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AdvancedKnee Cut Pass
Knee Cutto Passu
Taught by:Adam FarnslerAndre GalvaoBernardo FariaCraig JonesGordon RyanJohn DanaherKeenan CorneliusLachlan GilesMikey MusumeciNathan MerkleRob BiernackiRob ShifflerRoger Gracie
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About This Technique
Knee Cut Pass Technique
The Knee Cut Pass is a fundamental passing technique used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) to transition from the bottom to a more dominant top position. This pass is particularly effective against the Open Guard but can be adjusted to work against various types of guards.
Step-by-step Instructions:
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Establishing Initial Contact
- Start in your opponent's open guard.
- Grip Setup: Establish a solid grip on your opponent's collar with one hand and on their pants near the knee with the other hand. This control will aid in stabilizing your position.
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Positioning Your Base
- Stand or kneel on your toes for mobility.
- Lead Knee Placement: Drive your lead knee over your opponent's thigh, aiming to wedge it into their hip or between their legs. This begins the cutting motion.
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Creating Pressure
- Lean your torso forward, applying pressure with your shoulder on your opponent's chest.
- Utilize your collar grip to pull your opponent toward you as you lean forward, breaking their guard posture.
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Cutting Through the Guard
- Slide Your Knee: Slide your knee across your opponent's thigh towards the mat. Your shin should act almost like a blade as it "cuts" through their guard.
- Simultaneously, use your pants grip to press down and immobilize their leg, preventing them from retaining the guard.
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Switch Hips and Control
- As your knee touches the mat, open up your hips allowing the trailing leg to further kick back.
- This should increase the pressure and control over the opponent's bottom leg.
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Final Position – Establishing Side Control
- As you complete the knee cut, sink your hips low to the mat, solidifying your side control with your chest on their chest.
- Adjust your grips to maintain control over your opponent’s upper body with a cross-face and underhook.
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Adjusting Your Base
- Adjust your leg base to ensure wide, stable support.
- Actively use your hips and grips to keep pressure and prevent your opponent from regaining the guard.
Tips for Execution:
- Maintain strong grips and pressure throughout to prevent counterattacks.
- Focus on hip movement and angle changes to optimize the knee cut path.
- Maintain chest pressure on your opponent; this helps in consolidating the pass.
Safety Note:
Always practice and execute this technique responsibly under the supervision of a qualified instructor to ensure safety for both you and your training partner.
How to Execute
# Knee Cut Pass from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: You are in your opponent's open guard, with them on their back and their legs in front of you. Your aim is to pass their guard and secure a dominant position.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**:
- Establish a grip on your opponent's opposite-side collar with one hand. This will help you control their upper body.
- Use your other hand to grip their same-side knee or pant leg to control their lower body.
- Position your knee (on the side opposite to your collar grip) in between their legs, aiming to drive it across their thigh.
## Steps
1. **Establish Base and Posture**:
- Maintain a strong base by slightly bending your knees and keeping your hips low. Keep your back straight and your head up.
- Ensure your grips are firm and you have control over your opponent’s upper and lower body.
2. **Initiate the Knee Cut**:
- Drop your weight onto your opponent's thigh with the knee that’s between their legs.
- Simultaneously, step your other leg out to the side to create an angle and open up the space for your pass.
3. **Cut with the Knee**:
- Slide your knee across their thigh towards the mat. Your shin should act like a blade cutting through their guard.
- As you cut, keep your opponent's knee pinned to the mat with your grip to prevent them from recomposing their guard.
4. **Establish Upper Body Control**:
- Use your collar grip to pull their upper body towards you and apply shoulder pressure into their chest. This will help control their movements and prevent them from turning into you.
5. **Clear the Leg**:
- As your knee cuts through, your foot that was on the outside should now step over their leg, clearing it completely.
- Use your other hand to push their knee down if needed, assisting in clearing their leg.
6. **Secure Side Control**:
- Once your knee is on the mat and their leg is cleared, transition your body into a side control position.
- Anchor your hips low to the mat and establish a cross face with the arm that was gripping the collar, ensuring tight control.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Maintain strong grips throughout the pass to control your opponent effectively.
- Keep your weight centered and low to prevent being swept or countered.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Failing to control the opponent's upper body, allowing them to turn into you or escape.
- Not stepping out wide enough with your other leg, which reduces the angle and effectiveness of the cut.
- Losing balance or posture by leaning too far forward or backward during the pass.
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