Knee On Belly Basics
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Reverse Knee On Belly·Gracie Barra Roundhay Leeds
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Reverse Knee On Belly
SubFamilyリバースニーオンベリー(Ribāsu Nī On Berī)
TransliterationTranslation: reverse knee on belly
Overview
The Reverse Knee On Belly subfamily covers the variation where the top fighter faces the opponent's legs rather than their head, placing the knee on the belly while looking toward the opponent's feet. [1] Reverse knee-on-belly provides different submission and transition options than standard knee-on-belly, particularly access to leg attacks and transitions to leg entanglements. [1],[2] The reversed orientation also provides a different escape-prevention dynamic as the bottom fighter must defend from a different angle. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Reverse knee on belly faces the opponent's legs instead of their head, providing different submission and transition angles. [1]
Lineage
Reverse knee on belly is an advanced variant developed in BJJ competition. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ competition as a transitional and attacking position. [1]
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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
Videos
How to do Knee on Belly and Reverse Knee on Belly
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Reverse Knee On Belly·James O’Connor
Here is a partner drill utilizing the knee on Belly position along with a more advanced reverse knee on Belly position. …
2 videos
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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
✓Reverse knee on belly faces the top player toward the opponent's legs instead of their head — it creates unique submission entries and transitions to leg attacks (Danaher, Leglocks: Enter the System, 2017)
✓Reverse knee on belly changes the attack angle: instead of upper body submissions, leg attacks and north-south transitions become available
✓The position is entered from: standard knee on belly (spin 180 degrees), or directly from a guard pass that ends facing the legs
✓From reverse knee on belly, the primary attacks are: straight ankle lock, kneebar entry, and spinning armbar
✓Reverse knee on belly in MMA creates a powerful ground-and-pound angle: strikes to the body and legs while the opponent cannot frame effectively
✓The position is less commonly trained than standard knee on belly, but it creates unexpected attack angles
✓Reverse knee on belly transitions naturally to: leg entanglements, back take (by spinning behind), and north-south
Common Mistakes
!Facing the legs without controlling the opponent — maintain knee pressure and grip control in the reverse position
!Spinning to reverse without maintaining pressure — the transition must keep weight on the opponent throughout
!Not attacking from reverse knee on belly — the position offers unique angles that must be exploited
!Using reverse knee on belly without a plan — know which attacks you're setting up before spinning
!Not maintaining the posting foot in reverse — the base is just as important in reverse as in standard
!Staying in reverse too long — it is more of an attacking position than a holding position
!Not training the spin from standard to reverse — the transition must be smooth and practised
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] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] 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] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] 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
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly should I place my knee on my opponent's body?
Place your knee into the center of your opponent's chest, around the diaphragm and sternum area, as this creates maximum pressure and makes it hard for them to breathe while controlling them from a weight distribution standpoint.
How should I position my weight and posture in knee on belly?
Project your weight forward onto your knee rather than sitting back on your foot—you may even need to lift your back foot off the floor. Keep strong posture like you're doing a deadlift, and don't crouch over, as good knee position requires good posture to apply maximum pressure.
How do I position my base leg to avoid being swept?
Keep your base leg out wide with your toes pointing forward toward your opponent, not out to the side, so you have strong lateral movement and won't be susceptible to being swept backwards.
What's the tactical purpose of knee on belly beyond just pinning?
Knee on belly is a controlled position designed to wear out your opponent and force them into mistakes—when they push to escape, they expose arms and create opportunities for submissions or back takes.
How does the Reverse Knee On Belly work?
The Reverse Knee On Belly subfamily covers the variation where the top fighter faces the opponent's legs rather than their head, placing the knee on the belly while looking toward the opponent's feet. Reverse knee-on-belly provides different submission and transition options than standard knee-on-belly, particularly access to leg attacks and transitions to leg entanglements.
Where does the Reverse Knee On Belly come from?
The reverse knee-on-belly developed as a transitional and attacking position in BJJ, particularly valued for its access to leg attacks and unique submission angles. It has become more commonly used as leg attack systems have expanded in modern grappling.
Is the Reverse Knee On Belly 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 Reverse Knee On Belly?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Reverse Knee On Belly?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Position → Stabilize → Maintain → Attack.
How do I defend against the Reverse Knee On Belly?
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 Reverse Knee On Belly?
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 Reverse Knee On Belly in competition?
Used in BJJ competition as a transitional and attacking position.
What are common mistakes when doing the Reverse Knee On Belly?
Top errors to watch for: Facing the legs without controlling the opponent — maintain knee pressure and grip control in the reverse position / Spinning to reverse without maintaining pressure — the transition must keep weight on the opponent throughout / Not attacking from reverse knee on belly — the position offers unique angles that must be exploited / Using reverse knee on belly without a plan — know which attacks you're setting up before spinning.
What are other names for the Reverse Knee On Belly?
The Reverse Knee On Belly is also known as Ribāsu Nī On Berī, Reverse Knee Ride, Backwards Knee on Belly, Reverse KOB.