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Genou sur ventre (Joelho na Barriga)

Quick Introduction​

Genou sur ventre is a high-pressure transitional immobilization position where you place your knee or shin on the opponent's torso while maintaining a wide base. This position scores points in sport BJJ, creates extreme discomfort for the opponent, and serves as an excellent platform for forcing reactions, setting up submissions, and transitioning to more dominant positions. The beauty of genou sur ventre lies in its offensive versatility - your hands are free to attack while maintaining the constant threat of returning to contrôle latéral or advancing to mount.

Position Overview​

Station: Immobilization

Achieved from: Contrôle latéral, guard passes, scrambles, transitions from guard passing

Leads to: Front Mount, Back Mount, Armbar, collar chokes, transitions back to Contrôle latéral

Points: 2 points (in addition to the 3 points from contrôle latéral pass = 5 total in IBJJF rules)

Genou sur ventre Variations (3 Main Positions)​

⚡ Standard Genou sur ventre (Maximum Pressure)​

Objective

Create maximum pressure on opponent's diaphragm to force defensive reactions; maintain mobile platform for attacks; keep opponent flat and unable to turn while freeing hands for grips and submissions

Main Characteristic

Knee or shin placed on opponent's belly/sternum with wide tripod base; body weight drives through posted knee creating uncomfortable pressure that limits breathing and forces reactions

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. From contrôle latéral, establish strong crossface and hip control
  2. Step near leg over opponent's belly (knee points toward their face)
  3. Plant knee/shin firmly on belly or lower sternum
  4. Far leg posted wide behind you for stable tripod base
  5. Near hand controls collar at neck or establishes high grip
  6. Far hand controls belt/pants at far hip
  7. Lean body weight forward through knee (creates pressure)
  8. Distribute weight between posted knee and far leg (approximately 70/30)
  9. Keep hips low and centered over opponent
  10. Stay on balls of feet, ready to move in any direction
  11. Maintain constant downward pressure through knee
  12. React immediately to any escape attempt with transitions

Key Control Guidelines

  • Knee placement: Middle of belly (diaphragm) for maximum discomfort; lower sternum for more stability
  • Base management: Wide tripod stance - far leg posted far back, near foot close for quick reactions
  • Weight distribution: Drive pressure through knee, not just resting on top
  • Grip strategy: High collar grip controls posture; hip grip prevents shrimping
  • Head position: Stay over opponent, looking down at their torso
  • Hip mobility: Keep hips low but mobile for quick transitions

Tactical Advantage

Extremely uncomfortable for opponent; forces immediate reactions; scores additional 2 points; excellent for transitions; hands free for attacks; creates submission opportunities; opponent must deal with pressure immediately giving you initiative; maintains threat of returning to contrôle latéral which prevents aggressive escape attempts

🎯 Knee on Sternum (Submission Setup)​

Objective

Position knee higher on chest for better submission setups; control opponent's upper body more directly; set up collar chokes and arm attacks from elevated position

Main Characteristic

Knee placed on sternum/chest rather than belly; creates different angle of pressure focusing on upper body control; better for gi chokes and arm isolation

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. From standard genou sur ventre, step knee higher toward chest
  2. Place knee/shin across lower sternum (not ribs - avoid injury)
  3. Maintain same wide base with far leg posted back
  4. Near hand establishes deep collar grip (cross collar or same side)
  5. Far hand can control sleeve, pants, or establish second collar grip
  6. Pressure drives through knee into chest cavity
  7. Keep opponent's head controlled with grips
  8. Watch for arm isolation opportunities
  9. Set up collar chokes by controlling both lapels
  10. Transition to mount or armbar as opportunities present

Tactical Advantage

Better angle for collar chokes; easier arm isolation for armbars; controls opponent's breathing and upper body; excellent for gi-based attacks; makes it harder for opponent to use frames; creates different pressure angle that is difficult to escape

🔄 Reverse Genou sur ventre (Transitional)​

Objective

Alternative angle for genou sur ventre when opponent turns away; maintain pressure while preparing for back take or far-side attacks

Main Characteristic

Knee positioned on opponent's belly while facing their legs rather than their head; typically occurs during transitions when opponent attempts to turn away

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Occurs when opponent attempts to turn away from standard position
  2. Step over with near leg, placing genou sur ventre
  3. Face toward opponent's legs rather than head
  4. Far leg posted for base
  5. Control far hip with near hand
  6. Control near shoulder/collar with far hand
  7. Maintain pressure through knee
  8. Prepare for transition to back mount as opponent continues turning
  9. Can also attack far-side arm or return to standard position
  10. Stay mobile and ready to follow opponent's movement

Alternative Path

Transition to back mount:

