Knee-On-Belly Position for BJJ
A Collection of Techniques and Videos to Improve Your Defense and Offense
Image Above: The offensive player (white gi) has the knee-on-belly position over the bottom defensive player (blue gi).
What Is Covered on This Page?
What Is the Knee-on-Belly Position?
Knee-on-belly (also known as 'knee-on-stomach' or 'knee ride') is a position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the top offensive player has one of their knees (and shin) across the stomach and torso area of the bottom defensive player. In contrast, the other leg of the top offensive player extends to the side for stability.
Despite being called 'knee-on-belly,' the top player is not just placing their knee but also the shin of their leg on their opponent. And the top player's knee does not have to be strictly across the 'belly'; they can also place their knee into the solar plexus of their opponent; however, this is a more painful variation and should be used with care.
Defense for Knee-On-Belly Position (Survive + Escape)
The defensive player in the knee-on-belly position is the bottom player who has their back to the ground and their opponent's knee on their torso. This is a potentially painful position for the bottom player, especially if the top player drives their knee into their solar plexus. The bottom player needs to know how to defend submission, prevent the top player from moving to mount, and how to escape to a better position.
Image Above: The gold-colored character represents the defensive position of the knee-on-belly position. The defensive player has their back to the ground while their opponent has their right knee and shin across their belly and torso.
Defending Knee-on-Belly
What is meant by "defense"? These are the basics that you must know to prevent someone from quickly submitting you when they are on your back. Here's what you should know how to:
Prevent the armbar. Avoid pushing against the knee with your hand or extending the arm up as both of these will give your opponent the armbar.
1. Prevent the Ambar
Free YouTube Clip: Bernardo FariaYouTube Clip: Knee-on-Belly Defense: How to Prevent the Armbar
Instructor: Bernardo Faria
Provided by: BJJ Fanatics
Length: Under 60 seconds.
Synopsis: Don't put your hand on your opponent's knee; this gives away the armbar. You will also give up the armbar if you push on the chest.
Escaping the Bottom Knee-On-Belly Position
Bottom knee-on-belly escape is painful, and getting out of it should be a top priority. It is helpful to know the following:
Deep half guard escape. As taught by Bernardo Faria, this escape to deep half guard will allow you to get to a better position without giving up the armbar.
Renzo Gracie escape. This escape allows you to get into an advantageous position while preventing the armbar and not giving up your back.
1. Deep Half Guard Escape
Free YouTube Clip: Bernardo FariaYouTube Clip: How to Escape to Deep Half Guard
Instructor: Bernardo Faria
Provided by: BJJ Fanatics
Length: Under 60 seconds
Synopsis: Place your elbow and forearm against your opponent's knee. The second hand controls the shin as close as possible to the foot. Bridge, then push the leg in right away, which will give you deep half guard.
2. Renzo Gracie Escape
Free YouTube Clip: Renzo GracieYouTube Video: Escape from Knee-On-Belly
Instructor: Renzo Gracie
Provided by: Gile23
Synopsis: Use your knee to hit your opponent's butt and push them forward. Turn and extend your legs so that you are on your pelvis. Then grab the leg, transition to your knees, and drive into your opponent.
Offense for Knee-On-Belly (Control + Submit)
The offensive position of knee-on-belly is the top player placing their knee and shin across the stomach and torso of their opponent. The top player should look to transition to mount or submit their opponent.
Image Above: The purple-colored character represents the offensive position of the knee-on-belly position. The offensive player has their right knee and shin across their opponent's abdomen while their left leg extends for stability.
Controlling the Top Knee-On-Belly Position
Knee-on-belly is an unstable position; it is relatively easy for the defensive player to bridge their hips and get the top player off. That's why the offensive player needs to learn how to:
Maintain knee-on-belly. Proper weight distribution will make this an advantageous position as long as you know how to move with your opponent.
Force movement. As your opponent goes for escapes, use the windshield wiper movement and the spin behind movement to expose their back and open up submissions.
1. Maintain Knee-On-Belly
Free YouTube Video: Erin HerleYouTube Video: How to Dominate Knee-On-Belly Position
Instructor: Erin Herle
Provided by: fightTIPS
Length: 5 minutes 38 seconds
Synopsis: Several techniques to maintain the knee-on-belly position and prevent your opponent's escapes.
