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Double Unders Position | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202513 min read

Double Unders Position

bjjpositionpassingtop-controlfundamental

State Description

The Double Unders Position is an offensive guard passing position where the top practitioner has both arms wrapped underneath the bottom practitioner’s legs with hands locked together behind their back. This position creates significant control and pressure, setting up powerful passing sequences, particularly the stack pass and transitions to knee slice variations.

The position earns no points itself but represents a dominant passing control that typically leads to guard passing and achieving side control. The double underhook configuration prevents the bottom player from creating effective distance or frames, while the top player’s forward pressure restricts hip mobility and guard retention options.

This position is most effective when the top player maintains constant forward pressure with chest-to-chest connection, uses wide base for stability, and reads defensive reactions to choose between stacking or transitioning to alternative passing methods. The position can be maintained for 1-2 minutes but requires significant grip strength and energy to sustain under resistance.

Visual Description

You are positioned on top with your torso forward and both arms threaded deep underneath your opponent’s legs, hands locked together in a gable or S-grip behind their lower back or buttocks. Your chest maintains constant contact with their chest or upper abdomen, creating downward and forward pressure. Your opponent is on their back with legs elevated, attempting to maintain closed guard or creating defensive frames. Your head position is typically beside theirs or pressing into their shoulder, using it to control their upper body and prevent effective framing. Your feet are positioned wide with toes dug in, providing stable base and drive for forward pressure. Your weight is distributed predominantly forward onto your opponent’s hips and core, restricting their ability to shrimp or move their hips away.

The locked hands behind their back create a structural unity where your arms work together, preventing them from breaking the connection. Your shoulders are slightly elevated but driving forward, creating continuous pressure that pins their hips to the mat.

This creates offensive advantage through control and pressure while limiting their defensive options and setting up multiple passing pathways.

Key Principles

  • Deep Underhooks: Arms must thread deeply under legs with hands locked securely behind back or buttocks
  • Forward Pressure: Constant weight driving chest-to-chest, pinning hips to mat
  • Shoulder Control: Using shoulder position to prevent effective frames on face or chest
  • Base Maintenance: Wide feet position provides stability against sweeps and hip escapes
  • Grip Endurance: Locked hands must be maintained throughout passing sequence
  • Pressure Efficiency: Using body weight and positioning rather than pure muscle tension
  • Reading Reactions: Observing opponent’s defensive movements to choose passing method

Offensive Transitions

From this position, you can execute:

Guard Passes

  • Stack Pass → Side Control (Success Rate: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 70%, Advanced 85%)

    • Drive shoulders over hips, stack opponent’s weight onto shoulders, pass to side

  • Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Success Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%)

    • Release one underhook, transition to knee slice when stack is defended

  • Long Step Pass → Side Control (Success Rate: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%)

    • Step one leg wide and deep while maintaining underhook control

Position Advancements

Submissions

Defensive Responses

When opponent has this position against you, available counters:

Decision Tree

If opponent maintains closed guard with strong hooks:

Else if opponent opens guard to defend stack pressure:

Else if opponent turns to side creating back exposure:

Else (opponent maintains strong defensive structure):

  • Maintain pressure and wait for opening → Double Unders Position (Probability: 60%)
    • Reasoning: Patient pressure forces errors and creates opportunities
  • Or Switch to alternative passing method → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
    • Reasoning: Changing attack angle disrupts defensive structure

Expert Insights

John Danaher: The double unders position exemplifies the principle of control preceding advancement. By establishing both underhooks, you create a structural configuration where your opponent’s defensive options are severely limited. The key detail is maintaining forward pressure through body positioning rather than muscular effort - when your chest is directly over their hips with proper weight distribution, the pressure becomes sustainable and exhausting for them to defend. The decision between stack pass and knee slice should be determined entirely by their defensive reaction - never commit to one passing method before observing their response to your pressure.

