What To Do When You're Starting BJJ Sparring On Your Knees

[@TheKyra009]

I am a bjj purple belt, who has cerebral palsy so most of my bjj game is from my knees. I can stand but not all the time. So I developed my own way of doing takedowns and throws. That even other teammates have used.

[@mullm5375]

Paulette Smith Please explain! Sounds cool

[@coolsvilleowner]

Awesome! I didnt even know that was possible, but your comment prompted me to do a google search and I found others much like yourself, even a black belt. Inspiring stuff.

[@8095jleon]

Paulette Smith kudos to you rolling with challenges

[@sharaudramey9336]

Awesome

[@iamhereblossom1588]

That's so awesome!

[@MM-ho1rw]

I'm 4 months into bjj, and this is the part I'm struggling with most. Thank you!!!

[@srali7609]

bra me too i got mauled by everyone yesterday since am the only white belt who came into the gym yesterday and i struggle at the very bit

[@AWood28]

You blue by now?

[@milanmatejic2954]

how is your bjj 4 yearls later???

[@eddiesid1149]

How's it going ?

[@slamdunktiger]

One month old white belt, I desperately need this video!

[@StephanKesting]

I'm glad we could help you out! Good luck with your training

[@BrutafulStudios01]

Refreshing to see a white belt not tell a black belt on youtube that he's doing it all wrong.

[@slamdunktiger]

Stinky Puppie gotta have some hespect;)

[@scottpitts5414]

I second this comment. Thank you Professor Kesting. As a new White Belt (been training ~ 3 months) this is the part of rolling with which I am most uncomfortable.

[@carguy3460]

16 month old 4 stripe white belt and I still need it...

[@Dr-Grayson]

Part of the reason I love CSW and why I'm so happy I get to train both CSW and BJJ is because we practice snap downs, takedowns, etc all from the knees as well as standing. Helps avoid some of the confusion in regards to starting on the knees. I also like to use grips as distractions to dig for underhooks and do things like the snap down and knee tap that you showed. Good stuff, definitely extra valuable for beginners. Our instructor also does a lot of situational sparring which I think is also very valuable, starting in a bad situation is a great way to learn.

[@sumlass5956]

It's only been a month since I started. This video is helping a lot. Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video!

[@milanmatejic2954]

how is your game now? 2 years later?

[@asdfkhieee]

I love to use the 100% sweep when starting on the knees. Works really well, and puts you into mount, side control, or crucifix depending on what you want.

[@Bryanpeacock33]

Your toes are next level lol I've never seen someone sit on their toes like that

[@Luke_Segovia]

It seems to be a black belt thing

[@sacredsam6046]

Yeah I think they just slice their feet on the bottom or something because no amount of stretching can seem to get me to this level.

[@garrettglass586]

I pulled off the elbow trick today. This video was very helpful.

[@quakyquasher2545]

Did my first day of bjj today and we did some rolling and I had no clue what to do cause I’ve done wrestling and I’m so used to standing up at the start so this video helped a lot

[@macbergman5446]

That elbow lift changed my game

[@GoodCovfefe]

they have a real talent for instruction.

[@dblas619]

Sometimes, when starting from the knees, I'll give up a position immediately. I'll go into turtle or give up full mount or side control. As a white belt, I do this because these are my weakest positions and I need to put the most work into them.

[@SmigGames]

That's fine, the only problem I see with it is that it can be seen as an arrogant move, kinda like when a more graduated belt does the same to make it more competitive.

[@dblas619]

S2MH I understand how it might be seen like that, but that's not my problem. I'm a white belt with areas that I need to work on, not an upper belt that thinks highly of himself.

[@McFasty3924]

Yeah I do it too. I tend to walk around at 140+ Kilos and i've got very long arms so I get some interesting No-Gi grips. Most of the time if i do get top position, i'm staying there and very little learning gets done. I pulled guard on a 5' 4" girl recently and she got a chance to work some transitions on a bigger opponent and even finished me with a head arm triangle. It just keeps the flow going nicely. The second my lack of skill translates into a shoving match, I just change position, for good or bad. It cuts down on bruises and such too.

