How to Pass With Over Under by Bernardo Faria
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Standard Over-Under Pass·BJJ Fanatics·Added by Admin
HOW TO PASS WITH OVER UNDER https://bjjfanatics.com Bernardo Faria teaches How to Pass With Over Under in this Jiu Jits…
Standard Over-Under Pass
Genusオーバーアンダーパス(Ōbā Andā Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: over-under pass
Overview
The over-under pass is a pressure-based guard pass where one arm goes under one of the opponent's legs (underhook) while the other arm comes over the opposite leg (overhook), creating an asymmetric leg-splitting configuration. [1] Developed by Renato Miragaia at Gracie Barra around 1993 together with his instructor Roberto 'Gordo' Correa, the technique became world-championship caliber through Bernardo Faria, who earned double gold (weight and absolute) at the 2015 IBJJF World Championships using this single pass as his primary weapon. [2] The passer's shoulder drives into the opponent's midsection, generating sustained crushing pressure while the legs are separated and immobilized.
Over-Under PassOver/Under PassBarra PassMiragaia ControlPosicao Miragaia
History & Origin
The over-under pass was developed by Renato Miragaia at Gracie Barra around 1993 as a blue belt, working with his instructor Roberto 'Gordo' Correa (the creator of the modern half guard system). The position is sometimes called 'Miragaia Control' or 'Posicao Miragaia' in Portuguese. [1] Bernardo Faria later elevated it to world championship caliber, earning double gold at the 2015 IBJJF Mundials using it as his primary weapon. [2]
Effectiveness
Bernardo Faria's over-under pass earned him double gold at the 2015 IBJJF Mundials (weight and absolute), demonstrating its effectiveness at the highest level. The technique works against virtually all guard variations: closed guard, open guard, spider guard, De La Riva, butterfly. [1] It remains one of the most utilized passing options by top-level competitors in both gi and no-gi.
Lineage
Created by Renato Miragaia at Gracie Barra (~1993) with Roberto 'Gordo' Correa. Elevated to world championship level by Bernardo Faria (5x IBJJF World Champion, 2015 double gold). Murilo Santana (Unity BJJ) is another elite-level practitioner.
Competition Record
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Asymmetric arm configuration — one arm under one leg (underhook), one arm over the opposite leg (overhook) — bends and separates the opponent's legs, preventing guard reconnection
Force Vector — Passer's shoulder drives into opponent's abdomen generating sustained downward pressure; weight distributed on balls of feet to maximize abdominal compression
Leverage Principle — The over-under split immobilizes both legs while keeping them apart — complete leg separation is the core principle
Finishing Mechanic — Circle toward the 'over' leg side, pushing it toward the centerline, progressing to side control while maintaining constant pressure
Position & Entry
From open guard — Establish one underhook and one overhook on opponent's legs, drive shoulder into midsection and begin pressure passing
From double under position — When one underhook is lost or intentionally released, switch to over-under configuration for better control
From half guard — After establishing top position in half guard, thread one arm over and one under to split the legs
Variants
Standard over-under (gi) — lapel and pant grip version with traditional shoulder pressure
No-gi over-under — deeper arm penetration without fabric grips, relies on body positioning and underhook depth
Over-under from half guard — transitioning from deep half guard sweep directly into over-under position
Over-under from double under — upgrading by switching one arm to the 'over' position for better control
Miragaia control (original) — the original Gracie Barra version as developed by Renato Miragaia in 1993
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Moderate danger — generates significant pressure on the bottom player's torso and can cause rib discomfort, but does not involve dangerous joint manipulation or cervical spine compression unlike the double under stack
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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
✓Bernardo Faria is the undisputed master of the over-under pass. He has been using it since he was a yellow belt and rode this single pass system to double gold at the 2015 IBJJF World Championships (weight division plus absolute division). Faria trained under Fernando 'Terere' Augusto and developed the most comprehensive system around the technique. The position was originally created by Renato Miragaia at Gracie Barra around 1993, working with his instructor Roberto 'Gordo' Correa (the creator of the modern half guard system). Murilo Santana (Unity BJJ) is another elite practitioner known for devastating pressure with his over-under. The key principle is patience — the over-under is not a speed pass but a grinding, relentless pressure pass that slowly breaks down the guard player's defenses. Faria recommends it for 'old guys' because it relies on technique and pressure rather than speed or athleticism. In gi, the lapel grip provides hip control on the over side while pant grips along the shin create superior leverage. In no-gi, deeper arm penetration and more aggressive body positioning are required to compensate for the lack of fabric anchor points.
