Our evidence-backed picks of BJJ Fanatics courses that actually help smaller grapplers neutralize pressure, survive pins, and turn the tables on larger, stronger opponents.
Guard Retention Anthology Bundle by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak
A complete, pressure-tested system for keeping bigger passers off you and rebuilding guard safely.
How To Beat Bigger Guys: Guard by Bruno Malfacine
Gi-first guard tactics from a 10-time champ to off-balance heavier players safely.
The Running Man & The Baby Bridge: Essential Postures To Keep You Safe by Priit Mihkelson
A minimalist escape system that keeps you safe and breathing under heavy pressure.
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🥋 #1 Guard Retention Anthology Bundle by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak
Instructor: Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Volumes: 16
Biggest takeaway: Retention is layered pummeling.
Techniques: Guard Retention, High Pummel, Frames, Smash Pass Defense, Re Guarding, Distance Management, Counter Attacks
- The guard Retention Anthology: Around and Under – Half of the bundle if you want to start smaller.
- Guard Retention Anthology: Through The Legs & Close Range – Focuses on close-range retention and knee-cut battles.
You learn how to prevent knee cuts, smash passes, and headquarters while staying safe under pressure. The framework teaches pummeling, framing, and re-guarding that smaller grapplers can execute without strength. You will not get a quick move list; expect a layered retention roadmap you’ll revisit for months.
✅ Pros
- Directly addresses the common smash-and-pass problems smaller players face.
- Explains concepts first, then gives clear drills and reactions.
- Huge library with live footage for context and retention.
⚠️ Cons
- Time-intensive; you must study and drill deliberately.
- Intermediate baseline helps; brand-new students may feel lost.
- Some sequences need mobility that you might build over time.
💡 I found that understanding leg pummeling and distance before grips made every guard feel lighter against heavier partners. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 How To Beat Bigger Guys: Guard by Bruno Malfacine
Instructor: Bruno Malfacine
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 52 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Use distance, not strength.
Techniques: Butterfly Guard, Single Leg X, X Guard, Arm Drag, Back Takes, Leg Drag, Collar Drag
- Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 – A modern butterfly system that also helps smaller players.
- The No Gi Butterfly Guard Rediscovered – No-gi option if your room is mostly rashguards.
You get practical butterfly-to-x chains that keep weight off you and create reliable sweeps. Malfacine explains entries, timing, and transitions so you can wrestle up or finish. It is gi-centered; no-gi rooms should pair it with a no-gi butterfly or SLX course.
✅ Pros
- Built by the best pound-for-pound gi guard player.
- Clear sequences that chain into back takes or get-ups.
- Directly addresses common big-vs-small guard problems.
⚠️ Cons
- Gi-specific grips reduce carryover to no-gi.
- Assumes comfort with sitting guards and off-balancing.
- Less focus on defense compared to retention-centric sets.
💡 I learned to treat butterfly as a hub for SLX and x-guard so bigger opponents never settle weight on my ribs. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 The Running Man & The Baby Bridge: Essential Postures To Keep You Safe by Priit Mihkelson
Instructor: Priit Mihkelson
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Safety first creates offense.
Techniques: Running Man, Baby Bridge, Hawking, Turtle Links, Pin Escapes, Frames, Wrist Fighting
You learn posture-first escapes that block crossfaces and isolate hips, so big partners cannot settle. The running man and baby bridge connect to turtle, re-guarding, and counters. You will not get flashy reversals; expect reliable survival that opens clean exits.
✅ Pros
- Immediately reduces panic and energy drain under pins.
- Clear, reproducible postures that scale across ages and sizes.
- Links to turtle and re-guard so you can counter safely.
⚠️ Cons
- Less offense; pure attackers may get bored.
- Nontraditional cues can clash with prior habits.
- Needs reps to feel natural against good pressure.
💡 I realized staying sideways with elbows stapled beats any amount of bench press when someone heavy crossfaces. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #4 The No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 by Jeff Glover
Instructor: Jeff Glover
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 39 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Go under to take over.
Techniques: Deep Half Guard, Single Leg Wrestle Up, Backdoor Sweep, Overtop Sweep, Underhook Counters, Drills
- Deep Half Guard Evolution by Jeff Glover – A more advanced expansion once 2.0 feels natural.