[@StephanKesting]

Dominic Blas interestingly enough, that's what I will do as well when I am faced with a lower belt. It allows me to work on my escapes and gives him a chance of beating me

[@McFasty3924]

Thanks for your videos Mr Kesting, I can only train at an actual class 1-2 times a month so your fast, many angled videos really help top-up my knowledge as such. Other channels take far too long to get into the techniques and I can always just watch yours again if I didn't catch something, so please change nothing =] On a side note, i'm one of the 2% that get actual benefit from a training dummy. Made one myself out of sacks, tape, paper shreddings and lead shot bean bags for about £10. It's great for me because I always need more practice with keeping a high closed guard. Do you have any advice (Other than mat time, and shrimping) for improving ground combat fitness? Thanks again!

[@LRFtheLion]

Thank you, I am having a hard time knowing how to start when sparring, so this is very helpful in giving me some ideas!

[@joeyripswell]

I like arm drags. Same side wrist control you can take the back. Cross side wrist control is single leg sweep/take down. I am 5'10" and 145lbs so for speedy/skinny guys this is gold. Ty Stephen

[@baldemarmiranda2067]

I like all the information both of you guys gave all of us, thank you for taking the time to help us with our journey this is extremely helpful

[@KazX37]

As a white belt 1 month in, this is massively helpful and great tips.

[@healthyrootsstrongwings538]

Nice vdo and great synergy between you guys also. Well done . Thanks

[@PhilopateirAnwar]

@2:30 Stephan's macho GI fixing goes completely unnoticed by Richie😂. DW Stephan, we noticed and are very amused

[@JB-cg8jr]

As a 3 yr purple belt now with 11 years training on and off, and at 48yrs old needing to conserve and not get injured, I sumo for a second to get a feel, and if I can't sweep from knees after a try, I'll just go to butterfly and closed guard Idc where Im at. All positions are equally important to train. But these are great techniques cant wait to try!

[@marceldouwstra5847]

Perfect timing, had this come up in training yesterday and gladly forwarded the video to the rest of the gym.

[@liamwalker7989]

just got my first submission thanks for all the tips stephan!

[@33iknow]

Thank you! I'm taking notes. I need to train these!

[@taliaferro2302]

People don't like starting from the knees because they sense it's a waste of time. Many modern jiu jitsu gyms fail to emphasize takedowns, striking, and distance control, despite the fact that jiu jitsu, originally at least, included all of these things. And regardless of whether you're there to learn self defense or just competition, you aren't going to start on your knees. I understand that due to class size/room and safety concerns that it may be necessary for beginners, but I think it's overdone. How are you going to learn to deal with a striker from your knees?

[@kibe003]

You learn jiu jitsu for the ground , go and learn boxing for stand up its good that they isolate these things so you can really focus on one

[@Gaboxxy96]

BekstrozaGaming Yeah, except that the ground game is useless if you are unable to take your opponent to the floor, that’s the point. Neither in competition or in a real life situation you will start the fight on the ground.

[@fuzzysgaming7905]

I agree and as a wrestler i just use my wrestling technique and get creative with it, but that’s a down side for someone who has no experience with grappling. You’ve got to learn to close distance and take down the threat to fight on a level you’re more comfortable with fighting at. It’s just part of the original Gracie system where judo and wrestling was implemented and to not only solve that problem but help the smaller guy take a bigger opponent out

[@estoylaroca]

