Learn the essential BJJ Knee on Belly technique, a dominant control position. This guide covers step-by-step instructions, common mistakes, variations,...
Position
Blue
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Intermediate
Knee on Belly is a fundamental and highly effective control position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, allowing you to apply immense pressure on your opponent while maintaining superior balance. It's a powerful intermediate step from Side Control, primarily used to set up submissions, transitions, or simply wear down your opponent.
Technique Map
graph LR
Position["Position"]:::catNode
Position --> Knee_On_Belly
Knee_On_Belly["Knee On Belly"]:::currentNode
Knee_On_Belly -.-> Mount["Mount"]:::relNode
Knee_On_Belly -.-> Back_Mount["Back Mount"]:::relNode
Knee_On_Belly -.-> Side_Control["Side Control"]:::relNode
Knee_On_Belly -.-> North_South["North-South"]:::relNode
Knee_On_Belly -.-> Turtle_Position["Turtle Position"]:::relNode
classDef currentNode fill:#22c55e,stroke:#fff,color:#fff,font-weight:700
classDef relNode fill:#141926,stroke:#1f2840,color:#a78bfa
classDef catNode fill:#1f2840,stroke:#7c6af7,color:#7c6af7,font-style:italic
How to Execute
1
From side control, establish a strong cross-face and underhook, or chest-to-chest control, ensuring your opponent is flat on their back.
2
Place the shin of one leg across your opponent's midsection, with your knee resting on their solar plexus or hip bone, applying direct pressure.
3
Extend your free leg straight out to the side for balance, keeping your toes active on the mat and your hips low.
4
Use your hands to maintain control: one hand can be on their far arm for an armbar setup, or you can grab a collar for a choke, while the other hand posts on the mat or controls their near arm.
5
Keep your weight primarily on your shin and knee, maintaining a light posture on your feet to stay mobile and prevent sweeps.
6
Be ready to transition to mount, back control, or various submissions as your opponent reacts to the pressure.
Key Details & Tips
1
Pressure Distribution: Focus on distributing your weight through your shin and knee, not just your heel, to maximize discomfort and control without losing balance.
2
Balance is Key: Keep your non-knee-on-belly leg extended and active, ready to post or move to prevent sweeps. Your core should be engaged.
3
Hip Control: Use your knee on their hip to pin them, preventing them from turning into you or shrimping away effectively.
4
Common Mistake: Leaning too far forward or backward, making you susceptible to simple bridge and roll sweeps. Maintain a centered, athletic posture.
Variations
1
Knee on Chest: Similar pressure, but the knee is placed higher on the sternum, often used when an opponent is smaller or to transition to a head-and-arm choke.
2
Knee on Hip (Transitional): Placing the knee more on the hip bone can be less painful but offers excellent control for transitioning to a back take or attacking the far arm.
3
Switch Knee on Belly: Quickly switching the knee from one side of the opponent's body to the other, often used to break grips or force a reaction.
When to Use
Knee on Belly is best employed immediately after passing the guard, or from a strong side control position. It's excellent for forcing reactions from your opponent, opening up opportunities for submissions like Armbars, collar chokes, or transitioning to mount or back control. Use it to wear down a resistant opponent or to create space for your attacks.
Counters & Defenses
1
Bridge and Roll: Create an underhook with the arm on the side of the knee, bridge violently towards that side, and roll the opponent over.
2
Push the Knee Off: Use both hands to push the knee off your belly, creating space to shrimp out or recover guard.
3
Underhook the Leg: Underhook the leg that's applying the knee on belly, then shrimp away and attempt to come up into a single leg takedown or recover guard.
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Q: Is Knee on Belly a submission?
No, Knee on Belly is not a submission itself, but a dominant control position. Its primary purpose is to apply pressure, exhaust your opponent, and set up various submissions or advantageous transitions to other positions like Mount or back control.
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