Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD Review [2025]

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Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A Gi BJJ DVD that goes over the full guard from a perspective of efficiency.
Offers an in-depth look at a three-point guard system inspired by Daniel Gracie and tested at the highest levels.
Features high guard submissions, flower sweeps, back takes, and closed guard passing.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.

FULL GUARD FORMULA JAMES BOOTH DVD HERE:

Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD Preview — SEE TRAILER: Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD

You’ll never be able to learn the closed guard in BJJ. It doesn’t matter if you’re top or bottom, there’s always going to be something that surprises you, even if you think you know everything the position offers.

There is something about the full guard that makes everyone susceptible to it, including elite-level world champions. The Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD offers a perspective on mastering the full guard that is inspired by a Gracie family member. It is definitely worth a look and today, I’ll tell you exactly why that is.

Guard Efficiency

If I could describe the role of the guard in one word it would be efficiency. This is particularly true in terms of the closed guard, a.k.a. the full guard. There is no point in trying to achieve something quickly from guard – you got the floor behind you and the opponent in front of you, so you’re not going anywhere in a hurry.

Instead, the guard is intended to help you stall the pace of the match or roll, providing you with plenty of opportunities to trap your opponent and force them into mistakes by making them struggle. Effective doesn’t mean fast in BJJ, but rather not tired as you emerge out of the guard with a sweep, tap, or a back take.

The Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD offers an interesting view of guard efficiency rooted in Old-school Gracie philosophies. If I’m completely honest, the Gracies’ were masters of using the guard to influence the pace and the outcome of a match, so if you want to become effective with your closed guard instead of trapping yourself, this DVD might be a good choice.

Grindhouse Professor James Booth

James Booth is a Daniel Gracie black belt, holding a second-degree rank. He has spent most of his grappling life competing, with big notches on his belt featuring victories over ADCC champions and UFC veterans. He has competed in all types of tournaments from INJJF to NAGA, including super fights.

A thing that sets James aside, though is his teaching. Not many people have the experience of learning and teaching simultaneously, but those that do, turn out to be exceptional teachers after they reach black belt.

Booth started teaching when he was a blue belt and has never looked back since. Now the owner of Booth BJJ and the grappling coach at Grindhouse MMA in Bucks County, he is demonstrating through his students that his Jiu-Jitsu is all about effectiveness. The Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD is a great example of his work.

Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD Review

OVer the course of an hour and a half, the Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD will provide plenty of information on playing the guard, and some on passing it to help you rethink your approach to the full guard. The instructional contains three volumes, the first two on guard attacks and the third covering passing:

Part 1 – The Holy Trinity of Full Guard

The Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD kicks off in a classic way, with an introduction of the coach and a quick overview of the material that follows. Booth starts the technical portion with a concept, explaining the three positions that, according to him, are behind all the success you’re to have with his full guard system.

They make sense from the get-go but really become clear as he proceeds to provide examples of sweeps, starting with the flower sweep. This sweep gets a very detailed breakdown in this instructional, including technical details, mechanics, troubleshooting, and submission follow-ups if it fails.

A few effective lapel control moves wrap this opening part of the DVD up, with the triangle entry and finish something that got me seriously curious.

Part 2 – Breaking Posture

Breaking posture is essential if you’re playing closed guard, but is also an aspect of guard that most people take for granted. As the second volume of the Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD unfolds, James ensures to dedicate lots of time and focus to this specific movement.

He calls the high guard variation he plays the Broken Posture Guard, and launches into submission attack chains from it, sparing no detail as he delivers the material. Most of the focus is on triangles and Omoplatas, but a few well-placed Gi chokes are also featured.

I liked the quick bridging solution to some attacks from the top person, as well as the double-trouble attacks that followed. Booth blends together sweeps and submissions in some classic (traingle/armbar) and some not-so-classic combos (Americana / Back Take) that are definitely effective!

Part 3 – Passing

In the final part of this James Booth Full Guard DVD, the focus shifts completely to the top person. Passing-wise, Booth’s system is all about pressure. He opens strong, demonstrating a quick wrist lock finish inside the guard, before moving on to different ways, most of them painful, to open up the closed guard.

He relies heavily on the punch choke, a.k.a. the Amassa Pao as he is opening and passing the guard. The one thing that really caught my eye was the part about passing from a broken posture situation.

At the tail end of the instructional, James covers specific grip training by talking about rows and drags, and offers the framework of his coach’s Daniel Gracie methodology to help you learn faster.

The Timeless Full Guard

The one thing that has survived all scrutiny of the modern grappling movement is the closed guard. People have claimed that almost every other move or position is either unstoppable or doesn’t work at one point in time or another.

The guard remains a steady and important constant in BJJ, meaning you need to pay attention to how you set it up. I always coach my competitors to be very aware of it and have ready solutions for both and top.

Let’s be honest – if you compete, you’re going to be inside the closed guard, playing or passing it, at least once per tournament. It is simply omnipresent and instinctive, and even if your game is all about the “inverted De La Lady Bug guard” or another Frankenstein guard, you’ll need to know what to do from or in the full guard.

Instructionals such as the Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD are not going to teach you how to play guard, but they will give you a roadmap on what you need to strive toward or fight against, depending on whether you’re top or bottom. The learning part happens on the mats.

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Follow the Formula!

I don’t particularly like the word formula for BJJ purposes, but in this sense, it kind of works. The Full Guard Formula James Booth DVD really is more of a framework/roadmap, using techniques to capture concepts, rather than a step-by-step instructional. I prefer this type of DVD over the standard technical ones, so I am glad I got to go through this one, and I’m certain it will help your full guard immensely.

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Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Key Takeaways

A two-part Gi BJJ DVD offering a unique way of combining half guards.
It breaks down how old-school lapel guards work and how to connect them with modern variations.
Offers both retention principles and sweep-submission combination attacks.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.

HALF GUARD EVOLUTION RODNEI BARBOSA DVD GET HERE

Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD Preview — WATCH FULL TRAILER: Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD

have you ever thought of mixing together an old-school version of a guard, with a modern-day iteration of that, or even better, another guard of the same category? I’ haven’t either, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the underlying idea of doing exactly that, as it is delivered through the Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD.

The two-part instructional is perfect for those who would love to apply this concept to Gi half guards without thinking too much about stuff. For those who are looking for more than a copy-paste game, the DVD also contains a blueprint on how to integrate old-school land new school BJJ positions for a very unpredictable, versatile, and above all, effective game.

The Most Confusing Guard in BJJ

I have plenty of students that love playing half guard. Who doesn’t? Some even have regular private classes scheduled just so they can explore the subject more. The result is an inevitable confusion that arises from all the options they have from the position. Paralysis by analysis, I believe, is what it’s called.

