BJJ Graph

Double Unders

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Double Unders Position is a critical control state in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where both practitioners are engaged in a bilateral underhook battle with dramatically different strategic objectives. From the top perspective, securing both underhooks creates one of the most dominant pressure passing positions available, eliminating the opponent’s ability to create effective frames while applying crushing chest-to-chest pressure that forces them onto their shoulders. From the bottom perspective, this represents a crisis position requiring immediate defensive action to prevent complete flattening and inevitable pass completion.

The position exists as a transitional state in the guard passing hierarchy, typically arising from half guard, butterfly guard, or seated guard positions when the top player successfully penetrates the bottom player’s defensive frames. The mechanical advantage is severe: with both arms controlling the opponent’s upper body or legs (depending on configuration), the controller can generate tremendous forward pressure through their shoulder girdle, collapsing the defender’s posture and restricting hip mobility. This position earns no points itself but serves as a gateway to dominant positions like side control, mount, or back control.

Understanding double unders from both perspectives is essential for developing complete guard passing and retention skills. Top players must learn to maintain the position under resistance, read defensive reactions, and choose optimal passing pathways. Bottom players must develop immediate escape reflexes, frame creation skills, and strategic acceptance of position when necessary. The position typically resolves within 15-45 seconds as the bottom player either escapes to a better guard position or accepts the pass to a more stable defensive position.

Key Principles

  • Bilateral control creates asymmetric advantage - securing both underhooks fundamentally disrupts opponent’s defensive structure

  • Forward pressure must be constant and progressive - static control allows recovery of frames and defensive positioning

  • Hip control determines outcome - top player seeks to pin hips while bottom player fights for mobility

  • Frame creation is priority one for bottom - any space between bodies allows escape mechanics to function

  • Position is inherently transitional - both players must commit to directional movement rather than static maintenance

  • Energy management favors top player - bottom position exhausts faster under sustained pressure

  • Strategic position acceptance - bottom player may choose deep half or turtle over being crushed flat

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensiveOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelHighLow to Medium
Energy CostHighMedium
TimeShortMedium

Key Difference: Bilateral underhook control for pressure

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Create frames immediately - elbows inside, forearms against opponent’s face/neck to generate any available space

  • Prevent chest-to-chest contact by maintaining distance with frames or hip positioning, even inches matter

  • Keep hips mobile and active - shrimping, bridging, turning to prevent being flattened completely

  • Fight to recover at least one underhook to break bilateral control and restore defensive structure

  • Use opponent’s forward pressure against them - granby rolls and deep half entries work with their momentum

  • Protect your back from taking the mat - once flattened, escape difficulty increases exponentially

  • Accept strategic transitions when necessary - moving to deep half or turtle may be better than being crushed flat

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Accepting both underhooks passively without immediate frame creation response

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to consolidate double underhook control, flatten your back to the mat, and complete the pass with minimal resistance
    • ✅ Correction: Fight frames immediately - get elbows inside, forearms on face/neck, create any space possible before being flattened completely

  • ❌ Keeping hips flat and static on the mat without active movement

    • Consequence: Opponent easily flattens you completely, removes all guard retention options, and passes directly to side control or mount
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips mobile constantly - shrimp, bridge, turn to sides, prevent static flattening at all costs through continuous movement

  • ❌ Fighting both underhooks equally instead of focusing on recovering one strategically

    • Consequence: Wastes energy fighting bilateral control symmetrically while opponent maintains dominant position and advances pass
    • ✅ Correction: Focus energy on recovering one underhook first - breaking bilateral control is more important than perfect frames on both sides

  • ❌ Allowing chest-to-chest contact without resistance or space creation

    • Consequence: Gives opponent full weight pressure advantage, eliminates all leverage opportunities, and makes escape nearly impossible
    • ✅ Correction: Fight for any distance - even inches of space between chests allows hip mobility and escape opportunities to function

  • ❌ Giving up mentally when double underhooks are established, accepting defeat prematurely

