Underhook Defense

Underhook Defense is a medium complexity BJJ principle applicable at the Intermediate level. Develop over Beginner to Advanced.

Principle ID: Application Level: Intermediate Complexity: Medium Development Timeline: Beginner to Advanced

What is Underhook Defense?

Underhook Defense represents the strategic and technical framework for preventing, controlling, and neutralizing opponent’s underhook positions that threaten positional control, back takes, and sweeps. Unlike specific defensive movements, underhook defense is a comprehensive conceptual system encompassing threat recognition when opponent secures or attempts underhooks, grip fighting strategies to prevent underhook establishment, framing and postural tactics to neutralize established underhooks, and recovery protocols when underhooks lead to positional compromise. This concept integrates biomechanical understanding of how underhooks create leverage and control with tactical priorities for addressing underhook threats in various positions. Underhook defense serves as both an immediate protective mechanism preventing opponent from capitalizing on underhook advantages and a systematic control restoration process enabling position recovery when underhooks are established. The ability to implement effective underhook defense often determines whether a practitioner can maintain positional security in contested situations or becomes vulnerable to sweeps, back takes, and control positions that exploit underhook leverage, making it one of the most essential conceptual elements in competitive BJJ.

Core Components

• Recognize underhook threats immediately based on position and opponent’s grip objectives
• Prioritize preventing underhook establishment through proactive grip fighting and positioning
• Establish opposing frames and connections when opponent secures underhook
• Control opponent’s shoulder and head to limit underhook leverage even when established
• Maintain hip positioning that prevents opponent from using underhook for sweeps or back takes
• Create distance and angles that reduce underhook effectiveness
• Coordinate underhook defense with base maintenance and weight distribution
• Recover superior position or establish own underhooks when opportunity presents
• Adapt underhook defense strategy based on position (half guard vs. side control vs. standing)

Component Skills

Underhook Threat Recognition: Ability to identify when opponent is attempting to establish underhook control before it becomes fully secured. This involves reading opponent’s grips, body positioning, and movement patterns that telegraph underhook attempts, allowing preemptive defensive responses.

Preventative Grip Fighting: Proactive hand fighting and grip management that prevents opponent from establishing underhook position initially. This includes controlling opponent’s wrist, elbow, or shoulder before they can thread their arm under yours, using collar ties and overhooks to deny underhook access.

Frame Establishment Against Underhook: Creating structural frames using forearms, elbows, and hands that limit the leverage and control opponent gains from established underhook. This involves posting on opponent’s shoulder, hip, or head to prevent them from driving forward or turning into you with underhook control.

Shoulder and Head Control: Using your free hand to control opponent’s shoulder or head on the underhook side, preventing them from using the underhook to turn you, take your back, or complete sweeps. This control limits their ability to capitalize on underhook advantage.

Hip Positioning and Angle Management: Maintaining hip position and body angles that neutralize underhook effectiveness even when opponent has established the grip. This includes keeping hips away from opponent, facing them, and preventing the perpendicular angle that makes underhooks most dangerous.

Counter-Underhook Establishment: Securing your own underhook on the opposite side to create mutual underhook positions, neutralizing opponent’s advantage. This skill involves timing and technique to establish your underhook while managing their existing one.

Whizzer Application: Using overhook/whizzer on opponent’s underhook arm to control and neutralize their leverage, preventing them from using the underhook for offensive purposes. This involves proper positioning and pressure application to make their underhook ineffective.

Recovery Sequencing: Systematic protocols for recovering superior position when opponent has successfully used underhook to gain advantage. This includes recognizing when to abandon current position, establishing frames during transition, and re-establishing favorable position or guard.