There are so many different variations of the half guard, and so many options from each variation that there is no way someone could hope to master them all in a quest to figure out the best ones to use. However, there is a way to reduce the confusion and introduce some order into the half guard chaos.

I usually like to limit people to two variations of the half guard, ideal ones that they like playing and that fit their goals and abilities. Then, they get the old task of exploring them for months and months, solving all problems that arise.

However, the Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD has opened up a new and perhaps even better way of combining half guards – blending old-school methods with modern-day variations. It’s still the same idea of combining two half guards, but the fact they’re from different eras in BJJ turns the tables, confusing the top person instead of the guard player.

Rodnei ‘Roy’ Barbosa

Rodnei Barbosa is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Paulo Rezende. He is a standout competitor with huge accolades to his name, and a big pedigree as a coach. The Brazilian has been dedicated solely to Jiu-Jitsu since the age of 18 when he decided to pursue it as a career.

Born in Formiga, Rodnei started training capoeira as a young kid, aged only 6. which was a common activity in Brazil in the 90s. He discovered BJJ a few years later when he stumbled upon a social project run by Lourenco Nascimento. Barbosa stuck with Nascimento for almost a decade, getting most of his colored belts from him.

Rondei’s success on the mats saw him moving to Poco de Caldas, joining the academy that produced the legendary Marcelo Garcia, as he decided to dedicate full time to BJJ. He lived in a fighter;’s house set up by head coach Rezende, the same as Marcelo Gracia, Matheus Diniz, and Reinaldo Ribeiro.

Since his black belt promotion in 2025, Barbosa has conquered the No-Gi IBJJF Worlds, Abud Dhabi Pro, IBJJF Europeans, and the Brazilian Nationals. With a style rooted in high-quality competitive Jiu-Jitsu, his Rodnei Barbosa Half Guard DVD is one you cannot miss if you are a competitor.

Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD Review

In the Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD, Roy offers an interesting way of blending half guards from old-school Jiu-Jitsu with ones that we usually see used these days. Over the course of two hours, he delivers plenty of easily usable material, presented with the Gi:

Part 1 – The Half Guard Single Leg

As this Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD kicks off, Rodnei begins with a throwback to an old way of playing half guard using lapels. He dubs it the single leg half guard, as the control doubles as a great way to control the single leg position from standing as well.

Barbosa goes straight to the system, without lengthy explanations of positioning. He explains a couple of grip combinations from the butterfly guard that allow you to enter the single leg half guard before launching into an explanation of how to use the knee shield for best results.

Sweeps come up next, with different grip combos, one of which is always controlling the lapel that’s around the leg, providing unbalancing opportunities in different directions. Rodeni brings the first part of his DVD to a close presenting the backstep sweep system which is a very original way to end up on top, blending old-school half guard with modern moves such as lockdowns.

Part 2 – Coyote and Lapel Guards

The second part of the Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD serves as the bridge that connects the old-school iterations of the half guard with more modern variations and even different guards that work based on lapel control.

Rodnei begins with the popular Coyote guard, exploring how to improve the underhood control by introducing lapels to the mix. He then launches into the usual sweeps, knee bar and back takes that this super-effective guard offers.

Next on Barbosa’s agenda is the worm guard which allows him to connect half guards, such as the Coyote with open guards, such as the Worm simply by sticking to lapel control. He uses the single leg half guard as the bridge that allows easy transitions into either the K guard for those preferring leg locks, or the Worm Guard with all the crazy sweeps it has to offer, some of which Brabosa covers in this portion of the instructional.

Old School To New School

The dichotomy of different generations does not skip BJJ as an ecosystem. We see people who have trained for ages swear by the old-school Gracie-style moves and tactics, claiming that’s exactly what allowed them to train without restrictions.

On the other side, we have modern-day kids, those who have grown up with BJJ available in digital learning platforms, and seminars and are used to having a new technique go viral every week. This bunch usually has little regard for the OG Jiu-Jitsu, claiming all they need is the modern stuff.

At the end of the day, if you take a look at any of the top grapplers of our time, you’ll see that they (or their coaches) manage to blend the best aspects of new and old-school BJJ to develop a crazy effective game that can beat people from any generation.

If you’re interested in applying this methodology to your half guard game, opting for the Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD as your primary resource is a great idea. It is straightforward and will allow you to understand how the process of blending OG and modern Jiu-Jitsu works, allowing you to expand on the concepts it covers.

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Next Level Half Guard!

A great way to level up your half guard is to mix in some old-school effective versions of the guard with a modern-day variation that best suits your game. There’s hardly a better way to introduce versatility and depth to your half guard game, and the Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD is a great guide to set you on that path!

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Maynard James Keenan Unveils New Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Documentary: “The Great In-Between”

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BJJ World

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Maynard James Keenan Unveils New Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Documentary: "The Great In-Between"

Maynard James Keenan, renowned frontman of Tool and Puscifer, is turning attention to the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with his new documentary, “The Great In-Between.” The film offers an in-depth introduction to the martial art, reflecting Keenan’s personal journey and passion for Jiu-Jitsu.

Maynard James Keenan – A Multifaceted Artist and Athlete

Known for his enigmatic stage presence and musical prowess, Keenan is now showcasing his skills offstage. “The Great In-Between” is not just a film but a glimpse into Keenan’s dedication to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The documentary features insights into training techniques, the philosophy behind the sport, and Keenan’s own experiences.

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In an interview with Ghost Cult Magazine, Keenan explained his motivation: “I’ve always been fascinated by the discipline and mental strength required in Jiu-Jitsu. This documentary is my way of sharing that journey with the world.”

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During a promotion ceremony at Redline Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Maynard earned his BJJ black belt less than a year ago. It was Ty Gay who awarded the Tool frontman with the coveted black belt.

A Must-Watch for Jiu-Jitsu and Combat Sports Enthusiasts

Fans of combat sports and martial arts will find “The Great In-Between” particularly engaging. The film delves into the core principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. Keenan’s unique perspective as a musician and athlete adds a compelling layer to the narrative.

According to Blunt Magazine, Keenan aims to break down barriers and introduce more people to the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu: “It’s not just about physical strength; it’s about discipline, strategy, and personal growth.”

The Maynard James Keenan BJJ documentary is set to premiere on December 15, with exclusive screenings at select venues. Viewers can expect a rich blend of personal anecdotes, expert interviews, and detailed demonstrations. As Lambgoat reports, Keenan’s hands-on approach and deep respect for the art form shine through in every frame.