  1. As opponent turns to escape, maintain knee pressure
  2. Establish seatbelt grip over their shoulder
  3. Insert near-side hook as they turn
  4. Complete back take with second hook

Tactical Advantage

Excellent transitional position; natural setup for back take; keeps pressure during opponent's escape attempts; demonstrates principle of following opponent's movement; prevents opponent from escaping to turtle or getting to knees

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Pressure + Mobility - Must maintain uncomfortable pressure while staying mobile enough to transition on reactions
  2. 💪 Wide base essential - Far leg posted far back creates stable tripod; prevents sweeps and allows quick transitions
  3. ⏱️ Transitional mindset - This is not a final position; force reactions and capitalize on them
  4. 🔄 Constant threat - Opponent must defend against pressure, submissions, AND transitions simultaneously
  5. 🎮 Grip strategy critical - High collar grip + hip grip = maximum control with minimum commitment
  6. 📍 Balance over commitment - Stay ready to move; don't commit too much weight or you lose mobility
  7. 🎪 Follow the reaction - Opponent's defensive movements show your next opportunity

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Weight Distribution: Pressure through knee creates discomfort, but wide base maintains stability and mobility
  • Space Management: Keep opponent flat; prevent frames by controlling grips and maintaining pressure
  • Action-Reaction: Position designed to force opponent's reactions; capitalize on their movements
  • Table Theory: Opponent still on their back but one knee prevents them from establishing frames effectively
  • Dynamic Control: Most dynamic immobilization; requires constant adjustment and readiness to transition
  • Offensive Positioning: Hands freed for attacks while maintaining control - rare combination in grappling

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Standing too upright - Lose ability to pressure and control; easy to sweep or push away; must stay low over opponent

⚠️ Narrow base - Far leg too close makes you unstable and easy to sweep; must post leg far behind for strong tripod

⚠️ Static pressure - Staying in position too long without attacking; opponent times escapes; must constantly threaten transitions and submissions

⚠️ Wrong knee placement - Too high on ribs (injury risk); too low on hips (easy to escape); target belly/lower sternum

⚠️ Poor grip control - Both hands free but no grips = opponent can push knee and escape; maintain at least one strong grip always

⚠️ Over-committing - Putting all weight into knee loses mobility; can't react to escapes; balance pressure with readiness

⚠️ Ignoring far hip - Not controlling far hip allows opponent to shrimp and create space; far hip control prevents escape

⚠️ Forgetting contrôle latéral threat - If you lose the threat of returning to contrôle latéral, opponent escapes more aggressively; maintain this psychological pressure

Submission Options from Genou sur ventre​

Direct Submissions​

Collar Chokes (Gi)

  • Cross collar choke using high collar grips
  • Baseball bat choke when opponent turns
  • Bow and arrow choke during transitions
  • Loop choke if opponent reaches across

Armbars

  • Step over armbar when opponent frames
  • Spinning armbar when opponent reaches to push knee
  • Reverse armbar if opponent turns away

Kimura/Americana

  • Available when opponent reaches to defend
  • Particularly accessible when they try to push knee away

Transition-Based Attacks​

From Genou sur ventre to Mount

  • Opponent pulls knee → swing leg over to mount
  • Natural progression for position advancement

From Genou sur ventre to Back

  • Opponent turns away → establish seatbelt and hooks
  • One of the most common back take entries

Training Progressions (4 Levels)​

Level 1: Foundation (White Belt)​

Goal: Establish stable genou sur ventre and maintain against passive resistance

Drills:

  1. Static hold drill - Hold genou sur ventre position for 30-60 seconds with partner offering light resistance
  2. Base recovery - Partner pushes your knee; recover position without losing base
  3. Contrôle latéral to genou sur ventre - Flow between positions 10 times each side
  4. Knee placement practice - Find optimal pressure point on different body types

Success Metrics: Hold position 30+ seconds; maintain wide base; create noticeable pressure

Level 2: Control (Blue Belt)​

Goal: Maintain position against active escape attempts; understand grip strategies

Drills:

  1. Escape defense - Partner attempts 3 common escapes (push knee, bridge, shrimp); maintain position
  2. Grip fighting - Partner tries to break your grips; maintain collar and hip control
  3. Pressure variations - Alternate between belly and sternum placement smoothly
  4. Transition flow - Genou sur ventre → mount → genou sur ventre → contrôle latéral (continuous flow)

Success Metrics: Defend common escapes; maintain grips under pressure; transition smoothly between variations

Level 3: Attacking (Purple Belt)​

Goal: Use position to set up submissions and advanced transitions

Drills:

  1. Submission chains - Attempt collar choke → armbar → kimura based on reactions
  2. Back take setups - Opponent turns away → complete back take with both hooks
  3. Combination attacks - Pressure → grip → attack in rapid succession
  4. Positional sparring - Start from genou sur ventre, partner tries to escape, you maintain or advance

