Sambo-style knee bars with dual-control and counters.
The Bottom Line
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.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: sambo-curious BJJ folks
Skip if: you want gi focus
Tech focus: Dual Control Finish, Counter Kneebar, Drills
Biggest takeaway: Dual control matters
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
World champ in combat sambo, Vasylchuk teaches dual-control finishing, counters, and recovery methods. Ten lessons across three parts make it digestible for BJJ cross-trainers.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Kneebar
- Dual Control Finish
- Counter Kneebar
- Rear Bodylock Kneebar
- Drills
- Top And Bottom Entries
Format & Level
- Instructional style: Drill Heavy, System Based
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 1 hour and 37 minutes
- Volumes: 3
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like dual-control cues to stop the late hip-turn escape that kills most beginner knee bars.
Why Ivan Vasylchuk?
Ivan Vasylchuk is a combat sambo world champion who focuses on practical, high-percentage leg lock mechanics and counter-attacks.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- r/bjj often recommends sambo sources for knee bars.
- Cross-training fans say sambo mechanics tighten finishes.
- Helpful if you want leg locks without deep heel hook study.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some prefer BJJ-specific labeling and guards.
- Thin community feedback on this exact course.
Smart Alternatives
- Knee Bar by Vlad Koulikov – Similar sambo influence with BJJ crossover. (Price: $79.00, 2 vols)
- Championship Catch Wrestling: The Knee Bar – Another non-BJJ lens with heavy pressure. (Price: $127.00, 3 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View Sambo Academy: Kneebars on BJJ Fanatics
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
