Knee Through

The Knee Through pass is a fundamental half guard passing technique that involves systematically inserting the trapped knee through the opponent’s guard while maintaining upper body control. This pass is particularly effective against defensive half guard players who rely on the knee shield or traditional half guard frames. The technique exploits the natural weakness in the half guard structure when proper shoulder pressure and knee positioning combine to create an overwhelming passing sequence. The Knee Through differs from the Knee Slice in that it emphasizes driving the knee completely through the guard rather than cutting across, making it especially effective when the opponent has a strong underhook or is attempting to recover full guard. This pass forms the cornerstone of pressure-based passing systems and serves as a critical transition between standing passes and consolidated top positions.

Starting Position: Half Guard Ending Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%

Key Principles

• Establish dominant shoulder pressure before initiating knee movement
• Control the opponent’s near side arm to prevent underhook defense
• Drive the knee through in a straight line rather than cutting across
• Maintain connection between hip and shoulder pressure throughout
• Use opponent’s guard retention attempts to accelerate the pass
• Consolidate position immediately after passing to prevent re-guard

Prerequisites

• Top position in half guard with one leg trapped
• Dominant crossface or shoulder pressure established
• Control of opponent’s near arm (wrist, sleeve, or underhook denial)
• Posture allowing forward pressure without compromising base
• Hip positioned to begin knee extraction
• Opponent’s far leg isolated or controlled to prevent full guard recovery

Execution Steps

1. Establish crossface control: Secure a strong crossface across the opponent’s face using your near shoulder, driving their head to the mat while maintaining pressure. Your crossfacing arm can either underhook their far arm or post on the mat for base. This crossface is the anchor point for all subsequent movements. (Timing: Before any leg movement begins)
2. Control near side arm: With your free hand, control the opponent’s near wrist or sleeve to prevent them from establishing an underhook. Alternatively, secure your own underhook first, completely denying their primary defensive frame. This arm control is critical as the underhook is the half guard player’s main defensive weapon. (Timing: Simultaneous with crossface establishment)
3. Align hip and shoulder: Position your hips so they are aligned with your shoulders, creating a straight line of pressure from shoulder through hip into the opponent’s chest. Your trapped leg should be slightly externally rotated to begin creating space for knee extraction. Avoid allowing your hips to lag behind your shoulders. (Timing: As opponent begins to feel pressure)
4. Drive knee forward and through: Begin driving the trapped knee forward in a straight line through the opponent’s guard, not across their body. The motion is similar to a knee slide but with more forward drive. Your knee should track toward the mat on the far side of the opponent’s body, punching through their half guard structure. (Timing: When opponent’s defensive frames are compressed)
5. Clear the bottom leg: As your knee drives through, use small circular motions or a slight hop to clear your foot over the opponent’s bottom leg. Maintain constant forward pressure with your upper body so they cannot use this moment to recover guard. Your shin may briefly drag across their thigh before clearing completely. (Timing: As knee reaches maximum forward extension)
6. Consolidate side control: Once your leg is free, immediately bring your knee to the mat and establish side control position. Your chest should drop to their chest, crossface maintains, and your hips settle into position before they can turn into you or initiate an escape sequence. Secure far arm control or underhook to complete the position. (Timing: Immediately upon leg extraction)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent establishes underhook on near side and drives you away from the pass (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Switch to Knee Slice Pass variation or fight to regain underhook control before continuing. Consider stepping over into mount if underhook creates space.
• Bottom player extends knee shield frame to create distance and prevent shoulder pressure (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Address the knee shield first by driving it down to the mat with your free hand, or transition to Long Step Pass to bypass the frame entirely.
• Opponent hip escapes away from the pass direction, creating space for guard recovery (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their hip movement with your body, maintaining shoulder pressure throughout. Use their escape motion to accelerate your knee through.
• Bottom player locks deep half guard as you attempt to extract your leg (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Abandon the Knee Through and address Deep Half Guard with appropriate counters, or back step to free your leg before re-entering the pass.
• Opponent rolls to turtle position as you pass, denying side control (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Accept the turtle position and attack with back takes, front headlock attacks, or reestablish top pressure in turtle.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Attempting to drive knee through before establishing sufficient shoulder pressure
  • Consequence: Opponent easily frames against your hips and prevents the pass, or recovers full guard
  • Correction: Prioritize crossface and shoulder pressure first. Your upper body controls should be locked in before any leg movement begins.
• Mistake: Allowing opponent to establish underhook during the pass
  • Consequence: Opponent uses underhook to create distance, come to knees, or sweep you
  • Correction: Maintain constant awareness of near side arm control. If you lose the underhook battle, address it immediately before continuing.
• Mistake: Driving knee at an angle instead of straight through
  • Consequence: Your leg cuts across their body instead of clearing, leaving you vulnerable to sweeps or re-guard
  • Correction: Focus on driving your knee in a straight line toward the far side of the mat, not across their centerline.
• Mistake: Rising up on your base to extract the leg
  • Consequence: Loss of pressure allows opponent to create frames, recover guard, or initiate escapes
  • Correction: Stay heavy and connected throughout the pass. Use hip rotation and small movements rather than lifting your body weight.
• Mistake: Failing to consolidate immediately after passing
  • Consequence: Opponent recovers guard or escapes before you establish secure top position
  • Correction: The pass is not complete until side control is fully established. Drop your weight and secure position instantly upon clearing the legs.
• Mistake: Neglecting far leg control during the pass
  • Consequence: Opponent uses far leg to recompose butterfly guard or full guard
  • Correction: Monitor and control the far leg with your free hand or body position to prevent guard recovery.

