Underhook Escape by Andre Galvao
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Underhook To Single Leg·BJJ Fanatics
THE UNDERHOOK ESCAPE https://bjjfanatics.com In this Jiu Jitsu training video, Andre Galvao teaches the Underhook Escap…
Underhook To Single Leg
Genusアンダーフックからシングルレッグ(Andāfukku kara Shinguru Reggu)
TransliterationTranslation: underhook to single leg
Overview
The Underhook To Single Leg converts the underhook escape from side control into a single-leg takedown attempt, using the underhook to drive into the opponent and then switching the grip to attack one leg. [1] The defender establishes the underhook, drives to the knees, then transitions the underhook hand down to grab the opponent's near leg while maintaining forward pressure. [1],[2] This escape exemplifies the grappling principle of transitioning seamlessly from defence to offence. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The underhook to single leg transitions from a bottom-side underhook escape directly into a single leg takedown attempt. [1]
Lineage
Combines wrestling underhook technique with BJJ ground escapes. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ and MMA competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Creating space between the bottom player's body and the top player to recover guard or achieve underhook
Joints Involved — Hips (shrimping/hip escape), elbows and forearms (framing against crossface and hip), knees (re-inserting guard)
Force Vector — Lateral hip escape (shrimp) — moving the hips away from the opponent creates the space needed to insert knee or recover guard
Escape Mechanic — Frames create momentary space, hip escape maintains it, and knee insertion re-establishes guard
Position & Entry
From bottom side control — Create frames with the forearms against the opponent's neck and hip, hip escape (shrimp) to create space, insert the knee to recover guard
From underhook escape — Swim the near arm to an underhook, bridge into the opponent and come to knees or reverse
From opponent's transition — When the opponent moves to mount or north-south, use the movement to create space and escape
Variants
Shrimp to guard — framing and hip-escaping to recover full guard or half guard
Underhook escape — winning the underhook and coming to knees or reversing
Bridge to knees — bridging into the opponent and transitioning to turtle or single-leg
Ghost escape — inverting under the opponent to re-guard from the opposite side
Videos
Use your UNDERHOOK to ESCAPE bottom SIDE CONTROL - Professor Steven Williams
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Underhook To Single Leg·Steven Strangles People
Using your underhook to escape is a great way to generate leverage. Body positioning and timing play a key roll in this …
The Easiest Way to Escape Side Control (Even Against Bigger Opponents!)
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Underhook To Single Leg·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
GET MY FREE COURSE - THE SIDE CONTROL ESCAPE KIT! https://intro.mattarroyo.com/home-page-575004 Getting crushed in sid…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The underhook-to-single-leg escape from bottom side control is a high-percentage reversal that transitions a defensive underhook position into leg-based control. Andre Galvao (BJJ Fanatics) emphasizes establishing the underhook by bridging and inserting the hand between the chest and opponent's chest, then using the thigh closest to the hips to create space while maintaining elbow proximity to the body. Once the underhook is secured, Galvao details trapping the opponent's leg and either standing to open the elbow for a take-down or employing the limp-arm technique to secure a body lock before attacking the back. Steven Strangles People (Steven Williams) focuses on the entry sequence from side control, emphasizing heel placement on the ground, shin control transitioning to knee-long grip, and lateral sliding before reaching below the opponent's buttocks to prevent a whizzer. Williams stresses the importance of momentum generation and maintaining head position throughout the scramble. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu presents a strategic variation that uses positional manipulation rather than force—flattening the legs, turning the hip, and placing the knee near the opponent's knee to create a trap that converts an opponent's mount attempt into an escape opportunity. All three instructors agree on the fundamental importance of the underhook and leg control, though they emphasize different technical pathways and timing windows for successful execution.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- BJJ Fanatics — Underhook Escape by Andre Galvao: Detailed the underhook entry via bridging and hand insertion, the use of thigh pressure combined with forearm drive, leg trapping before standing, and the limp-arm technique for body-lock control leading to back attack.
- Steven Strangles People — Use your UNDERHOOK to ESCAPE bottom SIDE CONTROL - Professor Steven Williams: Emphasized heel grounding, shin-to-knee-long grip transitions, lateral sliding mechanics, head positioning, and momentum generation to prevent opponent counter-positioning and facilitate scramble victory.
- Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu — The Easiest Way to Escape Side Control (Even Against Bigger Opponents!): Introduced a strategic alternative using positional setup (flattened legs, hip turn, knee placement) combined with elbow positioning in the inner thigh to exploit the opponent's mount transition and create an automatic escape.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Bottom escapes from mount/side control; bridge and hip escape mechanics (Ribeiro 2008)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive/transitional technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— NCAA Folkstyle — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal s...
