Home / Reviews / The 2026 Ranking
Top 5 Best Bernardo Faria Instructionals
Bernardo Faria is a five-time IBJJF World Champion and the most likeable teacher in the sport. These are his five strongest BJJ Fanatics instructionals, ranked, with what each one covers, who it suits, and where it falls short.
BJJMore earns affiliate commissions from BJJ Fanatics links on this page, at no extra cost to you. The commissions never change the ranking.
Jump to a pick
The top picks, up front
2026 editionBattle Tested Pressure Passing
Bernardo FariaPressure passing is Bernardo’s specialty, and this is the must-have for anyone serious about a dominant top game.
all levels · gi · $Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Bernardo FariaThe fundamentals, organized. A great starting point for beginners or anyone reinforcing their basics.
beginner · gi & no-gi · $Jiu Jitsu For Old Guys: Nasty Control & Sneaky Submissions
Bernardo FariaBuilt for older practitioners: control and leverage over athleticism.
all levels · gi & no-gi · $$$Bernardo Faria is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Marques and a member of the Alliance team. His record is hard to argue with: IBJJF World Championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015, plus Pan American titles in 2010, 2015 and 2016. He built that record on a pressure-passing game and a deep half guard that work for ordinary bodies, not just elite athletes.
What sets his instructionals apart is the teaching. Bernardo is enthusiastic, encouraging and clear. He breaks techniques into simple, repeatable steps and keeps the tone approachable, which is why his courses land so well with hobbyists and older grapplers. If you want the five that earn their place in your library first, start here.
Battle Tested Pressure Passing
Bernardo FariaPressure passing is one of Bernardo’s specialties, which makes this a must-have for anyone looking to improve their top game.
What it covers
Bernardo covers a variety of pressure passing techniques from different positions. His emphasis on maintaining control and staying patient is invaluable for anyone looking to dominate their opponents on top.
This is the set that first made his over-under and pressure style accessible to regular grapplers, taught with the same slow, clear delivery he is known for.
Why it stands out
- Pressure passing taught by the man it is most associated with.
- Emphasis on control and patience over scrambles, so it scales to tired nights and older bodies.
- Clear, encouraging coaching that is easy to follow and apply on the mat.
It is gi-first, so no-gi grapplers will need to translate some grips. The focus stays squarely on pressure passing rather than a broad survey of every modern passing style. List price is $79.
Anyone who wants a dominant, low-risk top game built on pressure rather than speed.
You train no-gi only, or you want variety beyond a pressure-passing system.
If you want the full gi system in more depth, look at the Pressure Passing Encyclopedia. See our full best Bernardo Faria instructional ranking for head-to-head picks.
Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Bernardo FariaThis instructional covers the fundamental techniques and concepts of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which makes it a great starting point for beginners or anyone reinforcing their basics.
What it covers
Bernardo’s clear teaching style is the whole point here. He works across the core positions and concepts a new grappler needs, in the supportive tone that has made him a favorite for white belts.
Treat it as a home-study companion to your fundamentals classes rather than a single linear curriculum.
Why it stands out
- Covers the essentials across positions in plain language.
- Bernardo’s encouraging delivery keeps beginners engaged.
- Works well as a reference to patch gaps between classes.
It is an overview, so the depth per technique is shallow by design and you will still want focused systems later for passing or guard. List price is $99, and it is often discounted.
New adults who want a supportive, all-position overview to build a baseline.
You are already an experienced grappler, or you want a strict linear syllabus.
A shorter on-ramp is Introduction to BJJ.
Jiu Jitsu For Old Guys: Nasty Control & Sneaky Submissions
Bernardo FariaSpecifically designed for older practitioners or those with physical limitations, focusing on techniques that rely more on control and leverage than athleticism.
What it covers
Bernardo’s teaching style is perfect for this audience, which makes the set both informative and accessible. The emphasis is on nasty control positions and sneaky submissions you can hit without explosive movement.
It is part of his Old Guys series, built for grapplers who need their jiu-jitsu to keep working as their body changes.
Why it stands out
- Control-and-leverage approach that does not depend on athleticism.
- Submissions chosen to be reliable for masters-age grapplers.
- The same calm, accessible coaching applied to an audience that needs it most.
At $197 list it is his premium-tier pricing, well above his classic $79 sets, so it is worth waiting for a discount unless the masters focus is exactly what you need.
Masters athletes and grapplers with physical limitations who want control-based jiu-jitsu.
You are a younger, athletic competitor, or you want a lower price point.
For the passing half of the Old Guys approach, see the Old Guys Over / Under Pressure Passing System.
The Battle Tested Half Guard
Bernardo FariaBernardo’s half guard is legendary, and this set breaks down his techniques and concepts for playing the position in real depth.
