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Best BJJ Fanatics 50/50 Instructionals Ranked
We ranked the strongest BJJ Fanatics 50/50 instructionals by community consensus, clarity of system, applicability for gi or no gi, and production quality.
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The top picks, up front
2026 editionLeg Lock Anthology: 50/50
Lachlan GilesA complete 50/50 leg lock blueprint with clear entries, control, and finishes.
8 volumes · intermediate · no-gi · $$Dynamic No Gi 50/50
Jason RauA modern 50/50 roadmap that balances sharp offense with smart defense.
≈2 h · intermediate · no-gi · $Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Guard
Nick Salles and Danny MairaA structured bottom 50/50 game with gi-friendly controls and clear reactions.
≈3 h · all levels · gi · $Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50
Lachlan GilesA complete 50/50 leg lock blueprint with clear entries, control, and finishes.
What it covers
You learn a full 50/50 leg lock system with clear sequences. You will see when to switch to outside sankaku and how to follow the heel. You will not get a short highlight reel.
System Based, Footage Breakdown. Core techniques: heel hook, backside 50/50, K-guard entries. Biggest takeaway: control beats speed.
Why it stands out
- System connects entries to finishes with decision points.
- Narrated rolling shows problem solving under resistance.
- Troubleshooting covers common escapes and counters.
Lengthy and requires note taking to digest. No-gi focus may limit gi-specific grip talk. Price is premium without a sale. Community rating: 9.3/10. Recommendation: Buy it now.
No-gi players who want a complete, controlled 50/50 leg lock system with entries, control, and finishes mapped to decision points.
You want a quick highlight reel or gi-specific lapel solutions, or you are put off by a premium price without a sale.
Start with seated 50/50 modules, then add standing follow-the-heel lessons to avoid overwhelm. Notable alternatives: No Gi Open Guard Volume 3: RDLR & Leg Entanglements (pairs well by covering entries that funnel into 50/50); Understanding The K-Guard (backside 50/50 links from K-guard are emphasized); Open Guard Compendium: Leg Entanglements & Crab Ride (includes 50/50 foot locks and escapes as modules).
Dynamic No Gi 50/50
Jason RauA modern 50/50 roadmap that balances sharp offense with smart defense.
What it covers
You learn 50/50 sequences for seated and standing exchanges. You will drill heel following and extraction options under pressure. You will not get gi lapel solutions.
System Based. Core techniques: backside 50/50, follow the heel, defensive exits. Biggest takeaway: follow the heel relentlessly.
Why it stands out
- Balanced curriculum of offense, defense, and exits.
- Backside pathways are explained with reactions.
- Concise chapters help targeted review.
Minimal gi specific details. Assumes familiarity with leg entanglement names. Less focus on IBJJF legal footlocks. Community rating: 8.9/10. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
No-gi players who want a balanced, concise 50/50 roadmap covering offense, defense, and exits with heel-following as the spine.
You need gi lapel solutions, IBJJF-legal footlock focus, or you are new to leg entanglement terminology.
Watch Volume 2 first to anchor the finishing heuristic, then circle back to Volume 1 basics. Notable alternatives: Understanding The K-Guard (backside 50/50 links from K-guard and matrix); Dynamic Cross Ashi (covers double 50/50 connections from cross ashi).
Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Guard
Nick Salles and Danny MairaA structured bottom 50/50 game with gi-friendly controls and clear reactions.
What it covers
You learn when to sweep, bolo, or back take from bottom 50/50. You will use lapels and weight shifts to trigger attacks. You will not get deep heel hook mechanics.
System Based. Core techniques: lapel 50/50, matrix, waiter X. Biggest takeaway: read weight before attacking.
Why it stands out
- Actionable decision making based on top player posture.
- Strong gi specific lapel sequences.
- Beginner friendly structure without fluff.
Limited no gi finishing instruction. Less detail on heel exposure mechanics. Some redundancy across volumes. Community rating: 8.5/10. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Gi players who want a structured bottom 50/50 game built on lapels, weight reading, and clear sweep/bolo/back-take decisions.
You want deep heel hook mechanics or a no-gi finishing focus.
Drill the neutral 50/50 to inside bolo chain before adding lapel layers. Notable alternatives: Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Passing (pairs with this course to complete top and bottom game); No Gi Open Guard Volume 2: DLR & Waiter (feeds 50/50 entries from DLR for no gi).
The Modern 50/50 Guard
Patrick GaudioLapel-driven 50/50 with passes, back takes, and IBJJF-legal footlocks from the same grips.
What it covers
You learn lapel based passes, back takes, and IBJJF legal footlocks. You will mix sweeps into leg drags and toe holds. You will not get extensive no gi heel hook work.
Technique Collection, System Based. Core techniques: lapel 50/50, toe hold, leg drag. Biggest takeaway: lapel details drive attacks.
Why it stands out
- Concise three volume format is easy to digest.
- Strong lapel and passing integrations for points and pressure.
- Includes submissions and passes from the same grips.
Limited heel hook focus. Some drills require gi specific grips. Less conceptual than anthology style sets. Community rating: 8.2/10. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Gi players who want a concise, lapel-driven 50/50 with passes, back takes, and IBJJF-legal footlocks from shared grips.
You want a no-gi heel hook focus or a more conceptual, system-heavy approach.