Gordon Ryan: In competition, double unders is my highest-percentage passing position because it eliminates so many of their offensive options while giving me multiple passing pathways. The secret is getting your underhooks extremely deep - I want my hands locked at their mid-back or higher, not just at their hips. This creates maximum control and makes the stack pass nearly impossible to defend. When they defend the stack by pushing my face or creating frames, I immediately transition to knee slice - that defensive choice opens the passing lane perfectly. The position also fatigues opponents rapidly because they’re carrying your weight constantly while trying to maintain defensive structure.

Eddie Bravo: While double unders is traditionally associated with gi passing, it’s incredibly effective in no-gi if you adjust your grip structure and pressure angles. In our system, we use it as a transitional control position - get the underhooks, apply pressure, but be ready to flow immediately to alternatives when they defend. The position also sets up submissions that people don’t expect - collar chokes, shoulder pressure chokes, even arm attacks when they create frames. Don’t be so focused on passing that you miss submission opportunities. Be creative with your offense from double unders.

Common Errors

Error: Releasing Pressure Too Early

  • Consequence: Allows opponent to create frames and recover guard structure, losing passing advantage and resetting position to neutral
  • Correction: Maintain constant chest-to-chest pressure throughout entire passing sequence, only release when pass is complete and side control is established
  • Recognition: If opponent is able to push you away or create significant space, pressure was released prematurely

Error: Hands Locked Too Low on Hips

  • Consequence: Reduces leverage for stack pass and allows opponent to maintain better hip mobility and defensive positioning
  • Correction: Walk hands higher up opponent’s back, ideally reaching mid-back or higher for maximum control and stacking leverage
  • Recognition: Feeling opponent’s hips moving freely despite underhooks indicates hands are locked too low

Error: Narrow Base

  • Consequence: Makes position vulnerable to sweeps, reduces stability, and limits ability to drive forward pressure effectively
  • Correction: Maintain wide foot position with toes dug in, creating stable platform for pressure application and sweep defense
  • Recognition: Feeling off-balance or being swept easily indicates base needs widening

Error: High Hips

  • Consequence: Reduces forward pressure effectiveness and makes position vulnerable to guard recovery and reversal attempts
  • Correction: Keep hips low and driving forward, maintaining downward pressure vector onto opponent’s core
  • Recognition: Opponent easily creating frames on chest indicates hips are likely too high

Error: Not Reading Defensive Reactions

  • Consequence: Committing to stack pass when knee slice is available, or vice versa, reducing passing efficiency and success rate
  • Correction: Observe opponent’s defensive movements - frames indicate knee slice opportunity, flat posture indicates stack opportunity
  • Recognition: Repeatedly failing pass attempts despite good position indicates poor reaction reading

Error: Muscling Through Resistance

  • Consequence: Rapid fatigue, reduced technical efficiency, and giving opponent time to escape or counter
  • Correction: Use body weight and positional leverage, breathe steadily, apply pressure through weight distribution rather than muscle tension
  • Recognition: Getting exhausted quickly or breathing heavily indicates over-reliance on muscular effort

Error: Breaking Grip Connection

  • Consequence: Loses underhook control immediately, allowing opponent to create distance and recover guard structure
  • Correction: Maintain locked hands throughout entire passing sequence, strengthen grip endurance through specific training
  • Recognition: Feeling hands slipping apart or opponent breaking grip indicates insufficient grip strength or endurance

Training Drills

Drill 1: Double Under Entry and Pressure Maintenance

From guard top position, practice establishing double underhooks and locking hands behind opponent’s back, then maintaining forward pressure for 30-second intervals. Partner provides 25% resistance initially, increasing to 75% as proficiency develops. Focus on deep underhook placement, efficient hand locking, and sustainable pressure application through body positioning rather than muscle. Progress from static pressure holds to maintaining pressure as partner attempts to create frames and movement. 5 rounds of 30-second holds with 15-second rest, gradually increasing resistance and partner’s defensive activity.

