Double Pants Grip

Double Pants Grip is a low complexity BJJ principle applicable at the Fundamental level. Develop over Beginner to Advanced.

Principle ID: Application Level: Fundamental Complexity: Low Development Timeline: Beginner to Advanced

What is Double Pants Grip?

The Double Pants Grip is a fundamental control concept in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the guard player establishes grips on both of the opponent’s pant legs simultaneously. This bilateral control creates a powerful framework for controlling distance, breaking posture, and initiating sweeps. Unlike collar and sleeve grips that control the upper body, the double pants grip focuses on controlling the opponent’s base and mobility by manipulating their lower body.

This concept is particularly prevalent in open guard systems, where maintaining distance and controlling the opponent’s ability to pass is paramount. By controlling both legs, the guard player can effectively nullify standing passes, create angles for sweeps, and prevent the opponent from establishing strong pressure. The double pants grip creates a mechanical advantage by controlling the opponent’s foundation while keeping them at a distance where their upper body strength is less effective.

Mastery of the double pants grip concept extends beyond simply holding fabric—it involves understanding weight distribution, timing pulls and pushes, and recognizing sweep opportunities based on the opponent’s reactions. This grip system forms the foundation for numerous guard variations and sweep sequences, making it an essential concept for developing a comprehensive open guard game.

Core Components

• Bilateral control of opponent’s base limits their mobility and passing options
• Distance management keeps opponent in optimal range for sweeps while preventing pressure
• Grip placement on pants (ankles vs knees vs thighs) determines leverage and control type
• Active pulling and pushing with legs creates off-balancing opportunities
• Breaking opponent’s posture downward increases sweep success rates
• Maintaining flexible hip positioning allows adaptation to opponent movement
• Timing grip breaks and re-grips prevents opponent from establishing strong base
• Combining pants grips with foot placement (hooks, frames) multiplies control effectiveness

Component Skills

Grip Acquisition: Ability to establish double pants grips efficiently from various guard positions, including timing the initial grip during opponent movement and maintaining grips through opponent grip-fighting attempts.

Distance Regulation: Using the grips to push and pull the opponent into optimal range—close enough to off-balance but far enough to prevent pressure passing or smashing guard recovery.

Weight Distribution Reading: Recognizing when opponent’s weight shifts forward, backward, or to one side, creating sweep opportunities by detecting base vulnerabilities through grip feedback.

Hip Mobility Management: Maintaining flexible hip positioning while controlling pants grips, allowing angle changes and sweep entries without releasing control of opponent’s legs.

Posture Breaking Mechanics: Using foot pressure on hips, biceps, or collar in combination with pants grips to break opponent’s upright posture and create forward momentum for sweeps.

Sweep Timing Recognition: Identifying the precise moment when opponent is most vulnerable to sweeps based on their weight distribution, grip reactions, and base positioning while maintaining double pants control.

Grip Transition Fluidity: Smoothly transitioning between different grip heights (ankle to knee to thigh) and combining pants grips with other control points based on tactical needs.

Defensive Framing Integration: Combining pants grips with foot frames on hips, biceps, or shoulders to create layered defensive systems that prevent passing while setting up offensive sequences.

Related Principles

• Grip Fighting (Prerequisite): Understanding grip fighting principles is essential before developing effective double pants grip control, as maintaining these grips against opponent resistance requires fundamental grip-breaking and re-establishing skills.
• Distance Creation (Complementary): Double pants grip is a primary tool for implementing distance management principles in open guard, providing the mechanical means to control opponent proximity.
• Off-Balancing (Complementary): The double pants grip creates the framework for executing off-balancing techniques by controlling the opponent’s base, making these concepts mutually reinforcing.
• Sweep Mechanics (Extension): Many sweep sequences are extensions of double pants grip control, using the established control as the foundation for executing specific sweep techniques.
• Collar Control (Alternative): Collar and sleeve grips serve as alternative control systems focusing on upper body manipulation, while double pants grip focuses on lower body control—both achieving guard control through different mechanical means.
• Guard Retention (Advanced form): Advanced guard retention integrates double pants grip as one component of a comprehensive defensive system, combining it with hip movement, framing, and re-guarding strategies.
• Base Maintenance (Complementary): Double pants grip directly attacks opponent’s base maintenance by controlling both legs simultaneously, creating the mechanical foundation for destabilizing their structure.
• Posture Breaking (Complementary): Pants grips combined with foot pressure provide the mechanical advantage needed to break opponent’s upright posture and create forward vulnerability for sweeps.
• Guard Passing (Alternative): Understanding passing principles from the top perspective helps guard players recognize and counter common passing strategies when using double pants grip control.
• Leverage Principles (Extension): Double pants grip exemplifies lever-based control by manipulating opponent’s legs (long levers) to affect their entire body position with minimal energy expenditure.
• Weight Distribution (Complementary): Reading opponent’s weight distribution through pants grip feedback is essential for timing sweeps and recognizing when base is most vulnerable to attacks.
• Connection Principles (Extension): Double pants grip establishes strong connection points at opponent’s legs, demonstrating how bilateral connections create greater control than single-point attachments.

