Technique: Stabbing Knees
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Standard Knee Knot·CAROLINA SELF DEFENSE & KRAV MAGA Cary, NC·Added by Admin
Level 2-3
Standard Knee Knot
Genusニーノット(Nī Notto)
TransliterationTranslation: knee knot
Overview
The knee knot is a leg entanglement control position originating from sambo where the attacker intertwines their legs around the opponent's trapped leg — placing one leg over the opponent's hip (knee reaping) and wedging the other underneath — creating an extremely tight 'knot' that is nearly impossible to escape. [1] From this position, ankle locks, heel hooks, and toe holds are readily available. The position is banned in IBJJF competition due to the knee reaping involved. [2] Reilly Bodycomb (sambo/BJJ black belt) is one of the practitioners who has taught this position in the context of sambo leglocks for no-gi grappling.
Knee KnotLeg KnotGame Over Position
History & Origin
Originates from sambo leglock systems. Brought into modern submission grappling by sambo-trained athletes. Reilly Bodycomb is a notable teacher of the position. [1]
Effectiveness
One of the tightest leg entanglement control positions available. Nearly impossible to escape once fully established. [1]
Lineage
Sambo leglock tradition. Taught in modern context by Reilly Bodycomb and other sambo-trained grapplers.
Competition Record
Used in sambo competition and no-gi submission events. Banned in IBJJF due to knee reaping rules.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Intertwined legs create a wedge system controlling the opponent's hip, preventing rotation
Control Points — One leg crosses over the opponent's hip (knee reap), the other wedges underneath the trapped leg
Submission Access — Exposes the foot and ankle for heel hook, toe hold, and ankle lock attacks
Position & Entry
From ashi garami — Transition from basic ashi garami by crossing the leg over the opponent's hip
From guard passing defense — When opponent attempts to pass, establish the knee knot to counter with leg locks
From 50/50 — Transition by crossing the outside leg over the opponent's hip
Variants
Standard knee knot — classic sambo configuration
Deep knee knot — deeper intertwining for tighter control
Knee knot to heel hook — primary attack chain
Knee knot to toe hold — secondary attack
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Extremely dangerous — the submissions accessible from this position (heel hooks, toe holds) can cause catastrophic knee ligament damage with minimal warning
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The knee knot originates from sambo leglock systems and was brought into modern submission grappling by sambo-trained athletes. Reilly Bodycomb (sambo/BJJ black belt) is one of the practitioners who has taught this position in the context of sambo leglocks for no-gi grappling. The position is one of five main leglock control positions alongside standard ashi garami, outside ashi garami, 50/50, and inside sankaku (honey hole). It is banned in IBJJF competition due to the knee reaping involved, but legal in ADCC, sambo, and MMA.
Common Mistakes
!Not crossing the leg fully over the hip — the reap must be complete for control
!Not controlling the opponent's free leg — allows them to create base and escape
!Attacking before the knot is secure — position before submission
!Not managing the opponent's rotation — must prevent them from turning to escape
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish ashi garami control → Cross leg over opponent's hip (knee reap) → Wedge opposite leg underneath → Lock the knot → Attack: heel hook, toe hold, or ankle lock
Sources & References
Primary Source
Sambo Leg Locks for No-Gi Grappling (Bodycomb)
1BookSambo Leg Locks for No-Gi Grappling (Bodycomb, instructional)
[2] Bodycomb — sambo leglock systems for no-gi
2BookGrapplearts — Reilly Bodycomb on Sambo Leglocks
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
BJJ World — Leg Locks 101: Guide to Positions (bjj-world.com) || Sambo Leg Locks for No-Gi Grappling (Bodycomb, instructional) || Grapplearts — Reilly Bodycomb on Sambo Leglocks
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationBJJ World — Leg Locks 101: Guide to Positions (bjj-world.com)
[1] BJJ World — identifies knee knot as one of 5 main leglock control positions
6CitationSambo Leg Locks for No-Gi Grappling (Bodycomb, instructional)
[2] Bodycomb — sambo leglock systems for no-gi
7CitationGrapplearts — Reilly Bodycomb on Sambo Leglocks
Community
Athletics
Requires
understanding of leg entanglement hierarchy, hip flexibility
Key muscles
hip adductors, hamstrings, core
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I raise my knee high before executing a stabbing knee strike?
Yes. Get the knee up as high as you want to stab, then execute the strike from that position. This creates the necessary structure before the actual stabbing motion, rather than trying to generate power from a rising movement.
How should I think about the power generation in a stabbing knee?
The stabbing does not come from any kind of rising force. Instead, drive through the target rather than just striking it, and pull your opponent forward simultaneously to create a double impact effect.
What should I do with my hands while driving the knee strike?
As you drive the knee out, pull the target forward to create a double impact. This is especially important since the stabbing knee is typically executed from close range in a clinch position.
How does the Standard Knee Knot work?
The knee knot is a leg entanglement control position originating from sambo where the attacker intertwines their legs around the opponent's trapped leg — placing one leg over the opponent's hip (knee reaping) and wedging the other underneath — creating an extremely tight 'knot' that is nearly impossible to escape. From this position, ankle locks, heel hooks, and toe holds are readily available.
Where does the Standard Knee Knot come from?
Originates from sambo leglock systems. Brought into modern submission grappling by sambo-trained athletes.
Is the Standard Knee Knot legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Knee Knot?
Danger rating 9/10. Extremely dangerous — the submissions accessible from this position (heel hooks, toe holds) can cause catastrophic knee ligament damage with minimal warning
How do I set up the Standard Knee Knot?
The standard setup chain: Establish ashi garami control → Cross leg over opponent's hip (knee reap) → Wedge opposite leg underneath → Lock the knot → Attack: heel hook, toe hold, or ankle lock.
How do I defend against the Standard Knee Knot?
Standard counters include: Prevent the knee reap from being established — fight the crossing leg / Pummel legs to create inside position / Boot defense — protect the foot from submission grips / Stand up before the knot is locked — base and posture before it's too late.
What are the variants of the Standard Knee Knot?
Common variants: Standard knee knot (classic sambo configuration); Deep knee knot (deeper intertwining for tighter control); Knee knot to heel hook (primary attack chain); Knee knot to toe hold (secondary attack).
How effective is the Standard Knee Knot in competition?
Used in sambo competition and no-gi submission events. Banned in IBJJF due to knee reaping rules.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Knee Knot?
Top errors to watch for: Not crossing the leg fully over the hip — the reap must be complete for control / Not controlling the opponent's free leg — allows them to create base and escape / Attacking before the knot is secure — position before submission / Not managing the opponent's rotation — must prevent them from turning to escape.
What are other names for the Standard Knee Knot?
The Standard Knee Knot is also known as Nī Notto, Knee Knot, Leg Knot, Game Over Position.