Knee Slice Pass
- BJJ
- Guard Passing
- fundamental
- Open / half guard
- 3 steps
Slice a knee across the thigh to the mat while controlling the upper body, clearing the legs to side control. Also known as the Knee cut or the Knee slide. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the knee slice against open or half guard when the opponent’s knee shield is up or their hips are flat. Get the far-side underhook first, then slice. It works the same in the gi and in no-gi.
Step by step
- 01
Posture in their guard
Get your hips forward and control their upper body with an underhook and a cross-face or shoulder pressure.
- 02
Slice the knee across
Drive your lead knee across their near thigh down toward the mat, keeping a tight underhook on the far side.
- 03
Settle into side control
Clear the legs, drop your chest onto theirs and lock side control with a cross-face and underhook.
Key details
- Keep a deep underhook on the far side so they cannot turn in.
- Slice the knee all the way to the mat. Do not leave it propped.
- Stay chest-to-chest; do not let space open as you cut.
Common mistakes
- Cutting the knee without the underhook, letting them take your back.
- Leaving the knee high so they recover half guard.
- Posturing up and losing the chest connection.
Common counters
Opponents frame on your neck, recover half guard as your knee comes across, or take your back if your underhook is missing. A propped knee lets them re-guard. Slice the knee all the way to the mat.
How to drill it
From half guard, slice through and settle into side control, then switch roles, ten reps on each side. Then do three rounds of two minutes where your partner tries to recover guard.
Related techniques
- Toreando PassBJJPin both legs to one side and circle around them like a bullfighter into side control.
- Double-Under PassBJJScoop both legs with your arms, stack the opponent onto their shoulders and walk around to side control.
- Stack PassBJJStand and drive the opponent’s knees toward their face, then slide around the stacked legs to pass.
Train it with the AI coach