Application Contexts

Open Guard: Double pants grip serves as primary control system to prevent passing, manage distance, and set up sweeps while keeping opponent at bay with foot frames and active hip movement.

Closed Guard: After opponent stands to open closed guard, transitioning immediately to double pants grips maintains control during the vulnerable transition period and sets up open guard game.

Spider Guard: Double pants grip can be combined with or substituted for traditional sleeve grips in spider guard, offering alternative control when sleeve grips are unavailable or broken.

De La Riva Guard: The De La Riva hook is often combined with double pants grip on the non-hooked leg, creating multi-layered control that prevents opponent from clearing the hook or circling away.

Butterfly Guard: Combining butterfly hooks with double pants grips creates powerful sweep mechanics by controlling both the base (pants) and elevation points (hooks) simultaneously.

X-Guard: Double pants grip facilitates entry to X-guard by controlling opponent’s legs while threading hooks, providing stability during the transition phase and preventing opponent from stepping away.

Lasso Guard: One pants grip on the non-lassoed leg combined with the lasso creates strong directional control, preventing opponent from posturing away from the lasso or establishing passing angles.

Reverse De La Riva Guard: Double pants grip helps establish and maintain reverse De La Riva position by controlling the non-hooked leg and preventing opponent from backstep passes or disengagement.

Seated Guard: From seated guard position, double pants grip maintains distance control while allowing guard player to stay upright and mobile, preventing opponent from driving forward with pressure.

Half Guard: When opponent attempts to pass half guard, double pants grip on their free leg can prevent the pass completion and create off-balancing opportunities for sweeps or guard recovery.

Collar Sleeve Guard: Transitioning from collar-sleeve to double pants grip provides alternative control when opponent breaks upper body grips or when setting up leg-based sweep attacks.

Single Leg X-Guard: Double pants grip on the standing leg while establishing single leg X creates layered control that prevents opponent from hopping away or establishing stable base for defense.

Decision Framework

1. Assess opponent’s posture and base stability: If opponent has upright posture with weight distributed evenly, establish double pants grips (ankle or knee level) while preparing to break posture forward with foot pressure on hips or biceps.
2. Determine optimal grip height based on opponent distance: If opponent is close, grip thighs or knees for maximum control; if opponent is far, grip ankles or lower shins to extend reach and prevent further distance creation.
3. Evaluate opponent’s weight distribution through grip feedback: If weight shifts forward, pull pants grips while elevating hips to create sweep opportunity; if weight shifts backward, push with feet while maintaining grips to prevent disengagement.
4. Recognize opponent’s grip-fighting attempts: If opponent attacks grips aggressively, use their commitment to create off-balance moment; if opponent ignores grips, break their posture and initiate sweep sequence.
5. Identify sweep opportunity based on base vulnerability: If opponent’s weight is over toes, execute forward sweep (scissor, tripod); if weight is on heels, execute backward sweep (tomahawk, sickle); if weight favors one side, execute directional sweep.
6. Monitor distance changes during engagement: If opponent creates distance by standing tall, adjust grips lower and use foot frames to maintain connection; if opponent pressures forward, transition to closed guard or sweep entry.
7. Assess effectiveness of current grip configuration: If grips provide insufficient control, transition to alternative guard system (spider, lasso, De La Riva); if grips are controlling effectively, commit to sweep sequence or submission setup.
8. Recognize when to abandon double pants grip: If opponent successfully breaks both grips simultaneously, immediately transition to alternative guard retention strategy using foot frames and hip movement to prevent passing.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Static grip maintenance without active pulling/pushing
  • Consequence: Opponent can settle into stable base, nullifying control and allowing them to methodically break grips and initiate passing sequences
  • Correction: Constantly create tension with grips through pulling, pushing, or angling movements; keep opponent reacting and unable to establish comfortable posture
• Mistake: Gripping too high (mid-thigh or higher) against standing opponent
  • Consequence: Reduces leverage and allows opponent to easily break grips with hip movement or hand fighting; compromises distance control
  • Correction: Against standing opponents, grip at or below knee level for maximum leverage and distance management; higher grips only when opponent is lower or when transitioning to closed guard
• Mistake: Maintaining grips while allowing hips to become flat on mat
  • Consequence: Eliminates mobility and angle creation; makes guard player vulnerable to pressure passing despite having pants grips
  • Correction: Keep hips mobile and elevated off mat; use grips in combination with active hip movement to create angles and maintain defensive flexibility
• Mistake: Failing to combine pants grips with foot placement
  • Consequence: Provides incomplete control that opponent can overcome with upper body pressure or by driving forward through guard
  • Correction: Always use double pants grips in combination with strategic foot placement (frames on hips, biceps, or shoulders) to create layered control system
• Mistake: Holding grips during opponent’s complete weight shift
  • Consequence: Wastes sweep opportunity or allows opponent to pass by committing to grips instead of capitalizing on vulnerability
  • Correction: Recognize when to release one or both grips to execute sweep or when to transition grip configuration based on opponent’s weight shift patterns
• Mistake: Using only fingers/thumb grip instead of full fist grip on fabric
  • Consequence: Creates weak grips that opponent can break easily through movement or targeted grip-breaking; causes finger fatigue and potential injury
  • Correction: Establish full-fist grips with fabric bunched in palm; use entire hand strength rather than isolating finger/thumb power for grip retention
• Mistake: Neglecting to adjust grip height during opponent movement
  • Consequence: Grips become ineffective as opponent changes distance or posture, losing control and creating passing opportunities
  • Correction: Continuously adjust grip height based on opponent’s distance changes; transition fluidly between ankle, knee, and thigh grips as needed

