A research-backed list of BJJ Fanatics instructionals that help coaches plan classes, teach systems, and improve team results. Ranked by community feedback and coaching usefulness.
The Guard Retention Anthology: Around and Under
A complete, coachable guard-retention system you can plug into classes immediately.
Zone Jiu Jitsu
A coach-ready passing system with objectives, reactions, and consolidation.
The BJJ Curriculum Fundamentals
A fundamentals curriculum you can deploy across coaches and classes.
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🥋 #1 The Guard Retention Anthology: Around and Under by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak
Instructor: Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Teach retention before offense.
Techniques: Guard Retention, Framing, Knee Shield, Hip Escape, Toreando Defense, Stack Pass Defense, Guard Recovery
- The Guard Passing Anthology by Lachlan Giles – Pairs offense after defense for a full top-bottom curriculum.
- Precise Pressure Passing by Paul Schreiner – Alternative passing pedagogy many coaches rate highly.
You get a step-by-step retention map against common over and around passes. Chapters translate directly into focused rounds and troubleshooting assignments. It is dense, but perfect for coaches who turn concepts into drills.
✅ Pros
- Concepts and sequences are easy to convert into specific sparring blocks.
- Balances big ideas with concrete counters coaches can assign as homework.
- Works in gi and no-gi without rewriting your lesson plans.
⚠️ Cons
- Long runtime requires planning to extract drills efficiently.
- Newer white belts may need scaffolding from you.
- List price is high, better during sales.
💡 I saw classes improve fastest when retention rules became the weekly theme before adding new attacks. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Zone Jiu Jitsu by Paul Schreiner
Instructor: Paul Schreiner
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 12 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Teach reactions, not moves.
Techniques: Half Guard Passing, Leg Drag, Pressure Passing, Frames, De La Riva, Spider Guard, First Contact
- Tripod Float Passing by Paul Schreiner - Focused module to reinforce the zone passing framework.
- Connected Reaction: No Gi Passing by Paul Schreiner - No-gi emphasis using the same reaction chains.
You get a complete top-game framework that is easy to schedule across a month. Each chapter comes with clear reactions, so you can design realistic positional rounds. It rewards detail-oriented coaches and students who like structured progress.
✅ Pros
- System improves retention from week to week without re-writing plans.
- Excellent for teaching pressure and finishing mechanics safely.
- Bridges gi and no-gi terminology cleanly.
⚠️ Cons
- Concept density can overwhelm newer white belts.
- Less competition footage than athlete-led sets.
- Not the cheapest; buy during sales if budget matters.
💡 I find Schreiner's reaction chains make specific sparring far more productive for mixed-level groups. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 The BJJ Curriculum Fundamentals by Eric Laporte
Instructor: Eric Laporte
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 13 hours and 37 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Consistency beats novelty.
Techniques: Curriculum Design, Class Structure, Fundamentals, Drilling, Positional Sparring, Lesson Plans, Assessment
- Start Here: A Complete Fundamentals Curriculum by Eliot Marshall - Another structured fundamentals syllabus coaches can mirror.
- Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Bernardo Faria - Budget-friendly fundamentals library to supplement lesson plans.
Think of this as your lesson-plan backbone. It covers what to teach first, how to structure progress, and how to align assistants. It will not go ultra-deep on any one topic, by design.
✅ Pros
- Reduces prep time and makes classes consistent across time slots.
- Easy to assign homework and specific sparring from units.
- Includes self-defense basics many academies want.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a deep technical encyclopedia.
- Requires coach discretion to avoid rigidity.
- New release; limited community footage so far.
💡 I use curriculums to align assistant coaches while keeping space for live problem solving. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Bernardo Faria
Instructor: Bernardo Faria
Style: Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: Beginner
Format: Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 41 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Breadth builds confidence early.
Techniques: Closed Guard, Over Under Pass, Mount, Side Control, Escapes, Frames, Basics
- Start Here: A Complete Fundamentals Curriculum by Eliot Marshall - Stronger curriculum structure for fundamentals classes.
- Zone Jiu Jitsu by Paul Schreiner - Systemic top-game approach to complement basics.
