Double Unders Top Position is a dominant pressure passing position where the top practitioner controls both of the bottom player’s legs by threading their arms underneath, typically securing a grip behind the opponent’s back or on their belt. This position represents a critical transition point in guard passing, offering exceptional control over the opponent’s hip mobility and creating intense chest-to-chest pressure that makes guard retention extremely difficult. The position is characterized by the top player’s ability to stack the opponent’s weight onto their shoulders while controlling their legs, effectively neutralizing most guard recovery attempts and creating a crushing pressure that fatigues the defensive player rapidly.
The Double Unders position excels at breaking down various open guard styles, particularly butterfly guard, half guard, and seated guards where the opponent’s legs are elevated. By controlling both legs simultaneously, the passer eliminates the bottom player’s ability to create effective frames or establish threatening guard positions. The crushing pressure and limited mobility make this an extremely fatiguing position for the defensive player, often forcing them into poor defensive decisions or creating opportunities for the pass to complete. High-level competitors frequently use this position as a pressure-passing gateway, transitioning smoothly to side control, mount, or back control depending on the opponent’s defensive reactions. The position typically resolves within 20-45 seconds as the top player advances to a scoring position or the bottom player executes an escape to deep half guard or turtle.
Position Definition
- Both arms positioned under opponent’s legs with hands meeting behind their back or gripping the belt/pants, creating a tight control loop that restricts hip movement and leg separation
- Chest making heavy contact with opponent’s thighs or knees, driving forward pressure that stacks their weight onto their shoulders and upper back while limiting their ability to create space
- Top player’s posture angled forward with hips driving into opponent’s legs, creating downward pressure vector that prevents guard recovery and forces defensive player into compromised spinal alignment
- Opponent’s hips elevated off the mat with legs controlled and compressed together, eliminating their ability to establish effective frames with feet or create separation with knee shields
Prerequisites
- Successful engagement with opponent’s open guard (butterfly, seated, half guard variations)
- Control of opponent’s legs with both arms positioned underneath
- Forward pressure established with chest contact on opponent’s thighs or knees
- Opponent’s guard broken or sufficiently opened to allow double underhook positioning
- Base established with knees and feet positioned to drive forward pressure
Key Offensive 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
Available Attacks
Double Under Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 55%
- Intermediate: 70%
- Advanced: 85%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Transition to North-South → North-South
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Transition to Back Control → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Stack Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent keeps legs together and attempts to frame with hands on chest maintaining flat back:
- Execute Stack Pass → Side Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Transition to North-South → North-South (Probability: 55%)
If opponent turns to their side trying to face away and escape the crushing pressure:
- Execute Transition to Back Control → Back Control (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
If opponent attempts to separate legs or insert butterfly hooks between your arms:
- Execute Leg Weave Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Transition to Mount → Mount (Probability: 50%)
If opponent extends arms to create frames or push away from chest pressure:
- Execute Kimura from Side Control → Kimura Control (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Double Under Pass → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Shortest path to submission
Double Unders Top → Side Control → Kimura Control → Kimura
High-percentage mount path
Double Unders Top → Mount → S Mount → Armbar Control → Armbar from Mount
Back control path
Double Unders Top → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
North-South submission path
Double Unders Top → North-South → Kimura Control → Kimura from North-South
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 60% | 55% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 75% | 70% | 30% |
| Advanced | 85% | 85% | 45% |
Average Time in Position: 20-45 seconds before pass completion or escape