Attacks from knees with pics!

[JohnnyS]

Since this question has been asked multiple times, and a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I'd post two ways to get on top of your opponent when starting from knees.

Firstly, you need to have good base and posture. So keep both of your knees on the floor, and your butt on your heels. Keep your arms in close to your body (think Tyrannasaurus Rex). A lot of people reach out like zombies and try to throw their opponent which opens them up to double and single leg attacks from the knees, duck-unders and snap-downs. It also means that if you do this against someone stronger then you'll lose. Now get in close so your forehead is close to theirs.



Use your right hand to quickly push their head to the side.


Drive your head into the left side of their neck.



Re-align your body so your spine is straight (so you're now off on maybe a 15 degree angle). Their spine should be bent and yours straight. Your right hand grabs their pants at the knee, your left hand grabs their right elbow and you drive into them putting them on their back.





Keep your head in contact with them and you should end up past their guard.

[JKDChick]

Damnit, why couldn't you have posted this on the weekend? I could have used it Monday night.

[JohnnyS]

This time when I try to grab my opponent's left knee he pulls it back.


I reach through with my right hand and put it on the outside of my opponent's right knee.


Continue driving with my head and put him on his back.

[chaosexmachina]

In the first series of pics, would I be grabbing their ankle (rather than the pants at the knee) if they had no gi?

[Poop Loops]

THANK YOU!!! I have ALWAYS been clueless from the knees and people just tell me "well, you just gotta get a feel for it" It bugs me. :(

PL

[JohnnyS]

chaossexmachina,
I'd be overhooking with the left arm, and probably just hooking behind their left knee with my right hand instead of grabbing the pants.

[chaosexmachina]

Thanks, Johnny!

[Darkpaladin]

I usually pull guard from the knees. Either that or I get pulled into guard myself. I really have to work on my open guard passing. Cool stuff, thanks.

[Ainttappin]

I usually pull guard from the knees. Either that or I get pulled into guard myself. I really have to work on my open guard passing. Cool stuff, thanks.

Same here..I pull to guard then sweep.

[PoleFighter]

I pull guard because my guard passes are strong, while I suck from my back, so I try to work on that as much as I can.

[JohnnyS]

Hannibal,
If they pull their head back then I keep driving and put them on their back and I pass.

These techniques are valuable because:
1) They allow people to work their on-top game and not just "pull guard" because they don't know anything else.
2) This position occurs when you escape from side control to your knees, or bail out from your guard to your knees etc.

[fanatical]

Thank you! I need this so much for the exact reasons you just mentioned.

[Glizy]

I was able to use the first set of pictures yesterday! Then when we got on knees again and he pulled his knee back. Forgot what to do when he pulled his knee back so I went to closed guard.

[Deliciousness]

I got to try these at BJJ last night, and they worked very well. Very much appreciated, perhaps you could post a few more things ?

[Fluffy]

counter?

I like your threads Johnny, very informative. How would you counter that technique?

I'm thinking that as it's pushed out so far forward, the head could be pulled down and proceeded with perhaps a front headlock or guillotine. Any suggestions?