If you’re a smaller grappler – say under 165 lbs (75 kg) – you know how much timing, positioning, and technique matter more than brute strength. Thankfully, a range of high-quality BJJFanatics instructionals are extremely effective for lighter practitioners.
This guide breaks down the top 5 BJJ instructional DVDs that help “small players” dominate with precision and efficiency.
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## 🏅 1. **Mikey Musumeci – Power Switch Guard Retention and The Berimbolo System**
– **Power Switch Guard Retention and Genius Back Takes:** A deep dive into how to maintain guard against tornadoes, knee cut, and smash passes, while setting up back takes from inverted and neutral positions. It’s perfect for smaller athletes who need timing and angles instead of frames and brute force.
– **The Berimbolo System Bundle (Parts 1–4):** A full breakdown of modern berimbolo mechanics – including crab ride, leg drags, transitions, and leg lock defenses. Mikey’s clear teaching makes even complex movements accessible and repeatable.
These instructionals are gold for grapplers who rely on dynamic guard and fast positional changes to outmaneuver stronger opponents.
🔗 Check out Power Switch Guard Retention by Mikey Musumeci
🔗 Also, check out Musumeci’s Berimbolo System as the best in the world
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##🥈 2. **Gianni Grippo – Open Guard Domination**
**Focus:** De La Riva, reverse DLR, collar & sleeve, open guard attacks
**Why it works:** Gianni Grippo is a high-level black belt competitor with years of success on the IBJJF circuit. In this instructional, he shares his dynamic open guard system, tailored for athletes who prefer speed, angles, and transitions over brute force.
Smaller grapplers will benefit from Gianni’s approach to using De La Riva and reverse DLR guards to off-balance, sweep, and transition to submissions or dominant positions. The system is based on control and timing, not strength.
You’ll also learn how to combine grips, control posture, and maintain distance against aggressive passers, making this an ideal resource for competitors in lighter divisions.
🔗 Check out Gianni Grippo – Open Guard Domination
## 🥉 3. **Marcelo Garcia – No-Gi X-
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Guard & Guillotine Game**
**Focus:** X-guard, arm drags, back takes
**Why it works:** Marcelo is the icon of “small man jiu-jitsu.” This series dives into his legendary X-guard system, designed specifically to neutralize pressure from larger opponents and create back-take opportunities.
He also goes deep into his guillotine system – a fast, explosive weapon that fits perfectly into scrambles and transitions. Marcelo’s instruction is intuitive, with concepts that remain timeless and extremely effective in both gi and no-gi.
🔗 Check out Legedary Marcelo garcia’s No Gi X Guard and Guillotine game Instructionals
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## 🥇 4. **Lachlan Giles – The Half Guard Anthology**
**Focus:** Knee shield, underhook half guard, deep half guard
**Skill Level:** All levels
**Why it works:** Lachlan Giles became a household name after submitting heavyweights at ADCC 2019. His “Half Guard Anthology” is a comprehensive breakdown of one of BJJ’s most reliable positions, especially valuable for smaller grapplers fighting from the bottom.
The instructional includes detailed instruction on knee shield, underhook half, deep half, and transitions that allow you to sweep or recover position even when under heavy top pressure. Lachlan’s teaching is systematic and leverage-based, which makes it highly effective for athletes who can’t rely on strength or size.
🔗 Check out Lachlan’s Half Guard instructional as one of the best half guard you can have in 2025
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## 🏅 5. **Bruno Malfacine – How To Beat Bigger Guys: Guard**
**Focus:** Open guard strategies, transitions, attacking larger opponents
**Why it works:** Bruno Malfacine is a 10-time IBJJF World Champion and widely considered the greatest roosterweight in BJJ history. Known for dismantling larger and stronger opponents, his instructional “How To Beat Bigger Guys: Guard” is a goldmine for smaller grapplers.
Bruno shares his complete game plan for dealing with size disadvantages using speed, leverage, and timing. The course emphasizes control of distance, grip management, quick angle changes, and back takes – all from the open guard.
If you’re a lighter athlete who constantly faces heavier training partners or competitors, this instructional provides a blueprint for staying safe and creating attacking opportunities using technical superiority.
🔗 View How To Beat Bigger Guys – Guard by Bruno Malfacine**
## 📌 Tips for Smaller Grapplers Choosing Instructionals:
– Look for instructors close to your body type or weight class
– Prioritize guard retention, scrambles, back attacks, and leg locks
– Avoid heavy-pressure passing systems unless adapted to mobility
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## ✅ Final Thoughts
Being a smaller grappler is no disadvantage when you play smart. The right instructionals can help you turn technique into a true weapon.
💬 Have you tried any of these instructionals? Leave a comment and let us know which one worked best for you.
🛒 *Check out the links above and invest in your BJJ journey – one technique at a time.*
