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Single-Underhook Pass

PassHalf-guard passBelt: white+Risk: lowIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA

The single-underhook pass is a staple half-guard pass where the top player uses an underhook to flatten and control the bottom player, progressing to side control or mount. Its effectiveness lies in neutralizing the opponent's frames and mobility, making it a high-percentage option at all levels.

Start
Top half guard with single underhook
End
Side control / mount
Prerequisites: Cross-face control · Establishing an underhook · Hip escape · Knee shield dismantling

Steps

  1. 1
    Establish the Underhook and Cross-Face
    From top half guard, thread your far arm deep under your opponent's far armpit for a tight underhook. Use your near arm to secure a cross-face, cupping behind their head and driving your shoulder into their jaw to turn their face away.
  2. 2
    Flatten the Opponent
    Drive your underhooking shoulder forward and down, keeping your chest heavy on their upper body. Use your cross-face to rotate their head, preventing them from turning into you or regaining guard.
  3. 3
    Clear the Knee Shield or Frame
    If your opponent has a knee shield or forearm frame, use your cross-face arm to peel the frame away while maintaining head pressure. Slide your hips back slightly to create space, then windshield-wiper your trapped knee to the mat.
  4. 4
    Walk Your Hips Toward Their Head
    With your underhook still deep, walk your hips in a semi-circle toward your opponent's head, staying chest-to-chest and keeping your hips low. This increases their flatness and limits their ability to recover guard.
  5. 5
    Free Your Trapped Knee
    Use your free foot to pry open their half guard lock by stepping it close to their hips and pushing. Simultaneously, slide your trapped knee across their thigh toward the mat, aiming to bring it clear of their legs.
  6. 6
    Switch Base and Drop Hips
    Once your knee is free, switch your base by turning your hips toward their legs, posting your free foot out for balance. Drop your hips and sprawl slightly to prevent them from re-locking half guard.
  7. 7
    Settle into Side Control or Mount
    With your knee and foot free, slide your body into side control, maintaining the cross-face and underhook for control. Alternatively, if their far arm is exposed, step over for mount, keeping your weight centered and grips tight.

Key details most people miss

  • The depth of the underhook is crucial—aim to reach past their shoulder blade, not just under the arm.
  • Consistent shoulder pressure with the cross-face prevents the opponent from turning in or creating frames.
  • Walking your hips toward their head both flattens them and stretches their lower body, making the leg free easier.
  • Switching your base before freeing the knee prevents the opponent from catching your foot and re-guarding.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to maintain a deep underhook allows the opponent to pummel for their own underhook and initiate sweeps.
  • Insufficient cross-face pressure lets the opponent turn in, recover guard, or set up knee shields.
  • Trying to free the trapped knee before flattening the opponent often results in getting stuck or swept.
  • Not switching base before freeing the leg gives the opponent a chance to trap your foot and re-guard.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent pummels for their own underhook
You do: Re-grip deeper with your underhook and drive your shoulder forward, or switch to a cross-face and knee-cut variation.
They try: Opponent frames hard on your cross-face
You do: Peel their frame with your cross-face arm, then re-apply shoulder pressure while keeping your head low and tight.
They try: Opponent traps your foot with their half guard lock
You do: Switch your base, post your free foot, and use your knee to pry their legs open before sliding your knee out.
They try: Opponent bridges explosively to create space
You do: Widen your base, drop your hips, and re-center your weight to absorb the bridge and maintain top position.

Drill prescription

6 rounds × 2 min, alternating top and bottom; 50% resistance; goal: 4 clean passes per round with no guard recovery.

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:
Bernardo Faria — Renowned for his pressure-based half-guard passing, emphasizing deep underhook and relentless chest-to-chest control.Lucas Lepri — Integrates flawless hip movement and base switching, making his single-underhook pass nearly impossible to counter.John Danaher — Teaches precise positional control and micro-adjustments in underhook depth and shoulder pressure for maximum efficiency.Roger Gracie — Focuses on fundamental pressure and timing, using the single-underhook pass as a foundation for his top game.
#half-guard#top-position#pressure-passing#gi#no-gi#side-control-entry#mount-option#short-limbed-friendly#ibjjf-legal#mma-applicable