The GREAT DOUBLE UNDER Guard Pass!
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Double Under Pass·The Grappling Academy
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Double Under Pass
SubFamilyダブルアンダーパス
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Double Under Pass is a classic pressure pass where the passer threads both arms under the opponent's legs, stacks them by walking forward, and passes around the compressed guard — one of the most powerful closed guard and open guard passes in BJJ, particularly effective against guard players who rely on hip-based attacks. [1] With both arms under the legs, the passer can control the opponent's entire lower body, stack them to eliminate hip movement, and choose to pass left or right based on the opponent's defensive reactions. [1],[2] The double under position is also a powerful defensive tool — when caught in an armbar from guard, securing double unders and stacking is the primary escape. [2],[3]
Double UndersDouble Under Hook PassBoxingStacking Pass
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
One of the oldest BJJ guard passes, present in the Gracie curriculum from the earliest era. [1]
Competition Record
The double under pass is commonly used at all levels of IBJJF competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Threading both arms under the opponent's legs, clasping hands behind their back/hips, and stacking by walking forward to compress and pass
Joints Involved — Arms (both threaded under the opponent's legs with hands clasped behind the back), chest (pressure surface driving into the stacked legs), legs (walking forward to drive the stack)
Force Vector — Forward-upward — walking forward lifts the opponent's hips above their head while driving the legs over them
Pass Mechanic — Both arms under the legs provides total lower body control — the opponent cannot frame with their legs, cannot shrimp, and cannot attack with triangles (the most common open-guard-vs-double-under threat is already neutralised)
Position & Entry
From inside closed guard — Break the guard, immediately thread both arms under the legs, clasp hands, and begin walking forward to stack [1]
From open guard — When the opponent plays open guard with feet on hips, swim both arms under the legs before they establish grips
Armbar escape — When caught in an armbar, stack the opponent by driving forward while securing double under position [2]
Videos
Double Under Guard Pass
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Double Under Pass·Chewjitsu
www.chewjitsu.net www.derbycitymma.com A small grip change on the old but still very useful, double under pass..
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
The double under provides maximum control; the primary risk is triangle choke if the arms are threaded incorrectly
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part ...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Thread BOTH arms under before clasping — leaving one arm out risks triangle choke [1]
✓Walk forward with the legs, not the upper body
✓The double under is the best armbar escape from guard — when caught, stack immediately
✓Clasp hands behind the opponent's belt/hips for maximum control
✓Choose pass direction based on the opponent's defensive reaction — pass to the side they least expect [2]
Common Mistakes
!One arm out — leaving one arm outside the legs creates a triangle choke opening
!Leaning forward instead of walking — the power comes from the legs walking forward
!Not clasping hands — loose arms lose control
!Stacking without purpose — stack to PASS, not to hold
!Head position — keep the head on the inside to avoid guillotine threats
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Break Guard
2Thread Both Arms Under Legs
3Clasp Hands
4Walk Forward to Stack
5Choose Pass Direction
6Pass Around Compressed Legs
7Consolidate
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] BJJ competition analysis
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] BJJ competition analysis
Community
Athletics
Requires
leg drive, upper body strength for clasping
Favours
heavy bodyweight, strong legs
Key muscles
quadriceps, chest, forearms (clasp)
Sub-techniques
Notes
The double under pass (double underhooks on both legs) stacks the opponent and walks around. One of the most powerful pressure passes — Andre Galvao and Rodolfo Vieira are among its most famous practitioners. (Jiu-Jitsu University, Ribeiro)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I protect my neck when doing a double under pass?
Hunch your shoulders like a turtle going into a shell and avoid leaving your neck open, which allows you to pass safely, especially if you need a breather.
What grips should I use when I get both hands under in the double under pass?
In the gi, you can grab the belt, pant material, or upper thigh—Chewjitsu recommends grabbing the upper thigh because if your opponent pushes their knees out, it actually helps you pull up more easily. You can also use a gable grip first to control the legs.
How do I finish the double under pass if my opponent is flexible?
Drive your knee down onto their leg rather than just trying to turn around, then slide to the side while maintaining pressure on the neck with your hand blocking their hip.
What should I do to keep control after I get my hands under?
Keep your opponent's feet off the ground and slowly change your shape until you pass the guard, while making sure they don't escape back to guard or get to their knees.
How does the Double Under Pass work?
The Double Under Pass is a classic pressure pass where the passer threads both arms under the opponent's legs, stacks them by walking forward, and passes around the compressed guard — one of the most powerful closed guard and open guard passes in BJJ, particularly effective against guard players who rely on hip-based attacks. With both arms under the legs, the passer can control the opponent's entire lower body, stack them to eliminate hip movement, and choose to pass left or right based on the opponent's defensive reactions.
Where does the Double Under Pass come from?
The double under pass is one of the oldest guard passes in BJJ, used since the earliest competition era.
Is the Double Under Pass legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Double Under Pass?
Danger rating 3/10. Low — the double under provides maximum control; the primary risk is triangle choke if the arms are threaded incorrectly
How do I set up the Double Under Pass?
The standard setup chain: Break Guard → Thread Both Arms Under Legs → Clasp Hands → Walk Forward to Stack → Choose Pass Direction → Pass Around Compressed Legs → Consolidate.
How do I defend against the Double Under Pass?
Standard counters include: Triangle choke — if one arm is out / Frame on hips — preventing the forward drive / Hip escape before the stack / Ankle grab — grabbing the passer's ankles to prevent walking.
What are the variants of the Double Under Pass?
Common variants: Standard double under stack (both arms under, walk forward to stack [1]); Double under to leg drag (transitioning to leg drag from double under); Double under to toreando (throwing the legs to one side from double under); Double under to body lock (converting the double under into a body lock around the hips); Sao Paulo pass (a specific double under variation popular in Brazilian co…).
How effective is the Double Under Pass in competition?
The double under pass is commonly used at all levels of IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Double Under Pass?
Top errors to watch for: One arm out — leaving one arm outside the legs creates a triangle choke opening / Leaning forward instead of walking — the power comes from the legs walking forward / Not clasping hands — loose arms lose control / Stacking without purpose — stack to PASS, not to hold.
What are other names for the Double Under Pass?
The Double Under Pass is also known as Double Unders, Double Under Hook Pass, Stacking Pass.