Common Mistakes
!Not driving shoulder deep enough — insufficient pressure allows the guard player to create space and reguard
!Hips too high — weight should be distributed low through the shoulder, not elevated
!Not circling toward the 'over' leg — the finish requires lateral movement toward the overhook side
!Allowing the bottom player to win an underhook — the opponent's underhook on the over side can prevent the pass
!Rushing instead of applying sustained pressure — the over-under rewards patience, not speed
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Kimura Attack — if the passer's over arm is not tight, attack with a kimura on that armHip Escape — create distance before pressure is fully established, reguard to open guardFrame and Reguard — use frames on passer's head and shoulder to create space for leg re-insertionUnderhook on the Over Side — fight for an underhook to prevent being flattenedInversion — Granby roll to reguard, especially effective in no-gi
Setup Chain
1Establish Top Position — begin in opponent's guard with control
2Thread One Arm Under — secure an underhook on one of the opponent's legs
3Thread Opposite Arm Over — bring opposite arm over the other leg, reaching toward the foot
4Drive Shoulder Into Midsection — establish crushing abdominal pressure
5Circle Toward Over Leg — slowly walk body toward the overhook side while maintaining pressure
6Complete to Side Control — push the over leg toward centerline and secure dominant position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Battle Tested Pressure Passing (Faria, BJJ Fanatics) — Over-Under System
1BookBattle Tested Pressure Passing (Faria, BJJ Fanatics)
Historical origin — [1] BJJ Heroes — The Miragaia Control (bjjheroes.com/techniques/miragaia)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Championship proof — [2] Bernardo Faria — 2015 IBJJF Mundials double gold
3BookIntroduction to Pressure Passing (Santana, BJJ Fanatics)
System instructional — Battle Tested Pressure Passing (Faria, BJJ Fanatics)
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationBattle Tested Pressure Passing (Faria, BJJ Fanatics)
Historical origin — [1] BJJ Heroes — The Miragaia Control (bjjheroes.com/techniques/miragaia)
6CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Championship proof — [2] Bernardo Faria — 2015 IBJJF Mundials double gold
7CitationIntroduction to Pressure Passing (Santana, BJJ Fanatics)
System instructional — Battle Tested Pressure Passing (Faria, BJJ Fanatics)
Community
Athletics
Requires
understanding of weight distribution, patience, upper body endurance
Favours
larger body type for generating sustained pressure
Key muscles
shoulders, core stabilizers, hip flexors, pectorals
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake when stretching the opponent's leg down in the over-under pass?
According to Bernardo Faria, a major mistake is opening up your arm and pushing the knee down, which leaves you completely vulnerable to a kimura. Instead, you should maintain control and angle properly to stretch the leg safely.
How should I position my body when I have the over-under grip?
Bernardo Faria emphasizes staying on your toes and walking to the side to stretch the opponent's leg down, rather than letting their knees block your hip. You want to gradually walk to the opposite side while maintaining the stretch.
Where should my gripping hand be positioned in the over-under pass?
Your hand should not be too low and not too high—Bernardo Faria suggests going slightly higher rather than lower for better control and positioning.
What are the three key phases of executing the over-under pass successfully?
Bernardo Faria breaks it down into three parts: first, approaching your opponent correctly; second, knowing how to actually pass; and third, establishing the pass once you've made progress.
How does the Standard Over-Under Pass work?
The over-under pass is a pressure-based guard pass where one arm goes under one of the opponent's legs (underhook) while the other arm comes over the opposite leg (overhook), creating an asymmetric leg-splitting configuration. Developed by Renato Miragaia at Gracie Barra around 1993 together with his instructor Roberto 'Gordo' Correa, the technique became world-championship caliber through Bernardo Faria, who earned double gold (weight and absolute) at the 2015 IBJJF World Championships using this single pass as his primary weapon.
Where does the Standard Over-Under Pass come from?
The over-under pass was developed by Renato Miragaia at Gracie Barra around 1993 as a blue belt, working with his instructor Roberto 'Gordo' Correa (the creator of the modern half guard system). The position is sometimes called 'Miragaia Control' or 'Posicao Miragaia' in Portuguese.
Is the Standard Over-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 Over-Under Pass?
Danger rating 3/10. Low-moderate danger — generates significant pressure on the bottom player's torso and can cause rib discomfort, but does not involve dangerous joint manipulation or cervical spine compression unlike the double under stack
How do I set up the Standard Over-Under Pass?
The standard setup chain: Establish Top Position → Thread One Arm Under → Thread Opposite Arm Over → Drive Shoulder Into Midsection → Circle Toward Over Leg → Complete to Side Control.
How do I defend against the Standard Over-Under Pass?
Standard counters include: Kimura Attack — if the passer's over arm is not tight, attack with a kimura on that arm / Hip Escape — create distance before pressure is fully established, reguard to open guard / Frame and Reguard — use frames on passer's head and shoulder to create space for leg re-insertion / Underhook on the Over Side — fight for an underhook to prevent being flattened.
What are the variants of the Standard Over-Under Pass?
Common variants: Standard over-under (gi) (lapel and pant grip version with traditional shoulder pre…); No-gi over-under (deeper arm penetration without fabric grips, relies on bo…); Over-under from half guard (transitioning from deep half guard sweep directly into ov…); Over-under from double under (upgrading by switching one arm to the 'over' position for…); Miragaia control (original) (the original Gracie Barra version as developed by Renato …).
How effective is the Standard Over-Under Pass in competition?
Bernardo Faria: 5x IBJJF World Champion, double gold (weight + absolute) at 2015 IBJJF Mundials using the over-under pass as primary weapon. Murilo Santana: multiple IBJJF medals with devastating over-under pressure.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Over-Under Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Not driving shoulder deep enough — insufficient pressure allows the guard player to create space and reguard / Hips too high — weight should be distributed low through the shoulder, not elevated / Not circling toward the 'over' leg — the finish requires lateral movement toward the overhook side / Allowing the bottom player to win an underhook — the opponent's underhook on the over side can prevent the pass.
What are other names for the Standard Over-Under Pass?
The Standard Over-Under Pass is also known as Ōbā Andā Pasu, Over-Under Pass, Over/Under Pass, Barra Pass, Miragaia Control.