Passing With Double Unders by Jeff Glover
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Standard Double Under Pass·BJJ Fanatics·Added by Admin
PASSING WITH DOUBLE UNDERS https://www.bjjfanatics.com In this video, Jeff Glover explains how to pass with double unde…
Standard Double Under Pass
Genusダブルアンダーパス(Daburu Andā Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: double under pass
Overview
The double under pass is a fundamental pressure-based guard pass where the passer threads both arms underneath the opponent's legs, gable-grips the hands together near the hips, and stacks the opponent by driving their legs over their body. [1] This eliminates the guard player's hip mobility and creates crushing downward pressure, allowing the passer to slide past the legs into side control. It is one of the oldest and most commonly taught guard passes in BJJ, frequently one of the first passes learned at white belt. Andre Galvao (6x IBJJF World Champion, 6x ADCC Champion) has developed the most comprehensive modern system around this technique. [2]
Double Under PassDouble Underhook PassWrestlingDouble Under Stack PassStack Pass
History & Origin
The double under pass is one of the oldest guard passes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, predating the modern competition era. It became widely associated with the Carlson Gracie lineage in the mid-1980s, where stacking from closed guard was a core competitive strategy. [1] In the modern era, Andre Galvao has become its most prominent practitioner, using the stack pass system to win 6 IBJJF World Championships and 6 ADCC titles. [2]
Effectiveness
One of the most common guard passes at all belt levels in IBJJF competition. Functions as a 'hub for the pressure passing game' — chains naturally with over-under pass, single stack, and body lock variations. Particularly effective for heavier and stronger grapplers who can generate crushing stacking pressure. [1]
Lineage
From early BJJ guard passing through the Carlson Gracie competition lineage to Andre Galvao's modern comprehensive system. One of the oldest passes still in active competitive use at the highest levels.
Competition Record
Andre Galvao: 6x IBJJF World Champion, 6x ADCC Champion — stack pass as core passing system. Bernardo Faria: 5x IBJJF World Champion — used double under as part of pressure passing arsenal. Fabio Gurgel: 4x World Champion, Alliance founder — stack passing as fundamental strategy.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Both arms threaded under opponent's legs with gable grip, lifting hips onto the passer's thighs to fold the opponent in half
Force Vector — Downward compression through the opponent's folded legs into their torso, eliminating hip mobility
Leverage Principle — The opponent bears both their own weight and the passer's weight simultaneously while inverted
Finishing Mechanic — Sprawl and angle body toward collar-grip side while maintaining pressure, sliding past the leg barrier to side control
Position & Entry
From closed guard — Break open the guard, immediately thread both arms under the legs before opponent can establish new guard
From open guard — When opponent's legs are raised, duck under both legs simultaneously and secure gable grip
From standing — Posture up from guard, drive hips forward to stack, slide arms under both legs
Variants
Standard double under stack — classic gable grip under both legs, stack and pass to side control
Double under to north-south — walk around to north-south while opponent is stacked
Double under with collar grip — one hand on collar for additional head and posture control (gi-specific)
Double under to mount — pass directly to mount rather than side control
Sao Paulo pass (Tozi Pass) — crushing pressure variant created by Roberto Tozi, works against closed, Z, and butterfly guard
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Moderate danger — the stacking action places significant compressive force on the bottom player's cervical spine; recognized cause of neck injuries in BJJ including facet syndrome; bottom player must tap early if neck compression becomes excessive
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
✓The double under pass is one of the most fundamental guard passes in all of BJJ, frequently taught to beginners as one of their first passes. Andre Galvao's 4-volume instructional 'The Stack Pass' represents the most comprehensive modern treatment of this technique, reflecting his success as a 6x IBJJF World Champion and 6x ADCC Champion. Jean Jacques Machado teaches it through his 'Machado Method' series. The key principle is that once both arms are under the legs with a gable grip, the passer has eliminated the guard player's primary weapons (their legs) from the equation. The stack must compress the opponent enough that their hips leave the mat and their legs go over their head. A critical safety note: the stacking action places significant compressive force on the bottom player's neck, making this one of the few legal techniques that can cause cervical spine injuries. The bottom player should tap or communicate if neck pressure becomes dangerous. The primary counter is the triangle choke — if the passer allows asymmetric arm positioning (one arm in, one arm out), the triangle becomes available, making maintaining symmetrical double underhooks essential.
