with control to avoid injury.

Transition Options

Safety Note

Positioning

The Kneebar is most effective when you control the opponent’s hips and isolate their leg to prevent escape or counterattacks. Proper leverage and tight connections are crucial for securing the submission.

From Half Guard

  • Attack the kneebar when the opponent's leg is extended during their attempt to pass.
  • Use the knee shield or Underhooks to create space for the setup.

From Closed Guard

  • Transition into the Kneebar during sweeps or when the opponent extends a leg to base.
  • Use a hip rotation to isolate their leg and apply the submission.

From Butterfly Guard

  • Elevate the opponent with a Butterfly Sweep and isolate their leg for the kneebar.
  • Trap their leg during transitions or scramble situations.

From Side Control

  • Roll into the kneebar when the opponent’s legs are exposed during an escape or bridging attempt.
  • Use your legs to trap their thigh while maintaining control.

From Mount

  • Transition to the kneebar when the opponent bridges or pushes your hips to escape.
  • Roll into the submission while maintaining tight control of their leg.

From Back Control

  • When the opponent defends the Rear Naked Choke or exposes their legs, transition to the Kneebar.
  • Use their defensive movements to trap one of their legs.

From X Guard or Single-Leg X Guard

  • Isolate the opponent's leg during a sweep or transition and roll into the Kneebar.
  • Capitalize on their extended leg to attack the knee joint.

From North South

  • If the opponent’s legs are exposed, trap one leg and transition into the Kneebar.
  • Use their attempts to escape or frame as openings for the submission.

From Turtle Control

  • Trap the opponent’s leg when they post or extend it to recover guard.
  • Roll into the Kneebar during their escape attempts.

From Standing

During Guard Passing Defense

From Scramble Situations

  • Exploit moments when the opponent’s leg is exposed during dynamic exchanges.
  • Use the kneebar as a counter to failed Sweeps or Takedown attempts.

From Leg Lock Transitions

YouTube Videos