BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 6 – Knee Shield Passing

Warm Up (5min)

1. Patner Drills
   • Forcing Half Guard

Lesson (25min)

Weave Pass

1. Start in headquarters, with uke using a knee shield
2. Use a lapel grip to anchor onto uke’s upper body, limiting their pushing ability
3. Wedge uke’s hips in place by weaving your arm behind uke’s top leg and in front of their bottom leg
4. Slide your knee forwards over uke’s shin to initiate the guard pass
   • Ensure your knee moves below the level of uke’s knee, where they have no ability to frame
5. Circle in front of uke’s knee shield, then circle back towards their hips to pass to side control
   • Ensure you circle with a series of short steps, with your hips and knees off the floor so that uke cannot re-guard or push you off-balance

Knee Cut Pass

1. Start in headquarters, with uke using a knee shield
2. Use a far side lapel grip to lock onto uke’s upper body
3. Grip uke’s bottom knee and pull both of their legs to the centre, so that both of their knees are pointing upwards
4. Connect your knee and elbow between uke’s legs
5. Come back down to headquarters and get your knee to the mat on uke’s near side
   • Remember to keep your knee and elbow connected
   • Don’t put both knees on the mat, as you will lose hip-to-hip pressure
6. Pivot to the side and pass to side control

Straight Leg Pass

1. Start in half guard, with uke using a knee shield
   • Note that this situation is less ideal for the top player, compared to starting in headquarters
2. Pinch uke’s lower leg between your knees
3. Straighten uke’s lower leg by using a lunging movement, pushing into their calf muscle
   • Ensure you drill this with moderate resistance; uke should be trying to keep their leg bent
4. Pommel the shin of your inside leg over uke’s straightened leg
5. Use the knee of your outside leg to push uke’s legs away and pass to side control