After all, Maynard relied on his Jiu-Jitsu skills during a concert in 2010, never stopping his performance while he dealt with an unruly fan, all of which was caught in a viral video:

Join the Conversation

Whether you’re a long-time fan of Maynard James Keenan or someone interested in martial arts, “The Great In-Between” is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu documentary that promises to inspire and educate. Stay tuned for more updates and join the conversation using the hashtag #TheGreatInBetween.

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Andrew Wiltse Manic Episode Showdown With 10 Cops Ends With Hospitalization

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Andrew Wiltse Manic Episode Showdown With 10 Cops Ends With Hospitalization

In a raw and revealing YouTube video, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom Andrew Wiltse pulled back the curtain on a deeply personal struggle: a manic episode in early 2025 that led to hospitalization and a chaotic confrontation with law enforcement.

Known for his explosive finishes and relentless pace on the mats, Wiltse described how his mental health crisis left police officers struggling to physically restrain him—a stark reminder of the intersection between elite athleticism and psychological vulnerability.

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“I was looking at the sky, contemplating life” Wiltse shared, reflecting on the incident. “I kinda like sat down in the parking lot and three cops approached me.”

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A Grappler’s Strength Meets Mental Health Crisis: Andrew Wiltse vs Cops

According to Wiltse, the incident unfolded when he became aware that police officers were approaching him on account of walking around town and talking to himself. After many reports by concerned citizens, police arrived to try and figure out what was troubling Wiltse.

Initially, he went willingly with the law enforcement officials to a nearby hospital, as Andrew Wiltse recalls:

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“They drove me to one of the hospitals because they were concerned,”

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Officers reportedly attempted to de-escalate the situation verbally, but Wiltse’s heightened physicality, honed through years of combat sports, turned the encounter volatile after he tried to leave the hospital, but was not allowed:

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“They tried to stop me from walking out but none of them were willing to tackle me or tase me…yet. One of them puts their hand on my shoulder and says ‘You’re going to come inside with us,'”

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Understandably, this was a lot easier for the officers to declare than do. The altercation began quietly before Andrew Wiltse showed why he is one of the best, although things weren’t violent from the start, even though the officers introduced a taser to the mix after a while:

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“First guy comes at me and it just reminded me of like a sloppy Jiu-Jitsu wrestler trying to do a double leg that doesn’t really know how to do a double leg. I went from cool to now you’re having a rabid, world-champion honey badger “

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Interestingly enough, Wiltse dismissed the taser as ‘having no effect’ and was acting mainly on autopilot as he grappled almost a dozen officers and security guards at once. Wiltse managed to take the taser away from the officers but opted to discard it rather than make things worse by using it:

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“I thought about tasing him with it and I was just like is it just escalating don’t do it and I threw the taser away.”

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Eventually, Andrew Wiltse was hospitalized and sedated. No serious injuries were reported, but the incident once again demonstrated how difficult it is for undertrained law enforcement to deal with someone who has professional combat sports training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGJpfc-hQPQ

Andrew Wiltse Manic Episode Reflections

After the fact, Andrew Wiltse, who is now medicated after willingly seeking professional treatment and care, shared that he is not hiding his episode and welcomes the effects it has had on him:

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“I’m not really ashamed of the fact that I had a manic episode,” and added that “The cops in Mount Vernon handled me with superb kid gloves, and I love them very much for the way that they did not like, shoot me okay, they’re great!”

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The Bigger Picture: Mental Health in Combat Sports

Wiltse’s story has ignited conversations across the grappling community, where mental health struggles are often overshadowed by a culture of toughness.

Anxiety and mental health issues have been the main topic of research for many scientists lately, with the Journal of Combat Sports Medicine offering lots of studies and insights into what affects competitive combat sports athletes.

Most MMA/BJJ gyms lack mental health resources and few promotions screen athletes for psychological well-being. Sometimes, the results of ignoring the signs can be huge, as was the case of Andrew Wiltse.

Now stabilized on medication and in therapy, Wiltse has issued a message to his fans:

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“Yeah, hashtag ‘never again stay medicated’.”

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The Illinois native plans to return to competition in 2025 but admits his priorities might have shifted after the incident.

Even Tough Guys Need Someone Sometimes

Andrew Wiltse’s story is more than a headline—it’s a call to action for the grappling world to prioritize mental health as fiercely as armbars and gold medals. Wiltse is thankfully going to be okay, but only after he thought he was a god and had to be somewhat rudely awakened by law enforcement. It’d be ideal for others who might be struggling not to take things as far.

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Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ instructional offering a very detailed breakdown of the modern tripod passing system.
Contains details on positioning, control, and tactics like forcing specific guards and baiting.
Includes details on high-percentage moves like the cowcatcher, near-side underhooks, and the dog fight.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

HIGHER TRIPOD PASSING CRAIG JONES DVD HERE:

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Passing is a subject in BJJ that is always going to draw lots of questions and present a problem for people. At this point, we have so much information available on modern and old-school, and MMA guard passing that someone without a solid understanding of grappling is likely to end up lost and confused.

So, why would we look at another guard passing BJJ DVD? Well, this one offers an interesting option of cutting through the nonsense by using a proven method to complete your passing sequences. The Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD offers a simple blueprint to master a complex system in a short period of time.

Modern Guard Passing

These days, passing is exceedingly difficult to put into a category. A couple of decades ago it was either closed or open guard passing, with the top person either standing or kneeling. It was simple, and it worked based on either heavy pressure or fast movement.

These days, there are guard passing systems for everything, which does make sense if we think about how many different guards there are. Saying closed and open guard is not enough anymore, as there are plenty of hybrid options and Gi or No-Gi-specific ones that create the need for equally elaborate passing systems.

The end result is overcomplicated passing, with too much information to process. Hwoever, there is a system or a concept of passing every now and again that introduces lots of useful ideas. Josef Chen is one of the latest BJJ prodigies to offer one, and one of his coaches Craig Jones now puts even more flair to it in the Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD.

The Man Who Turned BJJ Upside Down

Everyone knows Craig Jones and his legacy in the BJJ World. In the span of a decade, he came out of nowhere (or at least it seemed so)and submitted everyone in EBI with leg locks in minutes up to the final. Then, he almost broke Gordon Ryan’s arm, getting within a whiff of the EBI title.

The grappling community took notice and Craig rode that wave like a pro, embedding his name in BJJ history, but in a way that is very different from others, along the lines of Marcelo Garcia, Roger Gracie, or Gordon Ryan. Craig is more like Jeff Glover but with lots more results.