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Static Position Work (Weeks 1-2) - Crossface and arm control mechanics Start in established half guard top position with partner holding light frames. Practice achieving dominant crossface and near arm control without attempting the pass. Focus on pressure distribution and maintaining connection. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 2: Slow Motion Pass (Weeks 2-4) - Knee insertion and leg extraction Execute the complete Knee Through pass at 25% speed with cooperative partner. Emphasize proper angles, maintaining pressure while moving, and correct clearing mechanics. Partner provides light resistance. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3: Progressive Resistance (Weeks 4-6) - Problem solving against defensive frames Partner actively attempts to prevent the pass using knee shields, hip escapes, and underhook attempts at 50-75% intensity. Practice adapting the technique to different defensive reactions. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4: Combination Passing (Weeks 6-8) - Chaining with other passes Practice transitioning between Knee Through, Knee Slice, and Long Step Pass based on opponent’s reactions. Develop flow between techniques rather than forcing a single option. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 5: Positional Sparring (Weeks 8-10) - Live application with full resistance Start from half guard top position and attempt to pass with full resistance. Reset and repeat multiple rounds. Bottom player works full defensive repertoire. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6: Open Sparring Integration (Weeks 10+) - Technique in live rolling context Apply Knee Through pass during regular training rolls when opportunities arise. Focus on recognizing the correct timing and situations for this particular pass. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Knee Through with Underhook Control: Variation where you secure a deep underhook on the far arm while maintaining crossface. This creates maximum pressure and control but requires excellent hip positioning to extract the leg. The underhook prevents opponent from turning away and makes the pass more secure. (When to use: When opponent is defensive and not actively attempting to sweep or recover guard. Best against players who rely on frames rather than dynamic movement.)

Knee Through to Knee on Belly: After clearing the half guard, instead of settling into side control, immediately transition to knee on belly position. This variation is useful for maintaining mobility and preventing opponent from turning into you during the consolidation phase. (When to use: Against opponents who are very good at side control escapes or when you want to maintain a more dominant scoring position in competition.)

Step Over Knee Through: If opponent’s half guard is particularly stubborn, step your free leg completely over their body before driving the trapped knee through. This creates an asymmetric pressure angle that makes their guard retention much more difficult. (When to use: When the standard Knee Through is being successfully defended, particularly against very flexible opponents with strong leg control.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: Why must shoulder pressure be established before attempting to extract the trapped leg in the Knee Through pass? A: Shoulder pressure compresses the opponent’s defensive frames and limits their ability to create space for guard recovery. Without proper upper body control, the opponent can easily use their hands and knee shield to prevent the pass or even sweep. The pressure also prevents them from sitting up or establishing an effective underhook. Attempting to pass with just leg movement allows the opponent to maintain active frames and control the distance.

Q2: What is the primary difference between the Knee Through pass and the Knee Slice pass? A: The Knee Through drives the trapped knee forward in a straight line through the opponent’s guard structure, punching directly toward the far side of the mat. The Knee Slice cuts the knee across the opponent’s body at an angle, slicing through their guard laterally. The Knee Through is generally more pressure-based and direct, while the Knee Slice incorporates more lateral movement and is often combined with leg weave mechanics.

Q3: How should you respond if your opponent establishes an underhook on your near side during the Knee Through pass? A: The underhook represents a critical defensive frame that must be addressed immediately. You can either switch to alternative passes like the Knee Slice that accommodate the underhook, fight to regain dominant underhook position yourself, or use the space created by their underhook to step over into mount. Continuing to force the Knee Through against a strong underhook typically results in being driven back or swept. The underhook battle must be won before continuing the pass.

Q4: Why is it critical to drive the knee in a straight line rather than cutting across the body? A: Driving straight through penetrates directly into the opponent’s guard structure and makes it difficult for them to follow your movement or maintain their guard. Cutting across at an angle exposes your leg to being recaptured and puts you off-balance, making you vulnerable to sweeps. The straight-line drive also allows you to maintain better shoulder pressure and connection throughout the movement, while an angled cut often requires you to rise up and lose pressure.

Q5: What tactical considerations determine when to use the Knee Through versus other half guard passing options? A: The Knee Through is most effective when you have established dominant upper body control and the opponent is playing a relatively static, defensive half guard. It excels against knee shield and traditional half guard when you can negate their frames with pressure. Choose alternative passes when: opponent has established an underhook (use Knee Slice), they are using dynamic leg configurations like Deep Half Guard (use backstep or leg weave), or they are actively attempting sweeps (address the sweep threat first). The Knee Through requires a pressure-dominant position as a prerequisite.

