Knee Slice Pass: The #1 Guard Pass in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts | Last Updated: February 1, 2026
If you could only learn one guard pass for the rest of your life, it should be the Knee Slice Pass.
Also known as the Knee Cut, this technique is the perfect blend of speed, pressure, and stability. It works in the Gi, it works in No-Gi, and it works in MMA. World Champions like Lucas Lepri and Romulo Barral have built entire careers around this single move.
In this guide, we break down the mechanics of the Knee Slice and how to smash through any guard.
Table of Contents
What is the Knee Slice Pass?
The Knee Slice Pass involves driving your knee diagonally across your opponent’s thigh to pin their leg to the mat.
- The Wedge: Your shin acts as a wedge, splitting their legs apart.
- The Pin: By driving your knee to the mat, you pin their bottom leg, preventing them from following you.
- The Slide: Once pinned, you slide your hips through to secure Side Control.
As Evolve MMA explains, the key is to not just “fall” over. You must drive with intent, cutting through their guard like a knife.
The 3 Essential Mechanics
To make your pass unstoppable, you need three things:
1. The Underhook (The King of Grips)
You absolutely need an underhook on the far side.
- Why? If you don’t have an underhook, they will take your back.
- The Rule: “Win the underhook, win the pass.” If you can’t get the underhook, grab a collar grip or pin their wrist to the mat.
2. Head Position (The Steering Wheel)
Where your head goes, your body follows.
- Don’t Look Down: If you look at their legs, they can push your head away.
- Look Forward: Drive your head into their far shoulder or mat next to their head. This flattens their spine and kills their bridge.
3. The Angle (The Cut)
Don’t pass straight forward. Pass at a 45-degree angle. This aligns your spine for maximum power and makes it harder for them to frame against you.
Step-by-Step: Passing the Half Guard
The most common place to hit this is from top Half Guard.
- Free the Knee: If your knee is trapped, use your free foot to push their leg down and pop your knee out.
- The Cut: Drive your knee across their thigh, aiming for the mat next to their hip.
- Secure Grips: Dig for the underhook immediately. Pull up on their far elbow to flatten them.
- The Slide: Don’t just lift your foot. Slide your foot out along the mat (like scraping gum off your shoe) to prevent them from catching you in Quarter Guard.
Troubleshooting: Why You Get Stuck
Problem: They catch my foot in Quarter Guard.
This is annoying.
Solution: Don’t panic. Drive your knee to the mat, backstep with your free leg to hook their ankle, and kick your trapped leg free.
Problem: They are framing my neck.
You can’t get close.
Solution: Switch to the Long Step Pass. If they push you away, use that energy to explode to the other side.
Problem: They have a Knee Shield.
You can’t start the cut.
Solution: You must weave your arm inside to smash the legs together or use a “C-Grip” on their pants to punch the knee down before you cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Knee Slice hurt the opponent?
It can be uncomfortable because of the pressure, but it is a safe, legal technique. It is not “dirty” unless you are intentionally dropping your knee on their groin (don’t do that).
Can I do this against Reverse De La Riva?
Yes, but it is harder. The Reverse De La Riva is designed to stop the Knee Slice. You often need to clear the hook first before cutting.
Conclusion
The Knee Slice Pass is the bread and butter of guard passing. It relies on leverage, not just weight.
Focus on the underhook. If you have the underhook, you are 90% passed.