Atlas/Guard/Knee Shield
Guard position·kimura from underhook (5-6), guillotine when opponent drives in (5-6), loop choke with collar grip

Knee Shield

Top leg frames torso - distance control

Dominance
58
vs 42
Control depth
Distal
Guarding
Transitions
24
outbound
Submissions
28
downstream
//01—About this position

What it is

Half guard variation where the bottom leg wraps one leg while the top leg creates a frame across the torso. The knee and shin act as a barrier to control distance and prevent chest-to-chest pressure. This structure enables both defensive frames and offensive attacks while maintaining space between players.

What you do

The step-by-step execution guide lives in the app — 6-step breakdown, biomechanics, and situational tips.

Open1position detailin the App Store↗
Dominance — Guarding perspective
58 vs 42
Disadvantaged↓ 16Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Shield frames chest - sweep and attack
Dominance — Passing perspective
42 vs 58
Disadvantaged↓ -16Dominant
Control depth · Hinge — Pressure shield knee - clear and pass
//02—Concept tags
CONTROLDEFENCE
//03—Transitions outbound

24 ways out.

All24transitionsin the App Store↗
Knee Shield →
Half Guard to Dogfight
Kneeling half guard - underhook battles, back takes
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Deep Half Guard Entry
Hip penetration beneath opponent - sweep leverage
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield Insert
Shin across hip - distance control, sweep setup
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Kimura from Guard
Shoulder clamped between legs - submission control
Type
Submission entry
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Guillotine from Guard
Arm around neck - choke or takedown
Type
Submission entry
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Z-Guard Sweep
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
Type
Sweep
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Closed Guard
Legs locked around waist - complete distance control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
X-Guard Entry
Crossed leg hooks - explosive sweeps
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Single Leg X Entry
One leg hooked, one elevating - sweep angles
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
De La Riva Hook Entry
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Reverse De La Riva Hook Entry
Reverse leg hook engaged - inverted angles, back access
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Single Leg Control
One leg captured - finish the takedown
Type
Standup
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Technical Stand Up
Equal standing - fight for grips
Type
Standup
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
K-Guard Entry
Knee shield with distance control leg
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Lockdown Entry
Figure-four leg trap - restrict mobility, disrupt base
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Irimi Ashi Entry
Half guard trap plus butterfly hook
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Knee on Belly
Knee on belly - mobile pressure, transition hub
Type
Pass
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Double Underhooks
Both underhooks on legs - lift and stack control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Over-Under Grip
Asymmetric grip - one over one under
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Smash Pressure
Crushing chest pressure - flatten guard structure
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Head-and-Arm Control
Arm trapped to neck - sets up arm triangle and darce
Type
Pass
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Knee Shield →
Knee Shield to Stack Pressure
Stacking weight on shoulders - compressed guard
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Knee Shield →
Leg Drag
Leg dragged across body - modern pass hub
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Knee Shield →
Knee Cut
Knee sliced across the thigh - shear past to pin
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
//04—Submissions downstream

28 finishes live
from this position.

All28submissionsin the App Store↗
SUB-001
Kimura
Guarding
Watch
6/10
SUB-002
Arm-in Guillotine
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-003
Guillotine Choke
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-004
High Elbow Guillotine
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-005
Loop Choke
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-006
Ten Finger Guillotine
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-007
Armbar
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-008
Cross Collar Choke
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-009
Omoplata
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-010
Triangle Choke
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-011
Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-012
Hiza Gatame
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-013
Arm Crush
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-014
Ezekiel Choke
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-015
Goose Neck Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-016
Okuri Eri Jime
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-017
Reverse Triangle
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-018
Reverse Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-019
Straight Armlock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-020
Straight Wristlock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-021
Tarikoplata
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-022
Baratoplata
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-023
Bicep Slicer
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-024
Buggy Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-025
Cryangle
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-026
Gi Tail Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-027
Inverted Armbar
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-028
Monoplata
Guarding
Long
2/10
//05—Linked positions

Browse the graph.

Guard58
Dogfight
Kneeling half guard - underhook battles, back takes
12 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Guard65
Deep Half Guard
Hip penetration beneath opponent - sweep leverage
10 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Guard62
Z-Guard
Shin across hip - distance control, sweep setup
11 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Guard70
Clamp Guard
Shoulder clamped between legs - submission control
8 ↗ transitionsGuarding
// Knee Shield · Guard

Read this position
on your phone.

Open Knee Shield in Grapla for the full detail block, all 24 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.

Download on the
App Store