Related Principles

• Whizzer Control (Complementary): Whizzer control serves as primary neutralization tool when underhook is established, working synergistically with underhook defense to prevent opponent from capitalizing on underhook position.
• Frame Management (Prerequisite): Effective framing provides structural foundation for underhook defense, as frames are essential for preventing opponent from using established underhook to close distance or turn into you.
• Grip Fighting (Prerequisite): Grip fighting skills are foundational to underhook defense, as preventing underhook establishment requires proactive hand fighting before opponent can secure the position.
• Base Maintenance (Complementary): Maintaining strong base coordinates with underhook defense to prevent opponent from using underhook leverage to off-balance or sweep you, particularly in half guard and turtle positions.
• Control Point Hierarchy (Extension): Understanding which underhooks are most dangerous (deep half, back exposure, etc.) extends control point hierarchy concept to prioritize defensive responses based on threat level.
• Guard Retention (Extension): Underhook defense extends into guard retention as preventing opponent’s underhook during guard passing is critical element of maintaining guard position.
• Hand Fighting (Prerequisite): Hand fighting encompasses the proactive grip fighting skills necessary to prevent underhook establishment before opponent can secure dangerous positions.
• Defensive Framing (Complementary): Defensive framing techniques provide the structural tools necessary to neutralize established underhooks and maintain distance when prevention fails.
• Space Management (Complementary): Managing distance and space coordinates with underhook defense as creating appropriate spacing reduces underhook effectiveness and enables recovery.
• Connection Breaking (Alternative): When underhook defense through frames and whizzers fails, breaking the underhook connection entirely becomes alternative pathway to neutralize the threat.
• Leverage Principles (Prerequisite): Understanding leverage mechanics explains why underhooks are dangerous and informs proper positioning and pressure angles for effective defense.
• Pressure Reduction (Complementary): Reducing opponent’s pressure coordinates with underhook defense as excessive forward pressure amplifies underhook effectiveness for sweeps and passes.

Application Contexts

Half Guard: Prevent opponent from establishing underhook on far side which enables them to flatten you and pass. Establish your own underhook or use frames to keep opponent’s chest elevated and prevent their underhook from connecting to your back.

Deep Half Guard: While you want underhook in deep half, you must defend against opponent’s counter-underhook on your far side that can flatten you and prevent sweep execution. Frame against their shoulder and maintain angle.

Turtle: Primary defensive concern is preventing opponent’s underhook from underneath that leads to clock choke, back take, or turtle flattening. Use elbow connection to hip and base widening to deny underhook access.

Side Control: Prevent opponent’s far side underhook which enables them to establish strong crossface position and prevents your escape attempts. Frame against their shoulder and neck to deny underhook connection.

Closed Guard: Defend against bottom player’s overhook attempts that can lead to triangle, omoplata, or sweeps. Maintain good posture and hand position to prevent opponent from securing deep overhook control.

Dogfight Position: Critical underhook battle position where whoever establishes superior underhook control typically wins the exchange. Fight for deep underhook while preventing opponent’s underhook with frames and whizzer.

Front Headlock: Defend against opponent’s underhook attempt on your trapped arm side that enables them to take your back or complete anaconda/darce. Keep your trapped arm tight to body and work to establish your own underhook.

Clinch: Prevent opponent from establishing body lock or single underhook that leads to takedowns and throws. Use collar ties, overhooks, and underhook battles to maintain neutral or advantageous clinch position.

Butterfly Guard: Maintain underhook control or prevent opponent’s underhook that enables them to flatten you and pass. Your underhook is offensive tool while defending theirs prevents them from controlling your upper body.

Underhook Battle: Direct underhook versus underhook contest where proper technique, pressure, and positioning determine who gains superior control. Use head position, hip placement, and shoulder pressure to win underhook battle.

Standing Back Control: If opponent has your back while standing, prevent their second underhook which enables body lock and throwing attacks. Fight their grip with both hands and work to turn into them or establish your own control.

Open Guard: Defend against opponent’s underhook during guard passing attempts that enables them to control your upper body and flatten your guard. Use frames, distance management, and grip fighting to prevent consolidation.

De La Riva Guard: While maintaining De La Riva hook, prevent opponent’s underhook on near side that neutralizes the hook’s effectiveness and enables them to pass. Maintain collar and sleeve control to prevent underhook establishment.

Kesa Gatame: From bottom of scarf hold, prevent opponent from securing underhook on your near arm which locks the pin and prevents escape. Keep near arm tucked and work to establish frames before attempting escape.

Body Lock: When opponent attempts or establishes body lock, immediately address underhooks on both sides. Break grips, establish frames, and prevent them from locking hands around your body to eliminate takedown threat.