Success Metrics: Complete submissions from position; take back when opponent turns; chain multiple attacks together

Level 4: Mastery (Brown/Black Belt)​

Goal: Use genou sur ventre as strategic pressure tool; force specific reactions; maintain indefinitely against resistance

Drills:

  1. Reaction baiting - Force opponent into specific defensive pattern then capitalize
  2. Pressure timing - Alternate pressure intensity to create openings
  3. Competition simulation - Live rounds starting from position with point scoring
  4. Teaching drill - Explain and demonstrate all principles to lower belts

Success Metrics: Force specific reactions consistently; maintain against high-level resistance; capitalize on subtle defensive errors; use strategically in competition

Troubleshooting Guide​

Problem: Opponent pushes knee away easily​

Causes:

  • Standing too upright without forward pressure
  • Narrow base making you unstable
  • Not controlling opponent's far hip
  • Poor weight distribution

Solutions:

  • Lean forward driving weight through knee
  • Post far leg further back for stronger tripod
  • Maintain firm grip on far hip/belt
  • Keep hips low and centered over opponent
  • Increase pressure immediately when they push

Problem: Getting swept or rolled over​

Causes:

  • Base too narrow (far leg not posted far enough)
  • Weight distribution too committed to knee
  • Standing on toes instead of balls of feet
  • Not reacting to opponent's bridge or roll attempt

Solutions:

  • Post far leg much further back (wide tripod stance)
  • Keep weight balanced between knee and far leg
  • Stay on balls of feet for mobility
  • As opponent bridges, step down to contrôle latéral immediately
  • Always stay lower than you think you need to

Problem: Opponent recovers half guard or full guard​

Causes:

  • Knee too close to opponent's legs
  • Not controlling opponent's hips
  • Staying static too long allowing opponent to plan escape
  • Poor base positioning

Solutions:

  • Keep knee higher on belly, further from their legs
  • Maintain strong far hip control
  • Move and transition constantly; don't stay static
  • Step back to contrôle latéral if they start to recover legs
  • Watch for their legs coming toward yours; react immediately

Problem: Can't maintain position long enough to attack​

Causes:

  • Using too much energy trying to pressure
  • Poor grip strategy
  • Not understanding transitional nature of position
  • Fighting opponent's movements instead of flowing with them

Solutions:

  • Use structure and weight, not pure strength for pressure
  • Establish strong collar and hip grips early
  • Remember this is transitional - attack quickly or move to better position
  • Follow opponent's escape attempts into transitions (don't resist them)
  • If position becomes unstable, return to contrôle latéral rather than losing position completely

Problem: Opponent frames and creates space​

Causes:

  • Standing too high giving them frame opportunities
  • Not controlling their arms/collar
  • Allowing them to get arms inside your grips
  • Knee placement too high or too low

Solutions:

  • Stay lower, chest over their chest
  • Establish high collar grip that controls their posture
  • Control at least one arm at all times
  • Place genou sur ventre/lower sternum (harder to frame)
  • If they establish frame, either break it immediately or transition to attack their extended arm

Belt-Level Expectations​

White Belt (6-12 months)​

Focus: Understand position and establish basic control

  • Hold genou sur ventre against light resistance for 30+ seconds
  • Transition from contrôle latéral to genou sur ventre smoothly
  • Understand concept of wide base and pressure
  • Return to contrôle latéral when position becomes unstable
  • Feel comfortable with basic collar and hip grips

Blue Belt (2-3 years)​

Focus: Maintain position against active resistance; begin attacking

  • Hold position against strong escape attempts
  • Transition between genou sur ventre variations
  • Set up basic collar chokes from position
  • Complete armbar when opponent pushes knee
  • Understand when to maintain vs when to transition
  • Begin using position in live rolling effectively

Purple Belt (4-5 years)​

Focus: Use position strategically; chain attacks; force reactions

  • Hold indefinitely against most opponents
  • Complete submissions regularly from position
  • Transition to back take when opponent turns
  • Use position to force specific defensive reactions
  • Employ in competition strategically for points and attacks
  • Understand pressure timing and psychological aspect

Brown/Black Belt (6+ years)​

Focus: Masterful control; strategic pressure; teaching others

  • Maintain against high-level resistance indefinitely
  • Force specific reactions and capitalize immediately
  • Use position as strategic tool (scoring, resting, attacking)
  • Complete various submissions from position in competition
  • Adjust technique for different body types and skill levels
  • Teach all variations and principles clearly to students

Position Progression​

Guard Passing​

Submissions from Position​

  • Armbar - Step-over and spinning variations
  • Kimura - When opponent reaches to defend
  • Americana - Alternative arm attack option

Fundamental Concepts​