It is the easiest way to align novice students on core positions and habits. Use it for homework and to reinforce terminology. Expect breadth over depth, so pair it with focused systems.
✅ Pros
- Low-friction way to align terminology and posture basics.
- Great morale and confidence boost for new students.
- Affordable, often discounted.
⚠️ Cons
- Shallow depth per technique by design.
- Less structured as a curriculum backbone.
- Primarily gi examples.
💡 I use this as a baseline library, then schedule deeper systems on top. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 90 Day Project Based Jiu Jitsu by Josh Vogel
Instructor: Josh Vogel
Style: Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Plans create progress.
Techniques: Project Based Training, Positional Sparring, Goal Setting, Efc Model, Drilling
- Champion Training by Melqui Galvao - Adds mindset and team-building to your planning toolbox.
- Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Bernardo Faria - Reference library to support your 90-day themes.
This is a planning system, not a move encyclopedia. You define an entry-control-finish focus, assign partner roles, and track progress. It is perfect for coaches who value structure and feedback.
✅ Pros
- Gives coaches a reusable block-planning template.
- Improves partner feedback and peer coaching.
- Easy to align with competition prep cycles.
⚠️ Cons
- Process heavy; minimal technique depth.
- Needs tracking habits to see results.
- Fewer visuals than star-led systems.
💡 I saw better retention when classes worked one project for 8 to 12 weeks. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Blue Belt Requirements 2.0 by Roy Dean
Instructor: Roy Dean
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Beginner
Format: Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Benchmarks reduce confusion.
Techniques: Fundamentals, Closed Guard, Sweeps, Escapes, Submissions, Self Defense Basics
- Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Bernardo Faria - Broader fundamentals library to support test prep.
- Start Here: A Complete Fundamentals Curriculum by Eliot Marshall - Curriculum alternative if you do not run formal tests.
Use it to align expectations and demonstration standards. It covers staple positions, classic mechanics, and a clean progression. Treat it as a testing aid, not a full teaching plan.
✅ Pros
- Shared language for staff and students before exams.
- Easy video references for self-study.
- Strong fundamentals emphasis helps retention.
⚠️ Cons
- May not match your gym's unique test list.
- Less useful for advanced competitors.
- Higher standard price; watch for discounts.
💡 I use checklists to reduce test-night surprises and keep coaching consistent. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Champion Training by Melqui Galvao
Instructor: Melqui Galvao
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Advanced
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 58 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Plan the season early.
Techniques: Training Organization, Mindset, Strategy, Back Takes, Seat Belt, Specific Training
- The Guard Retention Anthology: Around and Under - Technique-first complement to planning and mindset.
- Zone Jiu Jitsu by Paul Schreiner - Systemic top control for competition prep.
Expect training structure, mindset, and targeted technique. It is stronger as a planning reference than a move library. Useful for advanced rooms or coaches building a competition team.
✅ Pros
- Gives coaches a framework for season and session planning.
- Back-take drills are easy to implement in class.
- Affordable price point compared to mega-sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Controversy around team culture can be off-putting.
- Fewer deep technique modules than skill-specific sets.
- Geared to advanced rooms; beginners may feel lost.
💡 I treat this as a macro-planning reference and use other sets for technical depth. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked coaching-focused instructionals
We weighted r/bjj sentiment most (about 40 percent), then looked for clear, class-friendly systems (20 percent) and applicability across skill levels and gi/no-gi (15 percent). Instructor track record (15 percent) and production quality (10 percent) finished the score. Tie-breakers were recency and uniqueness of approach. When r/bjj opinions conflicted, we highlighted both sides and adjusted the community_rating rather than ignoring outliers.
Turning videos into classes without wasting mat time
Pick one theme for 2 to 4 weeks. Assign the relevant chapters as homework, then run short concept reminders, partner on-ramps, and 3 to 5 specific-sparring rounds that hit the chapter reactions. Finish with a constraint game that forces students to apply the day’s objective. Track progress with one measurable: escapes completed, back exposures created, or passes finished. Keep the next class’s on-ramp short and build from prior reactions.
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