2. Force Movement
Free YouTube Video: Rob BiernackiYouTube Video: How to Use Knee On Belly to Force Movement
Instructor: Rob Biernacki
Provided by: Stephan Kesting
Length: 4 minutes 9 seconds
Synopsis: As your opponent attempts to escape knee-on-belly, you can use transitional movements to open up submissions or take the back. Place the shin across your opponent with your foot glued to their hip. If your opponent bridges into you, windshield wiper to the other side, potentially exposing their back or the armbar. You can also use the 'spin behind' movement to expose their back.
Submissions from Top Knee-On-Belly Position
When in the knee on belly position, your opponent may make a mistake such as extending their arms which will give up the armbar; you can also force movement to open up submissions. Possible submissions from knee-on-belly include:
Armbar from knee push. Your opponent may try to escape by pushing at your knee; this will open up an opportunity for an armbar.
Armbar from leg step over. When moving to knee-on-belly, you may be able to directly step over your opponent's arm, giving you the armbar.
Darce Choke. If your opponent attempts to escape by pushing at the belly, this will open up a darce choke.
1. Armbar from Knee Push
Free YouTube Clip: Tom DaveyYouTube Video: Knee-On-Belly Offense: How to Armbar from the Knee Push
Instructor: Tom Davey
Provided by: The Grappling Academy
Length: Under 60 seconds
Synopsis: From the knee-on-belly they may go to push your knee for the escape. This will allow you to put your arm through grab and bring your opponent on their side. Spin around and then grab the pants and sit back for the armbar.
2. Armbar from Leg Step Over
Free YouTube Video: Ryron and Rener GracieYouTube Video: Ryron Gracie's Favorite Knee-On-Belly Attack
Instructor: Ryron Gracie and Rener Gracie
Provided by: Hayabusa
Length: 51 seconds
Synopsis: When in knee-on-belly, getting your leg over your opponent's arm allows you to grab the elbow and then transition into an armbar.
3. Darce Choke
Free YouTube Clip: Tom DaveyYouTube Video Link: Knee-on-Belly Offense: How to Darce from the Belly Push
Instructor: Tom Davey
Provided by: The Grappling Academy
Length: Under 60 seconds
Synopsis: When your opponent pushes at your belly for the escape, bring your arm around the back of yours while shooting your hips back and putting your chest to their tricep. Put your ear on their back, lock your hands, and finish the darce choke.
Transitions from Top Knee-on-Belly
Knee-on-belly in an unstable position. If you can't get a submission, transitioning to a more dominant and stable position is good. Learn how to:
Transition to mount. By threatening the collar choke, your opponent will be forced to defend. This will open the opportunity to transition to the mount.
Transition to modified mount. If your opponent gets to their side, it is better to transition to the modified mount.
1. Transition to mount
Free YouTube Clip: Gustavo GasperinYouTube Video: Knee-on-Belly Offense: Transition to Mount by Threatening the Choke
Instructor: Gustavo Gasperin
Provided by: MMA Leach
Length: Under 60 seconds
Synopsis: When in knee-on-belly, threaten the choke, which will force your opponent to defend their neck. Once you do this, there will be nothing blocking the mount, allowing you to move into the mount.
2. Transition to Modified Mount
Free YouTube Clip: Gustavo GasperinYouTube Video: Knee-on-Belly Offense: How to Transition to Modified Mount
Instructor: Gustavo Gasperin
Provided by: MMA Leach
Length: Under 60 seconds
Synopsis: If your opponent gets to their side moving to mount is a bad idea because it is easy for your opponent to catch the leg and move into half guard. Instead, you can transition to a modified mount.
More Positions
Back Mount: A position in which the offensive player controls the defensive players back.
Mount: The position in which the offensive player is on top of the defensive player while the defensive players back is exposed to the floor.
Knee-On-Belly: A position in which the offensive player is on top of the defensive player with their shin and knee across their opponent's torso and abdomen. The defensive player has their back exposed to the ground.
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Side Control: A position in which the offensive top player is perpendicular to and on top of the defensive player. The defensive player has their back exposed to the floor.
Kesa-Gatame: A position in which the offensive player has the head and one-arm of the defensive player.
Reverse Kesa-Gatame: A position similar to kesa-gatame the offensive player faces the defensive players legs.
North-South: A position in which the top player is face down and laying on top of their opponent's chest. The two opponent's body's are offset 180 degrees.
Turtle: A position in which the defensive player is in the fetal position. The offensive player has the back of the defensive player.