Key Takeaways
- A focused 3-volume breakdown of the Cross Ashi position — the single-leg-X-adjacent entry that has become the backbone of modern No-Gi leg locking
- Covers general principles, single-leg control options, and double-leg control options — $127 for a complete positional system
- Jason Rau’s 75% submission rate (15 of 20 wins by submission) and DDS lineage give the material legitimate competitive credibility
- The emphasis on troubleshooting (dealing with the turnout, different grip variations) sets this apart from more basic leg lock instructionals
- Best suited for intermediate to advanced grapplers who already understand leg lock basics and want to build a Cross Ashi system
- Rating: 8/10
DOWNLOAD DYNAMIC CROSS ASHI JASON RAU DVD
Cross Ashi has become one of the defining positions of modern No-Gi leg locking. It sits between single-leg X and a standard saddle entry, offering control with finishing power. Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD is a 3-part masterclass dedicated entirely to this position — its entries, control mechanics, and finishing chains.
This Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD review breaks down the cross ashi leg lock system and evaluates whether a dedicated instructional from a DDS-connected specialist delivers practical mat value for grapplers working on leg locks No-Gi in both gi and submission-only contexts.
Turning Leg Entanglements into Knots
The Cross Ashi position occupies a sweet spot in the leg lock game. Unlike the saddle (which can feel static) or single-leg X (which requires constant angle adjustment), Cross Ashi gives you the ability to control the entangled leg while maintaining mobility to chase finishes. It is the preferred entry for heel hooks, toe holds, and straight ankle locks across No-Gi competition.
Most leg lock instructionals cover Cross Ashi as one entry among many in their DDS leg lock system overviews. Rau’s approach is different — he dedicates an entire 3-volume cross ashi leg lock system to building the position from the ground up. The material addresses how to enter Cross Ashi reliably, how to control the free leg, and how to finish against different defensive reactions.
Jason Rau BJJ credentials as a black belt under Matt Serra with DDS connections give this Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD a direct line to the Danaher leg lock tradition. Rau’s reputation as a leg lock specialist across the No-Gi circuit makes him credible for a position-heavy instructional on leg locks No-GI.
Jason Rau: Your Grappler’s Favorite Grappler
Jason Rau was born on October 3, 1989, and competes as a middleweight (82.3 kg / 181.5 lbs) out of Vanguard Academy, which he co-founded. He earned his BJJ black belt under Matt Serra, placing him within the broader Danaher Death Squad lineage that has defined modern leg locking.
Of Rau’s 34 recorded matches, 20 are wins (58.82%) and 14 are losses. What distinguishes his record is his finishing rate: 15 of 20 wins came by submission, a 75% submission-win rate that far exceeds the site average of 40%. Of those 34 matches, 30 were No-Gi, reflecting his focus on the submission-only circuit.
Rau’s competitive career includes notable wins over Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (Fight to Win 161), Quentin Rosenzweig (2019 BJJ Fanatics Sub-Only Grand Prix), and Daniel Maira (2018 ADCC North American Trials). His busiest year was 2018, where he recorded 12 matches and racked up submission wins at the ADCC North American Trials. He has also competed on Who’s Number One and Kasai Pro against some of the toughest names in the middleweight division.
His nickname “your grappler’s favorite grappler” reflects the respect he commands within the competitive scene for his technical approach to leg locking.
Full Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD Review
For grapplers who want to build a reliable Cross Ashi system — especially those competing in No-Gi events where heel hooks are legal — the Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD delivers honest, technical instruction from someone who has tested the material at a high competitive level.
Volume 1 — General Principles
Volume 1 of the Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD establishes the foundational concepts of the cross ashi leg lock system. Rau starts with an introduction to the position and its advantages and disadvantages relative to other leg entanglement options. This honest framing is valuable — he does not present Cross Ashi as a magic bullet but as a tool with specific strengths and weaknesses.
The leg configurations section is the core of this volume. Rau breaks down how the entanglement should feel, where pressure should be applied, and how to adjust based on the opponent’s body type and flexibility. The second leg control section addresses the most common failure point in Cross Ashi — losing control of the non-entangled leg — and provides solutions for keeping both legs managed.