I think it's funny how ignorant these comments are. I mean, it's as if they are painting that BJJ gyms don't teach takedowns, and only start from the knees each time. I guess that's what you get when you get your MMA degree from watching youtube videos. Fact of the matter is, you don't go to a BJJ gym and try to learn every wrestling takedown known to man. You go to a BJJ gym to learn how to do BJJ. If you've ever step foot in a BJJ gym, you'd know that they also teach you takedowns, but it'd be pretty fucking stupid if all they teach is just takedowns, might as well transfer to a wrestling/judo gym then. You only got a limited time to spend in the gym, of course you'd want to spend a large portion of that time actually *practicing BJJ, because you know, that's how you'd win a BJJ competition, and that's probably what you are going to do a large portion of your time in a competition* Lastly, if it wasn't obvious enough, you don't win a BJJ competition just by taking your opponent to the floor. You instantly win if you get a submission, or you get enough points *ON THE FLOOR* that you win. I mean, sure you can't start on the floor, but what *CAN HAPPEN* is that you take your opponent to the floor, then you do exactly jack shit because all you did for your training is takedowns because that's how important it is said by youtube comments, and then you get tapped out. Also, people thinking that real *SENSIBLE* people practice MMA/BJJ/Wrestling for real life scenarios... lol. Again a product of spending all day at the computer. If you seriously think you'll encounter a real 1v1 fight on the streets, with the person having 0 weapons / 0 backup, and you getting an upper hand because you know MMA, then I seriously advice you to not make children, if you already have, kill them.

[@jubrilhassan413]

A

[@ronaldinhoisfat]

Wish I could find someone the way Stephen looks at this man

[@DonaldMurf]

I totally do this power struggle thing from kneeling. And it does waste a lot of my training time. SO MUCH TO LEARN.

[@DjTractus]

I practice take downs since if can do it from your knees you can do it standing. Edit like he says certain throws like an Uchi Mata isn’t going to work but something like a Tomoe Nage going to work

[@elpachanga]

I wish they taught me this on my first class! nice!

[@statmandemps1154]

Good stuff guys, I'm 5'6" 150, I'm always smaller. I DO NOT want these 200+ pound guys on top of me but I almost always have go half guard and work from there. I actually like 1/2 guard better than closed. Lucas leite has an amazing system

[@ProfessorBulletMG]

Absolutely awesome tutorial, guys. I couldn’t care less about the “experts” who know so much more than you do.👌

[@MrHeathcliff83]

particularly the last part of the video was very good. thanks. really interesting points. i like the idea to start i a non dominant position. i should try that.

[@thatkindofguy234]

4-stripe white belt and I hate starting from knees with bigger guys, I'm 5'7 and it's so annoying when they just bull rush you over. These tips are pretty good coming from a fellow short (ish) person.

[@Melvito0412]

Thank you for your great videos professor

[@sumlass5956]

I like what he said @ 8:48. (When you're of a higher belt) It's important to give up good positions for people.

[@AB-ro3fu]

I like how you siad it in the most settled gracfeul way .

[@MichaelWebber]

"....got to be done in a graceful, innocuous way..."

[@keefrichards502]

I just had my first BJJ session and I didnt know what to do😂 A black belt was taking it easy on me but I still felt like a fool for not knowing how to do anything😂 Cant wait to try again though

[@SquaredbyX]

You can uchimata from the knees if you have a russian 2on1. You post step, placing your foot in the middle of your opponents legs/knees, and then turn to the ground... putting his shoulder to the ground and your posted leg, which is now turned down, can reap, but a lot of times doesn't have to.

[@dangerdjk]

Kimira? lol Love this videos guys!

[@raisingash4471]

Great Ideas! Instead of pulling guard, I will use a butterfly sweep and roll them to the side to side control or top mount.

[@alanIrl99]

Face to face on the knees tends to be one of the usual starting position for groundwork sparring in Judo - or used to. As more BJJ players cross train with us, the norm now is for the Judo guy to end up trapped between the legs of the BJJ guy - and frequently ends up with another 2-3 minute stalemate :)

[@russhanley2272]

Maybe this is just me, but I have found starting with my weight down on my knees is actually working for me against guard pullers, or butterfly guard. Especially against younger fast opponents where I'd usually get swept. I think the legs being hidden and weight being down to the mat, stops alot of stuff.

