Knee Middle Passing Counter (Immortal BJJ - Raleigh, N.C.)
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Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass·ImmortalBJJNC·Added by Admin
http://immortalbjj.com Professor Todd demonstrates how to counter knee in the middle passing. This technique serves also…
Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass
Genusニーインザミドルパス(Nī In Za Midoru Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: knee-in-the-middle pass
Overview
The knee-in-the-middle pass is a closed guard opening method where the passer drives their knee into the center of the opponent's guard to pry it open, then immediately transitions to a guard pass. [1] The shin splits the guard by wedging through the middle, and the passer transitions directly to a knee cut, leg drag, or other pass. One of the first closed guard openers taught to beginners. [2] Featured in instructionals by Bernardo Faria, Andre Galvao, and John Danaher.
Knee-In-The-Middle PassKnee Pin PassKnee Middle Guard OpenerKnee Wedge Pass
History & Origin
Fundamental BJJ closed guard opening technique. No single inventor. [1]
Effectiveness
One of the most reliable closed guard openers at all levels. The structural wedge makes it difficult for the guard player to maintain closure. [1]
Lineage
Fundamental BJJ guard opening technique.
Competition Record
Used at all levels of competition as a standard closed guard opener.
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Drive knee into center of opponent's guard between their legs, wedging the guard open
Guard Break — The shin splits the guard by creating a structural wedge the opponent cannot maintain closure around
Transition — Once the guard is split, the passer immediately transitions to knee cut, leg drag, or headquarters
Position & Entry
From opponent's closed guard — Control opponent's biceps, scoot knee under their tailbone, step back with outside foot, slide knee through the middle
From kneeling in closed guard — Posture up, drive knee into the center, use it as a wedge to open the guard
Variants
Standard knee-in-the-middle — basic wedge from kneeling
Standing knee pin — drive knee in while standing
Knee pin to knee cut — most common follow-up
Knee pin to headquarters — transition to HQ after opening
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
1
Low1/10
No submission or injury threat — guard opening technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part ...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓One of the first closed guard openers taught to beginners. The key mechanic is using the knee as a structural wedge that the opponent's locked ankles cannot maintain closure around. Once the guard is split, the passer must immediately transition to a pass — staying in the open position without advancing allows the guard player to re-close or transition to open guard. Featured in instructionals by Bernardo Faria, Andre Galvao, and John Danaher.
Common Mistakes
!Not controlling the biceps — opponent can attack during the guard break
!Stopping after opening — must immediately transition to a pass
!Knee too high — must wedge at the tailbone level
!Not stepping back with outside foot — the step creates the splitting angle
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Posture in closed guard → Control opponent's biceps → Scoot knee under tailbone → Step back with outside foot → Drive knee through the middle → Guard opens → Immediately transition to knee cut, HQ, or other pass
Sources & References
Primary Source
BJJ Fanatics — Knee in the Middle Guard Opener
1BookBJJ Fanatics — Knee in the Middle Guard Opener
[1] BJJ Fanatics — knee in the middle technique analysis
2OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
BJJ Fanatics — Knee in the Middle Guard Opener || Evolve MMA — What Is The Knee Pin Pass In BJJ (evolve-mma.com)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBJJ Fanatics — Knee in the Middle Guard Opener
[1] BJJ Fanatics — knee in the middle technique analysis
5CitationEvolve MMA — What Is The Knee Pin Pass In BJJ (evolve-mma.com)
[2] Evolve MMA — knee pin pass breakdown
Community
Athletics
Requires
good posture, balance
Key muscles
quadriceps, core, hip flexors
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from passing with a knee-in-the-middle?
Monitor the opponent's knee with at least one hand, though two hands is even better. Also establish a hanging hook with your leg to give yourself the ability to hip escape and create space.
What's the shin-to-shin technique in the knee-in-the-middle counter?
Bring your foot back and point your toe, then loop it to the inside to establish control and prevent the pass.
How does the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass work?
The knee-in-the-middle pass is a closed guard opening method where the passer drives their knee into the center of the opponent's guard to pry it open, then immediately transitions to a guard pass. The shin splits the guard by wedging through the middle, and the passer transitions directly to a knee cut, leg drag, or other pass.
Where does the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass come from?
Fundamental BJJ closed guard opening technique. No single inventor.
Is the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass?
Danger rating 1/10. No submission or injury threat — guard opening technique
How do I set up the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass?
The standard setup chain: Posture in closed guard → Control opponent's biceps → Scoot knee under tailbone → Step back with outside foot → Drive knee through the middle → Guard opens → Immediately transition to knee cut, HQ, or other pass.
How do I defend against the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass?
Standard counters include: Maintain strong closed guard — resist the wedge / Hip bump sweep — attack when opponent drives knee in / Armbar — attack the controlling arms / Transition to open guard — accept the break and establish open guard.
What are the variants of the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass?
Common variants: Standard knee-in-the-middle (basic wedge from kneeling); Standing knee pin (drive knee in while standing); Knee pin to knee cut (most common follow-up); Knee pin to headquarters (transition to HQ after opening).
How effective is the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass in competition?
Used at all levels of competition as a standard closed guard opener.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Not controlling the biceps — opponent can attack during the guard break / Stopping after opening — must immediately transition to a pass / Knee too high — must wedge at the tailbone level / Not stepping back with outside foot — the step creates the splitting angle.
What are other names for the Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass?
The Standard Knee-In-The-Middle Pass is also known as Nī In Za Midoru Pasu, Knee-In-The-Middle Pass, Knee Pin Pass, Knee Middle Guard Opener, Knee Wedge Pass.