Kneebars

Kneebars are leg submission holds that hyperextend the knee by isolating an opponent’s leg and applying leverage through hip and arm control. They are common in submission grappling disciplines such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo, and mixed martial arts.

To execute a kneebar, the attacker traps one leg, often wrapping the arm around the opponent’s leg and using a figure-four with their own legs or arms to create a lever. The hips are driven to extend the knee while the defender’s hip and thigh serve as a fulcrum. The finish is reached when the knee is forced toward hyperextension; the opponent typically taps to signal submission and avoid injury.

Variations include the inside kneebar, outside kneebar, cross kneebar, straight kneebar, and figure-four kneebar. Kneebars can be applied from several positions, including the top or bottom of the guard, side control, mount, and various leg-entanglement positions such as 50/50.

Safety and rules: Kneebars carry a risk of knee injury if submitted improperly or held too long. Many competition rule sets regulate leg locks and require safe technique; trainees are advised to progress gradually under supervision and to tap when in danger.