Underhook Control Bottom

Jan 23, 20269 min read

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%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent drives forward with heavy chest pressure attempting to flatten you:

If opponent maintains upright posture with their hips back and base wide:

If opponent attempts to establish crossface with their far arm:

If opponent secures whizzer overhook on your underhook arm:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Maintaining shallow underhook that only reaches opponent’s bicep or elbow area

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent easily establishes crossface control and drives shoulder pressure into your face, flattening you to the mat and nullifying offensive opportunities
  • ✅ Correction: Drive your underhook deeply past opponent’s armpit with hand reaching their far shoulder blade. Use hip movement to maintain depth and prevent opponent from extracting their arm backward

2. Keeping inside hip flat on the mat while holding underhook

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent flattens you completely, eliminating hip mobility necessary for sweeps or guard recovery. Static position allows opponent to consolidate control and advance
  • ✅ Correction: Use underhook frame to elevate inside hip off the mat. Maintain dynamic hip positioning with ability to shrimp, turn, or drive forward. Never allow both hips flat simultaneously

3. Neglecting non-underhook hand, allowing it to hang passively

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent establishes crossface control with their far arm, driving your head away and creating angle for pass. Crossface nullifies underhook advantages completely
  • ✅ Correction: Non-underhook hand must actively frame against opponent’s hip, knee, or far arm. This secondary frame prevents crossface and completes defensive structure

4. Holding static underhook without attempting sweeps or positional improvements

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent adapts to your static position, establishes counter-grips, and neutralizes your offensive potential. Referees may penalize for stalling in competition
  • ✅ Correction: Treat underhook as launching point for immediate action. Continuously attempt sweeps, back takes, or guard recovery rather than holding position statically

5. Pulling down on underhook instead of driving upward and forward

  • ❌ Consequence: Pulling down collapses your own structure and brings opponent’s weight onto you. Creates crushing pressure that prevents hip movement and offensive options
  • ✅ Correction: Drive underhook upward toward ceiling while driving your body forward and into opponent. This lifting action off-balances opponent and creates sweep opportunities

6. Ignoring leg positioning while focusing entirely on upper body underhook battle

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent controls your legs independently, establishing knee slice or leg drag passes that bypass your upper body frames completely
  • ✅ Correction: Coordinate underhook control with butterfly hooks, lockdown, or knee shield positioning. Effective bottom control requires upper and lower body integration

Training Drills for Defense

Underhook Establishment Drill

Bottom player starts in half guard without underhook. Top player maintains moderate pressure. Bottom player uses hand fighting and hip movement to establish deep underhook against resistance. Reset and repeat focusing on speed and depth of penetration.

Duration: 5 minutes

Dynamic Underhook Retention

Bottom player maintains deep underhook while top player attempts various stripping methods including whizzer, arm drag, and forward pressure. Bottom player uses hip movement and grip adjustment to retain underhook through all attacks.

Duration: 4 minutes

Underhook Sweep Chain

From bottom underhook control, bottom player attempts old school sweep, then transitions to deep half entry if opponent defends, then attempts rolling back take if opponent counters. Practice smooth chaining without resetting.

Duration: 5 minutes

Crossface Prevention Drill

Bottom player maintains underhook while top player specifically attempts to establish crossface with far arm. Bottom player uses non-underhook hand frames to prevent crossface while maintaining underhook depth and hip mobility.

Duration: 4 minutes

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 LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner45%40%15%
Intermediate60%55%25%
Advanced75%70%40%

Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds before sweep attempt or guard recovery

  • Half Guard - Primary bottom position where underhook control provides sweep and back take opportunities
  • Deep Half Guard - Advanced underhook position accessed by rolling under from standard underhook control
  • Dogfight Position - Scramble position where both players compete for dominant underhook positioning
  • Butterfly Guard - Open guard system that integrates underhook control for sweep mechanics
  • Old School Sweep - Classic sweep directly enabled by deep bottom underhook control
  • Rolling Back Take - Back exposure technique using underhook as primary control and leverage point
  • Quarter Guard - Transitional guard position where underhook control prevents pass completion
  • Z-Guard - Half guard variation that prioritizes underhook control for defensive structure
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