BJJ position
Knee shield
Knee shield, also called Z-guard, is a version of half guard where the bottom player places a knee across the opponent's chest or hip while trapping one of their legs. The shin acts as a frame, keeping the top player away so they can't flatten you or get a crossface. From there you can sweep, recover full guard or come up to an underhook. The top player wants to collapse the knee shield, get chest to chest and pass by flattening the bottom player.
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If you're on the bottom
- Keep the knee shield angled across the chest or hip, not straight up
- Control the wrist or collar so the opponent can't drive through
- Use the space to recover full guard, sweep or win the underhook
If you're on top
- Collapse the knee shield by pinning it down or getting around it
- Get the crossface and an underhook to flatten the bottom player
- Free your trapped leg once the shield is gone
Key details
- Stay on your side, facing the opponent
- Your shin should block the hip or shoulder, depending on how they push
- Combine the shield with a grip on the same-side wrist
- As the passer, attack the shield from a low angle so it can't push you away
Common mistakes
- Pointing the knee at the ceiling, which the passer easily folds
- Pushing with the knee instead of framing and moving your hips
- On top: driving straight into the shield with all your weight
Related positions
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