To this day Craig has managed to create one of the best competitor dens in the sport, forming the B-team in Austin, launching the highest-paying professional Jiu-Jitsu tournament, going against the ADCC, and was instrumental in breaking up one of the best competition teams ever, and has released dozens of BJJ instructionals.

And these are not even the weirdest things he’s done! We’re not going to go into them here, but we are going to take a look at Craig’s latest DVD, inspired by one of the top B-Team competitors. Let’s see what the Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD is all about.

Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD Review

This Craig Jones Tripod Passing DVD is one of the Aussie’s better instructionals, offering around two hours of material. It follows the standard four-volume structure and is easily applicable in both Gi and No-Gi.

Part 1 – Control & Positioning

Leave it to Craig to pick up a move and break it down in a way that would impress even Danaher. In the Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD, he goes over the passing system developed by Josef Chen, adding his own twits and explaining exactly why it works so well.

in fact, this entire opening volume is all about mechanics. Craig breaks things down into positioning and control. Position-wise, he offers precise sets of instructions for both the upper and lower body, and he provides a clear order of doing things when using high tripod passing.

Part 2 – Forcing Butterfly Guard

Forcing a specific guard is a proven tactic that all of the BJJ world’s top passers have been using for decades. For the most part, people tend to force the half-guard, but other guards could work just as well.

For high tripod passing, starting from the butterfly guard seems to yield the best results. The better part of this volume focuses on how to force the bottom player into the butterfly guard and what to do afterward.

Baiting as a concept is also something Craig speaks about in this part of the Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD. He uses Ashi Garami threats to set up a pass, essentially showing you how to bait people into positioning themselves so that you can pass without resistance.

Part 3 – Underhook Passing

Craig refers to the near underhook as the true purpose of this instructional. The arm placement is crucial for the tripod passing system, but in a way that has more to do with blocking and guiding movement, than with attacking yourself to your opponent.

This entire portion of the Craig Jones Tripod Passing DVD addresses the near-side underhook, how to set it up, change sides, and deal with problems that you’ll encounter frequently. A common solution at the end of the funnel is the Tiananmen Square Lockdown position – you don’t want to miss this one!

Part 4 – Bonus Moves

The final part of the Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD is all about stuff that Craig has added to Chen’s high tripod passing system. As expected, wrestling-inspired moves feature a lot, such as the duck under and side control peak out.

The dog fight also makes an appearance, leading to some interesting resolutions of this ‘scramble’ position that definitely weren’t common practice before. As the instructional comes to a conclusion, Jones offers plenty of cowcatcher, a.k.a. head wrap half Nelson details and scenarios to really amp up the efficiency of high tripod passing.

The Baiting Game

Going after people when you’re grappling is a solid strategy, as it allows you to set the pace from the beginning. If the other person can’t match, or slow down your pace, you’ll get teh upper hand and with it, probably win the exchange, and even the entire match/round.

However, aggressive and high-paced work is not always effective in BJJ as people, especially guard players, have a way of stalling things or springing traps to stop you from passing. However, that is not something that is only available to the guard player.

Baiting and waiting are as old as martial arts are, and you can use this concept in every aspect of BJJ. When you’re passing, it means you’re not forcing the pass, only looking to beat the legs, but rather tricking your opponent into leaving a door open for you, or, pulling you into a pass.

Approaching grappling problem-solving like this means you need to exert less energy, create fewer openings, lower the risks of counters, and end up in pins with a tired and surprised opponent underneath. this concept of baiting runs through all of the content in the Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD.

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DOWNLOAD HERE: HIGHER TRIPOD PASSING CRAIG JONES DVD

Get to Higher Ground!

The entire concept of higher tripod passing rests on an old-school wrestling principle for dominating and winning scrambles – whoever is higher, will likely end up on top, a.k.a. win. It works in wrestling and it works in BJJ as well. Now, with the Higher Tripod Passing Craig Jones DVD, you get to use it to solve one of BJJ’s greatest puzzles, which is passing the guard.

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Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD showing how a world champion readapts their Gi guard game to No-Gi.
The material is divided based on whether the top person is standing, kneeling, or seated.
Includes sweeping, back takes, upper and lower body submissions, and quick guard transitions.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

GUIDE TO SUBMISSION GRAPPLING MARGOT CICCARELLI DVD HERE:

Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD Preview — FULL TRAILER: Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD

At first glance, the Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD might not attract your attention. If I have one grievance with it, it is the title – it is too broad, not doing the material inside this instructional justice.

The DVD itself is incredibly useful. It depicts the complete gameplan Margot Ciccarelli used to dominate with the Gi, and her attempts (successful ones) to transition it to No-Gi. What’s better, it also contains the entire thought process behind using specific moves, along with parallels drawn to their Gi counterparts.

Translating Your Gi Game to No-Gi

If you’ve only been training with the Gi, and are now looking to move to No-Gi, you’re in for one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do in Jiu-Jitsu. In fact, the longer you were exclusive with Gi, the harder the transition is going to be. Oh, and the same is true if you’re switching from No-Gi to Gi.

The best way to figure out what works and not is to analyze how to change grip points or try out new angles to get the same thing. You won’t choke anyone worth their salt with a cross choke in No-Gi, so you’re better off trying to figure out a choke from the same position that would work. In this instance., I’d go with a Guillotine, as it works from both the bottom and top and offers plenty of grip variations to finish.

The bottom line is that you need to look at the outcome you’re trying to achieve. Do you want to sweep a standing opponent? Figure out how to engage them first – that will lead you to the guard you can use to sweep/submit later. Much better than trying to play a specific guard at any cost. Or, use a shortcut and copy the game plan from the Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD.

Grappling Scientist Margot Ciccarelli

People who have laser focus on the things they do end up being incredible at their chosen profession. I doubt Margot Ciccarelli set out to be an extremely effective Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, particularly since she is still competing, but her dedication to deciphering grappling has led her on that path.

The Murilo Santana black belt has spent her adult years training in a way that most BJJ athletes dream of. She started in the UK, under the mind-blowing trio of Nick Brooks, Daniels Strauss, and Ollie Geddes. Who knows what would’ve turned out if she stayed with the Mill Hill crew longer?

Margot had to travel shortly after discovering BJJ though, and ended up in Maui, picking up training under the guidance of local coaches, but not stopping there. Ciccareli went on to train in New York, California, Hong Kong, and the UK, learning as a true grappling nomad, and eventually earning her black belt from Santana in 2021.

Margot also launched a very cool project along with dancer Stehapnie Lee in 2018, called Jitz Jamming, which blends together dancing and BJJ in a form of movement-based flow.

