The Double Underhook Pass is a systematic transition from Crackhead Control that uses bilateral underhook control to flatten the turtle defender and advance to Side Control. This technique capitalizes on the chair-sit mechanics of Crackhead Control to thread both arms under the opponent’s armpits, creating a powerful scooping action that eliminates their defensive base.
Strategically, this pass exploits the defensive limitations created when an opponent in turtle attempts to protect their neck from back attacks. By focusing their defensive energy on preventing collar and seatbelt grips, they often leave the underhook pathways accessible. The double underhook configuration creates a mechanical advantage where your chest pressure combined with arm leverage makes it nearly impossible for them to maintain the quadruped position.
The technique represents an evolution in turtle passing methodology, moving away from traditional approaches that emphasized riding the back toward modern systems that prioritize flattening and immediate dominant position acquisition. When executed with proper timing and hip pressure coordination, the Double Underhook Pass creates a direct pathway to Side Control while eliminating the scramble opportunities that make turtle attacks risky.
From Position: Crackhead Control (Top) Success Rate: 58%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 65% |
| Failure | Crackhead Control | 25% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 10% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Maintain hip pressure throughout the transition - never rele… | Defend the second underhook aggressively by keeping elbows p… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
-
Maintain hip pressure throughout the transition - never release chair-sit weight until fully settled in Side Control
-
Thread underhooks sequentially, not simultaneously - secure the first deep before hunting the second
-
Use chest pressure against opponent’s shoulder blades as primary driving force, not arm strength
-
Drive perpendicular to opponent’s spine to prevent them from rolling with the pass
-
Lock hands only after both underhooks are deep - premature clasping limits leverage
-
Time the pass for when opponent commits defensive energy to preventing back takes
-
Keep your head low and outside their hip line to prevent reversal opportunities
Execution Steps
-
Establish first underhook: From Crackhead Control, thread your dominant-side arm under opponent’s near armpit, driving your han…
-
Secure the grip: Once the first underhook is deep, lock your hand on their far shoulder or clasp their gi lapel in gi…
-
Thread second underhook: While maintaining the first underhook and hip pressure, swim your opposite arm under their far armpi…
-
Lock the Gable grip: Connect both hands in a Gable grip (palm-to-palm, no thumb) at the center of opponent’s chest. Posit…
-
Drive and flatten: Using chest pressure against their upper back combined with your locked grip pulling toward you, dri…
-
Transition to Side Control: As opponent flattens, release the Gable grip and immediately establish crossface with near arm while…
Common Mistakes
-
Releasing hip pressure while hunting the second underhook
- Consequence: Opponent escapes Crackhead Control by sitting through or standing up, resetting the position entirely and wasting the attacking opportunity
- Correction: Maintain chair-sit weight throughout. Only shift hips slightly to create angle for second underhook - never fully disengage from their lower back until the pass is complete.
-
Threading underhooks too shallow near the elbow
- Consequence: Opponent easily strips the grip by straightening their arm or tucking elbow, leaving you without control and exposed to counters
- Correction: Drive underhooks deep until your hands reach past their shoulder line. Shallow underhooks have no mechanical advantage - depth is essential.
-
Locking hands before both underhooks are fully established
- Consequence: Creates a weak grip configuration that opponent can break by swimming one arm free, and limits your ability to adjust position
- Correction: Patience is critical. Secure each underhook fully before connecting the grip. Rushing the lock creates a false sense of control.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
-
Defend the second underhook aggressively by keeping elbows pinched tight to your ribs and swimming your arm back inside whenever you feel the threading attempt
-
Maintain active hip movement to prevent the attacker from settling their weight and committing to the pass sequence
-
Recognize the transition from back attack defense to pass attempt immediately - the shift in the attacker’s arm placement from your collar to your armpits signals the change
-
Use the attacker’s forward commitment against them by timing sit-back escapes or granby rolls to coincide with their drive phase
-
Keep at least one arm available for posting and framing rather than committing both arms to neck defense, which opens the underhook pathways
Recognition Cues
-
Attacker’s hands shift from collar tie, seatbelt, or neck attacks to swimming under your armpits - you feel pressure moving from your upper back and neck area to your ribcage and armpit
-
Hip pressure from the chair-sit position intensifies and shifts forward slightly as the attacker adjusts their weight to create the threading angle for the second underhook
-
You feel one arm being controlled from underneath with upward lifting pressure against your shoulder, followed by the attacker’s opposite hand beginning to probe under your far armpit
-
The attacker’s chest drops lower against your upper back as they commit to the driving position, and you feel their head lower against your shoulder blade or hip rather than staying upright
Defensive Options
-
Sit back into the attacker during the single-to-double underhook transition by dropping your hips toward them and collapsing your turtle base toward their lap - When: When you feel the first underhook establish and the attacker shifts weight to thread the second - this is the highest-percentage defensive window before the grip consolidates
-
Execute a granby roll toward the side of the first underhook, using the attacker’s forward pressure to fuel the rotation and ending facing them in guard position - When: When the attacker commits to the forward drive with both underhooks locked - their committed weight makes them unable to change direction and you can redirect their momentum
-
Insert near-side knee between yourself and the attacker by collapsing to your hip and threading your knee across their centerline as they attempt to flatten you - When: When the flattening drive begins but before your shoulders reach the mat - the transitional moment where space still exists between your hip and the mat
Position Integration
The Double Underhook Pass represents one of three primary pathways from Crackhead Control: back take, truck entry, and this pass to Side Control. It provides a systematic option when back attacks are heavily defended but the opponent remains committed to turtle. The pass integrates into the modern turtle attack system that emphasizes position acquisition over extended back attack sequences. From the resulting Side Control, standard submission chains become available including Americana, kimura, and arm triangle. Understanding when to select this pass versus back take attempts is essential for efficient Crackhead Control offense. The pass is particularly valuable in competition where points for Side Control (through guard pass scoring) may be strategically important, and where the risk of back attack scrambles is less desirable than guaranteed positional advancement.