The Double-Sleeve Pin Pass is a pressure-based guard pass in the gi, starting from open guard with both of the opponent's sleeves pinned to the mat. By immobilizing the opponent's arms, the passer can eliminate frames and execute a knee-cut pass into side control with minimal resistance. This pass is highly effective against active guard players who rely on sleeve grips for retention and attacks.
Start
Top open guard with both opponent sleeves pinned to mat
From top open guard, grip both of your opponent’s sleeves at the cuffs using a pistol or pocket grip. Pin their wrists to the mat at hip level, keeping your elbows tight to your ribs and your weight centered over your hips.
2
Tripod Base and Hip Distance
Post your left foot outside their hip and your right knee between their legs, forming a tripod base. Keep your hips low and back straight, with your head slightly forward to prevent them from sitting up.
3
Pin Opponent’s Arms
Drive your knuckles and wrists into the mat, flaring your elbows out slightly to widen their arms. This disables their ability to frame or re-guard effectively.
4
Step Up for Knee-Cut Entry
Release your right sleeve grip and post your right hand on the mat for base. Slide your right knee across their thigh at a 45° angle, aiming for the space just above their knee.
5
Shoulder Pressure and Hip Block
As your knee cuts across, drop your left shoulder into their chest and use your left sleeve grip to pull their far arm across their body. Your right shin should staple their near thigh to the mat.
6
Clear the Near Leg
Windshield-wiper your right foot to clear their bottom leg, keeping your weight chest-heavy and hips low. If they attempt to block with their knee, use your left hand to push their knee down as you pass.
7
Secure Side Control
Once past their legs, switch your left grip from their sleeve to an underhook or cross-face. Settle your hips to the mat, establish head and arm control, and stabilize side control.
Key details most people miss
The sleeve pin must be at hip level—not too high—so their arms are trapped and cannot frame.
Your elbows must stay tight during the pin; flaring too much allows them to shrimp or recover guard.
When releasing a sleeve to post, do so only after your knee is committed to the cut to prevent them from regaining a grip.
Pulling their far arm across as you cut the knee kills their ability to turn into you and creates an angle for maximal pressure.
Common mistakes
If you grip the sleeves too high (above the shoulder), opponent can invert or recover lasso guard.
If you lean too far forward while pinning, opponent can off-balance you with their legs.
If you release a sleeve grip before your knee is committed, opponent re-grips or frames, blocking the pass.
If your knee is not cutting at a 45° angle, you get stuck in half guard and lose pressure.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent bridges and shrimps hard as you release a sleeve grip
You do: Keep your chest low and immediately re-grip the sleeve or transition to a cross-face to flatten them.
They try: Opponent tucks elbows in and breaks your sleeve grips
You do: Switch to a collar-and-sleeve grip or transition to a toreando pass to maintain passing momentum.
They try: Opponent frames with their knee as you knee-cut
You do: Use your free hand to push their knee down and windshield-wiper your foot to clear the frame.
They try: Opponent inverts under your knee-cut
You do: Drop your hips and sprawl your leg back, keeping their sleeve pinned to prevent inversion.
Drill prescription
5 rounds × 3 minutes; partner uses 60% resistance with active frames and shrimping. Goal: achieve side control with clean double-sleeve pin and knee-cut at least 3 times per round.
How the masters teach it
Lucas Lepri
Emphasizes relentless sleeve pinning and seamless transition to knee-cut, with precise hip switching.
Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Leandro Lo
Known for dynamic sleeve passing, using high posture and sleeve pin to shut down open guard retention.