Mastering the Knee Bar: A Comprehensive Guide

The knee bar is a submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that can be extremely effective when executed correctly. It involves hyperextending the opponent’s knee joint, causing them to submit or risk serious injury. However, it is important to note that the knee bar is a potentially dangerous submission, and should only be attempted under the guidance of a qualified instructor. In this guide, we will take a closer look at the mechanics of the knee bar, and provide a step-by-step breakdown of how to execute it effectively.

Understanding the Knee Bar

The knee bar is a submission technique that targets the knee joint of the opponent. It involves applying pressure to the joint in a way that causes it to hyperextend, resulting in a painful and potentially dangerous submission. The knee bar can be applied from a variety of positions, including the guard, half guard, and side control.

It is important to note that the knee bar is a potentially dangerous submission, and should only be attempted by experienced practitioners. When applying a knee bar, it is important to be aware of your partner’s limitations and to apply the technique with control and precision.

Setting Up the Knee Bar

In order to successfully execute a knee bar, you must first set up the submission. There are a number of ways to set up a knee bar, but one of the most common is to bait your opponent into exposing their leg. This can be done by using a fake sweep or submission attempt to get your opponent to post their leg on the mat, leaving it vulnerable to attack.

Once your opponent’s leg is exposed, you can move into position to apply the knee bar. This typically involves controlling your opponent’s leg with your arms or legs, and creating a pivot point to apply pressure to the knee joint.

Applying the Knee Bar

To apply the knee bar, you must first secure your opponent’s leg and create the pivot point. This is typically done by wrapping your legs around your opponent’s leg, creating a figure-four grip, and placing your foot on their hip or thigh to create the pivot point.

Once you have secured the pivot point, you can begin applying pressure to the knee joint by extending your hips and pulling your opponent’s foot towards your chest. This will cause the knee to hyperextend, resulting in a painful and potentially dangerous submission.

It is important to note that when applying a knee bar, you must be aware of your partner’s limitations and apply the technique with control and precision. If your partner taps out or indicates that they are in pain, you should immediately release the submission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a number of common mistakes that practitioners make when attempting to execute a knee bar. One of the most common is failing to control the pivot point, which can result in the submission being ineffective or even causing injury to your own knee.

Another common mistake is failing to secure your opponent’s leg properly, which can result in them escaping the submission or countering with their own attack.

Finishing the Knee Bar

To finish the knee bar, you will need to extend your hips while squeezing your thighs together to put pressure on your opponent’s knee. At the same time, you will need to apply pressure on your opponent’s heel with your forearm and hand to create a bending force on their knee. It’s important to apply pressure slowly and steadily, as a sudden jerking motion can cause serious injury to your opponent.

Counters and Escapes

As with any submission technique, there are a number of counters and escapes that your opponent can use to defend against the knee bar. Some common counters include rolling out of the submission or creating distance to relieve pressure on the knee joint.

To counter these defenses, it is important to remain aware of your opponent’s movements and adjust your technique accordingly. This may involve transitioning to a different submission or position to maintain control and apply pressure to the knee joint.