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Submission · Leg lock · Intermediate
IntermediateLeg lockGi & no-giIBJJF: brown & black belts only
Kneebar (Hiza Juji Gatame)
A submission (leg lock) you hit from Leg entanglement (Ashi Garami), Saddle (Inside Sankaku), Deep half guard and Reverse De La Riva. Intermediate level.
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Starts from
Get to one of these positions first, then look for the kneebar.
Key steps
Leg lock. Tap early in training, and let go as soon as your partner taps.
- Trap their leg between your legs
- Hug their foot to your chest
- Put their kneecap against your hip
- Arch back
If they defend it
They bend the knee: switch to the toe hold.
Common mistakes
Common mistake
Their knee sitting up on your belly, so your hips have nothing to push against.
Key details
- IBJJF: legal only for brown and black belts (adult and master)
- The kneecap goes past your hip; keep their leg straight
How to defend it
Caught in it?
How to escape itLearn the early defense, the escape and when to tap.
Related positions & techniques
- Defend it
- How to escape the kneebar
- Similar submissions
- Straight ankle lockOutside heel hookInside heel hookToe holdCalf slicerEstima lock
- In courses
- Open guard setHalf guard setLeg lock set
Safety and research
Train this safely
Learn it under a coach, apply it slowly, and tap early when you’re caught. Check your gym’s and tournament’s rules first.
Read about itGrapplearts articlesBJJ Heroes
Practice
Quick checkKneebar (Hiza Juji Gatame) quick check4 questions
My notes
Saved automatically.
More from these positionsOther techniques that start where this one does
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