Common Mistakes
!Allowing asymmetric arm position — one arm in and one arm out exposes the triangle choke counter
!Not lifting hips high enough — insufficient stacking fails to eliminate guard player's hip mobility
!Releasing the gable grip — losing the connection between the arms allows the guard player to re-establish guard
!Not angling to finish — driving straight forward instead of angling to one side makes the pass harder to complete
!Head position too high — the head should drive into the opponent to maximize stacking pressure
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Triangle Choke — the primary counter; if passer allows one arm in and one arm out, the triangle becomes availableOmoplata — shoulder lock when the passer's arm is isolated during stacking attemptHip Escape — shrimp to prevent the stack from being fully establishedShoulder Walk — walk shoulders backward to create space and relieve stacking pressureGrabbing the Far Ankle — off-balance the passer by reaching for their ankle
Setup Chain
1Break Open the Guard — use posture and grips to open the opponent's closed guard
2Thread Both Arms Under Legs — immediately secure both underhooks before opponent reguards
3Secure Gable Grip — lock hands together near the opponent's hips
4Stack the Opponent — drive hips forward, lifting opponent's hips onto your thighs
5Angle to One Side — choose a side and begin walking body past the legs
6Establish Side Control — drop pressure with shoulder and secure the dominant position
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Stack Pass (Galvao, BJJ Fanatics) — Double Under Pass System
1BookThe Stack Pass (Galvao, BJJ Fanatics)
Technique system — [1] The Stack Pass (Galvao, BJJ Fanatics) — 4-volume comprehensive stack passing system
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Instruction — [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) — brown belt guard passing chapter
3BookPassing the Guard (Beneville & Cartmell, 2009)
Biomechanics — BJJ Prehab — cervical spine compression risk analysis
4BookThe Machado Method: Double-Under Guard Pass (Machado, Hayabusa)
5OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
6CitationThe Stack Pass (Galvao, BJJ Fanatics)
Technique system — [1] The Stack Pass (Galvao, BJJ Fanatics) — 4-volume comprehensive stack passing system
7CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Instruction — [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) — brown belt guard passing chapter
8CitationPassing the Guard (Beneville & Cartmell, 2009)
Biomechanics — BJJ Prehab — cervical spine compression risk analysis
9CitationThe Machado Method: Double-Under Guard Pass (Machado, Hayabusa)
Community
Athletics
Requires
upper body strength for lifting and stacking, core stability
Favours
heavier, stronger build for generating stacking pressure
Key muscles
shoulders, biceps, core stabilizers, quadriceps
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake beginners make when entering the double under pass?
Jeff Glover emphasizes that moving limb by limb (one arm, then the other) gives your opponent time to set hooks and defend. Instead, you must drop down quickly and swiftly in one committed motion to get into position before they can establish a block.
Should I throw my opponent's leg to the side during the double under pass?
No—Jeff Glover stresses that you should keep the leg where it is and move yourself around it rather than throwing it, which exposes your arm and allows your opponent to catch your elbow and shut down the pass.
How do I avoid giving my opponent time to defend the double under pass?
Speed and commitment are key: drop down without inching forward or telegraphing your movement, so your opponent cannot set up a block with their feet or hands before you achieve the position.
How does the Standard Double Under Pass work?
The double under pass is a fundamental pressure-based guard pass where the passer threads both arms underneath the opponent's legs, gable-grips the hands together near the hips, and stacks the opponent by driving their legs over their body. This eliminates the guard player's hip mobility and creates crushing downward pressure, allowing the passer to slide past the legs into side control.
Where does the Standard Double Under Pass come from?
The double under pass is one of the oldest guard passes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, predating the modern competition era. It became widely associated with the Carlson Gracie lineage in the mid-1980s, where stacking from closed guard was a core competitive strategy.
Is the Standard 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 Standard Double Under Pass?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate danger — the stacking action places significant compressive force on the bottom player's cervical spine; recognized cause of neck injuries in BJJ including facet syndrome; bottom player must tap early if neck compression becomes excessive
How do I set up the Standard Double Under Pass?
The standard setup chain: Break Open the Guard → Thread Both Arms Under Legs → Secure Gable Grip → Stack the Opponent → Angle to One Side → Establish Side Control.
How do I defend against the Standard Double Under Pass?
Standard counters include: Triangle Choke — the primary counter; if passer allows one arm in and one arm out, the triangle becomes available / Omoplata — shoulder lock when the passer's arm is isolated during stacking attempt / Hip Escape — shrimp to prevent the stack from being fully established / Shoulder Walk — walk shoulders backward to create space and relieve stacking pressure.
What are the variants of the Standard Double Under Pass?
Common variants: Standard double under stack (classic gable grip under both legs, stack and pass to sid…); Double under to north-south (walk around to north-south while opponent is stacked); Double under with collar grip (one hand on collar for additional head and posture contro…); Double under to mount (pass directly to mount rather than side control); Sao Paulo pass (Tozi Pass) (crushing pressure variant created by Roberto Tozi, works …).
How effective is the Standard Double Under Pass in competition?
Andre Galvao: 6x IBJJF World Champion, 6x ADCC Champion — stack pass as core passing system. Bernardo Faria: 5x IBJJF World Champion — used double under as part of pressure passing arsenal.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Double Under Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Allowing asymmetric arm position — one arm in and one arm out exposes the triangle choke counter / Not lifting hips high enough — insufficient stacking fails to eliminate guard player's hip mobility / Releasing the gable grip — losing the connection between the arms allows the guard player to re-establish guard / Not angling to finish — driving straight forward instead of angling to one side makes the pass harder to complete.
What are other names for the Standard Double Under Pass?
The Standard Double Under Pass is also known as Daburu Andā Pasu, Double Under Pass, Double Underhook Pass, Double Under Stack Pass, Stack Pass.