Knee Slice Pass: A White Belt's Biomechanical Guide

1. Grip: Secure a cross-collar grip with your right hand and a same-side sleeve grip (e.g., opponent's left sleeve) with your left hand.
2. Base: Establish a wide, stable base with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
3. Hip Angle: Angle your hips towards your opponent's left side, creating a slight diagonal line.
4. Knee Placement: Drive your right knee forward, aiming to place it just inside your opponent's left thigh, perpendicular to their hip.
5. Weight Transfer: Shift your weight onto your right knee and the ball of your left foot, lowering your center of gravity.
6. Hip Drive: Simultaneously, drive your hips forward and slightly down, forcing your right knee to slice between their legs.
7. Clearing the Leg: Use your left arm to control their sleeve and prevent them from regripping, while your right arm maintains collar control.
8. Transition to Side Control: Once their left leg is displaced, step your left foot back and drive your right shoulder into their chest, securing side control.

• Incorrect Knee Placement: Driving your knee directly into the opponent's shin or ankle can hyperextend their knee or cause a direct ligament tear (ACL/MCL) if they resist forcefully. The correct placement is to slice *between* their thigh and torso.
• Standing Up Too Early: Attempting to stand up with your opponent still in a strong guard position can lead to your lower back being strained or injured if they execute a sweep. Maintain a low base and drive forward through the pass.
• Over-Extending the Neck: When maintaining the collar grip, if you pull your opponent's head too far towards you while they are resisting with their legs, you can strain your neck muscles or even injure your cervical spine. Keep your head neutral and focus on driving with your hips and legs.

1. Solo Hip Escape & Knee Slice Motion: Practice driving your knee forward and slicing motion without a partner. (50 reps per side)
2. Partner: Static Knee Slice Setup: Partner lies on their back, you establish grips and hip angle. Practice driving the knee and hip forward without pressure. (20 reps per side)
3. Partner: Gentle Resistance Knee Slice: Partner offers minimal resistance (e.g., just holding your arms). Focus on the hip drive and clearing their leg. (20 reps per side, 25% resistance)
4. Partner: Light Resistance Half-Guard Pass: Start in half-guard. Partner offers light leg resistance. Focus on the knee slice mechanics. (30 reps per side, 50% resistance)
5. Partner: Controlled Knee Slice Pass: Work with a partner who understands the technique. Focus on executing the full pass with controlled pressure. (10 reps per side, 75% resistance)
6. Live Rolling: Integrated Knee Slice Pass: Attempt the knee slice pass during live rolling when the opportunity arises. (5 minutes, 90-100% resistance)

• WHEN TO ATTEMPT:
• When opponent has you in half-guard and is trying to establish an underhook.
• When opponent is in closed guard and you have broken their grip on your collar.
• When opponent is attempting a spider guard or lasso guard and their legs are extended.
• PRIMARY COUNTERS:
• Back Take: If your opponent creates space by pushing your head away, use your free arm to establish a seatbelt grip and transition to a back take.
• Leg Re-Guard: If the opponent successfully shucks your knee away, immediately re-establish your base and attempt to re-guard or transition to a different pass.
• Knee-on-Belly Transition: If you successfully displace their leg but they try to shrimp away, drive your knee onto their belly to transition to a dominant control position.

Watch step-by-step breakdowns from black belt instructors: