Takedowns are a challenging part of BJJ, if not the most challenging. And, No-Gi takedowns are even more demanding. Of course, in BJJ terms, that just means that you absolutely have to learn how to do them. that, though, is no easy task. You will have to look not just into wrestling, but also Judo and Sambo modifications in order to really build a solid BJJ takedowns game without the Gi. Let us make that easier for you with our comprehensive BJJ No-Gi takedowns DVD instructionals collection.
IN terms of No-Gi takedowns DVD instructionals, you will find plenty of options., However, finding ones that will help you integrate what you learn into your game, especially in terms of BJJ rulesets is a bit more challenging. That is why you need to be careful when you’re picking your learning sources. Better yet, only go for proven instructors and their work, as well as proven DVD instructionals that have helped others. The following list is exactly that!
The Best No-Gi Takedowns DVD Instructionals Collection
When it comes to No-Gi takedowns for BJJ, you need to understand the levels and angles that make everything possible. Seems simple when you read about it, and even simpler when you watch people do it. When it comes to executing them, though, suddenly it seems like you know nothing. So, first things first: grips.
When it comes to No-Gi takedowns, you need a proven grip combination to set everything up. Your best bets are underhooks, collar ties and wrist grips, or any combination of the above. Unless you achieve this, you’ll have limited success with No-Gi takedowns in BJJ.
Then we can talk about levels. In that sense, you have two major options – get the legs or go for the head. The first one works via ankle picks, single and double leg takedowns, and the high crotch. OF course, there are also some trips that work very well.
Going for the head, on the other hand, means trying to get a headlock, and launch attacks from there. Whether you’ll do snap downs pulling folks into turtle, or go for cradle takedowns is all a matter of choice after you establish a headlock.
Finally, there are angles to consider. Getting from the grips to the actual takedown is where the art of takedowns without a gi lie. Arm drags, duck unders and Russian ties are the perfect examples of how you can get to the legs, to a rear bodylock or a headlock, and then launch your takedown attacks. Note that everything written in this section is going to be present all throughout our best No-Gi takedown DVD instructionals.
The Top Ten
Kicking things off are the top options that you have when it comes to throwing people around without a Gi. As I said, it all sounds really simple, until you need to put it into practice. That is where these DVDs will come in helpful.
1. No Gi Takedown Fundamentals by Andre Galvao
Andre Galvao has been in ADCC uprights for the past few editions of the tournament. That means that since he won the absolute, nobody has been able to beat him in a super fight. Given how much of ADCC success is based on No-Gi takedowns, it is no wonder that he has one of the best instructionals on the subject. His four-volume instructional will take you through everything, from movement to setups and finishes.
2. High Level Takedowns and Mat Control for Grapplers by Henry Cejudo
Cejudo is one of the best wrestlers to ever step in the octagon. He has a very unique style of wrestling but is also one of the best at explaining how wrestling actually works. In fact, it takes him 8 volumes to cover every aspect of his style in this No-Gi takedowns DVD. In it, you’ll find not just ways of taking people down, but also pins and some associated mat work that will make all your standing efforts count.
3. Mastering No Gi Takedowns by Travis Stevens
Travis Stevens, the Danaher black belt Olympic Judo medalist is probably one of the utmost authorities on takedowns for grappling. His No-Gi system is understandably Judo-based, but it has been modified to fit the needs of BJJ to perfection. Four volumes of Ronda Rousey level setups and throwing techniques that will get anyone to the ground.
4. Wrestling Fundamentals From The Bad Guy by Chael Sonnen
The “Bad Boy” of MMA, Chael Sonnen is actually an awesome teacher, as he demonstrates yet again in this incredible No-Gi Takedowns DVD. In it, he shares the fundamentals of wrestling in a way that everyone, from novice to expert will understand and pick up on something new. Simply put, you’ll become as effective on the mat as he was in the octagon, if not more.
5. Ultimate Askren Wrestling by Ben Askren
The man with the wrestling plan! Askren is the “creator” of the so-called funk wrestling style, a way of wrestling that had the highest level wrestlers confused as to what is going on. Since Askren was training mainly for MMA, his system is applicable to combat sports all over, including BJJ. An 8-part instructional that will teach you everything you’ll ever need about takedowns that work with and without a GI.