Drill 2: Stack Pass Execution

Starting from established double unders position, practice driving shoulders over opponent’s hips to create stack position, then completing pass to side control. Partner provides progressive resistance from 0% (allowing completion) to 100% (full defensive effort). Focus on timing of stack initiation, maintaining underhook control throughout stack, and finishing pass cleanly. Practice reading partner’s defensive reactions - when they push face, when they open guard, when they turn away. 10 repetitions at each resistance level, emphasizing smooth technical execution and energy efficiency.

Drill 3: Stack to Knee Slice Transition

From double unders position, practice reading partner’s defensive frames and transitioning smoothly from stack pass attempt to knee slice pass. Partner creates defensive frames to simulate realistic resistance. Focus on identifying frame creation as trigger for transition, releasing one underhook cleanly, and converting to knee slice control immediately. Develop sensitivity to opponent’s defensive positioning and ability to flow between passing methods without losing pressure or control. 10-15 repetitions emphasizing smooth transitions and maintained pressure throughout position change.

Drill 4: Grip Endurance and Pressure Stamina

Establish double unders position and maintain it for 1-2 minute rounds while partner uses full defensive effort to escape, create frames, and break grips. Focus on grip endurance, efficient pressure application, and mental discipline to maintain position under fatigue. This drill develops the stamina required for high-level passing sequences and teaches energy conservation techniques. 3-5 rounds of 1-2 minutes with 1-minute rest between rounds. Track improvement in time maintained and quality of pressure despite fatigue.

Drill 5: Live Passing from Double Unders

Establish double unders position in live rolling scenario and work to complete pass to side control against partner’s full resistance. Partner can use all available defenses. Focus on reading reactions in real-time, choosing appropriate passing method, and completing passes under realistic conditions. This integrates all technical elements developed in previous drills into live application. 5-minute rounds focusing exclusively on passing from double unders, with brief coaching breaks to address specific challenges encountered.

Optimal Submission Paths

Fastest path to pass (direct approach): Double Unders Position → Stack Pass → Side Control Reasoning: Most direct passing method when opponent maintains closed guard structure and doesn’t create significant defensive frames

High-percentage path (adaptive): Double Unders Position → Read Defense → Stack or Knee Slice → Side Control Reasoning: Observing opponent’s defensive reaction before committing to specific pass increases success rate significantly

Alternative completion path (back take): Double Unders Position → Opponent Turns Away → Circle to Back → Back Control Reasoning: When opponent turns to avoid stack pressure, high-value back take becomes available

Submission threat path (pressure finish): Double Unders Position → Collar Trap → Double Under Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: Submission threat from double unders creates additional pressure and can finish match directly

Timing Considerations

Best Times to Enter:

  • When opponent opens closed guard from top position
  • During standing guard pass as opponent’s legs separate
  • After defending sweep attempts from open guard

Best Times to Attack:

  • When opponent’s defensive frames are weak or absent
  • After opponent becomes fatigued from defending pressure
  • When opponent makes positional error or creates opening

Vulnerable Moments:

  • Initial grip establishment phase before underhooks are deep
  • When base narrows during passing attempt
  • If forward pressure is released prematurely

Fatigue Factors:

  • Maintaining locked hands requires significant grip endurance
  • Forward pressure demands sustained energy output
  • Position becomes more difficult to maintain as fatigue increases

Competition Considerations

Point Scoring: Position itself scores no points but typically leads to guard pass (3 points IBJJF) when transitioning to side control or mount.

Time Management: Position can be maintained for 1-2 minutes but requires energy expenditure - balance between patient pressure and efficient passing.

Rule Set Adaptations: Highly effective in all rule sets. In gi, collar grips can be integrated for choke threats. In no-gi, requires even deeper underhooks due to reduced friction.

Competition Strategy: Use as high-percentage passing position in later match stages when points are needed, or early to establish dominance and tire opponent through constant defensive demands.

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