[@brtm440]

There's a reason that they say, you fight like you train. I am a newbie at BJJ but I have trained other disciplines. In a real fight situation, NEVER NEVER put two hands on any specific area of your opponent. In the video, when he says I actually want yo put both my hands on my opponents wrist, Stephan left hand is free to deliver knock out punch. In a real fight, it's not about "rolling". You want to neutralize the opponent's weapons.

[@GrannySoupLadle]

It funny how every bjj video you learn something and in kung fu videos you leave feeling like you left your first scientology orientation.

[@gajner]

Mr Kesting, never keep your toes bent, with full respect.

[@tylerrousey525]

From wrestling I tend to stand up. Starting from the knees doesn't mean I have to stay there.

[@ronetqsm]

this is really great stuff. thanks for the ideas!

[@garybolenable]

My gym did an interesting drill where we started a 2 minute roll off back to back, but with tennis balls in our hands so that we couldn't grip. Drop a ball and you have to do 10 burpees, nobody drops a ball and each person does five.

[@SmigGames]

I feel like we're wasting our time on the gym if we're both on our knees for more than a few seconds. Sometimes the other guy sits on his butt immediately, but if that doesn't happen, I will.

[@0girle]

your new ..

[@torsti4791]

definitely...

[@JamaaLS]

How do development the flexibility to sit like the guy on the right?

[@XboxGamersProduction]

Check out my Sport playlist

[@ropongi1008]

I looked up this video because it baffles me. I have been training for a while, and to this day, I don't understand why many JJ practitioners (mostly beginners) will start sparring on their knees. I agree with the first thing you said, it's a waste of training time, just sit on your bum and play open guard. I think practitioners should be discouraged to sparr on their knees because it's not realistic, no one flights on their knees ( even though sitting on your bum isn't a realistic way to fight either, it is a legit way to play open guard/Jui Jitsu) I can't believe someone would actually try to teach legit Judo takedowns or arm drags and arm and lapel manipulation from the kneeling position to beginners. Sparring on your knees is a very bad habbit and dose nothing to get you ready for a tournament or a real self defense situation. There may be exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, when you spar in JJ, either start out on your feet for take downs or guard passing, or sit on your bum and play open guard, but don't start your sparring session on your knees, that becomes a bad habbit that doesn't transfer well to any other combat dynamic. Take it from me, avoiding that mistake in training will save you a lot of waisted time.

[@FR-ty5vn]

Good tips! I like the elbow lift takedown & standup to arm drag. Sometimes I’ll put the head in the chest & drive forward, or attack the leg if opponent goes to combat base much like Stephan shows. Gregoraides also has a good video on that...much appreciated Stephan & Ritchie!!

[@tylerdurden7690]

I dont have much luck with arm lift. Maybe I'm doing I wrong.

[@Slashoom]

I love that subtle elbow move, great stuff. Who is the instructor in the black gi?

[@StephanKesting]

Slashoom that is my friend Ritchie Yip who also has a great KZbin channel. Look him up

[@vickycitar]

Lol me too ... I think are the first moves we need to know as white belts... please suggest us other videos to watch ! Osss

[@mikaylatheengineer9631]

just started bjj and struggling, thank you!

[@Iheartlifting]

What do you do after you take him down though??? Headlock him? Pull his arms behind his head? Cuz a takedown is useless if you don’t know how to not let him get right back up

[@rogervioletjr702]

1:40 and 6:09 are my favorites!

[@Juarqua]

The Ashi-uchi-mata motion only works when one opponent is standing the other opponent is down on one knee.

[@richardleonhard9102]

that´s why you stand up to do it (if it´s the one I think you mean)

[@Juarqua]

Richard Leonhard Yes, that's the first reason for standing up. The second reason is that in Judo you don't get points for throws starting from the ground (both players).

