We ranked the most useful BJJ Fanatics knee bar instructionals using r/bjj community feedback, coach-tested structure, and real applicability for gi and no-gi. Find the right course for you.
The Total Kneebar Tutorial
A complete, practical knee bar system that improves finishing fast.
You Can't Kneebar
Modern kneebar threats from leg entanglements with sharp counters.
King KneeBar
Chainable knee bar attacks with drills that stick fast.
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🥋 #1 The Total Kneebar Tutorial by Dave Porter
Instructor: Dave Porter
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Hip line control matters
Techniques: Kneebar, Bottom Half Kneebar, Finishing Mechanics
- Knee Bar by Vlad Koulikov – Sambo-flavored mechanics with creative entries.
- Championship Catch Wrestling: The Knee Bar – Catch wrestling perspective with pressure-heavy finishes.
- The Compass Kneebar System – Concepts and drills for structure and retention.
This is a structured blueprint for hunting and finishing knee bars from common positions. You learn setups, controls, and details that stop common escapes. You will not get flashy trick shots with no context.
✅ Pros
- Systematic structure connects entries to reliable finishes.
- Troubleshooting teaches you to fix common problems mid-attack.
- Good balance of safety cues and aggression.
⚠️ Cons
- Focuses on knee bars over wider leg lock meta.
- Production does not list total runtime.
- Less emphasis on pure gi lapel-based setups.
💡 I saw students raise kneebar conversions quickly once they applied the hip-line control and two-hand finishing sequence from this set. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 You Can't Kneebar by Craig Jones
Instructor: Craig Jones
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Entries that chain threats
Techniques: Z Guard Kneebar, Go Behind Kneebar, Inside Ashi Kneebar
- The Total Kneebar Tutorial – More beginner-friendly structure.
- King KneeBar – Chain attacks with accessible entries.
This course upgrades your kneebar inside the leg lock meta. You learn reliable entries from Z guard, turtle, and inside ashi with finishing options. You will not get gi-specific lapel setups.
✅ Pros
- Great no-gi entries that fit modern meta.
- Links kneebars to triangles and back attacks.
- High-level details from an ADCC medalist.
⚠️ Cons
- Assumes comfort with leg entanglements.
- Some catalog overlap across Jones releases.
- Pricey compared to shorter sets.
💡 I saw best results when students first stabilized inside ashi control, then applied his go-behind sequence to stop the common slip-and-spin defense. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 King KneeBar by Bendy & Katie Casimir
Instructor: Bendy & Katie Casimir
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 24 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Keep posts connected
Techniques: Dog Bar, Pigeon Post, Half Guard Kneebar
- The Knee-Barges Leg Attack System – Shorter course with world-class gi perspective.
- The Compass Kneebar System – Concept layering and live-scenario drills.
You get a practical module of entries, counters, and finishers that flow together. Drills teach you to keep control while partners scramble. You will not learn lapel feeding or competition rules nuances.
✅ Pros
- Attacks connect naturally during back exchanges.
- Drill progressions build timing under resistance.
- Clear, friendly coaching makes it accessible.
⚠️ Cons
- Light on gi-specific variations.
- Assumes basic leg entanglement awareness.
- Runtime not clearly listed.
💡 I saw rapid improvement when students drilled the pigeon post to dog bar sequence before trying full-speed entries. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 The Compass Kneebar System by Charles Harriott
Instructor: Charles Harriott
Style: Conceptual, Drill Heavy, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Direction dictates finish
Techniques: Russian Cowboy, Saddle To Kneebar, Control The Spin
- Knee Bar by Vlad Koulikov – More technique collection for quick adds.
- You Can't Kneebar – Advanced no-gi entries and counters.
You learn a directional model to enter, finish, and recover top. Drills teach staying attached while partners spin. You will not get deep lapel-based gi variations.
✅ Pros
- Model helps you solve problems mid-roll.
- Back-to-top pathways increase safety and scoring.
- Good for coaches building lesson blocks.
⚠️ Cons
- Talkier than a straight move list.
- Lighter on gi-specific material.
- Assumes basic leg lock safety understanding.
💡 I found the compass idea helps athletes choose the right fall direction without hesitating, which raises finish percentage. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Championship Catch Wrestling: The Knee Bar by Josh Barnett
Instructor: Josh Barnett
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 26 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Ride, pin, then finish
Techniques: Inverted Kneebar, Knee Ride Entry, Finishing Against Defense
- Knee Bar by Vlad Koulikov – Sambo/BJJ crossover with creative setups.
