What is the Over-Under Pass?
The over-under pass wins by controlling one leg with an underhook while the opposite arm overhooks or cross-faces, then driving shoulder pressure through the hip line. It is a staple against half guard and seated guards because it blends smash pressure with clear paths to side control.
Build Over-Under Control
Connect underhook and far-side control before smashing.
- Secure a deep underhook under the near thigh or hip
- Connect far-side overhook, cross-face, or head pressure
- Drop your shoulder into their chest or jawline
- Pinch knees so they cannot insert a clean shield
Smash and Walk
- Drive hips forward and flatten their shoulders
- Walk your base toward the free side while keeping the underhook
- Block the free knee from returning inside
- Maintain head position so they cannot turn into you
Clear to Side Control
Release only after the knee line is yours.
- Extract or clear the trapped leg past your hip
- Settle side control with cross-face and underhook
- Sprawl hips back to kill bridges
- Stabilize before mounting or attacking
Key Grips & Control Points
- Near-side underhook under the thigh or hip
- Far-side overhook, cross-face, or head control
- Shoulder pressure into the jaw or chest to flatten frames
- Hip and knee staples that keep the trapped leg from re-guarding
Timing & Movement Cues
- Enter when their knee shield softens or the underhook battle turns your way
- Drive when their far elbow lifts off the mat
- Clear the free knee once their shoulders flatten
Pressure & Weight Distribution
- Keep your head heavy on the far side to stop them turning in
- Smash the underhooked leg while walking hips toward side control
- Do not release the overhook/cross-face until the knee line is past your hip
Typical Counters to Expect
- Underhook pummel that turns the smash into a single-leg
- Deep half entries when your underhook is shallow
- Electric chair or inversion threats if you linger with poor head position
Follow-Up Options
- Side control with cross-face once the free knee clears
- Mount if they keep the far shoulder soft
- Knee slide if the underhook shifts into a classic staple
Setups & Entries
- Win the half-guard underhook, then connect far-side head control
- Force a knee shield down with shoulder pressure before the smash
- Use toreando feints to make them seated, then drop into over-under
Training Drills
- Half-guard over-under inserts with progressive framing
- Shoulder-pressure smash rounds ending in side control
- Pass chains alternating over-under and knee-slide
Coaching Notes
- Far-side head control stops the turn-in that kills the pass
- Underhook depth on the leg decides whether smash pressure sticks
- Clear the free knee fully before hunting submissions
Related Study
Connect this movement with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Over-under passing is smash pressure with a clear address: underhook one leg, control the far side of the head, flatten, and walk to side control. Keep the free knee out and do not release early.