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓The underhook-to-single-leg converts the underhook side control escape into an offensive single leg takedown — escaping bad position and immediately attacking (Cael Sanderson, Wrestling Technique, 2010)
✓After establishing the underhook and coming to the knees, immediately level-change and attack the opponent's near leg
✓The underhook provides the upper body control needed to transition to the single leg without losing position
✓This technique embodies the escape-to-attack principle: don't just escape; make the opponent pay for the position they held
✓The single leg from the underhook position has a high completion rate because the opponent is already compromised
✓Finish options: run the pipe, dump, inside trip, or lift — all standard single leg finishes apply
✓In MMA and wrestling, the underhook-to-single-leg is a competition-winning technique
✓The timing of the level change is critical: attack the leg as you come to the knees, not after standing up
Common Mistakes
!Coming to the knees and then pausing before shooting the single — the transition must be seamless; any pause lets the opponent base
!Releasing the underhook to grab the leg — maintain the underhook while level-changing to the leg
!Shooting too far from the opponent — the single leg is close-range from the underhook position
!Not finishing the single leg after the initial entry — the entry is the easy part; commit to the finish
!Standing up first and then shooting — shoot directly from the knees as you rise
!Head position on the wrong side — keep the head on the inside for the single leg
!Not training the full chain (bridge → underhook → turn → single leg) as one sequence
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Create Space — use frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Control — break or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escape — apply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Position — establish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (John Jesse, 1974)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (John Jesse, 1974)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip escape (shrimping) speed, framing strength, timing
Favours
flexible hips and quick lateral movement
Key muscles
hip flexors, obliques, triceps (framing), core
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I escape side control when my opponent is much bigger and stronger?
According to Matt Arroyo, the key is to avoid exhausting yourself with constant escape attempts. Instead, focus on controlling their leg position by moving their knee out just a few inches, keep your elbow inside to prevent them from mounting freely, and let them attempt to mount while you're already set up to escape as their knee comes up.
What's the proper arm position when using an underhook escape from side control?
Andre Galvao emphasizes keeping your elbow close to your body and using a 'limp arm' technique, where you pass your arm between the opponent's butt and hips while hugging them tight, then explosively driving through with momentum rather than relying solely on arm strength.
How do I generate enough momentum to escape if my opponent is using heavy pressure?
Professor Steven Williams recommends using a whipping motion from side control by pushing with your heel on the ground, grabbing the shin, and driving up while grabbing the knee long to generate upward momentum that breaks their control.
How does the Underhook To Single Leg work?
The Underhook To Single Leg converts the underhook escape from side control into a single-leg takedown attempt, using the underhook to drive into the opponent and then switching the grip to attack one leg. The defender establishes the underhook, drives to the knees, then transitions the underhook hand down to grab the opponent's near leg while maintaining forward pressure.
Where does the Underhook To Single Leg come from?
The underhook to single leg from side control was developed by wrestlers in BJJ and MMA who recognised that the underhook escape naturally led to single-leg attack opportunities. It represents the integration of wrestling offence with BJJ defensive positioning.
Is the Underhook To Single Leg legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point (freestyle), reversal scores 1 point; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal scores 2 points
How dangerous is the Underhook To Single Leg?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — bottom escapes from mount/side control; bridge and hip escape mechanics (Ribeiro 2008)
How do I set up the Underhook To Single Leg?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Underhook To Single Leg?
Standard counters include: Maintain Pressure — keep consistent weight distribution to limit escape space / Anticipate Direction — read escape attempt direction and block early / Transition — flow to a new position when the current one is threatened.
What are the variants of the Underhook To Single Leg?
Common variants: Shrimp to guard (framing and hip-escaping to recover full guard or half guard); Underhook escape (winning the underhook and coming to knees or reversing); Bridge to knees (bridging into the opponent and transitioning to turtle or…); Ghost escape (inverting under the opponent to re-guard from the opposit…).
How effective is the Underhook To Single Leg in competition?
Used in BJJ and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Underhook To Single Leg?
Top errors to watch for: Coming to the knees and then pausing before shooting the single — the transition must be seamless; any pause lets the… / Releasing the underhook to grab the leg — maintain the underhook while level-changing to the leg / Shooting too far from the opponent — the single leg is close-range from the underhook position / Not finishing the single leg after the initial entry — the entry is the easy part; commit to the finish.
What are other names for the Underhook To Single Leg?
The Underhook To Single Leg is also known as Andāfukku kara Shinguru Reggu, Underhook Single Leg, Side Control To Takedown.