To date, she has Gi world, Pans, and European titles at many different belt levels, and has demonstrated that her No-Gi game is just as strong by winning the 20024 European ADCC trials. Just something to remember as you check out the contents of the Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD.

Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD Review

The Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD offers the standard four volumes, featuring pristine organization of the material, which amasses to a total of two hours:

Part 1 – Conceptual Framework & Engagement

As the Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD kicks off, Margot presents her project with it, which is transitioning her world-title-winning guard Gi game to No-Gi. She begins by defining the concepts that will guide her material in the instructional, starting with the way she organizes her game into standing, seated, and knees down areas.

Margot also covers distance, explaining how to initiate matches and what cues to be wary of if the other person is more aggressive. She also talks about guard pulls from an interesting perspective, and offers great advice on timing by explaining how when to wait and when to impose your game.

Part 2 – Seated Tactics

Form seated, Ciccarelli’s focus is on De la Riva initially, with lots of inverting Bolo options to get to the back. You can tell her base is a Gi game, although the moves are definitely optimized for No-Gi in her guidelines here.

Leg locks come next, offering another high-percentage option from the position. This second volume of the Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD offers straight Ashi Garami attacks that result in heel hook finishes, as well as no-nonsense transitions into Cross Ashi. I particularly enjoyed the use of leg traps to finish.

This volume also contains lots of 50/50 work that acts as both an Ashi Garmi for hunting kneebars and a back-taking/sweeping guard that eventually leads straight into passes.

Part 3 – Knees Down Game Plan

Arguably the most interesting and original part of the Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD, where she engages in a more active guard exchange game as the opponent goes one level higher, starting with their knees on the ground.

The butterfly and Z guard dominate this portion of the material, with the emphasis on sweeping, mostly from the 2-on-1 grip configuration. Back takes, of course, appear at every possible turn, enforced by the threat of upper body submissions, such as the Kimura and Tarikoplata.

Part 4 – Standing Strategies

The toughest distance to cover from guard in No-Gi is when your opponent is standing, which is exactly what Margot covers in the final part of her instructional. She starts off with a few conceptual ideas on distance management and how to engage in a way that doesn’t put you at risk of getting passed and pinned.

As you might expect, there’s plenty of complex guard work happening here, with shin-on-shin guard leading the way, followed by RDLR, K-Guard, and X-guard combos. Each of these guards offers different submission threats, and when put together in a system, they pretty much cover 360-degree sweeping.

Of course, the hero so far of the Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD, back exposure, features in this part as well, with a few interesting spinning and dragging setups.

Understand Passing for a Better Guard

You can approach things in two ways when you’re trying to learn stuff in BJJ. You can look at what you’re trying to do, or you can look at what your opponent is trying to do. Yeah, ideally it would be both, but if you could do that I’d be reviewing your DVD and you wouldn’t be reading this.

In terms of what you can do, the task for a guard player is easy, Gi or No-Gi – don’t let people past your legs. If you can do that, you can look to off-balance them and try to get on top or isolate a limb to finish.

When you’re looking at your opponent, though, you’ll learn a lot more. If you ask me, you should start with this first whenever you’re trying to figure something out in Jiu-Jitsu and look at what you’re doing second.

If you just try to see what people do against your guards you’ll notice different levels and directions, to begin with. Both of these are covered in impressive detail in the Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD, as she offers plenty of solutions.

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DOWNLOAD HERE: SUBMISSION GRAPPLING MARGOT CICCARELLI DVD

Peace Comes from Within

The calmer you are, the better you’ll perform. Trying to be calm when someone on top of you is trying to bull-rush you and choke you though, is not easy unless you know exactly what you’re doing. For those of you that don’t some awesome answers lie in the Zen Guide To Submission Grappling Margot Ciccarelli DVD. Since it is No-Gi, it’ll work just fine in the Gi as well, saving you time and money if you cross-train.

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Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD leads you through effective escapes from the most common positions and submissions.
Features mount, side control, knee on belly, and back mount escapes.
Explains how to get out of straight and bent armlocks, leg locks, and chokes.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.

POSITION AND SUBMISSION ESCAPES CRAIG FUNK DVD HERE:

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Every position in BJJ has an escape, and every submission people put you in can be countered. Given the sheer number of positions and submissions though, this may seem like an impossible task to achieve.

Well, if you try to find a solution for every position and submission out there, you’ll get stuck and fail, since it is literally impossible. The Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD offers not just ways to deal with everything, but also a way of categorizing positions and submissions so that the same escape concepts apply to a bunch of them at once.

Where to Start With ‘Houdini’ Training

Getting out of anything in BJJ is more difficult than most things you’re going to do in your life. Before you start exploring defense and escapes, you need to be aware that you’ll have to spend considerable time suffering in different positions. There’s no other way around it.

However, once you manage, you’ll turn into the ‘Houdini’ you think your instructor is, even if you have decades less experience than them. Escaping is really all about trickery, with the results being potentially match-ending – very Houdini-like, won’t you agree?

Adding escapes to your repertoire means you need to have solutions for every position and submission that exists. Placing moves and positions into broader categories will help reduce the amount of information you need to process, allowing you to repeat and practice more.

So, to start with, pick a bad position and allow yourself to be placed there. Then, pick up the Position And Submission Craig Escapes Funk DVD to start getting ideas on where you need to go and what you need to do to get there.

CSW Coach Craig Funk

Combat Submission Wrestling is a gym that is run by one of the most legendary MMA coaches in the world – Erik Paulson. He has been delivering a version of n-nonsense grappling, based on catch wrestling, BJJ, and Sambo, that is very hard to beat.

One of the alumni of Erik’s CSW is Craig Funk, a BJJ black belt who has been training since his early teenage days. His competitive record includes both grappling and pro-MMA bouts but also a decade of work as a bouncer, and we all know how much that experience comes in handy. Just take a look at John Danaher.

Currently heading the Freedom BJJ Academy Craig has taken the CSW style of grappling in two specific directions. One is self-defense, an area of combat sports Craig is highly proficient in.

The other direction is highly effective submission grappling for pro competitors, based on counter-attacking tactics. In the Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD we see what Funk likes to use to make his students unsubmittable and very hard to hold down.

Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD Review

This Craig Funk Escapes DVD was a very fun instructional to watch. The no-nonsense CSW style and the great organization of the material means that you can use it even if you’re a complete beginner. Craig delivers almost an hour and a half of material over two volumes in this DVD:

Part 1 – Positional Escapes

There is a simplicity easily associated with CSW running through the material in this Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD. For example, the first volume is all about positional escapes, sticking to the point and covering all the key spots, offering more than one way out.

