Over-Under Pass

What This Is

The over-under pass is a body lock pass variant where one arm goes over one of the bottom player’s legs (pressing it down) and the other arm goes under the other leg (lifting it). This asymmetric arm position creates a hip-twist on the bottom player that removes their base and prevents hip escape. The bottom player cannot address both arms at the same time — defending the over arm frees the under arm to lift, and defending the under arm frees the over arm to press.

It is related to the body lock pass but more specific — the over-under arm position creates a locking mechanism that the bottom player cannot resolve by simply framing. Used from top butterfly guard when both hooks are active, from top half guard, or from a failed toreando that the bottom player has recovered to seated.

The defining characteristic of the pass is the head position: the head is pressed into the bottom player’s chest throughout, which closes the guillotine threat and provides additional pressure. Removing the head from this position is the primary technical error in the pass.

The Invariable in Action

The over-under pass addresses INV-P01 through the arm structure itself. The over arm presses one leg to the mat, removing it from the passing lane. The under arm lifts the other leg, preventing it from hooking. Both feet are controlled simultaneously by the over-under position — feet are cleared not by redirecting them but by structurally occupying them with the arm lock.

The over-under body lock allows the top player to walk their legs around to the side while maintaining control — the arm lock travels with the top player’s body. Advancing the knee line in this pass happens through lateral movement (walking around), not a forward drive. The body lock keeps the bottom player’s hips fixed while the top player’s legs circle to the side.

The over-under body lock breaks the legs’ connections and the hip connection simultaneously. The remaining connection to break is the upper body — the bottom player can still frame or attempt a reversal with their arms if the top player has not established chest-to-chest control. The pass is complete when the top player has walked around, dropped their hip, and the bottom player’s upper and lower connections are both broken.

The over-under body lock converts directly into a pin — the same arm position that passes the guard can be held through side control. The top player maintains the body lock until the pin is fully established, using it as both the passing mechanism and the initial pinning structure. Releasing the lock before the pin is set gives the bottom player a window to re-hook or frame.

Setup and Entry

Drop Level and Reach

The top player drops level — hips low, chest angled forward — and reaches both arms between or around the bottom player’s legs. Near arm goes under the near leg: the arm snakes beneath the leg and reaches to clasp behind the far hip or lower back. Far arm goes over the far leg: the arm presses down on the leg and clasps with the near arm. Gable grip or S-grip at the lower back. The head is pressed into the bottom player’s chest the moment the grip is closed.

Arm Identification — Over and Under

Getting the arms on the correct sides is the first critical detail. The “under” arm lifts — it goes beneath a leg to reach the back. The “over” arm presses — it goes over a leg to reach the back. The asymmetry is the point: symmetric arm placement (both over or both under) does not create the hip-twist. Before drilling, confirm which arm is which and drill the entry from both sides.

From Butterfly Guard

Against active butterfly hooks, the top player must drop level to get beneath the hooks before they can establish the over-under. If the top player tries to reach the over-under from above the hooks, the bottom player simply elevates them with the butterfly lift. Drop the level first, enter the over-under inside the hook structure, then establish the body lock grip.

From Seated or Recovered Guard

When a toreando or standing pass has been partially defended and the bottom player has recovered to seated, the over-under entry is available as the top player is already at a dropped level. Transition directly into the over-under reach from the standing-pass position rather than resetting.

Execution

With the over-under body lock closed and the head pressed into the chest, the top player drives forward and angles. The direction of the pass is toward the “under” side — the side where the arm is lifting the leg. The bottom player’s hips are twisted in this direction because the lifted leg cannot resist the under arm’s rotational force.

The top player walks their legs laterally — toward the under side — while maintaining the body lock. This is not a straight forward drive but a circular walk that brings the top player’s legs around the bottom player’s legs until the passing angle is achieved. The head stays pressed into the chest throughout this walk.

As the legs complete the arc, the top player drops their hip to the mat on the far side. The body lock is held until the hip lands and the position is stabilised. Only then is the lock released — transitioning the grip to a cross-face or underhook to consolidate the pin.

Guard Responses

The bottom player’s primary responses to the over-under pass:

• Guillotine attempt: The top player’s head is exposed during the reach. The bottom player may attempt to snatch a guillotine before the grip is closed. Counter: press the head into the chest immediately when dropping level — do not allow the head to be free in the space between the bottom player’s arms. Once the head is in the chest, the guillotine is structurally unavailable.
• Forward roll reversal: The bottom player rolls forward over the top player’s back to reverse the position. Counter: prevent this by driving the body weight backward, not forward. The forward roll requires the top player’s weight to be committed forward — a backward drive makes the roll impossible.
• Frame the hip: The bottom player frames against the top player’s hip to break the body lock or create space. Counter: the body lock grip itself resists this frame. Maintain the grip tightly and continue walking — do not release to address the frame directly.

Common Errors

Drilling Notes

Ability Level Guidance

Also Known As

Related Pages

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