- Rising BJJ star Jozef Chen recently shared the instructionals that shaped his elite grappling style.
- His top three picks come from Gordon Ryan, John Danaher, and Craig Jones.
- Chen favours instructionals with clear systems, clean mechanics, and real-world success.
- His minimalist study method mirrors the sharp, efficient approach seen in his matches.
- The Jozef Chen instructionals top list is now influencing how students and pros structure their training.
Chen Names His Top Picks: Simple, Precise, Effective
In an era overflowing with content, Jozef Chen’s best BJJ instructionals stand out not for how many he consumed, but how selectively. Instead of bingeing on dozens of courses, Chen zeroed in on just a few that helped systematize his game.
His three foundational picks:
- Gordon Ryan’s “Pin Escapes & Retention”
- Craig Jones’ “Power Ride System”
- John Danaher’s “Feet to Floor: Takedown Theory”
Each one covers a critical phase of grappling: bottom, top, and stand-up. Chen revealed in an interview that these choices weren’t random—he specifically picked systems that gave him repeatable results during live training.
The clarity of instruction and high-level applicability were his top criteria.
It’s not about tricks. It’s about understanding why something works—and when.
– Jozef Chen –
From Gordon Ryan to Danaher – What He Took from Each
What makes the Jozef Chen instructionals list compelling is not just who made it, but why.
From Gordon Ryan, Chen adopted the importance of structured defensive layers. Ryan’s “Pin Escapes & Retention” isn’t flashy, but for Chen, it was revolutionary.
It helped him build the confidence to play guard aggressively, knowing his ability to recover was sound.
From Craig, he borrowed pressure-based riding logic—slower, heavier, and more deliberate, plus a bit unusual in BJJ, since the system is inspired by wrestling.
Craig doesn’t try to out-speed his opponents. He puts himself in places where the other guy has no good options.
– Jozef Chen –
John Danaher’s takedown series gave him a roadmap to stay upright or dictate when the fight goes to the mat. Chen praised the way Danaher broke down concepts like stance, posture, and grip fighting in a language that didn’t feel foreign to jiu-jitsu players.
These instructionals, taken together, gave him a full-game architecture—defend, pass, attack, repeat.
Why Chen’s Picks Reflect the Evolution of Modern Jiu-Jitsu
Chen’s taste in instructionals reflects a broader shift in how elite athletes learn BJJ. Gone are the days when modern jiu-jitsu meant just chaining submissions together. Instead, the new generation studies systems, not just moves.
Rather than memorizing 50 guard passes, Chen opted to master one body position at a time.
Pick three systems. Learn them deeply. Ignore the noise.
– Jozef Chen –
This philosophy is echoed in BJJ learning methods being used in top gyms today. Students are encouraged to focus on principles and reactions rather than techniques in isolation. In this way, Chen is more a product of the Danaher-Ryan lineage than most realize.
How These Instructionals Appear in Jozef Chen Highlights
Watch any of the viral Jozef Chen highlights floating around Reddit or YouTube, and you’ll see his instructional-based approach in action.
- His defensive guard work shows shades of Ryan’s pin escapes—shrimping in small angles, rebuilding frames with composure.
- His top game borrows heavily from Craig’s riding system and top transitions, applied with tactical patience.
- In stand-up exchanges, you’ll often spot him baiting grips and changing levels, classic Danaher wrestling theory.
It’s no coincidence. He’s said openly that he drills sequences from these instructionals until they become reflexive. He doesn’t try to copy their styles—he adapts the blueprints to his own physique and timing.
I only study what I can actually pull off in training. If it doesn’t work in the gym, it doesn’t make it into my game.
– Jozef Chen –
For students looking to reverse-engineer elite games, this is a powerful insight: Pick three systems. Learn them deeply. Ignore the noise.
Final Thoughts – What the Jozef Chen BJJ DVD Top Picks Say About His Style
The growing popularity of Jozef Chen instructionals isn’t just about name-dropping big stars. It’s about what his choices reveal: a methodical, cerebral approach to jiu-jitsu.
Rather than hop between trends, Chen built a game that’s balanced across all phases. He studied from the best, implemented what worked, and ignored the rest. The results speak for themselves.