Craig starts with the mount, offering a total of three different ways out, each featuring a different direction. Put together, they’re as unstoppable as you can hope to get when escaping.

Side control and knee on belly follow, once again with plenty of variations for each. I can point out the Hip Rip side control escape as one that really helped me out.

The back mount is the final position Funk addresses in the first volume, offering two ways out, both of which are based on principles that actually work against high-level opposition. I prefer the back-to-the-mats approach but the Caveman Crunch is definitely one that will catch many people by surprise.

Part 2 – Escaping Submissions

Part two of the Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD is all about submission escapes. Now that you know how to get out of most positions, it won’t matter where you end up after you deal with a submission threat – you know how to escape!

Funk divides the material into straight arm locks, triangles, shoulder locks, and leg locks. The straight armbar gets more attention than any other move, with a total of 5 escape options, covering both top and bottom scenarios.

Triangle escapes contain moves you’re probably already using, but with plenty of details to polish them up. The same is true for Omoplata escapes, while there are some very interesting approaches to dealing with Kimuras that I am itching to try.

Ankle locks round up this part of the instructional, as most of CSW’s curriculum tends to favor them over heel hooks. If recent evidence is anything to go by, ankle locks really do seem like the worst leg lock to defend and escape these days, and the options Funk provides will definitely help you out.

How to Make Everything Work in BJJ

There is a hidden caveat to developing a very sound defensive game in BJJ that most people miss out on. A very welcomed ‘side effect’ of focusing on defending and escaping si that all your attacks are going to improve as a direct result of your effort.

Wait, what? How can you get better at attacking when you’re learning to escape? It’s easy – the better you become at fending off attacks and escaping late-stage positions and submissions, the more your grappling confidence is going to grow.

This translates to opening your attacking game up, and taking way more risks since you now don’t care if you get into a bad spot or end up in a submission. Knowing how to escape is exactly what you need to turn your attacking game up two or three notches while developing a well-rounded game in the process.

While there is no mention of turning escapes and defense into direct attacks in the Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD, the material sets the stage for it. After all, CSW is infamous for effective counterattacks, and the material in this DVD contains their bread-and-butter escapes and defense strategies.

DOWNLOAD: POSITION AND SUBMISSION ESCAPES CRAIG FUNK DVD

Annoy Everyone!

It will take you some time to figure everything out in terms of escapes. You’ll need to dedicate some work to each position and submission and some will end up taking more of your time than others. However, everything you need to figure out the solutions is in the Position And Submission Escapes Craig Funk DVD, presented in more ways than one. The secret to developing world-class escapes is something you already know – practice, practice, practice!

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Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD that offers more than one way to deal with the half guard from the top.
Features attacking different half guard variations using submissions systems and wrestling rides.
Explains how to counter common defenses and use half guard structures against the bottom person.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9 out of 10.

TOP HALF GUARD NEIL MELANSON DVD GET HERE:

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The top half guard is a great position to be in, and you don’t even have to know how to pass. Yes, you read that right. Top half is a great position to pin people from, and launch all kinds of attacks that include passes but are definitely not limited to them.

These moves have always been there, it is your mindset, influenced by coaches, that has set you in a singular direction that often ends up in dead ends. Check out the Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD, filled with Neil’s groundbreaking catch wrestling-BJJ combos to break out and see Jiu-Jitsu form a much broader angle.

The Top Half Guard: Trapped or Dominant?

Every time you roll, you’ll end up in the half guard at least once. It is by far the most frequently used position, and everyone uses it, from top and bottom, Gi and No-Gi. The question is, who has the advantage as the half guard?

Most people would argue that the bottom person has an edge since they’re playing guard, which is designed to attack from. The premise is that the top person has to pass a guard before they can attack themselves.

In most cases of guards, especially the closed guard, this is true. The outlier is the half guard, which is the real 50/50 position in BJJ. Passes and sweeps are equally removed from the person trying to achieve them, while submissions are readily available to both.

The only thing tipping the scale towards the top person is something that the guard player can’t do anything about – gravity. Pressure is something that the top person has as a significant advantage, as long as they know how to use it. The Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD addresses this particular aspect in great detail.

Neil Melanson’s Efficient Grappling

I was a purple belt when I discovered Neil Melanson through a grappling instructional. It turned out I had seen him in the corner of Randy Couture during his time as UFC coach, I just had no idea who he is.

The Ground Marshal is was constant breath of fresh air in BJJ, introducing a lot of catch wrestling to the mix. He is only interested in one thing- efficiency, and goes after it with the determination and in-depth analysis to match any other world-class coach. The difference is that Neil likes to keep to himself and above all, keep things simple.

Interestingly enough, my very first Neil Melanson instructional was a top half guard one. To this day, I still use lots of the things I picked up from it very often, if not every day. I am expecting the Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD to introduce even more of Melanon’s crazy, but effective, grappling ideas.

Full Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD Review

The Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD contains eight volumes, each filled with a different number of chapters, but usually not more than five. As Melanson favors longer chapters, the material is organized into systems per chapter, rather than single moves. The entire DVD lasts for over 4 hours.

Part 1 – Key Concepts

There is no time wasting with Neil, as he gets straight to the point in part one. His signature way of delivering information is via very long chapters, running from 10-30 minutes each! Understandably, the entire first volume of the Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD only has three chapters, but contains 45 minutes of instructions!

Initially, he explains his top half guard goals, offering the concepts he uses to create his attacking strategies. there is a very detailed portion in this part on how to pin the near side arm so that can go straight to a traingle off of your pass. Shoulder locks, naturally, offer follow-up opportunities.

Part 2 – Butcher Shop & Bent Armlocks

What Neil refers to as the butcher shop is a choke I originally learned from Cyborg Abreu as the knee-on-neck choke. Regardless of the name, it is very effective and brutal, usually set up from the north-south.

In this part of the Neil Melanson Half Guard DVD, the focus is on landing straight into the butcher shop after you pass the half guard. In fact, setup happens while you’re still in the guard, with the resulting posture break helping you past the legs.

Kimuras and Americanas also feature in this part of the instructional but with a wrestling twist to them. Instead of going for them for the top half, which is pretty far for a finish, Melanson uses a classic leg ride – the Turk to bunch the bottom person up getting both an arm lock and a pass at the same time.

Part 3 – Using Underhooks

I am against using underhooks when you’re playing the bottom half mostly because of the crazy stuff Neil showed against them in his original top half DVD. From the top, however, they’re crucial, and this part of the Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD shows exactly why that is.

