Transition to Knee on Belly

From Side Control to Knee-on-Belly Position

This movement transitions your top control from side pressure to a dominant knee-on-belly, enabling immediate offense and control. It’s beginner-friendly and effective in both Gi and No-Gi, fitting naturally into jiujitsu moves and bjj techniques.

Key Steps

Step-by-step execution

• From solid side control, keep your chest over their chest and secure the near-side underhook while maintaining cross-face control.
• Plant your far hand on the mat near their hip and slightly lift your hips to create a small window.
• Pivot your hips and drive the knee closest to their head up and across their torso, guiding it to rest on their upper abdomen as you begin the transition.
• Swing your far leg over, plant the foot, and establish a stable base with both knees and hips oriented to apply downward pressure.
• Keep your weight forward, drop your top knee to complete the knee-on-belly, and control their far arm or head to prevent escapes.

Application

• Use this transition to convert side control into a more immobilizing top position, set up submissions, or advance to mounted positions. Practice in Gi and No-Gi to build versatility in jiu jitsu moves and bjj techniques.

Mistakes

• Losing hip pressure or turning away from the opponent.
• Not controlling the upper body, allowing frames to form and guard recovery.
• Placing the knee too high or too far, or stepping with the wrong leg.

Tips

• Keep a tight frame, angle your body, and post with the correct hand to avoid being rolled.
• Drill slowly with a partner, then add pressure; beginner-friendly and ideal for building fundamentals in jiujitsu moves.