Knee Bar

The knee bar is a leg lock that hyperextends the opponent’s knee joint, applying pressure from various positions such as guard, top control, or leg entanglement systems. Proper application isolates the leg and controls the hips to maximize torque on the knee, creating a high-pressure submission that requires immediate attention from the opponent.

Knee bars are commonly used in no-gi competitions and advanced grappling due to their efficiency and the relative simplicity of the mechanics once control is established. They can also be chained with other leg submissions like heel hooks, toe holds, and calf crushers, forming a comprehensive leg-lock attack system.

Competitors emphasize control, precision, and safety when applying knee bars, as misalignment can reduce effectiveness or lead to injury. Its evolution in modern BJJ demonstrates the growing importance of lower-body submissions in both sport and self-defense contexts.