Krav Maga - Knee on Belly - Escape and 2 Submissions
0
Standard Knee On Chest·Premier Design·Added by Admin
Knee on Belly - Escape and 2 Submissions
Standard Knee On Chest
Genusスタンダードニーオンチェスト(Sutandādo Nī On Chesuto)
TransliterationTranslation: standard knee on chest
Overview
The Standard Knee On Chest places the knee directly on the opponent's sternum or upper chest, with the shin applying diagonal pressure across the ribcage, while the posted foot provides base and the hands control the opponent's upper body. [1] The standard knee-on-chest creates maximum respiratory pressure and is particularly effective for setting up cross-choke attacks and armbar transitions. [1],[2] The higher placement makes it harder for the bottom fighter to create frames and escape. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard knee on chest is the baseline version of this high-pressure variant. [1]
Lineage
A BJJ pressure position variant. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Establishing and maintaining a controlling position relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Body positioning determines which joints and limbs are available for control and attack
Force Vector — Varies by position — gravity, frames, hooks, and pressure dictate control dynamics
Positional Mechanic — Hierarchy of positions — each position offers different offensive and defensive capabilities
Position & Entry
From side control — Rise up from side control, place the near knee across the opponent's belly or chest, post the far leg out for base
From guard pass (float pass) — After passing guard, float the knee directly to the belly instead of settling to side control
Variants
Standard knee on belly — knee across the midsection, far foot posted for base
Knee on chest — knee higher toward the chest for more pressure
Reverse knee on belly — facing the opponent's legs instead of their head
Floating knee — light, mobile knee ride allowing quick transitions
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, knee on belly scores 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, knee on belly scores 2 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal dominant position
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— UWW — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match ...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal, pin scores points
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Standard knee on chest execution: from side control or knee on belly, slide the knee up from the abdomen to the opponent's sternum, maintain the posting foot wide, and control the collar and far arm (Danaher, Pin Escapes and Turtle Turnover, 2019)
✓Step 1: from knee on belly, slide the knee upward along the opponent's centreline to the sternum
✓Step 2: adjust the posting foot: it should be wide and slightly forward for balance
✓Step 3: control the near collar with the near hand (gi) or frame on the head (no-gi)
✓Step 4: the far hand controls the opponent's far arm or grips the belt
✓Step 5: from knee on chest, threaten: armbar (the arm is close), triangle (step over the head), or S-mount transition
✓The knee pressure on the sternum is intense: the opponent's breathing is restricted, forcing them to react
✓Drill: from side control, establish knee on chest and transition to S-mount — 5 reps per side
Common Mistakes
!Sliding the knee too far past the sternum — the knee should be on the chest, not on the neck
!Not maintaining pressure during the transition from belly to chest — keep the weight driving down throughout
!Losing the posting foot position — the far foot must remain wide and posted for stability
!Not attacking from knee on chest — the position creates urgency; capitalize with submissions or transitions
!Applying the knee to the throat — this is illegal in competition and dangerous; target the sternum
!Not riding the opponent's defensive movements — knee on chest requires constant positional adjustment
!Staying on knee on chest too long without advancing — transition to S-mount, mount, or submission
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Position — transition into this position through passing, sweeping, or scrambling
2Stabilize — establish controlling grips and weight distribution
3Maintain — adjust to the opponent's escape attempts to hold position
4Attack — launch offensive techniques from the stabilized position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
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)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
body awareness, stability, control of weight distribution
Favours
athletic build with good proprioception
Key muscles
core, hips, legs for base stability
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I escape from knee on belly?
Frame with your hands to protect your face, then shrimp your body while pushing the opponent's knee down with your elbow. Bring your own knee inside to help you shrimp further and block the opponent, then you can start kicking while maintaining defense.
What's the key positioning when I'm applying knee on belly to my opponent?
Place your shin on the opponent's belly to maintain pressure, and keep your hands next to your leg ready to push and pull, creating space to transition into submissions like moving your knee behind their neck.
How does the Standard Knee On Chest work?
The Standard Knee On Chest places the knee directly on the opponent's sternum or upper chest, with the shin applying diagonal pressure across the ribcage, while the posted foot provides base and the hands control the opponent's upper body. The standard knee-on-chest creates maximum respiratory pressure and is particularly effective for setting up cross-choke attacks and armbar transitions.
Where does the Standard Knee On Chest come from?
The standard knee-on-chest is an aggressive variation of the knee-on-belly position used in BJJ competition and MMA, valued for its pressure and submission set-up capabilities. It is taught as an advanced variation of the knee-on-belly system.
Is the Standard Knee On Chest legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, knee on belly scores 2 points; IJF: legal — Legal, osaekomi (pin) — 10-19 seconds scores waza-ari, 20 seconds scores ippon; ADCC: legal — Legal, knee on belly scores 2 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal dominant position; UWW: legal — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match by fall; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal, pin scores points
How dangerous is the Standard Knee On Chest?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Standard Knee On Chest?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Position → Stabilize → Maintain → Attack.
How do I defend against the Standard Knee On Chest?
Standard counters include: Posture Control — maintain strong posture to limit the opponent's offensive options / Escape to Neutral — work back to standing or a neutral position.
What are the variants of the Standard Knee On Chest?
Common variants: Standard knee on belly (knee across the midsection, far foot posted for base); Knee on chest (knee higher toward the chest for more pressure); Reverse knee on belly (facing the opponent's legs instead of their head); Floating knee (light, mobile knee ride allowing quick transitions).
How effective is the Standard Knee On Chest in competition?
Used in BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Knee On Chest?
Top errors to watch for: Sliding the knee too far past the sternum — the knee should be on the chest, not on the neck / Not maintaining pressure during the transition from belly to chest — keep the weight driving down throughout / Losing the posting foot position — the far foot must remain wide and posted for stability / Not attacking from knee on chest — the position creates urgency; capitalize with submissions or transitions.
What are other names for the Standard Knee On Chest?
The Standard Knee On Chest is also known as Sutandādo Nī On Chesuto, Basic Knee on Chest, Classic Knee Ride High.