6. Defending No Gi Takedowns by Nick Rodriguez
Nick Rodriguez is one of Danaher’s secret weapons, or better said, was. HE really did come in like a wrecking ball at the 2019 ADCC, throwing around and beating seasoned black belts even though he was only a blue belt at the time. With a solid wrestling background and training every day with Gordon Ryan and tall the other beasts in the DDS, you can rest assured, this instructional will be more than worth your time, especially given that it will teach you how to resist being taken down.
7. The Pillars Clinch and Takedowns by Stephen Whittier
Whittier is a Mat Thornton black belt, and one of the best instructors around. He won’t teach you moves, but rather teach you how and why they work. Conversely, he is one of the rare few that can conceptually teach takedowns. In his crazy 6-part instructional he focuses on how the clinch works for No-Gi BJJ and all the various ways in which you can take people down with it.
8. The 2 on 1 Encyclopedia by Georgi Ivanov
Let’s look at eastern Europe a bit. After all, some of the best wrestlers originate from there. Georgi Ivanov, a Bulgarian wrestling star, dissects the 2-on-1 position, AKA the Russian Tie. As I said before it is one of the absolute best positions to use for setting takedowns up, especially without a Gi. In other words, this No-Gi takedowns DVD is a must for anyone looking to avoid pulling guard in BJJ.
9. The Georgian Takedown System by Vladimer Khinchegashvili
Still in Eastern Europe, we’re looking at Georgia now, and a local wrestling style that is tailor-made for Jiu-Jitsu. It is fast, aggressive, based on tactical gripping and proven at the Olympic level. IN the four volumes of this instructional, Khinchegashvili shares some of the biggest secrets of Russian-style wrestling.
10. Slick Setups and Fundamental Finishes by Nahshon Garrett
Wrapping up the top ten we have the Nahshon Garett instructional that focuses on tying together setups and finishes. this is arguably the toughest aspect of No-Gi takedowns to master, and Garett has a great formula to solve it.
List Of Every No-Gi Takedowns DVD Instructional Out There
Following our top ten picks that offer everything, from fundamental positioning and gripping for beginners to the secrets of the most notorious wrestlers in the world for advanced grapplers, we go into a list of all other No-Gi takedowns DVD instructionals that are more than worth exploring when building a standup plan for grappling.
1. The Front Headlock System by John Danaher
The front headlock is integral to No-Gi takedowns, which means Danaher has a DVD out on the subject. his take on the front headlock goes beyond just guillotine chokes and shows an entire system you can use when standing.
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2. Shoot To Kill: Wrestle, Scramble, Submit by Garry Tonon
- Gary Tonon has a really good instructional on the subject of taking people down – wrestle, scramble, submit. As we all know, it works like a charm at the highest levels of grappling for him. Now, it can do the same for you.
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4. Takedown Dominance by Andre Galvao
- Another Andre Galvao DVD, this time going deeper in the world of No-Gi takedowns. This time, Galvao moves past the fundamentals to teach you how to be dominant from the first set of grips, until the opponent hits the ground.
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5. No Gi Judo For Grapplers by Satoshi Ishii
- Satoshi Ishii is one of the best Japanese wrestlers as proven over and over again in MMA, grappling, and anything else you can think of. If you want to know how he approaches taking folks down, this two-part instructional will teach you all his signature moves.
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6. The No Gi Judo Collection Digital+Download by Matt D’Aquino
- Matt D’Aquino is another top-level Judoka who knows a thing or two about throwing people around. His 6 part system of modules has everything organized in a way that no other No-Gi takedowns DVD out there offers. Fit for all levels.
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7. Takedowns to Back Control by Nick Rodriguez
- Nick Rodgriguez once again offers his standing game secrets, this time in the sense of taking people down and going straight for the back.
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8. No Gi Takedowns Made Easy by Rick Hawn
- No-Gi takedowns can be easy, if you listen to Rick Hawn. He really has a way of breaking things down in a simple manner that will teach you takedowns in a matter of weeks.