[@cezar20]

This is my pet hate, two grown adults simulating midget wrestling. Not only is it a massive waste of training time, but it’s also a recipe for injuries. A lot of Exerting forward pressure on someone kneeling, puts unnecessary strain on ankles, achilles, etc. The problem is getting meathead newbies to buy into it - most just will not willingly give up “top” position. Here are some of the academy practices I’ve observed that I like: -higher rank gets to select the starting position, restart after each sub -scissors paper rock, winner selects starting position, alternate after each sub. It’s way better and is very “wrestling” where you get to focus on positional sparring majority of the time.

[@Khaliljt]

This has honestly felt like the dumbest and least satisfying part of bjj. In reality no one fights on their knees and you could be developing your takedowns

[@lifesameme8739]

lilahk95 yeah but I think the point is that you conserve energy by starting on your knees so you can spend it working grips and transitions which emphasizes more on developing your actual jiu jitsu ability. I’m sure your school has you drill take downs separately so not sure why so many people have a problem with this

[@tylerrousey525]

A lot of times you start on your knees from lack of room in the gym. It happens if you want to start on your feet ask the person you're rolling with. A wrestling coach trains where I started to and he and I always start standing up because I wrestled too so it is what I'm use to. Other people I try to keep 1 knee down for them but put of habit I stand up when I take them down.

[@samuraisteve2775]

lilahk95 Preach 🙏

[@cesaralvesdemoraes3187]

@@lifesameme8739 what if I told you that actual jiu jitsu includes takedowns? Takedowns are a big part of jiujitsu, both of the wrestling and of the judo sort. It makes no sense to learn ground fighting without learning how to take the fight to the ground.

[@93King]

@@cesaralvesdemoraes3187 I don't think you read his comment fully. He's stated that Jiu Jitsu gyms do in fact teach takedowns and they'll have takedown drills. On certain days they will even emphasis on it more when grappling, but the point is to work on the techniques you learn throughout the week. Also a contributing factor is most gyms aren't that big, so they don't have the space to have everyone start out standing.

[@menikmati90]

This is so good!

[@darkoverllord]

great video!

[@wardrunaragnar5031]

Did the guy on the right snort a few lines before filming this?

[@dokee2770]

I always get smashed into sid's control in this position thank you for this video

[@tenshinuke560]

Holy cow! Ikkyo DOES work! Lol

[@carlosp6787]

It's interesting that some of these concepts are taught in Aikido

[@sdaiwepm]

Interesting parallels to judo!

[@adrianaperezz3351]

THE INFORMATION WONT STICK IN MY HEADDDDDD...........and I’ve watch this video like 5 times 😂

[@saylorisat]

Adriana Perezz I’m the same. Just pick one of the moves l, shadow drill it and try in Class for a week. I’ve figured out that I can watch KZbin and learn a bunch and not not execute any of it. No muscle memory;)

[@BrandonMckayGaryRalph]

this was really helpful.

[@AtlBoi1982]

Thank you both. Good info

[@mullm5375]

What to do when you start from your knees? 🤔 Stand up?

[@trichotillomaniac1959]

The most useless BJJ position, yet it's the most common starting position when rolling

[@Robshotipod]

Really enjoyed this, so practical. Nice vid

[@morgancaptain5842]

Thanks Richie & Stephan

[@bananapatch9118]

In our school we always start on the knees…not sure why.

[@GracieGarage]

Everyone is stressed out starting from the knees? Why? They have terrible side control defense. All to often, when an opponent gets side control, the person gets stuck there and usually gets submitted. Flop to the side. Defend side control. "Side control is the most important position to defend" ~ GM Helio. When I flop to the side, I have yet to find someone who does not go into attack mode and get to top side control position. LMAO

[@conor-_C]

why would you start on your knees

[@Hbbt82]

I need this. I've relied on my size for this but that doesn't work against someone of equal size.