Decision Framework

1. Is opponent attempting to establish underhook or is underhook already established?: If attempting: Engage in preventative grip fighting to deny access. If established: Move immediately to neutralization protocol using frames, whizzer, or counter-underhook.
2. What position are we in and how dangerous is this specific underhook?: Assess threat level based on position (deep half underhook vs. side control underhook have different priorities). Prioritize defensive response based on immediate danger of back exposure, sweep, or pass.
3. Can I prevent underhook establishment through grip fighting?: If yes: Control opponent’s wrist, elbow, or shoulder to prevent them threading arm under yours. Use collar ties or overhooks to occupy their arm. If no: Move to step 4.
4. Opponent has underhook - can I establish counter-underhook to neutralize?: If space available: Establish your own underhook on opposite side creating mutual underhook position. If not: Use whizzer/overhook on their underhook arm or establish frames against shoulder/head.
5. Is opponent using underhook to close distance or turn into me?: Create frames against their shoulder, head, or hip to prevent them from capitalizing on underhook leverage. Maintain hip positioning that keeps your back away from their chest and prevents perpendicular angles.
6. Am I maintaining proper base and angle despite their underhook?: Adjust hip position, weight distribution, and body angle to neutralize underhook effectiveness. Face opponent, keep hips mobile, and prevent them from using underhook to off-balance you.
7. Has opponent successfully used underhook to gain positional advantage?: If yes: Implement recovery protocol appropriate to position - re-guard from half guard, technical standup from turtle, or accept position change and establish frames in new position. If maintaining: Continue neutralization through steps 4-6.
8. Is there opportunity to reverse position using their underhook commitment?: If opponent over-commits to underhook: Use their forward pressure for counter-techniques like elevator sweeps, rolling back takes, or limp arm escapes. If not: Maintain defensive integrity and wait for next opportunity.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Allowing opponent to establish underhook without immediate defensive response
  • Consequence: Opponent consolidates underhook position with additional grips and positioning, making neutralization significantly more difficult and enabling them to execute sweeps, passes, or back takes
  • Correction: Develop habit of immediate response to underhook establishment - frame, whizzer, or counter-underhook must happen within 1-2 seconds of opponent securing position to prevent consolidation
• Mistake: Using only upper body defense without adjusting hip position
  • Consequence: Even with frames or whizzers in place, poor hip positioning allows opponent to use underhook leverage for sweeps and back exposure, as hips determine whether underhook can generate dangerous angles
  • Correction: Coordinate upper body defense with hip management - keep hips facing opponent, maintain mobility, and prevent perpendicular angles that make underhooks most dangerous
• Mistake: Fighting equally for all underhooks regardless of position context
  • Consequence: Wastes energy defending relatively harmless underhooks while potentially allowing critical underhooks (deep half, turtle underneath, back exposure) to develop due to poor threat prioritization
  • Correction: Understand underhook hierarchy in each position - deep half underhook is more critical than closed guard overhook, turtle underhook from underneath is more dangerous than butterfly guard underhook
• Mistake: Attempting to escape or improve position before neutralizing established underhook
  • Consequence: Movement while opponent has active underhook control often leads directly to sweeps, back takes, or worse positions as their underhook leverage increases during your motion
  • Correction: Establish underhook neutralization first (frame, whizzer, or counter-underhook) before attempting positional improvements - static defense before dynamic movement
• Mistake: Neglecting preventative grip fighting and waiting until underhook is established
  • Consequence: Constantly defending established underhooks is much more difficult than preventing them initially, leading to energy depletion and increased vulnerability to opponent’s underhook-based attacks
  • Correction: Implement proactive hand fighting before opponent can thread their arm - control their wrist, elbow, or shoulder in transition moments when underhook attempts typically occur
• Mistake: Using excessive strength in whizzer without proper positioning
  • Consequence: Strong but improperly positioned whizzer creates stalemate without neutralizing underhook danger, or opponent uses your strength commitment to create reactions they can exploit
  • Correction: Combine whizzer with proper shoulder pressure, head position, and hip angle - whizzer effectiveness comes from positioning and leverage, not raw strength application
• Mistake: Failing to establish frames when counter-underhook is not available
  • Consequence: Without either counter-underhook or frames, opponent can freely close distance and use underhook to turn into you, leading to back exposure, flattening, or sweeps
  • Correction: If counter-underhook is unavailable due to space or opponent’s positioning, immediately establish frames against their shoulder, head, or hip to maintain distance and prevent them turning into you

Training Methods

Underhook Battle Positional Sparring (Focus: Develops tactical awareness of underhook importance, timing for establishing counter-underhooks, and proper framing techniques when underhook defense is required) Start in positions where underhook control is critical (dogfight, half guard, turtle) with equal or disadvantaged underhook positioning. Focus exclusively on winning and maintaining underhook advantage or defending and neutralizing opponent’s underhook.

