Ready to stop pulling guard and start throwing some bodies around? Here’s your definitive guide to the top-rated BJJ takedown instructionals that will transform your standing game.
Let’s face it – most BJJ practitioners would rather pull guard than attempt a takedown. But if you want to dominate both in competition and self-defense scenarios, you need a solid takedown game. I’ve analyzed the highest-rated instructionals from BJJ Fanatics to bring you this comprehensive breakdown of the best resources to elevate your standup.
What You’ll Find in This Review:
- Top-rated takedown instructionals based on customer reviews
- Key techniques and concepts from each instructional
- Who each instructional is best suited for
- My personal recommendations for different skill levels
Let’s dive in and find the perfect instructional to help you dominate the standup phase!
The Elite Tier: Most Highly-Rated Takedown Instructionals
1. No Gi Takedowns Made Easy by Rick Hawn
Price: ~~$97.00~~ $48.50 (Currently 50% off!)
Reviews: 139 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This instructional has earned its place as one of the most highly-reviewed takedown resources on BJJ Fanatics, and for good reason. Rick Hawn, with his judo and MMA background, makes seemingly complex takedowns accessible to grapplers of all levels.
What’s It About?
Hawn breaks down high-percentage judo techniques specifically adapted for the no-gi environment. He focuses on practical applications that work in live rolling scenarios, not just in theory or against compliant partners.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Modified no-gi gripping strategies for traditional judo throws
- Seamless transitions from failed takedown attempts
- Simple but effective foot sweeps that require minimal strength
- Timing-based entries that work against larger opponents
My Take:
What I love about Hawn’s approach is how he simplifies techniques that often seem intimidating. His step-by-step breakdowns make these moves accessible even for those who’ve always been guard-pullers. For the current sale price of $48.50, this might be the best value takedown instructional on the market.
Who This Is For:
Perfect for BJJ practitioners who want practical, high-percentage takedowns without needing to spend years mastering complex wrestling or judo systems. Especially valuable for those who compete in no-gi formats.
Get No Gi Takedowns Made Easy here
2. Standing2Ground: Positional Dominance & Scrimmage Wrestling by John Danaher
Price: $197.00
Reviews: 101 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When Danaher speaks, the BJJ world listens – and his standing series represents some of his most valuable work for the modern grappler.
What’s It About?
This instructional focuses on the critical “scrimmage” phase – that messy clinch work that happens before a clean takedown. Danaher systematically breaks down how to dominate this position through proper hand fighting, head positioning, and strategic pressure.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Comprehensive hand-fighting frameworks
- Stance and posture optimization
- Creating and exploiting angles in the clinch
- Transition sequences from standing to ground dominance
My Take:
In typical Danaher fashion, this isn’t just a collection of techniques – it’s a comprehensive system. While the price point is higher than most, you’re getting an education that will transform your understanding of takedown positioning. His methodical approach to breaking down the scrimmage phase fills a gap that most instructionals ignore.
Who This Is For:
Serious practitioners who want to develop a systematic approach to the standing phase. This is best for intermediate to advanced grapplers who are ready to invest in a complete system rather than just a few techniques.
3. The Buchecha Takedown System In The Gi by Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida
Price: $79.00
Reviews: 62 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What’s It About?
Multiple-time world champion Buchecha shares his gi-based takedown system that has helped him dominate at the highest levels of competition. This instructional connects traditional judo concepts with modern BJJ-specific applications.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Efficient grip-fighting sequences
- Timing-based throw entries
- Integration of takedowns with guard passing
- Competition-tested combinations that create chain reactions
My Take:
What makes Buchecha’s instructional stand out is how he combines technical precision with practical application. He doesn’t just show the “perfect” technique – he shows you how to make it work against resistant opponents who are trying to impose their own game. At $79, this represents tremendous value from one of the sport’s legends.
Who This Is For:
Gi practitioners who compete or train primarily in the gi. His system works especially well for those who want to develop a competition-ready takedown game without sacrificing their existing BJJ strengths.
Get The Buchecha Takedown System here
4. Jiu Jitsu Accelerator: Mastering No Gi Takedowns by Kendall Reusing
Price: $127.00
Reviews: 62 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What’s It About?
ADCC competitor Kendall Reusing offers a female perspective on developing an effective no-gi takedown game. Her system emphasizes technical efficiency over brute strength, making these techniques accessible regardless of your physical attributes.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Modified wrestling entries optimized for BJJ
- Defensive tactics to prevent being taken down
- Seamless transitions from takedowns to submission positions
- Troubleshooting common issues in live rolling scenarios
My Take:
Reusing’s instructional fills an important gap in the market with her focus on technique over strength. Her attention to the subtle details makes complex wrestling techniques more accessible to the average BJJ practitioner. The production quality is excellent, with multiple camera angles that clearly show the critical details.
Who This Is For:
Ideal for lighter practitioners or those who don’t have a wrestling background. Her system works particularly well for competitors looking to develop a more well-rounded game without having to rely on superior athleticism.
Get Jiu Jitsu Accelerator here
5. Shoot To Kill: Wrestle, Scramble, Submit by Garry Tonon
Price: $197.00
Reviews: 85 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What’s It About?
Garry Tonon’s instructional goes beyond basic takedowns to show how to seamlessly connect your standup game with submission hunting. It’s designed to create a non-stop attacking style that overwhelms opponents from the first engagement.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Dynamic shot entries that create scrambles
- Transitional pathways from failed takedown attempts
- Submission chains that begin from standing exchanges
- Aggressive scrambling tactics to maintain offensive pressure
My Take:
What separates Tonon’s instructional from others is the focus on connecting standing work to the ground game. While others might show you how to execute a perfect double leg, Garry shows you what to do when things get messy (which they always do). His energetic teaching style keeps you engaged throughout the instructional.