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9. Upper Body Takedowns For Grappling by Adam Wheeler
Adam Wheeler’s upper body takedowns instructional is one of the best I’ve seen on the subject of takedowns for BJJ and I can’t recommend it highly enough! -
10. Russian Grappling Hacks by Rustam Chsiev
Rustam teaches some high-level Russian hacks that will not only help your takedowns but also your submission game.
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11. Secure BJJ Takedowns by Joao Assis
- A No-Gi takedown DVD that offers an insight into how to use body locks to win every standing exchange, even if it is a scramble.
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12. Wrestling For BJJ by Hudson Taylor
- A DVD that has helped me personally a lot with wrestling for BJJ. Goes way past just takedowns, offering interesting ways of controlling people after you get the fight to the ground.
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13. Dynamic Wrestling Takedowns For BJJ by J’Den Cox
- This is one an approach to No-Gi takedowns fit for people that like to move around a lot when they grapple. Very effective!
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14. Defense Wins Championships by Kyle Dake
There’s no point in taking people down if you can’t stay up on your feet. This defensive No-Gi takedowns DVD will teach you not only defense but also counter moves that turn into takedowns of your own. -
15. The Russian Tie Formula by Dan Vallimont
- Another volume covering the Russian tie and how you can utilize it to set up attacks and control people with ease.
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16. Magic Mat Work by Hudson Taylor
- Hudson Taylor’s work again, this time covering what to do after you take people down so that they don’t get straight back up.
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17. Gold Medal Wrestling by Henry Cejudo
- In this instructional, Henry Cejudo expands on his fundamentals DVD and goes into some higher gear, Olympic-level stuff.
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18. Scientific Shots by Ed Ruth
- Ed Ruth turns wrestling into science with this instructional, offering some crazy concepts and principles that make takedowns tick.
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19. The Single Leg Takedown by Jimmy Sheptock
- A very in-depth study of the single-leg takedown, from fundamentals all the way to chain wrestling combinations.
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20. Wrestling Entries for Grapplers by Kody Steele
- Between getting grips and entering into a takedown, you have the whole world of wrestling. Kode Steele bring things into focus with this great release!
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21. Judo Takedowns For No Gi by Valdir Araujo
- More Judo takedowns modified for No-gi grappling. A four-part instructional by the highly experienced Valdir Araujo.
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22. The Basic Building Blocks Of Wrestling by Jacob Harman
- Fundamentals of wrestling. Learn how to wrestle from the very first things like stance, all the way to stringing takedowns together.
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23.The Pressure Factory: Using Pressure Principles To Score Takedowns by Jacob Harman
- Unusual, probably a little bit out there but effective none the less. Once you understand where to put pressure on the body, you’ll gain more than enough control to get someone to the ground.
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24. Takedown to Breakdown by Ethan Lizak
Breaking down takedowns is never easy unless you have access to the secret ways of achieving it.
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25. World Championship Takedowns by Logan Stieber
- Whether you end up winning the worlds with this set of No-Gi takedowns or not, your takedowns will end up being world-champion level.
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26. Highlight Reel Takedowns by Reece Humphrey
- The takedowns in this one are so good, they’ll have people looking your way at both the gym and tournaments.
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27. THE TAKEDOWN PASSPORT BY BEKZOD ABDURAKHMINOV
- More Russian-style grappling hacks coming in the form of the methods and strategies that earned “The Uzbek Assasin” an Olympic medal.
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28. The Takedown Playbook by Daniel DeShazer
- Four volumes of playful techniques that range across all levels of takedowns. This is one No-Gi takedowns DVD instructional you must not miss out on!
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29. Mastering Takedowns With Motion by Shelton Mack
- A key aspect of getting anything while standing is the way you move to set up and finish. That is exactly what you’ll master with the help of this four-volume instructional by Shelton Mack. Click Here
In Conclusion
It is not hard finding No-Gi takedown DVD instructionals. It is far more difficult to find ones that can actually help you learn and retain knowledge. Even more challenging is teaching you in a way that you can put to practice after just several attempts. While drilling takedowns is a must, regardless of how well you know them, learning all the hacks and secrets associated with them is only possible through digital instructionals.