Handicap Drilling - Defending Established Underhook (Focus: Builds specific skill of neutralizing already-established underhooks rather than just preventing them, developing frames, whizzer mechanics, and hip positioning under realistic control) Partner starts with established underhook in various positions while you practice neutralization protocols using frames, whizzers, hip positioning, and recovery sequences. Partner provides progressive resistance as your defense improves.

Grip Fighting Flow Drills (Focus: Develops preventative grip fighting skills and recognition of underhook attempt windows, improving ability to deny underhook establishment before it becomes problematic) Continuous hand fighting where both practitioners attempt to establish underhooks while preventing opponent’s underhooks in standing, seated, or kneeling positions. Emphasize light touch and timing rather than strength.

Position-Specific Underhook Defense Scenarios (Focus: Creates position-specific protocols for underhook defense appropriate to each position’s unique characteristics and threat patterns) Isolate specific positions (half guard, turtle, side control bottom) and practice complete defensive sequences from underhook threat recognition through neutralization to position recovery, with partner attempting realistic underhook-based attacks.

Reaction Training - Underhook Establishment Response (Focus: Builds automatic recognition and response patterns to underhook establishment, reducing delay between threat recognition and defensive action) Partner randomly establishes underhooks during positional work or specific training with you required to respond immediately with appropriate defense (frame, whizzer, or counter-underhook) within 2-second window.

Progressive Resistance Whizzer Development (Focus: Develops technical whizzer application that uses positioning and leverage rather than strength, making whizzer defense sustainable and effective against larger opponents) Practice whizzer technique against partner’s underhook with increasing resistance levels, focusing on proper shoulder pressure, head position, and hip angle rather than arm strength. Partner provides feedback on whizzer effectiveness.

Mastery Indicators

Beginner Level:

• Recognizes when opponent has established underhook but response is delayed or reactive rather than immediate
• Can execute basic whizzer or frame against underhook when coached but doesn’t independently select appropriate defense for position
• Focuses on upper body defense without adjusting hip position, allowing opponent to use underhook leverage despite frames
• Rarely engages in preventative grip fighting, typically only defending after underhook is fully established
• Treats all underhooks as equally dangerous without understanding position-specific threat levels

Intermediate Level:

• Responds to underhook establishment within 2-3 seconds with appropriate initial defense (frame or whizzer)
• Begins to implement preventative grip fighting in familiar positions, though still reactive in unfamiliar contexts
• Coordinates upper body defense with basic hip positioning, preventing some but not all underhook-based attacks
• Understands position-specific underhook priorities in main positions (half guard, turtle, side control)
• Can establish counter-underhook when space is available but struggles with timing and positioning
• Executes technically sound whizzer with coaching on shoulder pressure and head position

Advanced Level:

• Recognizes underhook attempts before they’re established and implements preventative defense proactively
• Immediately responds to underhook establishment (within 1 second) with position-appropriate defense
• Seamlessly coordinates upper body frames/whizzers with hip positioning and angle management
• Establishes counter-underhooks with good timing and positioning, creating mutual underhook positions that neutralize opponent’s advantage
• Implements position-specific underhook defense protocols automatically across most positions
• Uses opponent’s underhook commitment to create counter-opportunities (sweeps, back takes, reversals)
• Maintains effective underhook defense while tired or under sustained pressure

Expert Level:

• Controls underhook battles proactively, rarely allowing opponent to establish problematic underhooks
• Implements sophisticated grip fighting sequences that deny underhook establishment while creating own offensive opportunities
• Uses minimal energy to neutralize established underhooks through superior positioning, timing, and technique rather than strength
• Adapts underhook defense strategy in real-time based on opponent’s style, position, and underhook utilization patterns
• Successfully defends underhooks from disadvantaged positions and uses defensive sequences as position recovery pathways
• Exploits opponent’s underhook attempts and commitments to create immediate counter-attacks and reversals
• Teaches and articulates position-specific underhook defense principles to others clearly and effectively

