A research-backed roundup of the most useful BJJ Fanatics instructionals for knee on belly offense and escapes, ranked by community reception, system quality, and applicability.
Precise Side Control & Knee On Belly Attacks
A champion's blueprint for turning knee on belly into reliable chokes, armbars, and back takes.
Basics To Advanced: The Knee on Belly Attack Encyclopedia
A complete knee on belly system for gi and no-gi, built on control then submissions.
Side Control Masterclass
A complete side control system with multiple knee on belly modules and drills.
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🥋 #1 Precise Side Control & Knee On Belly Attacks by Lucas Lepri
Instructor: Lucas Lepri
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 51 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Funnel reactions reliably
Techniques: Baseball Bat Choke, Paper Cutter Choke, Back Take
- Side Control Masterclass – Deeper side control with full knee on belly sections.
- Basics To Advanced: Knee on Belly Attack Encyclopedia – Broader KOB roadmap with gi and no-gi.
You will learn how to make knee on belly a hub for predictable reactions. You will see how Lepri flows between side control, KOB, and mount without giving space. You will not get much no-gi content.
✅ Pros
- System ties KOB to side control and mount cleanly.
- Details on lapel grips and timing are crystal clear.
- Short sequences make it easy to drill and teach.
⚠️ Cons
- Primarily gi focused sequences.
- Older KOB content from Lepri gets compared as dated.
- Limited no-gi adaptations included.
💡 I ranked Lepri first because the sequences create automatic reactions that make knee on belly feel inevitable rather than optional. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Basics To Advanced: The Knee on Belly Attack Encyclopedia by Aaron Benzrihem
Instructor: Aaron Benzrihem
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 13 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Mobility beats strength
Techniques: Ezekiel Choke, Kimura, Chain Attacks
- Knee On Belly Domination - Shorter path if you want quick wins.
- Precise Side Control & Knee On Belly Attacks - Cleaner gi sequences from a world champion.
You will learn hybrid knee rides, control principles, and over 30 submissions. You will practice chaining chokes and armlocks without losing the pin. You will not get advanced competition strategy.
✅ Pros
- Clear progression from control to chains.
- Equal attention to gi and no-gi options.
- Smaller grapplers get specific mobility frameworks.
⚠️ Cons
- Some material overlaps free videos.
- Heavy catalog size can feel overwhelming.
- Not a comp-specific tactics course.
💡 I placed this second because it balances structure with breadth and makes KOB accessible to different body types. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 Side Control Masterclass by Matheus Gonzaga
Instructor: Matheus Gonzaga
Style: System Based, Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 12 hours
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Pins fuel submissions
Techniques: Armbar From Kob, Baseball Bat Choke, Loop Choke
- Precise Side Control & Knee On Belly Attacks - Shorter, tighter sequences with clear funnels.
- Knee On Belly Domination - Faster KOB wins if you want less breadth.
You will learn side control retention and knee on belly attacks as connected pieces. You will drill transitions to mount and back. You will not get much no-gi content.
✅ Pros
- Massive coverage of KOB within a full pinning game.
- Clear path from control to finishes.
- Strong drill sections for retention and transitions.
⚠️ Cons
- Very long runtime to work through.
- Primarily gi based.
- Less competition strategy than specialist sets.
💡 I placed this high because it lets you build knee on belly inside a robust side control ecosystem. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Knee On Belly Domination by Stephen Whittier
Instructor: Stephen Whittier
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Control before pain
Techniques: Hybrid Knee Ride, Transition To Mount, Armbar
- First Principles Escapes: Mount and Knee Ride - Pair offense with knee ride escapes.
- Basics To Advanced: Knee on Belly Attack Encyclopedia - More breadth if you want bigger menus.
You will learn hybrid knee rides and how to keep people stuck. You will get transition and finish options that do not require speed. You will not get elite-tournament breakdowns.
✅ Pros
- Short and practical format.
- Focus on stability and transitions for all ages.
- Useful coaching language for class plans.
⚠️ Cons
- Production value draws criticism.
- Less athlete footage and comp context.
- Limited no-gi specific grips shown.
💡 I slotted this above escapes because many readers first need a reliable knee ride they can hold under pressure. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Escaping From Side Control and Knee on Belly by Ante Dzolic
Instructor: Ante Dzolic
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 4 hours
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Frames beat pressure
Techniques: Reverse Shrimp, Shin In Biceps Reversal, Guard Recovery
- First Principles Escapes: Mount and Knee Ride - Shorter, principle-first framework.
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes (Danaher) - Comprehensive modern escape theory.
You will learn postures, frames, and precise escape routes. You will practice reversals like shin-in-biceps and knee thread. You will not get much finishing from top.
✅ Pros
- Covers common KOB transition counters.
- Principle-first organization helps recall.
- Pairs well with any top KOB course.
⚠️ Cons
- Encyclopedic scope can overwhelm.
- Not focused on top submissions.
- Production layout is utilitarian.
💡 I rated this above other escapes for its coverage of modern KOB transitions and reversals. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 First Principles Escapes: Mount and Knee Ride by Stephen Whittier
Instructor: Stephen Whittier
Style: Conceptual, System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 47 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Principles beat scrambles
Techniques: Bridge And Roll, Stiff Arm Escape, Knee Thread Escape
- Escaping From Side Control and Knee on Belly - Broader bottom escapes including side control problems.
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes (Danaher) - Advanced fundamentals and modern framing theory.
You will learn posture-first escapes that work when you are tired. You will drill a few high-percentage routes rather than dozens of moves. You will not get submission chains.
✅ Pros
- Clear priorities make escapes repeatable.
- Good for limited mobility athletes.
- Pairs well with any KOB offense course.
⚠️ Cons
- Production consistency varies by release.
- Not focused on top game attacks.
- Priced higher than some escape sets.
💡 I included this to pair with offense picks so readers can build both sides of the position. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Old School Crushing Pressure and Submissions by Murilo Bustamante
Instructor: Murilo Bustamante
Style: Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Pressure creates openings
Techniques: Knee On Belly Pressure, Baseball Bat Choke, Armbar From Kob
- Precise Side Control & Knee On Belly Attacks - Cleaner funnels and modern structure.
- Side Control Masterclass - Deeper system with KOB chapters.
You will learn to apply suffocating KOB pressure and finish with classic gi chokes. You will connect side control to KOB and mount. You will not get modern no-gi adaptations.
✅ Pros
- Very affordable entry point.
- Direct KOB choke and armlock finishes.
- Teaches how to make KOB sticky and miserable.
⚠️ Cons
- Old-school emphasis over modern meta.
- Primarily gi focused.
- Less system cohesion than newer sets.
💡 I included this as a budget option that still teaches you how to turn KOB pressure into taps. Recommendation: Skip.
Is knee on belly about pain or control?
Reddit consensus is that knee on belly is not pain compliance; it is controlled pressure to force predictable reactions. Posters emphasize gluing the foot to the hip, using hands to control shoulders and head, and placing the knee along the torso for points. Knee-on-neck or collarbone drives spark ethics debates; some competitors use them briefly to move opponents, but many advise avoiding this in normal training. If your KOB falls apart in no-gi, work on wedges, posture, and transitions rather than trying to pin with grips. For lighter grapplers, mobility-based KOB and chaining to mount or back solves the stability problem.
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