Who This Is For:
Perfect for aggressive grapplers who enjoy fast-paced, submission-hunting styles. This is not a beginner-friendly instructional – you’ll get the most value if you already have some familiarity with basic takedowns and want to integrate them into a complete game.
Daily Deals Alert!
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The Best Instructionals for Different Styles
For Judo-Based Takedowns: Mastering No Gi Takedowns by Travis Stevens
Price: ~~$79.00~~ $39.50
Reviews: 52 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Olympic judo medalist Travis Stevens bridges the gap between traditional judo and modern no-gi grappling. His instructional focuses on adapting classical judo techniques to work without the gi, making them perfect for MMA and no-gi competition.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Modified gripping strategies for no-gi environments
- Foot sweep variations that don’t rely on jacket grips
- Hip throw adaptations using over/underhooks
- Defensive posture against wrestling-style shots
My Take:
Stevens has a rare talent for teaching – he breaks down complex movements into digestible chunks, making traditional judo more accessible to BJJ practitioners. The current 50% discount makes this an absolute steal for the quality of instruction provided.
Get Mastering No Gi Takedowns here
For Wrestling-Based Takedowns: Ultimate Askren Wrestling by Ben Askren
Price: ~~$199.00~~ $97.00
Reviews: 19 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Former Olympian and MMA champion Ben Askren presents his unique approach to wrestling that made him one of the most dominant grapplers in combat sports.
What’s It About?
Askren focuses on his funky wrestling style that prioritizes control and pressure over explosive movements. His system is particularly effective for BJJ practitioners who want to develop wrestling skills that transition well to ground control.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Pressure-based ride positions
- Modified shot entries that minimize risk
- Scramble tactics that maintain top position
- Defensive wrestling to shut down opponent’s attacks
My Take:
What makes Askren’s instructional unique is how well his style translates to BJJ. Unlike traditional wrestling that sometimes creates gaps for submissions, his control-focused approach naturally flows into BJJ positional dominance. At the current sale price, it’s an excellent investment for anyone looking to develop a more wrestling-heavy game.
Get Ultimate Askren Wrestling here
For Complete Beginners: Feet To Floor: Volume 1 Fundamental Standing Skills by John Danaher
Price: $197.00
Reviews: 152 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What’s It About?
This is Danaher’s foundation for standing grappling, focusing on the fundamental movements, postures, and principles that underpin all successful takedown games.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Proper stance and movement patterns
- Defensive hand fighting to prevent takedowns
- Progressive drilling methodology
- Conceptual frameworks that apply across all takedown styles
My Take:
While expensive, this instructional provides the roadmap that many BJJ practitioners never receive in regular classes. Danaher’s methodical approach ensures you build proper habits from the beginning instead of developing bad habits that limit your progress later. Think of this as an investment in your long-term development.
Who This Is For:
White and blue belts who want to develop a strong foundation in the standing phase. Also valuable for experienced practitioners who have avoided takedowns and want to address this gap in their game properly.
Get Feet To Floor: Volume 1 here
The Best Value Instructional: Wrestling Entries for Grapplers by Kody Steele
Price: $47.00
Reviews: 30 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What’s It About?
Kody Steele focuses specifically on the entry phase of wrestling takedowns – often the most challenging part for BJJ practitioners. He simplifies these entries to make them accessible regardless of your athletic background.
Key Techniques & Details:
- Simplified setups for double and single leg takedowns
- Timing-based entries that minimize energy expenditure
- Chain wrestling concepts adapted for BJJ
- Defense-to-offense transitions
My Take:
This is the perfect “gateway” instructional for BJJ practitioners intimidated by wrestling. Steele’s approach is refreshingly straightforward, focusing on high-percentage techniques that give immediate results. At just $47, it offers tremendous value for anyone looking to add reliable takedowns to their game without investing in more expensive systems.
Who This Is For:
Perfect for guard-pullers looking to add a few reliable takedowns to their game without completely overhauling their style. The concise format makes it ideal for busy practitioners who don’t have time to work through lengthier instructionals.
Get Wrestling Entries for Grapplers here
My Final Verdict: Which Takedown Instructional Should You Buy?
After reviewing the top-rated options, here are my recommendations based on your specific needs:
If you’re on a budget: Go with Rick Hawn’s “No Gi Takedowns Made Easy” at the current sale price of $48.50. The combination of high review count, practical techniques, and affordable price makes it unbeatable for value.
If you’re a complete beginner to takedowns: Start with Danaher’s “Feet To Floor: Volume 1” to build proper foundations, or Kody Steele’s “Wrestling Entries” if you want something more concise and budget-friendly.
If you compete in gi tournaments: Buchecha’s takedown system will give you the most competition-specific techniques for the gi environment.
If you want an aggressive, submission-focused approach: Garry Tonon’s “Shoot To Kill” will transform your game into a non-stop attacking style.
If you’re looking for the most comprehensive system: Danaher’s “Standing2Ground” series provides the most thorough education on the standing phase, though at a premium price point.
Remember that the best instructional is the one you’ll actually study and implement. Start with something that matches your current skill level and training goals, then build from there as your takedown game develops.
Ready to stop pulling guard and start throwing some bodies? Check out these instructionals on BJJ Fanatics and take your standup game to the next level!
Looking for more instructional reviews? Check out my breakdown of the best Craig Jones instructionals for some lethal leg lock and back attack systems!
P.S. still not sure which instructional to buy? Use the flowchart below to first select which techniques are right for you, and then make your instructional choice based on that.
