Kneebar

Also known as: Knee Bar · Hiza Juji Gatame · Straight Kneelock

An armbar for the leg: their kneecap points at your chest, their shin hugged to your torso, and your hips extend through the joint.

Submission · Knee Lock · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt

Starts from Saddle as the attacking player → ends the match (submission).

The details that make it work

1. From the saddle, transition your hips level with their knee, both legs pinching their thigh.
2. Hug the shin like an armbar wrist — heel trapped at your shoulder or armpit.
3. Hips drive forward THROUGH the kneecap; squeeze your knees so their leg cannot rotate free.

Where it goes wrong

• Attacking with their kneecap pointed sideways — no alignment, no lock, and the heel hook was right there.

How opponents counter it

• Triangle your legs and hide the knee rotation
• Roll to face the attack and stack forward

Is the Kneebar legal in competition?

IBJJF: brown and black belt only. Legal in ADCC and sub-only.

Related techniques

• Toe Hold
• Inside Heel Hook from the Saddle
• Straight Ankle Lock
• Imanari Roll

All moves from Saddle · Back to Grapplepedia