The Knee Bar is a sophisticated submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that leverages joint locks targeting the knee, usually by hyperextending the leg. While often executed from the top position, the Knee Bar can be applied from several positions, capitalizing on control and leverage. ### Positions - **Half Guard** - **Open Guard** - **Mount** - **Side Control** ### Top or Bottom - **Top** - **Bottom** ### Japanese Name - Japanese Name: 膝十字固 (Hiza Juji Gatame) ### Step-by-Step Instructions: #### From the Half Guard (Top Position): 1. **Control the Leg**: - Begin by controlling your opponent's leg trapped between yours in half guard. - Use your outside arm to grip behind their knee, ensuring you have a secure hold. 2. **Position Your Body**: - Bring your opposite leg over the opponent's chest or head, simultaneously pivoting your hips so that you're perpendicular to their body. - Slide your knee across their stomach to control posture and movement. 3. **Maintain Control**: - Keep a firm grip on their leg using your arms and chest. - Ensure your shin is positioned against their thigh, creating a point of leverage. 4. **Slide Into the Lock**: - With your lower body, start sliding towards their foot while maintaining a firm ceiling and umbrella hold. - Simultaneously pull your opponent's legs towards you while squeezing with your thighs. 5. **Apply Pressure**: - Lock their leg by hugging it tightly between your arms and squeeze your thighs. - Gradually arch your hips upwards while pulling their foot towards you to hyperextend the knee joint. #### From Open Guard: 1. **Initiate Leg Control**: - With your opponent in open guard, capture their leg using your legs and arms, ensuring a strong grip. 2. **Engage the Hips**: - Utilize your hips to rotate and align yourself with their leg, transitioning your legs to achieve better control. 3. **Entrap the Knee**: - Secure their knee with your arm and body while extending their leg fully for the setup. 4. **Finish the Knee Bar**: - Anchor your arms around their trapped leg. - Squeeze your thighs as you bridge your hips towards the opponent’s joint, looking for the submission. ### Key Details: - **Keep constant tension to control their leg.** - **Maintain a compact form to prevent escapes.** - **Apply pressure gradually to safely execute the lock, avoiding injury.**