Making The Knee Cut Pass Look Easy With Lucas Lepri

Posted by Fanatics Authors on December 06, 2018

The Best Knee Cut Pass by Lucas Lepri

If you have been around the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world for some time you will surely have heard of Lucas Lepri. Lepri is a grappler from Brazil. He is one of few who have won all 4 “majors” at the black belt, adult level – The World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Pan American Championships, the European Championship (Brazilian jiu jitsu), and the Brazilian National Jiu Jitsu Championship. He has also won the No gi World Jiu Jitsu Championship and the No gi Pan American Championships multiple times in the lightweight division.

Lucas Lepri isn't just one of the best guard passers in the world, but he's got an incredible sit-up guard, and a system for learning it for every Jiu Jitsu athelete.

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Lucas Lepri is a black belt under Elan Santiago, and a fighter for the Alliance team. He is currently living, training and instructing in Charlotte, North Carolina at Lucas Lepri Brazilian Jiu Jitsu &Fitness, an Alliance affiliate. Lucas is an active world class competitor and instructor. Let’s take a look at what Lepri calls “the best knee cut.” Watch the video below and then we will break down the technique. Check it out!

As you can see this is a very strong and effective technique. Lucas starts out by demonstrating this knee cut pass from De La Riva. He gets a collar grip with his right hand, the same side of his opponent’s De La Riva guard. Lepri explains that once he has the collar grip it is very important to lower himself. Notice that his arm is below Bernardo Faria’s knee as he maintains control over the far leg. This is a very important detail. It does not matter where the opponent grips you with his free hand. He can grab collar or sleeve – it does not matter. Lucas relives pressure from the De La Riva by pulling his opponent into him and closing his elbow. From here he has the proper grips to pull the collar and the leg causing the hips of his training partner to go over as he ends up on his side. Lucas Lepri points out that your opponent needs to be up on his side – you can’t effectively attack him with his back on the floor. You will see that Lepri remains nice and tight in this position, with maximal connectivity to his opponent’s body by still maintaining the collar grip and his knee pressuring the thigh. When Lucas’ opponent frames away he grabs his arm behind the elbow to control his other shoulder. Now he can lean forward and cut his knee, making sure it is pointed towards the floor, close to the rib. Lucas pivots on his other foot and from here when his opponent tries to escape he uses his grips to control the situation.

There are a lot of small details that make this knee cut pass so effective. It is a great way to maintain an opponent’s control, staying connected to them with strong grips, and eliminating their ability to successfully defend by isolating and controlling their limbs. Keep this one in mind the next time you are practicing De La Riva guard passing, the knee is a powerful tool to pass with from this position. It could even be the deciding factor in winning a competitive match. What are you waiting for? Get out there and train your knee cut passing!