Training Methods

Progressive Resistance Drilling (Focus: Developing grip acquisition speed, grip strength, and ability to re-establish grips when broken) Partner maintains upright posture while guard player works to establish and maintain double pants grips against increasing resistance levels, from zero resistance to active grip-fighting

Distance Control Flow Drill (Focus: Building intuitive understanding of distance management and grip-based opponent manipulation) With double pants grips established, guard player practices pulling opponent close and pushing them away in controlled rhythm, developing feel for optimal distance and grip tension

Weight Distribution Recognition Exercise (Focus: Developing tactile sensitivity to opponent’s weight distribution changes that create sweep opportunities) Partner with double pants grips established shifts weight forward/backward/side-to-side while guard player identifies shifts through grip feedback and calls out sweep opportunities

Sweep Chain Development (Focus: Building ability to chain sweeps together while maintaining control framework of double pants grips) From double pants grip position, practice flowing through multiple sweep attempts (scissor, tomahawk, sickle) without releasing grips, emphasizing smooth transitions between techniques

Positional Sparring with Grip Constraint (Focus: Developing practical grip retention under resistance and learning to work within grip-based constraint system) Open guard sparring where bottom player must maintain at least one pants grip at all times; if both grips are broken, reset to starting position

Guard Recovery Integration Drill (Focus: Building ability to establish double pants grip in dynamic, defensive situations rather than only from static starting positions) Partner begins passing guard (knee slice, toreando, etc.) while guard player must recover using double pants grip as primary recovery tool, emphasizing grip establishment during defensive sequences

Mastery Indicators

Beginner Level:

• Can establish double pants grips from static open guard position with cooperative partner
• Maintains grips for 5-10 seconds against passive resistance before grips are broken
• Recognizes basic sweep opportunities when opponent leans forward or backward while grips are established
• Uses primarily static grip holding rather than active pulling/pushing to control opponent

Intermediate Level:

• Establishes double pants grips quickly against active resistance and grip-fighting attempts
• Maintains grips for 20-30+ seconds against moderate resistance while creating off-balancing movements
• Successfully executes 2-3 different sweeps from double pants grip position during sparring rounds
• Actively adjusts grip height (ankle/knee/thigh) based on opponent distance and passing strategy
• Combines pants grips with effective foot placement to create layered defensive control

Advanced Level:

• Establishes double pants grips during dynamic guard retention and recovery situations
• Chains multiple sweep attempts together without releasing grips, flowing between techniques based on opponent reactions
• Recognizes subtle weight distribution changes through grip feedback and immediately capitalizes with appropriate sweep
• Uses double pants grip as foundation for transitioning to other guard systems (X-guard, single leg X, etc.)
• Maintains grip control while moving hips through multiple angles to create sweep opportunities
• Defeats advanced grip-breaking strategies through timing, grip transitions, and re-gripping techniques

Expert Level:

