Closed Guard | Knee Slide

Escaping and opening the closed guard to transition to half guard and then passing:

1. Start by gripping the opponent's belt near the thigh, extend the arm, and maintain posture with toes on the mat to prevent being pulled down.
2. If the belt is not available, grip the pants with four fingers inside but prioritize the belt grip for better control.
3. Push the opponent and slide knees backward to create space between their butt and your knees, then open your knees slightly for balance.
4. Use your lower back and toes to lift your hips and slide one knee between the opponent's butt, sitting down to open their legs.
5. Quickly transition to half guard, placing a hand on the floor opposite the raised knee and sliding that knee over the opponent's leg.
6. If the opponent locks half guard, choose to pinch your knee in their legs or go close to their armpit to prevent deep half guard entries.
7. Secure an underhook and use it for balance, then make the opponent flat by walking your leg to the side and shifting your hips.
8. Apply shoulder pressure to the opponent's face, push their knee down, and work to free your knee from their guard.
9. If the opponent pushes your knee, slide it back to step on their bottom leg, not the top, to unlock their legs and pass.
10. Stabilize the position before moving to side control, ensuring to maintain pressure and control throughout the transition.
11. For the knee slide pass, get an underhook, use your toes to change direction, and slide your knee to the opposite side, bringing the opponent's leg across.
12. Finish the pass with either a gable grip or by controlling the triceps and securing an underhook and overhook for side control.