Knee on Belly
Knee on belly is a mobile top pin where you drive a knee into the bottom player's stomach with your other foot posted, staying tall and light on your feet. It scores points, pressures the ribs, and threatens submissions while staying hard to escape.
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Unlike a flat pin, knee on belly keeps you up and mobile, so when the bottom player bridges or turns you can ride the movement and switch sides instead of getting bumped off. The knee in the stomach makes stalling there genuinely uncomfortable.
A platform for attacks
From knee on belly the far arm is exposed for armbars and the collar for chokes in the gi, and you can step over to mount when they turn in. It works best as a dynamic hub between side control, mount, and submissions.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is knee on belly worth?
Under IBJJF rules an established knee on belly is worth 2 points. It must be controlled with your knee on the torso and your other foot off the mat or posted.
How do I keep knee on belly when they bridge?
Stay tall and light, keep your posted foot wide for base, and ride the bridge by switching sides or stepping to mount rather than fighting to stay still.
What submissions come from knee on belly?
Far-side armbars, collar chokes in the gi, and baseball-bat style chokes, plus the constant threat of stepping over to mount when they defend.
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