Volume 2 — Single Leg Control Options
The second portion of this Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD moves into the first major branch of the system: attacking when you have control of only one leg for leg locks No-Gi. This is the more common scenario in live rolling, where your opponent is actively defending and preventing you from trapping both legs.
The “dealing with the turnout” chapter is the standout here. When an opponent turns their heel toward you in Cross Ashi, most leg lockers panic and lose the position. Rau provides specific adjustments — grip changes, hip placement shifts, and finishing angle tweaks — that turn the turnout from a defensive success into a submission opportunity.
Different grip variations round out the volume. Rau shows how changing your grip on the heel or ankle changes the finishing mechanics, and which grip to use based on the opponent’s reaction.
Volume 3 — Double Leg Control Options
Part 3 of the Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD covers the high-value scenario where you have both legs controlled in Cross Ashi within this DDS leg lock system. Once both legs are trapped, the opponent’s escape options shrink dramatically and the finish becomes a matter of technique.
Rau shows the primary finishing chains from double leg control, including transitions between heel hooks and secondary attacks. He covers how to maintain the entanglement when the opponent attempts to explode out, and how to re-establish control if the opponent partially escapes.
The volume also covers entries into double leg control from the single leg positions shown in Volume 2, creating a connected flow between the two branches of the system.
Cross Into Ashi
The Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD works best if you have a solid foundation in basic leg lock mechanics before starting the cross ashi leg lock system. Rau does not spend time teaching what a heel hook is or how to finish one — he assumes you understand the basic mechanics and focuses on the Cross Ashi-specific details.
A practical study cycle would be: drill the position identification and control mechanics from Volume 1 until the Cross Ashi feels natural. Then spend time in positional sparring where you start in Cross Ashi and your partner starts defending. This builds the feel for the position before adding the complication of entries.
Once the position feels stable, work through the single leg control options in Volume 2. These are your most common live scenarios. The double leg control from Volume 3 should be your finishing position — aim to enter Cross Ashi, establish single leg control, and work toward trapping the second leg.
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Who Is This For?
No-Gi grapplers are the clear primary audience for the Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD . The Cross Ashi is almost exclusively a No-Gi position, and the finishing mechanics are most relevant for leg locks No-Gi under submission-only or ADCC rulesets.
Blue and purple belts who have learned basic leg lock entries from straight ankle locks or kneebars and want to expand into heel hook systems will get the most value. The instructional assumes basic leg lock knowledge but teaches the Cross Ashi-specific details clearly enough that intermediate grapplers can follow.
Competition grapplers who compete at events where heel hooks are legal will find the troubleshooting against the turnout particularly valuable. This is a specific defense that appears at every level of competition, and having a system for it is worth the price of admission.
White belts who are still learning basic leg lock defense should start with more foundational material. Gi players will find limited application — while the Cross Ashi can work in the gi, the grip-specific details are mostly No-Gi focused. Advanced black belts who already have a developed Cross Ashi game may find Volume 2’s single leg control useful for refining their entries.
Pros and Potential Drawbacks
Pros:
- The single leg control volume addresses the most common live scenario in Cross Ashi — having only one leg trapped — which most leg lock instructionals gloss over
- The troubleshooting against the turnout is specific and practical; this is a defense that frustrates most leg lockers and Rau provides clear solutions
- The decision tree between single and double leg control gives the system structure rather than a collection of isolated techniques
- Rau’s teaching is technical and detailed without being overly verbose — he explains the principles clearly and moves through the material at a good pace
- At $127 for 3 volumes of specialized leg lock content from a known leg lock specialist, the value is fair for its niche
Potential Drawbacks:
- The instructional assumes basic leg lock knowledge; beginners will need to supplement with foundational material before getting full value
- Three volumes for a single position means the scope is narrow — this is a deep dive on Cross Ashi rather than a comprehensive leg lock system
- Rau’s competitive record (20-14) means he is not at the absolute top tier of the sport, which may matter to buyers who weigh instructor credentials heavily
Keep Ashi Dynamic
Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD delivers a thorough, position-specific deep dive into one of the most important leg lock entries in modern No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. The Dynamic Cross Ashi Jason Rau DVD separates general principles, single leg control, and double leg control into a logical progression.