Related Content

• Whizzer Control (Principle) - Primary neutralization tool used when opponent establishes underhook, controlling their arm with overhook to prevent offensive use
• Frame Management (Principle) - Provides structural defensive framework when underhook is established, using forearms and hands to maintain distance and prevent opponent turning into you
• Grip Fighting (Principle) - Foundational skill for preventative underhook defense, controlling opponent’s grips before they can establish problematic underhook positions
• Base Maintenance (Principle) - Works synergistically with underhook defense as maintaining strong base prevents opponent from using underhook leverage to off-balance or sweep
• Half Guard (Position) - Critical application context where underhook defense determines whether you maintain active guard or get flattened and passed
• Dogfight Position (Position) - Pure underhook battle position where underhook defense skills directly determine positional outcome
• Turtle (Position) - Position where defending underhook from underneath is critical to preventing clock choke, back take, and flattening attacks
• Underhook Battle (Position) - Dedicated position for developing and testing underhook versus underhook control skills
• Underhook Pass (Transition) - Opponent’s offensive technique that underhook defense aims to prevent or neutralize during guard passing sequences
• Underhook Sweep from Half (Transition) - Common sweep that underhook defense protocols aim to prevent when playing top half guard
• Deep Half Guard (Position) - Position where you want underhook but must defend opponent’s counter-underhook on far side
• Control Point Hierarchy (Principle) - Extends to underhook contexts by prioritizing which underhooks represent most dangerous threats requiring immediate defense

Expert Insights

• John Danaher: Approaches underhook defense as critical component of positional hierarchy, emphasizing that underhook battles often determine who controls positional exchanges. Teaches systematic protocols for addressing underhooks based on position, with specific defensive sequences for half guard, turtle, and standing contexts. Emphasizes what he terms “underhook hierarchy” where some underhooks (like deep half) are more dangerous than others, requiring prioritized defensive responses. Systematizes the concept that most back takes and many sweeps originate from underhook control, making underhook defense essential for positional security. Particularly emphasizes that in half guard, the battle is fundamentally about underhook control - whoever establishes superior underhook typically wins the position. Teaches that proper underhook defense involves not just preventing the grip but controlling the shoulder and head to neutralize leverage even when opponent has established the position.
• Gordon Ryan: Views underhook battles as ongoing warfare requiring aggressive, proactive approach rather than reactive defense. Focuses on preventing underhooks through constant grip fighting before opponent can establish position. When underhooks are established, emphasizes immediate counter-establishment or neutralization through shoulder pressure and hip control. Notes that elite competitors distinguish themselves through superior underhook awareness and defensive responses, rarely allowing opponents to consolidate underhook advantages into positional improvements. In his passing game, constantly fights to prevent bottom player’s underhook while working to establish his own, understanding that underhook control often determines whether pass succeeds or guard retention wins. Emphasizes that in modern no-gi especially, underhook defense is non-negotiable skill because so many attacks and positions rely on underhook control. Teaches that best underhook defense is establishing your own underhook first, making prevention through proactive grip fighting the highest priority.
• Eddie Bravo: Has developed specialized underhook strategies within his system, particularly regarding lockdown half guard where underhook control determines position outcomes. When teaching underhook defense, emphasizes using opponent’s underhook attempts as opportunities to establish favorable positions like deep half or lockdown. Advocates for what he calls “active underhook defense” where defensive responses include offensive threats that force opponent to abandon underhook pursuit. Particularly innovative in using “electric chair” and other lockdown-based attacks to punish opponent’s underhook establishment attempts. In his rubber guard system, teaches specific protocols for preventing opponent’s underhook during mission control and other high guard positions, as underhook threatens to collapse the guard structure. Views underhook battles not as pure defense but as opportunities to create offensive dilemmas - if opponent commits to securing underhook, this commitment can be exploited for sweeps, submissions, or position improvements. Emphasizes that in 10th Planet system, understanding when to allow certain underhooks to bait opponent into vulnerable positions is advanced strategic element.