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IntermediateKnee Slice
Taught by:Adam FarnslerAndre GalvaoBernardo FariaGordon RyanJohn DanaherNathan MerkleRob BiernackiRob Shiffler
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About This Technique
Knee Slice Pass
The Knee Slice Pass, often simply known as the Knee Cut, is a fundamental guard passing technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This pass is primarily executed from the Open Guard position and is effective against various open guard configurations, allowing the passer to transition into a dominant position, such as Side Control or the Mount.
Step-by-step Detailed Instructions:
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Starting Position:
- Begin in your opponent's open guard. They might be in an Active Guard with grips on your sleeves or collar, or a Variation Guard like the De La Riva or Spider Guard.
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Grip Control:
- Secure grip on your opponent's pants at the knees or shins to control their legs and prevent them from re-guarding.
- Other gripping variations include holding the opponent's lapel or pinning their arm to reduce their defensive options.
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Establish Base:
- Posture up with a solid base, maintaining a low center of gravity by bringing one knee in between your opponent's legs.
- Your opposite knee should be posted out wide, providing you stability while keeping your hips low.
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Knee Slice Movement:
- Begin to turn your hips, slicing your knee across your opponent's thigh, slightly towards the mat (or sometimes at a diagonal).
- As you cut your knee through, aim for the knee to pass parallel along their inner thigh.
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Underhook:
- As you slice through, establish an underhook on your opponent's far shoulder to control their upper body and prevent them from using their arm to escape.
- Simultaneously, use your opposite hand to base on the mat or grip their pants at the hip.
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Torso Rotation:
- Continue rotating your torso to generate pressure against their chest and control their ability to move.
- Shift your weight forward, forcing their leg down to the mat.
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Complete the Pass:
- Drop your hips alongside your opponent's hip, fully sliding past their guard.
- Place your chest on their torso horizontally, automatically transitioning to establish Side Control or move to the Mount if the position allows.
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Stabilize the Position:
- Use your free arm for head control or an underhook while keeping chest-to-chest pressure, locking your advantage.
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Adjust and Control:
- Ensure a head-to-hip connection to control any movement, solidifying your position and nullifying any attack from the opponent.
Tips:
- Maintain constant pressure throughout the pass to prevent your opponent from re-guarding.
- Keep your body low; posture is key to efficiency and preventing sweeps.
- Practice with varied grips and underhook adjustments to find what works best for your body type and against various open guard types.
Japanese Name
- N/A
Top or Bottom position
- Top
Positions for Technique Execution
- Open Guard
How to Execute
# Knee Slice from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: You are in your opponent's open guard, with them on their back and their legs positioned for guard retention.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**:
- Establish a strong grip on their collar with your right hand to control their upper body.
- Use your left hand to control their right knee or pants, preventing them from reestablishing guard.
- Position your right knee between their legs, aiming towards their hip or inner thigh.
## Steps
1. **Create Pressure**:
- Lean forward and apply chest pressure on your opponent using your grip on their collar. This will help control their upper body.
2. **Position Your Leg**:
- Step your left foot outside their right thigh, creating a wide base. Your right knee should be pointed towards their hip or inner thigh.
3. **Knee Slice Entry**:
- Slide your right knee across their inner thigh, aiming to slice through their guard. Ensure your knee stays close to the ground and your body maintains forward pressure.
4. **Control Their Hip**:
- As your knee slices through, use your left hand to push down on their right knee or thigh, preventing their hip from following your knee.
5. **Complete the Pass**:
- Drop your right hip to the mat, sliding your right knee past their hip. Simultaneously, kick your left leg back to clear their legs completely.
6. **Establish Side Control**:
- Secure side control by bringing your chest close to theirs, controlling their head with your right arm, and establishing an underhook with your left arm.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Maintain constant pressure with your chest on their upper body to limit their movement.
- Ensure your knee slice is low and tight to prevent your opponent from regaining guard.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Failing to control their hips, which can allow your opponent to regain guard.
- Not keeping your pressure forward, allowing the opponent to off-balance you.
- Leaving your knee too high, which makes it easy for the opponent to recompose guard.
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