• Establishes and maintains double pants grips against elite-level opponents actively working to prevent guard establishment
• Creates sweep opportunities from double pants grip against opponents who show no obvious weight distribution errors
• Seamlessly integrates double pants grip into complex guard system that includes multiple control options and smooth transitions
• Uses double pants grip to control standing opponent’s movement patterns and force them into predictable passing attempts
• Teaches concept effectively to others, demonstrating deep understanding of mechanical principles and timing
• Develops personalized variations and applications of double pants grip concept suited to individual game and body type

Related Content

• Open Guard (Position) - Primary position where double pants grip is applied as fundamental control system
• Scissor Sweep (Transition) - Common sweep executed from double pants grip when opponent’s weight shifts forward
• Tomahawk Sweep (Transition) - Sweep option from double pants grip when opponent maintains upright posture with weight on heels
• Grip Fighting (Principle) - Prerequisite concept necessary for establishing and maintaining double pants grips against resistance
• Spider Guard (Position) - Alternative guard system that can be combined with or transitioned from double pants grip
• Butterfly Guard (Position) - Position that uses double pants grip combined with butterfly hooks for enhanced sweep mechanics
• Off-Balancing (Principle) - Complementary concept that double pants grip implements by controlling opponent’s base and creating vulnerability
• Pendulum Sweep (Transition) - Sweep technique that can be executed from double pants grip position with proper angle and timing
• De La Riva Guard (Position) - Guard position that frequently combines De La Riva hook with double pants grip for enhanced control
• X-Guard (Position) - Advanced guard position that uses double pants grip as entry mechanism and transitional control
• Lasso Guard (Position) - Guard variation that integrates one pants grip with lasso control for directional manipulation
• Reverse De La Riva Guard (Position) - Guard system that relies on double pants grip to establish and maintain control while preventing disengagement
• Distance Creation (Principle) - Complementary concept implemented through double pants grip mechanics in open guard systems
• Guard Retention (Principle) - Advanced defensive framework that integrates double pants grip with hip movement and framing strategies
• Sweep Mechanics (Principle) - Foundational concept extended by double pants grip control as setup for multiple sweep techniques

Expert Insights

• John Danaher: The double pants grip represents a fundamental principle of lower body control in open guard systems—by controlling both legs simultaneously, you effectively eliminate the majority of the opponent’s passing options. The key mechanical insight is that human mobility and base stability depend critically on leg positioning; when you control both legs, you control the foundation of their entire structure. Most beginners make the error of viewing this as simply ‘holding pants,’ when in reality it’s a sophisticated system of weight distribution manipulation. The grips themselves are merely the connection points—the real control comes from understanding how to use those connection points to read weight shifts, create off-balance moments, and time sweep entries. Pay particular attention to grip height variation: ankle grips provide maximum distance control but less directional control, knee grips offer balanced control, and thigh grips give maximum directional control but reduced distance management. Advanced application requires fluid transition between these grip heights based on the opponent’s distance and passing strategy.
• Gordon Ryan: Double pants grip is one of the highest-percentage control systems in modern competition because it’s incredibly difficult to pass when someone has both your legs controlled and knows how to use it properly. What separates competitors who win with this grip versus those who get passed is activity level—you can’t just hold the pants and wait, you need to constantly be pulling, pushing, creating angles, and forcing reactions. I specifically look for opponents who stand tall because that’s when double pants grip becomes extremely powerful—their base is narrow, their weight is high, and they’re incredibly vulnerable to sweeps in any direction. The competition meta has evolved to where many top passers will immediately try to break these grips before establishing any passing strategy, which tells you how threatening this control system is. My advice is to develop multiple sweep chains from this position—don’t just have one sweep, have four or five that you can flow between based on their reactions. When they defend the first sweep, you should already be entering the second. That’s what makes this grip so dangerous in competition.
• Eddie Bravo: The double pants grip is fundamental to a lot of 10th Planet guard systems because it gives you that distance control you need while keeping your hands low and your upper body free to work different angles. One thing I really emphasize is combining these grips with unconventional foot placement—don’t just think ‘feet on hips,’ think about putting feet on biceps, on collar bones, even on the face if the rules allow it. That creates these really uncomfortable situations for the passer where they can’t get comfortable and they start making mistakes. We also use double pants grip as an entry point to a lot of our position-specific systems—from there you can go to Rubber Guard if they come close, you can invert and attack the back, you can enter leg entanglements. The grip itself is just the beginning; it’s what you create from that control that matters. I tell my students to think of it like a steering wheel—you’re driving their movement, deciding where they can and can’t go, and setting up your attacks based on how they try to escape your control. Get creative with it and don’t just do what everyone else does.