- You Can't Kneebar – More bottom and scramble entries.
You get top-first, pressure-driven knee bars with clear names and drills. It suits wrestlers and pressure passers. You will not find many elaborate guard-to-ashi bottom chains.
✅ Pros
- Heavy pressure makes escapes harder.
- Organized entries from typical top routes.
- Strong teaching presence and pacing.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited bottom game coverage.
- Terminology differs from common BJJ labels.
- Highest price on this list.
💡 I saw wrestlers adopt the knee ride and near-side entries quickly because they mirror familiar pin transitions. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Knee Bar by Vlad Koulikov
Instructor: Vlad Koulikov
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 13 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Creativity raises entries
Techniques: Rolling Kneebar, Inverted Kneebar, Sumi Gaeshi Kneebar
- Sambo Academy: Kneebars – More drills and dual-control concepts.
- The Total Kneebar Tutorial – Structured BJJ-first system.
You get inventive entries and solid finishing mechanics. It is great for expanding beyond standard BJJ paths. You will not find many gi lapel variations or rule breakdowns.
✅ Pros
- Inventive entries you will not see elsewhere.
- Clear mechanics and safety cues.
- Competition examples show timing.
⚠️ Cons
- Naming conventions differ from BJJ norm.
- Rolling entries can intimidate beginners.
- Not much gi-specific content.
💡 I like how Vlad pairs breaking mechanics with entries so you do not chase loose grips. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 The Knee-Barges Leg Attack System by Gabriel Arges
Instructor: Gabriel Arges
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 44 hours and 49 minutes
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: Finish clean in gi
Techniques: Toe Hold To Kneebar, Reverse Half Guard Kneebar, Knee Shield Kneebar
- King KneeBar – More volume and chain attacks.
- The Total Kneebar Tutorial – Deeper structure for consistent finishing.
You get specific finishes and transitions proven in high-level gi matches. The lessons are short and focused. You will not get a long-form system or extensive bottom chains.
✅ Pros
- Competition-proven finishes.
- Fast lessons for quick wins.
- Good toe-hold to kneebar transitions.
⚠️ Cons
- Very short runtime for many buyers.
- Not a comprehensive system.
- Less no-gi applicability.
💡 I suggest using this as a finisher add-on for gi days rather than a primary curriculum. Recommendation: Skip.
🥋 #8 The Kneebar Masterclass by Jarbem Pacheco
Instructor: Jarbem Pacheco
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 38 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Half guard timing
Techniques: Half Guard Kneebar, Dog Bar, Gi Kneebar
- King KneeBar – More drill volume and chain ideas.
- The Total Kneebar Tutorial – Broader, more established system.
You learn reliable knee bars from half guard and passing reactions. The set includes a gi-focused volume for mixed training. You will not get advanced ashi chains or tournament rule deep-dives.
✅ Pros
- Covers both gi and no-gi.
- Good half guard entries with cues.
- Clear teaching voice and pacing.
⚠️ Cons
- Smaller community footprint than top names.
- Not focused on modern ashi meta.
- Runtime not listed.
💡 I like this as a bridge for gi-heavy teams testing no-gi knee bars without switching systems. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #9 Sambo Academy: Kneebars by Ivan Vasylchuk
Instructor: Ivan Vasylchuk
Style: Drill Heavy, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 37 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Dual control matters
Techniques: Dual Control Finish, Counter Kneebar, Drills
- Knee Bar by Vlad Koulikov – Similar sambo influence with BJJ crossover.
- Championship Catch Wrestling: The Knee Bar – Another non-BJJ lens with heavy pressure.
You learn sambo finishing mechanics and counters that tighten control. Drills make the lessons stick. You will not get much gi-specific content or BJJ naming conventions.
✅ Pros
- Concise lessons with clear goals.
- Useful counters when knee bars stall.
- Good for cross-training perspectives.
⚠️ Cons
- Not BJJ terminology first.
- Limited gi examples.
- Less community chatter than bigger names.
💡 I like dual-control cues to stop the late hip-turn escape that kills most beginner knee bars. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Are kneebars legal in IBJJF and when should you train them?
IBJJF allows kneebars for adult brown and black in no-gi, and for adult brown and black in gi under current rule sets. White belts cannot use kneebars. If you train at mixed levels, build safety habits first: clamp the hip line before extending, keep clear verbal taps and slow finishes, and avoid rolling entries with new partners. Use conceptual sets like The Compass Kneebar to teach control and get-back-on-top routes before chasing spinning finishes.
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