Single-Under Pass
Pressure pass that threads one arm under a leg, stacks the hips, and clears to side control when double unders are unavailable.
From Closed or Open GuardTo Side Control
Overview
The single-under pass uses one deep underhook under a thigh while the other arm controls the opposite side (overhook, cross-face, or hip pin). You stack and walk around the underhooked leg into side control — a reliable option when the second under will not fit.
#Secure the Single Under
Win one deep underhook and opposite-side control first.
- Open the guard or elevate one leg from open guard
- Thread a deep underhook under the target thigh
- Control the opposite side with cross-face, overhook, or hip pin
- Drop your head to the centerline and pinch elbows
#Stack and Walk
- Lift the underhooked leg and fold their hips toward the shoulders
- Walk your base around the underhooked side
- Block the free knee from returning to a shield
- Keep chest pressure so they cannot shrimp back to guard
#Clear to Side Control
Release only after the legs are past your hip line.
- Drop into side control with cross-face and far underhook
- Sprawl hips back to kill bridges
- Clear remaining frames before mounting or attacking
- Stabilize chest-to-chest before changing levels
Key Grips & Control Points
- Deep underhook under the target thigh
- Opposite-side cross-face, overhook, or hip control
- Head pressure on the centerline to kill sit-ups
- Knee and hip pressure walking toward the stacked shoulder
Timing & Movement Cues
- Enter when one leg elevates and the other stays framed
- Switch from a failed double-under when the second arm cannot thread
- Circle once their hips leave the mat on the underhooked side
Pressure & Weight Distribution
- Lift the underhooked leg while driving chest into their torso
- Keep the free-side knee tight so they cannot reinsert a shield
- Walk base around the underhook rather than jumping the legs
Typical Counters to Expect
- Triangle threats when the underhook is shallow and your head floats
- Hip frames that stop the stack before you clear the knee line
- Overhook sweeps if you lose opposite-side control
Follow-Up Options
- Side control with cross-face once the underhooked leg clears
- Double-under pass if the second arm becomes available mid-stack
- Knee slide if they turn the free knee into a half-guard shield
Setups & Entries
- Open closed guard and shoot the first under before they clamp elbows
- Force an elevated lead leg with toreando pressure, then drop the under
- Use a failed stack pass reaction to pummel one deep underhook
Training Drills
- Single-under inserts from open guard with light resistance
- Stack-and-walk rounds focusing on opposite-side control
- Pass chains alternating single-under and knee-slide finishes
Coaching Notes
- Depth on the underhook matters more than speed around the legs
- Never free both arms until the knee line is past your hip
- Head position prevents the triangle more than arm strength does
Related Study
Connect this movement with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Single-under passing is the practical sibling of double unders. Get one deep underhook, control the other side, stack, and walk around — then settle side control only after the knee line is clear.