Kneebar
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The kneebar straightens the opponent's knee against your hips, the same way an armbar straightens the elbow. It shows up whenever their leg is straight and isolated, which makes it a natural follow-up to a defended ankle lock and a common finish while passing.
How the kneebar works
Their knee has to sit just above your hips, with their leg trapped between your thighs and their heel held tight to your shoulder or chest. Squeezing your knees together keeps the leg from turning out, and extending your hips is what applies the lock. If the knee is below your hips, the lever is gone and it turns into a squeeze.
Where kneebars come from
Kneebars appear when their leg straightens: from straight or outside ashi when they kick to free the foot, from 50/50, from the top of half guard or the knee shield when you step over the leg while passing, and from the back or the truck when a leg is left behind. Rolling kneebars from standing are the flashy version of the same idea.
Defending the kneebar
Bend the knee early, before your leg is straight, and turn your knee toward the mat so the hips cannot line up behind it. Pulling your heel out of their armpit or grabbing their top leg to stop them extending are the usual escapes. Like the heel hook, the knee's ligaments can go before it hurts, so tap early in training.
Rules
Under IBJJF rules the kneebar is legal for brown and black belts in gi and no-gi, including masters. Grappling Industries allows knee bars from blue belt, and many no-gi events allow them in intermediate and advanced divisions.
Check any leg lock by belt and ruleset →Frequently asked questions
Is the kneebar legal in BJJ?
Under IBJJF rules, from brown belt in gi and no-gi. Grappling Industries allows it from blue belt, and many no-gi events allow it in intermediate and advanced divisions.
What is the difference between a kneebar and a heel hook?
The kneebar straightens the knee past its range, like an armbar on the leg. The heel hook twists the knee by rotating the heel. They come from overlapping positions, but the kneebar needs a straight leg and the heel hook needs an exposed heel.
Where is the knee on a kneebar?
Just above your hips, with their heel tight to your shoulder or chest. Your hips are the fulcrum, so if the knee slips below them the lock loses its leverage.
How do you escape a kneebar?
Bend your knee before the leg straightens, turn the knee toward the mat, and pull your heel free. If the leg is already straight and their hips are extending, tap.
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