[@clairea7869]

would you try this on a Judo guy? --> "NNOO!" :) haha. Thanks for the video! especially the 2-on-1 tips (y)

[@modustrollens4806]

Hey Stephan where exactly do you find articles on this specific scenarios and positions?

[@StephanKesting]

I just added them in the top right corner of the video in the first 30 seconds and also in the description text

[@jaybekay01]

What's a two, one, one?

[@erblecde]

i just stand up...

[@NuevoVR]

this.. starting from knees is pointless

[@mullm5375]

insecto No it's not! It makes tournaments easier for the rest of us who train on our feet. 😁

[@DjTractus]

If you stand with me then throws come into play

[@simonmasson8033]

@@NuevoVR takedown are a little dangerous when you have bad knee or when you recover from an injury

[@Alexlamb442]

I've only had a few lessons and just assumed this wasn't allowed

[@Moonlight.Melon.Mounter]

We did back to back!

[@cancontrl]

1:48 for the move (of the day)

[@fabioarsego5309]

Stephan Kesting is the best!

[@coreyglidden7176]

God I needed this..

[@socratichero6612]

What do you do when you're rolling and your parent is just always trying to turn it into a match?

[@Augustin54]

Tyson Sadler destroy them

[@socratichero6612]

asud815 Haha, yeah, I've been trying that, but then I get accused of going to hard. But thanks for the advice, I'll destroy them harderer

[@socratichero6612]

Follow the howl Hahaha, okay thanks for the advice

[@WillofStone08]

God I wish I found this last year

[@Jgarage5]

haha, I got thrown the other day because I chose to do a wrestling match. Did not feel good! Thanks for explaining that!

[@theohuioiesin6519]

Very true... that... Thanks guys!

[@bynx3959]

I train martial arts but not grappling, occasionally we roll, we don't really know what we are doing, any easy tips to beat people that are ALOT bigger than me ( most people are my height but about 50-120lbs heavier) and don't really know what they are doing so they use there strength and weight against me.

[@simonyadig]

I gotta say it... learn Jiu Jitsu. :p

[@BusterMyth1]

Master the rear naked choke

[@yuriysemenikhin302]

An very low OKish variation of the most basic Aikido training exercise and even lower marks for an Ikyo (The first Aikido and Aiki jiu Jitsu form) Am I supposed to be impressed?

[@bashdkmgt]

Fantastic vdeo

[@G0rdonFr33man]

good stuff!

[@PeterMettlerMartialArts]

Yeah, let's talk 10 Minutes about how to wrestle on the knees, because that's totally not a waste of time and will definitely happen in a fight. No, better not work on our takedowns or remember, that starting on the knees is only to concentrate on ground game. Not.

[@nan62634]

Well at my taekwondo there are special programs that let you practice BJJ which we call SRT (special real taekwondo) and when we do this for testing we start on our knees right now we are learning how to get people from standing to their knees but most of the time we start the sparring on our knees

[@juanpedroperezperez1420]

yes in jujitsu you do no push each over only in knee there is wresteling in jujitsu everything soft and fluid jajaja,,,,,

[@BigBoss1982]

And now the same without GI please.

[@matthewbetourney1476]

AMEN to that! Exactly what I was thinking. I can't stand Gi moves lol

[@antonynonajulcaadanaque9776]

Absolutly thx

[@mellowmax]

He speaks! nice

[@rabbitrabbit2075]

I'm a Judo brown belt. So I stand up.

[@TheJitsGuy]

If you are starting from your knees, there is no value in trying to "takedown" someone because that scenario will never happen in a street or sport fight. Be first to pull guard and start learning. Apply your plan and figure out your mistakes!

[@36424567254]

well, in a sport fight sometime you can find yourself in a similar position when you come up to turtle while your opponent is on top, but i generally agree with your idea.

[@omartorres5028]

stephaaaaan!!

[@Anduranha]

Realy a deep doubt of mine