## Knee Shield Escape The Knee Shield Escape is a versatile technique used to transition out of a potentially disadvantageous position, particularly from the bottom. This strategy is commonly employed from the **Half Guard** position to create distance, reposition, or initiate sweeps. --- ### Steps to Perform the Knee Shield Escape: 1. **Recognize the Position** - You're in Half Guard with your opponent on top, ideally with a strong underhook on their far side to secure control. 2. **Position the Knee Shield** - Insert your top knee as a "shield" across your opponent's lower belly or upper thigh. - Your foot of the knee shield leg should hook the outside of your opponent's hip. - Keep your other leg trapped lightly around your opponent’s leg to maintain the half guard. 3. **Create the Frame** - Use your same side arm (as the knee shield) to frame across your opponent's shoulder or bicep to keep their weight off of you. - Your other arm remains under their far arm to control posture or maintain an underhook. 4. **Adjust Your Hips** - Use your heels, especially the knee shield foot, to push your hips slightly away from your opponent. - Rotate your hips so that your knee shield maintains a pressure that controls the opponent, avoiding any collapsing into pressure. 5. **Control and Assess** - Use your frames (arms and knee shield) to establish space and improve control. - Maintain constant pressure with the knee shield to prevent the opponent from flattening you. 6. **Transition or Sweep** [Optional] - Use the space created to re-guard to full guard, transition to an open guard, or initiate a sweep. - A common option is to use the frame and knee shield to elevate and sweep the opponent over by moving their balance over their trapped leg. 7. **Escape** - Based on your opponent's reaction, escape by sliding your bottom leg into a more secure position, such as re-guarding or going into another guard position. - Alternatively, ensure the progressive transition into a dominant position while maintaining control. --- ### Notes: - **Japanese Name**: N/A for this specific technique as it's tailored to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu jargon. - This escape relies heavily on maintaining the distance and using the opponent's reaction to leverage an escape or a reversal. - Practitioners should focus on timing and precision when executing the knee shield escape to counteract opponent movements effectively. --- This technique can be a crucial addition to your repertoire, particularly useful when grappling with an aggressive passer who is looking to snuff out your half-guard. It offers a means to regain control and potentially shift the momentum of the match in your favor.