You learn the core three sweeps, entries from bad spots, and how to fix underhook problems. The drills sharpen timing so you can wrestle up safely. It is not a silver bullet; treat deep half as a rescue route, not a permanent home.
✅ Pros
- Simple roadmap that actually gets you on top.
- Entries from bad positions suit small grapplers.
- Drills build timing without needing flexibility.
⚠️ Cons
- Less visible at elite no-gi; manage expectations.
- Hanging too long invites shoulder and head pressure.
- Older Glover material varies; pick the 2.0 set first.
💡 I stopped treating deep half as a main guard and used it as my late-stage reversal when frames died. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 by Adam Wardzinski
Instructor: Adam Wardzinski
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 7 hours and 22 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Stay upright and elevate.
Techniques: Butterfly Guard, Single Leg X, Arm Drags, Back Takes, Elevations, Lapel Assists
- The No Gi Butterfly Guard Rediscovered – Same core system without the gi grips.
You learn elevating mechanics and grips that prevent heavy chest-to-chest control. The sequences connect naturally to SLX and back takes. This is offense-forward; pair with a retention or escape set for a full small-vs-big toolkit.
✅ Pros
- Gives smaller players an aggressive, distance-based guard.
- Strong off-balancing to stop heavy pressure early.
- Integrates cleanly with SLX and back attack routes.
⚠️ Cons
- Gi emphasis means extra work for no-gi rooms.
- Requires proactive engagement; passive players struggle.
- Does not cover pin escapes; combine with defense content.
💡 I stopped lying flat and started sitting tall; elevation beats weight every time from butterfly. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Biggest takeaway: Control knee line first.
Techniques: 50/50, Backside 50/50, Heel Hook Mechanics, Knee Line Control, Entries From K Guard, Entries From Slx
You learn knee-line control, safe entries, and finishing mechanics that protect your own legs. The system includes defenses and re-entries so you are not stuck. It is best for no-gi rooms and disciplined study; beginners should pair it with positional basics.
✅ Pros
- Explains mechanics in plain language with physiotherapy insights.
- Covers offense, defense, and troubleshooting in one place.
- Proven against heavier elite opponents.
⚠️ Cons
- Heavy study load; not ideal as a first instructional.
- 50/50 focus means you will add outside-ashi material later.
- Mostly no-gi; limited gi transfer.
💡 I stopped yanking heels and focused on knee-line and direction of twist before squeeze; finishing became effortless. Recommendation: Skip.
🥋 #7 Beat Bigger Stronger Grapplers Blueprint by Matt Arroyo
Instructor: Matt Arroyo
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Play distance, not strength.
Techniques: Butterfly Guard, Single Leg X, Wrestle Ups, Side Control Escapes, Mount Escapes, Strategy
You learn to avoid closed guard and double legs against big frames, and to favor butterfly-to-SLX, snaps, and back takes. The course also covers mount, side control, and back escapes. Depth is lighter than single-topic systems, but it is an effective blueprint to get moving now.
✅ Pros
- Gives you a whole-game strategy against bigger partners.
- Pairs well with deeper retention or half guard study.
- Solid entries to SLX and safe stand-ups.
⚠️ Cons
- Shallower than dedicated systems on each position.
- Some sequences will need gi-specific adjustments.
- You will still need reps to internalize timing.
💡 I stopped shooting doubles into brick walls and started snapping to the back or standing into SLX. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
What should smaller grapplers prioritize first?
Build survival and retention before chasing fancy sweeps. Learn to block crossfaces, pummel legs, and keep distance so heavy passers cannot settle. Then add a sit-up guard (butterfly to single-leg X) and one late-stage reversal like deep half. Finally, develop safe wrestle-ups and back takes. This sequence prevents strength battles and makes practice rounds safer and more productive.
Gi or no-gi for beating bigger partners?
Both work, but distance management differs. In gi, collar-sleeve, spider, and lapels keep weight off; in no-gi, sit-up guards and leg entanglement entries replace grips. If your room is mixed, pair a retention or escape course with butterfly-based offense. If you are strictly no-gi, prioritize wrestle-ups and leg lock safety alongside retention.
Do leg locks help smaller grapplers?
Yes, when taught with knee-line control and safe entries. Leg locks shift the fight to leverage rather than upper-body strength. Start with controlled entries from SLX or K-guard, learn defenses and re-entries, and apply only when you can hide your own heel. Do not skip guard retention or escapes; they keep you alive to reach legs.
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