Bottom underhook control represents the most fundamental defensive and offensive tool available to the bottom practitioner in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When facing top pressure in half guard, quarter guard, or side control transitions, securing the underhook becomes the primary objective that separates successful escapes from prolonged defensive struggles. The bottom underhook penetrates deep under the opponent’s armpit, connecting to their far shoulder or back and creating a structural frame that prevents chest-to-chest pressure while opening pathways for hip movement.
The mechanical advantage of bottom underhook control stems from its ability to control your opponent’s center of gravity while protecting your own positional integrity. When properly executed, the underhook creates a barrier that prevents your opponent from driving their shoulder into your face, establishing crossface control, or flattening you to the mat. This protective structure simultaneously enables offensive opportunities—the same lever that keeps you safe becomes the tool for executing sweeps, taking the back, or recovering guard position.
Bottom underhook control functions as a gateway position rather than a destination. The skilled bottom player uses the underhook to create immediate action: driving forward for old school sweeps, rolling under for deep half entries, or coming up to dogfight position for scramble exchanges. Static underhook control invites your opponent to establish counter-grips and immobilize your structure, so dynamic movement patterns become essential. The underhook provides the structural security to move your hips, change angles, and create the off-balancing necessary for successful techniques.
The strategic value of bottom underhook control extends beyond technical execution into the mental warfare of positional exchanges. When you consistently secure and maintain underhooks from bottom positions, you force your opponent into reactive patterns. They must address your underhook before advancing their position, creating predictable defensive responses you can exploit. This positional warfare becomes especially valuable in competition settings where controlling the pace of exchanges and forcing opponents into uncomfortable positions yields strategic advantages.
Modern bottom players have developed sophisticated underhook-based guard systems that integrate with leg entanglements, butterfly hooks, and inversion techniques. The bottom underhook connects seamlessly with X-guard entries, single leg X transitions, and leg drag recoveries, creating a comprehensive bottom game that applies across weight classes and competition formats. Understanding bottom underhook control as the foundation of defensive guard play provides the structural knowledge necessary for developing advanced guard retention and offensive guard systems.
Position Definition
- The bottom practitioner’s arm penetrates deeply under the opponent’s near armpit, with the hand connecting to the far shoulder blade or latissimus dorsi. This deep penetration creates the structural frame necessary to prevent chest-to-chest pressure and maintain space for hip mobility.
- The bottom practitioner maintains their inside hip away from the mat by using the underhook frame and bottom leg positioning. This hip positioning prevents the opponent from flattening the bottom player completely and enables the dynamic hip movement necessary for sweeps and guard recovery.
- The non-underhook hand establishes a secondary frame, typically posting against the opponent’s hip, knee, or far arm to prevent crossface control and maintain structural balance. This secondary frame completes the defensive structure and creates the stability necessary for offensive actions.
Prerequisites
- Bottom player has secured inside position with arm penetrating past opponent’s armpit
- Bottom player maintains space between their chest and opponent’s chest using underhook frame
- Bottom player has at least one leg maintaining some form of guard retention or hook control
- Opponent is in top position attempting to consolidate control or advance position
Key Defensive Principles
- The underhook must be deep—shallow underhooks provide minimal leverage and invite opponent shoulder pressure
- Dynamic movement prevents static stalemates—use the underhook to enable hip mobility and angle changes
- The non-underhook hand prevents crossface control, which would nullify underhook advantages
- Hip positioning determines success—keep inside hip elevated to maintain offensive options
- The underhook creates sweep opportunities by controlling opponent’s center of gravity and base
- Underhook control is transitional—use it immediately to advance position rather than holding statically
- Combine underhook control with leg positioning (butterfly hooks, lockdown, shields) for maximum effectiveness
Available Escapes
Old School Sweep → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Underhook Sweep → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Rolling Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Half Guard to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Butterfly Guard to X-Guard → X-Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Technical Standup → Standing Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Arm Drag to Back → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Re-Guard → Closed Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent drives forward with heavy chest pressure attempting to flatten you:
- Execute Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Rolling Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent maintains upright posture with their hips back and base wide:
- Execute Old School Sweep → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Technical Standup → Standing Position (Probability: 55%)
If opponent attempts to establish crossface with their far arm:
- Execute Arm Drag to Back → Back Control (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Underhook Sweep → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent secures whizzer overhook on your underhook arm:
- Execute Re-Guard → Closed Guard (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard (Probability: 45%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Underhook to Back to Choke
Underhook Control Bottom → Rolling Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Deep Half to Leg Attack
Underhook Control Bottom → Deep Half Entry → Ashi Garami → Outside Heel Hook
Sweep to Mount Submission
Underhook Control Bottom → Old School Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Technical Stand to Guillotine
Underhook Control Bottom → Technical Standup → Front Headlock → Guillotine Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 45% | 40% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 60% | 55% | 25% |
| Advanced | 75% | 70% | 40% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds before sweep attempt or guard recovery
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The bottom underhook represents the most mechanically sound defensive structure available to the bottom practitioner because it simultaneously creates a barrier against chest pressure while establishing a lever for off-balancing. The key insight most practitioners miss is that underhook depth determines everything—a shallow underhook connecting only to the opponent’s bicep provides minimal leverage and invites shoulder pressure, while a deep underhook penetrating past the armpit to connect with the scapula or latissimus creates genuine mechanical advantage. The non-underhook hand plays an equally critical role by preventing crossface control, which would nullify all underhook advantages. When you coordinate deep underhook control with intelligent hip positioning and dynamic movement patterns, you transform defensive scenarios into offensive launching points. The bottom player who masters underhook battles controls the fundamental exchange that determines whether they remain defensive or transition to offensive action.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, I win most of my bottom battles by immediately establishing the underhook and refusing to let opponents neutralize it. The moment you’re in bottom half guard or any similar position, your first action must be securing that deep underhook—everything else flows from there. I see too many competitors holding shallow underhooks or staying static, which allows top players to establish their pressure game and grind out passes. My approach is to use the underhook aggressively for immediate action: driving forward for old school sweeps, rolling under for deep half entries, or coming up on top in scrambles. The underhook gives you the structural control to move your hips freely, and hip movement is what creates successful sweeps. Against high-level opponents, I combine the underhook with leg positioning—using lockdown to control their leg while the underhook controls their upper body creates a complete control system that’s extremely difficult to pass. Don’t be passive with underhooks—use them to create immediate offensive threats.
Eddie Bravo
The underhook from bottom is the foundation of the entire 10th Planet half guard system because it gives you the leverage to control bigger, stronger opponents without relying purely on strength. When you get that deep underhook in lockdown position, you’ve created a control system where you can sweep, take the back, or transition to deep half at will—the opponent has to defend multiple threats simultaneously. What makes underhook control so powerful in no-gi is that without the gi grips to slow things down, whoever controls the underhook controls the scramble. I teach my students to think of the underhook as the key that unlocks all your offensive options from bottom—without it, you’re just defending, but with it, you become dangerous. The underhook connects perfectly with the lockdown system because while your legs control their leg, your underhook controls their upper body, giving you complete control of their base and posture. From there, you can hit old school sweeps, electric chair attacks, or roll into deep half depending on how they react. The beauty of underhook-based systems is they work at every skill level and translate perfectly from gi to no-gi competition.