Neil begins in familiar territory, talking at length about the ‘standard’ half guard pass that involves both underhooks. He then moves on to explore different pins that are a direct result of the past, such as Kesa Gatame, with all the assorted painful submissions they bring.

Wrapping up are a few ideas on how to break through the bottom person’s defenses since people don’t just give away underhooks in grappling. Neil ends with a very unique twist, passing with a near-side underhook into a leg triangle.

Part 4 – Tulsa Rides & Chokes

This part is one of my favorites in this Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD as it contains some real wrestling gems that work perfectly in BJJ. The Tulsa ride is one such example, allowing you to torture the bottom person with pressure until they let you through. Neil will show you how to pike on their misery by landing straight into an arm triangle choke.

More rides feature in this part, with the Crab ride offering a different direction once you begin a Tulsa ride, leading to a bar arm, or chicken wing that I never got to work for myself. What I have working very well for me is the gift wrap, which is what Melanson covers next, complete, with several choke finishes.

Part 5 – Dealing With Z-Guard

If you can’t cope with the Z-guard you’re going to have a very tough time grappling this day, seeing how everyone is using it, Gi or No-Gi. Neil seems to share the same sentiment, dedicating an entire volume of his Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD to breaking it open.

The cradle pass, something I initially picked up from Melanson opens the hunting season on Z-guard, branching off into low passes, keeping the threat of submissions very high at all times. Speaking of submissions, knee compressions, and hip locks will all but guarantee that you make it past the Z-guard with ease.

Part 6 – Lockdown Solutions

Another go-to solution you need in your toolbox is the lockdown half guard. Neil offers a different route to what most people take (crawling or sitting back) as he disrupts the structure of the guard by going for the feet.

In the only other chapter in this volume of the Neil Melanson Half Guard DVD we get to learn what the Navy Shuck is, and how it allows you to do even more leg rides. This time, the rides are of the reverse kind, killing off the half guard in a way that BJJ folks find very confusing (when they’re on the receiving end).

Part 7 – Underhook Counters

Neils bread and butter attacks form the top half happen when the bottom person is trying to make something happen using the classic undertook-based approach. In wrestling-free BJJ, this may have a place, but when faced with the Half Stock, Nelsons, and Darces, the deck is completely fixed to suit you as the passer.

Very cool chokes, such as the Manly Choke (best name ever) feature in its portion of the Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD as follow-ups to the brutal ties and passes. There is also a very cool Octopus Guard counter that will force people to reconsider using it against you ever again.

Part 8 – Leg Locks

As we reach the end of this Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD, we get a real cherry on top of the cake – some of Neil’s signature leg lock finishes. Set up using leg rides (the half guard is very vulnerable to them) Melanson shows his knee bar system that involves several different entires and a bunch of great details on getting the tap.

He also shares a few toe holds, and something that is not easy to learn these days – a sequence of leg attacks taught to Neil by Billy Robinson himself! Say what you want. but Melanson certainly knows how to end an instructional in style!

Want to Pass? Trap A Leg!

The closest thing I can offer to a proven guard passing formula is to force the half guard when you’re on top. Simply put, just sit on one of the bottom person’s legs and they’ll have no option but to engage in half guard with you.

How does this help your passing? Well, instead of looking at an unknown number of guards, most likely in the hundreds by now, you now only have one guard to deal with – the half guard. Depending on how you position yourself, you can take away even the variation of the guard, ending up with a much more precise task.

Of course, in order for this entire strategy to work you’ll need to have idea of how to pass the half guard. That is not easy, but it is much easier to figure out compared to dealing with every possible guard variation out there. Plenty of concepts and tactics are available in the Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD.

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Ride The Top!

We already know that wrestling is extremely beneficial to BJJ. It takes someone like the Ground Marashal, though and the Top Half Guard Neil Melanson DVD to put things into perspective, offering a blueprint on how and when to use wrestling moves to donate BJJ. The rides and catch-wrestling submissions offered by Neil contain literally everything you’ll ever need to have an easy time when you’re in the top half guard.

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SIDELINED: John Danaher Undergoes Surgery, Three More Procedures Await

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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SIDELINED: John Danaher Undergoes Surgery, Three More Procedures Await

One down, three to go as the mastermind behind modern Jiu-Jitsu confronts his toughest opponent yet—his own body as John Danaher undergoes surgery, with more to follow!

The global Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community got some flash news from John Danaher via his Instagram, as the iconic coach renowned for revolutionizing the art, embarks on a challenging journey of medical surgeries that could redefine his future role in the sport.

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“The doctors say that generally this is the end of any kind of Jiu jitsu type movement at high level.”

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A Path Marred by Physical Trials

Danaher’s ascent in the world of Jiu-Jitsu is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting his martial arts journey later in life and contending with a crippled leg from the outset, he defied the odds to become one of the most respected coaches in the field.

“I’ve always tried to live as actively as my body would permit,” Danaher reflects. He has definitely achieved more than most, especially in the realm of coaching. His determination saw him push beyond limits, but compensating for one injured limb inevitably strained the rest of his body.

Eight years ago, the toll of overcompensation led to a critical point—Danaher underwent hip replacement surgery. Many would have slowed down, but not him. He rebounded, returning to professional coaching with renewed vigor, guiding his students to new heights in competitive grappling.

About four years ago, adversity struck the BJJ mastermind again. His other hip began to deteriorate, signaling another impending hurdle. Yet, fate had another twist.

Following the breakup of his renowned squad, Danaher focused on building a new team from scratch and it is safe to say that New Wave Jiu-Jitsu is now well established.

Personal health took a backseat to his commitment to nurturing talent and fostering the growth of his students, but now John Danaher can finally look after himself for a while.

“My students are, without exception, truly outstanding teachers,” he proclaims with pride. He believes they can “represent what we espoused far better than I ever did and contribute greatly to the sport’s continued growth.”

Names like Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Helena Crevar, Giancarlo Bodoni, Luke Griffith, Nicolas Meregali, Big Dan, and many others, stand as testaments to his mentorship as John Danaher undergoes surgery, with more procedures set to follow soon.

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The Imminent Showdown: A Series of Surgeries

Recently, the decline of his hip reached a critical juncture. Doctors are urging immediate action—not only for his failing hip but also for the knee that has been the root cause of his physical challenges. This year, Danaher is slated to undergo four significant surgeries:

Bilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair: Already completed, addressing issues he admits he “put off too long.”
Hip Replacement: To restore function to his deteriorated hip, mirroring the surgery from eight years prior.
Knee Replacement: A complex procedure, especially since it will involve a femur already connected to a hip replacement.
Lens Implants: To correct his vision, ensuring he doesn’t miss a moment on the mats.