    • Consequence: Surrenders defensive opportunities prematurely, allows easy pass, and reinforces bad habits for future similar positions
    • ✅ Correction: Stay mentally engaged - this position has multiple escape routes if you act quickly with proper technique and timing

  • ❌ Extending legs straight or pushing opponent away with feet ineffectively

    • Consequence: Removes leg entanglement options, eliminates butterfly hook possibilities, and gives opponent clear path to side control
    • ✅ Correction: Keep legs active with hooks (butterfly, half guard) or transitional positions - never extend straight which surrenders control

  • ❌ Tucking chin to chest defensively instead of maintaining head position and mobility

    • Consequence: Rounds spine further, makes you easier to flatten, and reduces mobility for granby rolls or hip escapes
    • ✅ Correction: Keep head active and mobile - look away from pressure direction to maintain spinal extension and mobility options

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain tight connection between both arms under opponent’s legs, keeping hands clasped or gripped to prevent leg separation

  • Drive constant forward pressure through the chest into opponent’s thighs, stacking their weight onto shoulders to limit mobility

  • Keep elbows tight to your own body to prevent opponent from creating frames or inserting their arms to break the connection

  • Control opponent’s hip mobility by preventing them from turning to either side or creating angular escapes

  • Advance position methodically by walking knees forward or transitioning weight to complete the pass when opponent’s defenses weaken

  • Use head position strategically, either on chest for maximum pressure or on hip to prevent turning and prepare for side control transition

  • Maintain active base with feet positioned to drive forward, preventing opponent from off-balancing or creating sweep opportunities

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Allowing space between chest and opponent’s legs, reducing forward pressure

    • Consequence: Opponent can create frames, insert butterfly hooks, or recover guard position with hip escapes
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant forward pressure with chest driving into opponent’s thighs, keeping them stacked onto shoulders

  • ❌ Hands separating or losing grip behind opponent’s back during pressure application

    • Consequence: Opponent can separate their legs, insert frames, or create angles to escape the control
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hands tightly clasped or maintain strong belt/pants grip, treating both arms as a single control unit

  • ❌ Elbows flaring out away from your own body creating gaps

    • Consequence: Opponent can insert their hands or forearms to break the connection and create escape pathways
    • ✅ Correction: Keep elbows tight to ribs, making it impossible for opponent to wedge their arms in between

  • ❌ Standing too upright instead of maintaining forward pressure angle with hips driving

    • Consequence: Reduces stacking pressure, allows opponent to extend legs and recover guard structure
    • ✅ Correction: Keep shoulders over opponent’s hips with chest angled downward, driving weight through their legs continuously

  • ❌ Failing to advance position when opponent’s defense weakens or fatigues

    • Consequence: Allows opponent time to recover energy and mount better defensive responses or escape attempts
    • ✅ Correction: Walk knees forward progressively, transitioning to side control as soon as hip control is established securely

  • ❌ Poor head positioning that allows opponent to turn or create angular escapes

    • Consequence: Opponent can rotate their body to escape or establish defensive frames with better leverage
    • ✅ Correction: Use head on opponent’s chest for maximum pressure or on hip to block rotation and prepare for pass completion

  • Half Guard - Common preceding position where double underhooks are established during passing sequences

  • Butterfly Guard - Vulnerable guard position that double unders effectively neutralizes from top perspective

  • Deep Half Guard - Primary escape target for bottom player using opponent’s forward pressure as entry momentum

  • Headquarters Position - Related passing position with similar pressure mechanics but different arm configuration

  • Side Control - Most common resolution position when top player successfully completes pass

  • Turtle - Alternative escape position bottom player may accept via granby roll when flattening is imminent

  • Smash Pass - Related pressure passing position often reached when opponent defends or turns from double unders

  • Long Step - Alternative guard passing approach with different control mechanisms and passing angles

  • Combat Base - Top player’s base structure must be maintained while establishing and advancing double unders control

  • Underhook Battle - Conceptual framework for the bilateral underhook control struggle that defines this position