What it covers
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, this set helps you develop a strong and effective half guard game. It is built around the deep half and knee shield positions that anchored his competition career.
The focus is on timing, underhooks and the paths from half guard to the sweep or the back.
Why it stands out
- A teachable half guard system from one of its best exponents.
- Clear paths from the position to sweeps and back takes.
- Works well for older or heavier practitioners who rely on bottom position.
It is gi-first grip language with limited explicit no-gi fixes, and it is a sweep-first approach rather than a submission-heavy one. List price is $79.
Anyone who wants a sturdy, time-tested half guard built on timing and underhooks.
You train no-gi only, or you want a submission-heavy bottom game.
The no-gi adaptation is The No Gi Half Guard.
High Percentage Submissions
Bernardo FariaThis instructional focuses on Bernardo’s favorite submissions and setups from different positions.
What it covers
The techniques are all high percentage and easy to implement, which makes this a great resource for anyone looking to add some new submissions to their game.
Rather than chasing flashy finishes, Bernardo sticks to the attacks that hold up in live rolling against resisting partners.
Why it stands out
- Submissions chosen for reliability, not novelty.
- Setups drawn from positions you already reach in a normal roll.
- Easy to slot into an existing game without an overhaul.
Because it is a collection of his favorite finishes rather than a single system, it has less of a connected structure than his dedicated position courses. List price is $79.
Grapplers who want to add dependable, high-percentage submissions to their existing game.
You want one deep, linear system around a single position.
Pair it with a position system such as The Battle Tested Half Guard to give the finishes somewhere to live.
All picks, side by side
Comparison tableSwipe sideways for details · the price column stays pinned →
| # | Instructional | Instructor | Runtime | Level | Format | Category | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battle Tested Pressure Passing | Bernardo Faria | All levels | Gi | Pressure passing | $ | Check price → | |
| 2 | Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | Bernardo Faria | Beginner | Gi and No-Gi | For beginners | $ | Check price → | |
| 3 | Jiu Jitsu For Old Guys: Nasty Control & Sneaky Submissions | Bernardo Faria | All levels | Gi and No-Gi | For masters athletes | $$$ | Check price → | |
| 4 | The Battle Tested Half Guard | Bernardo Faria | All levels | Gi | Half guard | $ | Check price → | |
| 5 | High Percentage Submissions | Bernardo Faria | All levels | Gi | Submissions collection | $ | Check price → |
Who is Bernardo Faria?
Bernardo Faria is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Marques and a member of the Alliance team. He holds a highly impressive record, including IBJJF World Championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015 and Pan American titles in 2010, 2015 and 2016. He is also a highly respected teacher and has produced a long catalog of acclaimed instructionals.
On the mat he is known for a highly effective pressure-passing game and a deep half guard. His approach leans on pressure and control to neutralize opponents, and his videos are valued for their attention to detail, clear explanations and ease of understanding. The teaching style is enthusiastic, encouraging and clear: he breaks techniques into simple, easy-to-follow steps that work for practitioners of all levels.
Why these picks work
What ties these five together is that they are all taught by a world-class instructor with a wealth of knowledge and experience, in a style that is clear and concise. They are well organized and cover a useful spread of techniques and concepts, which makes them a strong resource for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. If you only have room for one to start, take the pressure passing; if you are brand new, start with Foundations on a sale.
Want the wider field, including his guard, escape and no-gi sets ranked head to head? See our full best Bernardo Faria instructional breakdown.
FAQ
What is the best Bernardo Faria instructional?
For most grapplers, Battle Tested Pressure Passing is the strongest single pick. Pressure passing is Bernardo’s specialty and the set translates directly into a more dominant top game. If you are a beginner, Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the better starting point.
What is Bernardo Faria known for?
Bernardo is known for his pressure-passing game and his deep half guard. He uses pressure and control to neutralize opponents rather than speed and athleticism, which is part of why his material suits hobbyists and older grapplers so well.
Are Bernardo Faria’s instructionals good for beginners?
Yes. His teaching style is enthusiastic, encouraging and clear, and he breaks techniques into simple steps. Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in particular is built for newer students, and the Old Guys series is tailored to masters-age grapplers.
Which Bernardo Faria instructional should an older grappler buy?
Jiu Jitsu For Old Guys: Nasty Control & Sneaky Submissions is built specifically for older practitioners and those with physical limitations, focusing on control and leverage over athleticism. It lists at $197, so it is worth waiting for a discount.
Not sure which Faria set to start with?
If you want a dominant top game, start with Battle Tested Pressure Passing. If you are new to the sport, grab Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on a daily deal. Masters athletes should look at the Old Guys series.