His previous hip replacement demanded six months to a year for full recovery. This time, the addition of a knee replacement to the Danaher surgery list complicates matters and he’s expected to be sidelined significantly longer.

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“The issue will be the more complex and generally less robust knee replacement,” he notes, highlighting the uncertainty ahead.

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The Unyielding Spirit: One Down, Three to Go

“Today, one operation down, three more to go!” Danaher declares with a resilience that’s inspired countless students. His journey underscores a truth many in sports know too well—the toughest battles often lie beyond the arena.

While the future holds uncertainties, one thing is clear: John Danaher’s influence on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is indelible. Whether he returns to high-level coaching or reshapes his role within the community, his philosophies and methodologies will continue to echo throughout dojos worldwide.

Perhaps this period will give rise to new endeavors—more writings, seminars, or digital products where he can impart knowledge without physical strain. The mind that revolutionized Jiu-Jitsu isn’t confined by physical limitations and as John Danaher undergoes surgery by surgery, somehow, I think he’ll be back quicker than we think

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Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD Review [2025]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A No-Gi BJJ DVD guiding you through the best applications of underhooks for control.
Contains standing, pinning, and guard examples, using some of Glover’s signature positions.
Includes both defensive and attacking uses of underhooks.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.

UNDERHOOKS WITH UNCLE JEFF GLOVER DVD HERE:

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Some of the most fundamental grappling concepts are often the ones we fail at, mostly because they’re only covered as parts of moves, and are not the main focus of your attention. Underhooks are a great example of this.

There is no way you can effectively grappler without underhooks, Gi or No-Gi, but how much do you really understand about the mechanics and dynamics of this staple grappling move? One look at the Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD will show you how much you’re falling behind in understanding what underhooks can do for your Jiu-Jitsu.

Conquering the Armpits

So what’s the deal with underhooks? Everyone is constantly talking about them, especially wrestlers and MMA fighters, but what’s the big deal? After all, they’re easy to get, right?

Nope. If you’ve ever tried getting a single, let alone double underhooks from the mount, then you know how elusive they can be. On that note, holding the mount without any means of control in the bottom person’s armpit(s) is nearly an impossible task.

Armpit control is one of those things that is easy to apply to just about everything in BJJ. Think about it – you’re either trying to put your limbs in the opponent’s armpits or trying to clear their limbs from yours. When you thin about underhooks in this manner, it becomes a lot easier to use them.

A great thing about the Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD is that Jeff is not a stickler for how an underhook should look. Instead, he offers the concept of underhooks from every applicable position, letting you figure out how you’re going to place your arm.

Jeff Glover’s BJJ

So it’s Uncle Jeff again. This time around, he’s talking about a concept everyone needs. But, before we get into it, why Jeff Glover? After all, plenty of people have tried to cover this subject, and yet, you’ll likely learn more from this playful instructional by Glover than all others put together.

It is exactly whits playfulness that sets Jeff apart from everyone else. When you think about it, the applications of underhooks can’t change – they’re literally set in stone. So, it comes down to who is delivering the information, which, it turns out, matters a lot to those trying to learn from a specific resource, like the Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD.

At the end of the day, it is Jeff’s teaching style that will help you figure out what matters and what you should focus on. Admittedly, Jeff does stuff a bit unorthodoxly, but that’s the missing piece of the puzzle – he gives you the freedom to make the moves ‘your own’ which will make it easier for you to fit them in your game.

Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD Review

The Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD features No-Gi demonstrations of a very comprehensive use of underhooks in all BJJ positions that allow for them. Glover divides the content into three volumes, offering a total of an hour and a half of material.

Part 1 – Standing

The Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD kicks off with a focus on the standing exchanges that involve underhooks, which would be almost every version that is worth considering. Jedd talks grip first, as playing with a single underhook is a lot more realistic and effective as opposed to aiming to establish both of them.

Glover also shares how to use the underhook(s) to set up and defend takedowns. If there is one key point to take away from this part of the instructional, it is to use the underhook to clinch and prevent the other person from moving freely, before you think about attacking. Attack examples here include snap downs and the double leg takedown.

Part 2 – Mount & Side Control

Arguably, the most you’ll use underhooks in Jiu-Jitsu is going to be on the ground, from a pinning position. For the most part, it is going to be in an attempt to control the position, but in some cases, underhooks also help you get out of one, as this part of the Jeff Glover Underhooks DVD demonstrates clearly.

The mount and top side control get a lot of attention, with Glover explaining how most situations of control you create anyway, involve some form of underhook, even when it is not the one we usually think about in grappling terms. Jeff covers defensive uses of the underhooks from these positions as well.

Part 3 – Guard

Finally, we arrive at the most complex use of underhooks in grappling. Mess them up from standing and you can re-adjust them. Fail with them from a pin, and you’re still on top. However, if you base your game on underhooks from the guard, and you lose them, you’re likely in deep trouble.

The guards getting attention in this last part of the Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD are ones he was known for using a lot during his competitive days. The butterfly guard is first, showing plenty of interesting underhook control variations, including some that Marcelo Garcia used to great effect.

Another staple position of Jeff’s, the deep half guard, also features, offering an interesting take on an underhook, before the focus shifts to back attacks. Rounding everything off is a bit of highly useful information for triangle hunters, detailing how to use them effectively when your leg is trapped in a half guard.

Direct Torso Control

Underhooks are just one way of controlling your opponent. You know that, but what does this control mean, and what part of the body should you strive to control?

Let’s start with control. If you can make someone move in a direction they don’t want to and stop them from going in a direction they want to go to, you have control. As far as grappling is concerned, this is the most realistic expectation of control over another person you can aim for.

On the matter of the body part you’re trying to get to so that you can establish control if I had to pick one, I’d say the torso. Now let me confuse you a bit – every aspect of control you try to have, from a grip to full mount, including Ashi Garami variations, is aimed at controlling the torso.

This is what we refer to as indirect control. Hwoever, the more direct the control is on the torso, the more control you’ll have over the other person. Let’s take underhooks as an example – they attach you to the shoulder, which provides direct control over that side of the torso.

Get two of them, and you now have optimal torso control to start doing whatever it is your game requires. The Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD holds plenty of ideas on how to get super creative with underhooks to get control that leads to submission.

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Uncle Jeff Knows!

Easier said than done, but that’s the fun part, right? Next time you’re on the mats rolling, forget about your game for a bit. In every roll, from every position try to get at least one underhook in and see what happens. The Underhooks With Uncle Jeff Glover DVD provides the blueprint, but you’re free to test out the concept of underhooks during open mat so that you realize yourself that you need it.

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