Look, we’ve all been there. Some 22-year-old CrossFit enthusiast bounces into class wearing a brand new white belt and enough athletic gear to sponsor a small Olympic team. While they’re warming up by doing handstand pushups, you’re just trying to remember which knee you’re supposed to be babying this week.
But here’s the thing – that explosive athleticism they’re so proud of? It’s about to meet its match in one of jiu-jitsu’s most fundamental yet powerful positions: the mighty underhook.
Why The Underhook Is Your New Best Friend
I discovered the true power of the underhook about five years into my journey, right around when my dad noises started automatically playing every time I stood up from guard. It was like finding the cheat code to dealing with younger, stronger training partners.
The underhook is the great equalizer for three simple reasons:
- It completely neutralizes explosive movement
- It requires minimal energy to maintain
- It works even when your grip strength is shot from years of typing TPS reports
The Mechanics That Make It Work
Remember how your high school physics teacher said leverage was the key to moving heavy objects? Well, Mr. Johnson was onto something (even if his bow tie collection was questionable). The underhook creates a fundamental mechanical advantage that no amount of CrossFit can overcome.
When you secure an underhook, you’re essentially creating a lever using your opponent’s own arm and shoulder as the fulcrum. This means their explosive power actually works against them – the harder they try to escape, the more they play into your control.
Getting Your Underhook (Without Throwing Out Your Back)
Here’s how to secure that underhook without feeling like you need to call your chiropractor afterward:
- The Setup: Start from any position where you can access their armpit. Half guard is perfect, but side control works too. Remember, we’re not diving for it like we’re 25 – we’re setting it up methodically.
- The Entry: Wait for them to post their hand. Young grapplers love to post. It’s like they’re allergic to keeping their arms close. When they post, slide your arm through like you’re reaching for the TV remote that fell between the couch cushions.
- The Finish: Once your arm is through, pull your elbow tight to your body. This is crucial – keeping that elbow tight means you don’t have to grip fight with those young gorilla arms.
Using Your Underhook (Like a Crafty Veteran)
Now that you’ve got your underhook, here’s how to make your younger training partners question their life choices:
From Half Guard
The underhook from half guard is like having a “Get Out of Smash Free” card. Use it to:
- Create space without burning your arms out
- Set up the old school sweep (my personal favorite)
- Transition to deep half when they try to smash
From Side Control
When you’re on top, the underhook is your pressure-passing best friend. It lets you:
- Control their upper body without straining your back
- Shut down their explosive bridges
- Set up submissions without relying on speed
Advanced Tips for the Distinguished Grappler
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some crafty veteran moves:
- Use head position to amplify control
- Combine with cross-face pressure for maximum effect
- Switch between underhook depths to create movement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s talk about what not to do (learned these the hard way, and my lower back still reminds me):
- Don’t Reach Too Far: You’re not trying to give them a hug around the world. Keep it tight and controlled.
- Don’t Muscle It: If you’re straining, you’re doing it wrong. Let positioning do the work.
- Don’t Chase It: Set it up methodically. Remember, we’re too old to be diving across the mat like we’re trying to save a volleyball point.
When Things Go Wrong
Sometimes they’ll counter your underhook. It happens. But unlike our younger training partners, we know that jiu-jitsu is like jazz – it’s the notes you don’t play that matter. If they shut down your underhook:
- Stay calm (you’ve got dad strength on your side)
- Switch to an overhook (the underhook’s sophisticated cousin)
- Use their defense against them (young people are so predictable)
Conclusion
The underhook is proof that old school fundamentals beat new school athleticism every time. It’s not flashy, it won’t make it onto Instagram, and it definitely won’t impress any non-BJJ practitioners at parties (but let’s be honest, we stopped trying to do that years ago).
Master this position, and you’ll have young grapplers wondering how someone old enough to remember dial-up internet just shut down their entire game.
Remember: Technical precision beats explosive power every time. Now get out there and make those young bucks respect the old guard – one underhook at a time.
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