Kneebar
Also known as knee bar, hiza juji gatame, straight knee lock
A straight leg lock that controls the hips and knee while extending the leg between the attacker's body and arms.
At a glance
- Family
- Submission
- Format
- Gi & no-gi
- Level
- Advanced
- Connections
- 4 techniques
Concept
What it is
The kneebar resembles an armbar applied to the leg: the attacker controls the opponent's hip rotation, traps the thigh between the legs, and aligns the knee with the hips.
Entries appear from top half guard, K guard, saddle, 50/50, and rolling transitions. Because the defender can rotate the leg and because the knee has limited warning under load, controlled alignment matters more than fast extension.
Core mechanics
Key principles
- Control the opponent's hip so the knee cannot freely rotate.
- Keep your knees connected above the captured knee line.
- Align the kneecap before applying any extension.
- Finish slowly and release immediately on a tap.
System map
How it connects
Jiu-jitsu techniques work in sequences. These are common conceptual routes in, productive next steps, and the defensive priorities that shape the exchange.
Common entries
K guard
Capture the far leg and extend into hip control.
Top half guard
Backstep around the trapped leg while keeping the opponent's hips contained.
Saddle
Change from rotational control to a straight line through the knee.
Next actions
Inside heel hook
Change to rotational control only where legal and safely supervised.
50/50
Re-entangle the leg if the opponent turns the knee line.
Top position
Follow the defensive rotation and settle above the hips.
Defensive priorities
Bend the knee
Recover heel-to-hip connection before the leg is fully aligned.
Clear the hip line
Move the knee outside the attacker's leg control before rotating.
Turn with the kneecap
Match the leg's alignment while separating the attacker's knees.
Competition connections
Athletes associated with Kneebar
Keep exploring
Related techniques
Guard
K Guard
A close-range open guard that wedges beneath the opponent's hip to access the far leg, off-balance, or enter leg entanglements.
Submission
Inside Heel Hook
A rotational leg submission that controls the knee line and turns the exposed heel inward; it demands advanced supervision and early tapping.
Guard
50/50 Guard
A mirrored leg entanglement in which both athletes control a leg, creating battles over balance, knee line, heel exposure, and top position.
Submission
Straight Ankle Lock
A linear foot and ankle submission commonly attacked from straight ashi and related one-leg entanglements.
Rules and reference sources
Rules evolve. The official organizer documents below are the source of truth for competition legality; the guide above explains the technique conceptually.