Q6: How does proper hip alignment contribute to the success of the Knee Through pass? A: Hip alignment with the shoulders creates a unified line of pressure that prevents the opponent from creating angles of escape. If hips lag behind shoulders, a gap opens that the opponent can exploit with frames, hip escapes, or re-guard attempts. Proper alignment also positions the trapped leg optimally for extraction, as the hip angle determines the path of the knee. Additionally, aligned hips allow you to drive forward pressure efficiently through your core rather than relying on arm strength or poor leverage.

Safety Considerations

The Knee Through pass is a relatively safe technique for both practitioners when performed correctly. The primary safety concern is excessive crossface pressure on the opponent’s neck and jaw, which should be firm but controlled to avoid neck strain. Avoid driving the crossface upward into the throat, keeping pressure lateral across the face instead. When extracting your leg, be mindful not to drag your shin forcefully across the opponent’s thigh or knee, which can cause bruising or ligament stress. If the pass is not working, reset rather than forcing movement, as forcing can lead to awkward positions where injuries occur. Practitioners with knee injuries should be cautious about having their legs twisted during the opponent’s extraction phase.

Position Integration

The Knee Through pass represents a fundamental element in the pressure passing system and serves as a critical transitional technique between standing passes and consolidated top control. It integrates seamlessly with the broader half guard passing framework, complementing techniques like the Knee Slice, Long Step Pass, and Underhook Pass. The technique is particularly valuable because it maintains constant pressure throughout the passing sequence, preventing the opponent from generating offensive attacks or transitions. As part of a complete passing system, the Knee Through serves as the default option when shoulder pressure dominates and the opponent lacks dynamic defensive structures. It connects naturally to Side Control consolidation, which then opens the entire top control progression system including transitions to Mount, North-South, and submission attacks.

Related Techniques

• Knee Slice Pass - Alternative half guard pass with lateral cutting motion
• Long Step Pass - Complementary pass when opponent extends knee shield
• Half Guard Pass - General category containing this specific technique
• Underhook Pass - Alternative when you secure dominant underhook
• Smash Pass - Pressure-based alternative with leg weave
• Side Control - Primary ending position after successful pass
• Knee on Belly - Alternative consolidation position after pass
• Kimura from Side Control - Common submission after establishing position
• Darce Choke - Submission opportunity if opponent turns into you during pass
• Deep Half Guard - Counter position opponent may attempt during pass
• Pressure Passing - Foundational principle underlying technique

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The Knee Through pass exemplifies fundamental biomechanical principles of efficient guard passing. The technique’s effectiveness derives from its ability to create a unified pressure system where shoulder, hip, and knee work as a coordinated unit rather than independent components. The critical insight is that the pass begins with upper body dominance, not leg movement. Many practitioners mistakenly believe passing is about freeing the leg, when in reality, the leg extraction is merely a consequence of proper pressure application. The crossface serves as the anchor point that immobilizes the opponent’s upper body, while hip alignment channels force through the core structure. Once these elements are established, the knee moves through the path of least resistance created by the pressure system. This pass also demonstrates the principle of connection maintenance throughout transitions. At no point should daylight appear between your body and the opponent’s, as any separation allows defensive frames to regenerate. The Knee Through represents passing in its most distilled form: establish dominant control, maintain connection, advance position systematically.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the Knee Through pass is one of my highest percentage techniques against defensive half guard players who aren’t creating dynamic attacking positions. The key to making this work at the highest levels is understanding that it’s a pressure pass, not a speed pass. You cannot rush this technique against quality opponents. What makes it competition-viable is its ability to shut down the opponent’s offense while you work the pass. They cannot sweep you, they cannot attack submissions, and they’re constantly defending, which drains their energy and mental focus. I’ve found that combining the Knee Through with strategic grips is crucial. Controlling the near wrist prevents the underhook, but more importantly, it prevents them from posting and creating the frames they need for guard retention. In ADCC-level competition, I often use this pass in combination with the Knee Slice, reading their defensive reactions to determine which technique will complete the pass. If they’re blocking the Knee Through by preventing the crossface, I cut to Knee Slice. If they’re worried about the Knee Slice, the Knee Through becomes available. The pass is also excellent for winning on points because it’s methodical and controlled, minimizing risk of reversal.
• Eddie Bravo: The Knee Through is solid pressure passing fundamentals, and while we use it at 10th Planet, I’m always looking for ways to make traditional techniques more dynamic and harder to defend. One thing I emphasize with this pass is that you don’t always have to complete it to side control in the traditional way. If the opponent is really good at side control escapes, consider passing to knee on belly or even stepping directly to mount if the angle presents itself. We also incorporate the Knee Through as a baiting technique to set up other attacks. Sometimes you show the Knee Through pass, let them defend it with specific reactions, then switch to Darce setups or front headlock attacks when they turn in. The electric chair position from lockdown can actually be countered with a variation of the Knee Through mechanics, where you use the same forward knee drive to clear their lockdown while maintaining top pressure. Don’t be rigid with technique execution. If the standard Knee Through isn’t working, maybe you need to address their lockdown first, or perhaps their specific body type requires you to modify the angle of attack. Stay creative and adaptive.