Knee Slice Power Pass!
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Knee Slice Pass·The Grappling Academy
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Knee Slice Pass
SubFamilyニースライスパス
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Knee Slice Pass is a specific variation of the knee cut where the passer drives the shin diagonally across the opponent's thigh in a slicing motion while establishing a crossface — the most commonly executed guard pass at black belt level in IBJJF competition. [1] The slice uses the shin as a wedge that splits the guard player's legs apart, with the sharp edge of the tibial crest creating a dividing line that the opponent's legs cannot cross. [1],[2]
Knee Cut PassKnee Slide PassKnee Through
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the modern BJJ competition passing evolution. [1]
Competition Record
Used at IBJJF and ADCC competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Navigating past the opponent's guard legs using this specific passing mechanic to achieve side control
Joints Involved — Hips (hip switching and pressure), knees (cutting, wedging, or stepping), hands (grips on pants or legs for control)
Force Vector — Varies by technique — forward pressure for knee-based passes, lateral for toreando variations, backward for backstep
Pass Mechanic — Each variant exploits a specific guard weakness: knee passes split the guard from inside, toreando variants outflank from outside, backstep approaches from behind, and pressure variants flatten through heavy contact
Position & Entry
From headquarters position — Initiate this pass from the standard headquarters stance based on the opponent's guard reaction
From standing — Begin the pass from a standing position in front of the opponent's open guard
From guard break — After breaking the closed guard, transition directly into this passing technique
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard passes carry minimal injury risk for both fighters under normal conditions
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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
✓Drill this pass from the appropriate starting position until the mechanics are automatic
✓Chain this pass with 2-3 other passes to create an unpredictable passing system
✓Grip fighting before the pass is as important as the pass itself
✓Practice against progressive resistance
Common Mistakes
!Not establishing grips before initiating
!Not consolidating with crossface after passing
!Only passing to one side
!Rushing without reading the guard player's position
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position
2Strip Grips
3Initiate Pass
4Navigate Legs
5Consolidate Side Control
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Modern BJJ passing methodology [2] Competition passing analysis
2BookBJJ competition analysis
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Modern BJJ passing methodology [2] Competition passing analysis
5CitationBJJ competition analysis
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip mobility, grip strength, timing
Favours
athletic ability, good reflexes
Key muscles
core, quadriceps, forearms
Sub-techniques
Notes
The knee slice (knee cut) is the most commonly used guard pass in modern BJJ competition — it works in both gi and no-gi and chains into multiple follow-up positions. (Jiu-Jitsu University, Ribeiro; BJJ competition statistics)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first thing I should do when setting up a knee slice pass?
Step into position and attach your elbows to your thighs—this is your base position from which you'll launch the attack. The Grappling Academy emphasizes this as the foundation before sliding your knee through.
What's the sequence after I attach my elbows to my thighs in the knee slice?
Once your elbows are secured to your thighs, you slide your knee through and then come around to complete the pass. The Grappling Academy describes this as the standard progression from the base position.
How does the Knee Slice Pass work?
The Knee Slice Pass is a specific variation of the knee cut where the passer drives the shin diagonally across the opponent's thigh in a slicing motion while establishing a crossface — the most commonly executed guard pass at black belt level in IBJJF competition. The slice uses the shin as a wedge that splits the guard player's legs apart, with the sharp edge of the tibial crest creating a dividing line that the opponent's legs cannot cross.
Where does the Knee Slice Pass come from?
This passing technique is part of the modern BJJ guard passing curriculum, refined through competition at IBJJF and ADCC.
Is the Knee Slice 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 Knee Slice Pass?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard passes carry minimal injury risk for both fighters under normal conditions
How do I set up the Knee Slice Pass?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Strip Grips → Initiate Pass → Navigate Legs → Consolidate Side Control.
How do I defend against the Knee Slice Pass?
Standard counters include: Guard retention / Frame and shrimp / Sweep timing / Re-guarding.
What are the variants of the Knee Slice Pass?
Common variants: Standard execution (the fundamental version of this pass); Modified version (adapted for specific guard types); Chain variant (transitioning to this pass from another pass that was def…).
How effective is the Knee Slice Pass in competition?
Used at IBJJF and ADCC competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Knee Slice Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Not establishing grips before initiating / Not consolidating with crossface after passing / Only passing to one side / Rushing without reading the guard player's position.
What are other names for the Knee Slice Pass?
The Knee Slice Pass is also known as Knee Cut Pass, Knee Slide Pass, Knee Through.