Double Jump is an advanced positional concept in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that exists in two distinct tactical contexts: as a dynamic guard recovery entry from bottom and as a turtle attack control position from top. This dual-perspective position represents modern approaches to creating explosive transitions and bypassing traditional defensive structures.
From the bottom perspective, Double Jump serves as a dynamic entry to deep half guard, utilizing explosive hip extension to shoot both legs underneath the opponent’s base simultaneously. This approach bypasses incremental guard recovery methods, creating immediate offensive opportunities through the element of surprise and commitment. The technique is foundational in 10th Planet systems and modern no-gi competition, where static guard recovery becomes predictable against heavy pressure passing.
From the top perspective, Double Jump represents an advanced turtle attack utilizing bilateral leg hooks to control the opponent’s hips while maintaining upper body pressure. This configuration creates immediate back-taking opportunities by eliminating the bottom player’s base through leg entanglement rather than traditional upper-body breakdowns. The position forces defensive dilemmas where protecting against back exposure opens sweep vulnerabilities and vice versa.
Both perspectives share the common principle of using leg-based controls to create explosive positional changes, though they operate in opposite tactical contexts. Understanding both perspectives provides complete mastery of this modern positional concept.
Key Principles
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Explosive commitment is essential in both contexts - halfway attempts fail regardless of perspective
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Bilateral leg coordination creates destabilizing effects that unilateral control cannot achieve
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Position exists as transitional forcing mechanism rather than static holding position
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Timing windows are brief - recognize and capitalize immediately or opportunity closes
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Upper body control must complement leg positioning to prevent defensive recoveries
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Modern approach bypasses traditional defenses through unexpected attack vectors
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Energy expenditure is high but justified by percentage improvement over incremental methods
Top vs Bottom
| Bottom | Top | |
|---|---|---|
| Position Type | Defensive with offensive options | Offensive/Controlling |
| Risk Level | Medium | Medium |
| Energy Cost | High | Medium |
| Time | Short | Short to Medium |
Key Difference: Bilateral leg insertion for rapid position change
Playing as Bottom
Key Principles
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Explosive hip extension is critical - the jump must be committed and fast to prevent opponent from sprawling back
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Both legs must shoot simultaneously underneath opponent’s hips to create the destabilizing effect
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Maintain angle of your body perpendicular to opponent’s centerline throughout the entry
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Use opponent’s forward pressure against them - the harder they pressure, the more effective the entry
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Immediately establish deep half hooks after entry to secure position before opponent can recover base
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Keep head outside and away from opponent’s hips to avoid guillotine and other front headlock attacks
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Control opponent’s near arm during entry to prevent posting and base recovery
Primary Techniques
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Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard
- Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%
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Old School Sweep → Side Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 65%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 55%
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Half Guard to Back Take → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 55%
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Electric Chair Submission → Electric Chair
- Success Rate: Beginner 10%, Intermediate 25%, Advanced 45%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 50%
Common Mistakes
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❌ Jumping with legs at different timing or angles
- Consequence: Creates predictable movement that opponent can easily sprawl against, resulting in flattened position under heavy pressure
- ✅ Correction: Practice the synchronized double leg insertion in drilling - both legs must shoot together like a single explosive unit, maintaining parallel alignment throughout the motion
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❌ Failing to commit fully to the explosive entry movement
- Consequence: Halfway attempts allow opponent to post and recover base, leaving you in worse position than before the attempt
- ✅ Correction: The double jump requires full commitment - once initiated, drive both legs completely underneath opponent’s hips with maximum explosiveness, accepting the risk to gain the reward
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❌ Allowing head to drift toward opponent’s hips during entry
- Consequence: Creates guillotine and other front headlock attack opportunities that can end the match immediately
- ✅ Correction: Actively turn head away from opponent’s hips toward the outside, maintaining safe head position while establishing deep half hooks
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❌ Neglecting to control opponent’s near arm during transition
- Consequence: Allows opponent to post and recover base, nullifying the sweeping opportunities from deep half
- ✅ Correction: Establish control of opponent’s near arm with your outside hand before initiating the jump, preventing their ability to post during your entry
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❌ Attempting the technique against opponent with weight posted back
- Consequence: Without forward pressure, the explosive entry has nothing to work against and you expose yourself to leg attacks
- ✅ Correction: Only execute double jump when opponent’s weight is clearly committed forward - use other guard recovery methods when they maintain back-posted base
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❌ Stopping movement after successful entry without establishing hooks
- Consequence: Opponent immediately escapes before you can consolidate deep half position
- ✅ Correction: The entry and hook establishment must be one continuous motion - as legs shoot underneath, immediately curl the inside leg to hook opponent’s far leg while outside leg controls near hip
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❌ Executing from flat on back instead of on side
- Consequence: Lacks the angular momentum and leverage needed for explosive leg insertion
- ✅ Correction: Always establish side position first with body perpendicular to opponent before initiating the double jump sequence
Playing as Top
Key Principles
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Establish leg hooks progressively or explosively depending on opponent’s base strength and defensive awareness
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Maintain constant upper body pressure to prevent opponent sitting to guard or rolling through escapes
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Use leg hooks to control opponent’s hips and eliminate base rather than as static positioning
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Create immediate back-taking opportunities by transitioning hooks from inside position to traditional back control hooks
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Balance weight distribution between chest pressure and hook control to prevent opponent’s defensive rolls
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Anticipate and counter opponent’s attempt to sit to butterfly guard by redirecting to back control
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Maintain offensive initiative by chaining attacks between back-takes, crab rides, and truck positions
Primary Techniques
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Turtle to Back Control → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 65%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60%
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Rolling Back Take → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 55%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 38%, Advanced 58%
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Back Take Generic → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 65%
Common Mistakes
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❌ Establishing leg hooks without securing upper body control first
- Consequence: Opponent easily sits to butterfly guard or rolls through to reverse position, eliminating attacking opportunities
- ✅ Correction: Always secure crossface, overhook, or harness grip before inserting hooks; upper body control prevents defensive movements
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❌ Using leg hooks as static positioning rather than active control mechanisms
- Consequence: Opponent maintains base and stalls position, or gradually extracts hooks through patient defensive work
- ✅ Correction: Constantly adjust hook depth and angle to off-balance opponent; use hooks to lift and manipulate hips, not just maintain contact
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❌ Overcommitting weight forward onto opponent’s back without maintaining base
- Consequence: Opponent performs forward roll escape, throwing you over their head and reversing position
- ✅ Correction: Distribute weight between chest pressure and leg control; maintain your own base to follow opponent’s movements without being thrown
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❌ Failing to anticipate opponent sitting to butterfly guard and losing position
- Consequence: Opponent establishes butterfly hooks and sweeps or creates scramble, negating your attacking position
- ✅ Correction: As opponent begins sitting motion, immediately transition to crab ride or back control, using their movement to establish dominant position
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❌ Inserting both hooks simultaneously without regard for opponent’s defensive reactions
- Consequence: Opponent counters the explosive entry with roll escapes or by posting and standing, creating scramble situations
- ✅ Correction: Read opponent’s base strength; against strong turtle, establish hooks progressively while breaking down base incrementally
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❌ Maintaining Double Jump position for extended periods seeking perfect back-take setup
- Consequence: Opponent recovers defensive composure, extracts hooks, or referee stands up position for stalling
- ✅ Correction: Use Double Jump as transitional attacking position; commit to back-take, truck entry, or submission within 5-10 seconds of establishing hooks