Connect lapel roll throughs to leg drag dives to keep momentum after sweeps. Notable alternatives: Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Guard (more bottom 50/50 structure for gi players); Leg Tangle 50/50 (creative entries if you want variety).
Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Passing
Nick Salles and Danny MairaTop 50/50 base, lapel wedges, and pass chains to break stalemates.
What it covers
You learn base first, then lapel wedges and passes from top 50/50. You will get fast submissions to break stalemates. You will not get deep no gi heel hook detail.
System Based. Core techniques: knee wedge, leg weave, stomp bolo. Biggest takeaway: base beats bolos.
Why it stands out
- Clear decision tree for top player safety.
- Multiple passing chains reduce stalemates.
- Solid coaching cues for posture and grips.
Gi only lanes limit no gi transfer. Less lower body finishing depth. Some duplication with their guard course. Community rating: 8.1/10. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Gi players stuck on top of 50/50 who want a base-first decision tree with lapel wedges and pass chains to break stalemates.
You train no-gi, want deep lower-body finishing, or already own their guard course (some overlap).
Combine leg bundle stacks with high step outs to pressure both hips before committing to a leg drag. Notable alternatives: They Shall Not Pass (broader passing concepts that still apply atop 50/50).
Leg Tangle 50/50
Jeff GloverUnexpected entries into 50/50 plus back takes and wrestle ups, gi or no-gi.
What it covers
You learn multiple entries into 50/50 from unexpected places. You will add back takes and wrestle ups to avoid one dimensional leg hunting. You will not get a rigid system.
Technique Collection. Core techniques: entries, wrestle up, back take. Biggest takeaway: surprise entries matter.
Why it stands out
- Adds unpredictability to standard leg paths.
- Covers transitions beyond leg locks.
- Good drilling ideas for entries.
Less cohesive than a strict system. Some flashier options may lack control. Not focused on modern heel following. Community rating: 7.9/10. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Players who already have a finishing system and want creative, unpredictable 50/50 entries, back takes, and wrestle ups to add to it.
You want one cohesive system or a modern heel-following focus.
Steal two or three favorite entries and plug them into a more structured finishing system. Notable alternatives: Back To Basics 1/2 and Butterfly (pairs well to build entries into 50/50 from half and butterfly).
The Double Guard Pull System
Tommi PulkkanenDouble guard pull attacks that transition into 50/50 or the back.
What it covers
You learn double guard pull attacks that transition into 50/50 or the back. You will apply crab ride, berimbolo, and ankle lock chains. You will not get dedicated 50/50 heel hook work.
Technique Collection. Core techniques: berimbolo, crab ride, ankle lock. Biggest takeaway: win double pull battles.
Why it stands out
- Strong bolo mechanics tied to back takes.
- Lapel and grip details for double pull scenarios.
- Compact two volume format.
Less directly about 50/50 than others. Gi only approach narrows audience. Limited finishing depth beyond ankle locks. Community rating: 7.5/10. Recommendation: Skip.
Advanced gi competitors who want to win the double guard pull and steer it into 50/50 or the back with crab ride, berimbolo, and ankle lock chains.
You want a dedicated 50/50 system, no-gi material, or deeper finishing beyond ankle locks.
Steal the double pant grip series to force top position before entering 50/50 on your terms. Notable alternatives: Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Passing (more top solutions if double pull stalls); K Guard and Matrix System Part 1 (non double pull entries that still lead to backside 50/50).
All picks, side by side
Comparison tableSwipe sideways for details · the price column stays pinned →
| # | Instructional | Instructor | Runtime | Level | Format | Category | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 | Lachlan Giles | 8 volumes | Intermediate | No-Gi | Overall 50/50 system | $$ | Check price → |
| 2 | Dynamic No Gi 50/50 | Jason Rau | 2 hours and 10 minutes | Intermediate | No-Gi | No-gi 50/50 roadmap | $ | Check price → |
| 3 | Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Guard | Nick Salles and Danny Maira | 2 hours and 43 minutes | All Levels | Gi | Gi bottom 50/50 game | $ | Check price → |
| 4 | The Modern 50/50 Guard | Patrick Gaudio | 1 hour and 28 minutes | All Levels | Gi | Gi lapel 50/50 | $ | Check price → |
| 5 | Modern 50/50 Fundamentals: Passing | Nick Salles and Danny Maira | 2 hours and 56 minutes | Intermediate | Gi | Top-game 50/50 passing | $ | Check price → |
| 6 | Leg Tangle 50/50 | Jeff Glover | 1 hour and 18 minutes | All Levels | Both | For creative 50/50 entries | $ | Check price → |
| 7 | The Double Guard Pull System | Tommi Pulkkanen | 2 hours and 28 minutes | Advanced | Gi | Double guard pull into 50/50 | $ | Check price → |
How to choose a 50/50 course for gi vs no gi
If you train mostly no gi and want finishes, prioritize courses that teach backside 50/50, heel following, and extraction under standing exchanges. If you are a gi player who sees 50/50 in IBJJF brackets, pick instructionals with lapel counters, knee wedges, and pass chains from top. When in doubt, pair one bottom focused course with one top focused course for faster results.
Still deciding on a 50/50 instructional?
If you train mostly no gi and want finishes, start with the Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50. Gi players who see 50/50 in IBJJF brackets should pair a bottom-focused course with a top-focused one. Check the current price before you buy, since sitewide codes run almost year-round.
