We ranked the best Brian Glick instructionals on BJJ Fanatics using r/bjj sentiment, clarity of systems, and who benefits most. Pros, cons, and buying advice.
Only Way Out: Dynamic Pin Escapes by Brian Glick
A clear, pressure-tested escape system that makes you confident getting out from bad pins.
Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery and Attacking From Guard by Brian Glick
A clamp-first guard system that tames pressure and turns posture breaks into submissions.
Simplify the System: Side Scissor by Brian Glick
A no-gi closed-guard branch that creates easy angles, back takes and armbars.
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🥋 #1 Only Way Out: Dynamic Pin Escapes by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Volumes: 7
Biggest takeaway: Pick the right escape faster.
Techniques: Kipping Escape, Knee Elbow Escape, Inside Position, Single Leg Entries, Ashi Garami Entries
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes: Go Further Faster by John Danaher – If you want the canonical fundamentals path from Danaher.
- The Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes by Gordon Ryan – For a competition-focused, high-rep back-escape curriculum.
You learn a small set of core skills that cover most pin scenarios. Glick shows when to choose knee-elbow, kip, or single-leg based on frames and inside position. The study-guide volumes make review fast so you actually use the escapes next roll.
✅ Pros
- Complete escape map that covers mount, side, north-south and knee on belly.
- Short executive summary helps you retain key decisions quickly.
- Applies to both gi and no-gi with minimal changes.
⚠️ Cons
- A few segments could be tighter and shorter.
- No formal drilling calendar; you must plan your reps.
- Does not cover turtle or front headlock in depth.
💡 I rate this first because the escape decision tree carries over to every round you ever roll, regardless of rule set. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery and Attacking From Guard by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 5 hours and 13 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Control posture before attacking.
Techniques: Clamp Guard, Shoulder Crunch, Arm Drag, Triangle, Armbar
- Closed Guard: High Percentage Submissions by Bernardo Faria – If you want simple gi-friendly finishes from closed guard.
- They Shall Not Pass: Guard Retention by Lachlan Giles – For a broader retention-first framework to pair with clamp attacks.
You build a reliable clamp and use it to kill posture and steer reactions. The game branches into armdrags, guillotines, triangles and armbars with clear cues. If your closed guard keeps getting pried open, this gives you proactive control.
✅ Pros
- Gives structure to closed guard so you stop waiting.
- Posture-control details translate to gi and no-gi.
- Clear attack chains that do not require athleticism.
⚠️ Cons
- Clamp mechanics can take patience to internalize.
- Less focus on open guard entries or leg entanglements.
- Not a one-stop guard encyclopedia by design.
💡 I see the clamp as an on-ramp that converts retention into immediate offense for hobbyists. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 Simplify the System: Side Scissor by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 6 hours and 1 minute
Volumes: 5
Biggest takeaway: Angles beat pressure.
Techniques: Side Scissor, Arm Drag, Back Takes, Juji Gatame
- Closed Guard: The Attacking System by Craig Jones – If you want a modern no-gi closed guard attack focus.
- Closed Guard Domination by Bernardo Faria – For classic gi-friendly closed guard control and sweeps.
Side scissor stops smashy pressure by shifting your hips and isolating an arm. You get clear setups, reactions and a study guide to revisit. It is best when combined with clamp guard.
✅ Pros
- Angle-based entries that feel low effort once learned.
- Back-take and armbar routes are explained with why and when.
- Great complement to clamp for posture control.
⚠️ Cons
- Not an open guard system; scope is focused.
- Gi players may want extra sleeve-grip variations.
- Some will need to plan reps for fluency.
💡 I like this as a practical fix when opponents stand and pry your closed guard. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Dynamic Guard Passing: Inside Position by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 6 hours and 49 minutes
Volumes: 7
Biggest takeaway: Pass standing with safety.
Techniques: Inside Position, Knee Cut, Floating Pass, Tripod Pass, Headquarters
- Systematically Attacking Open Guard: Supine by Gordon Ryan – If you want an elite no-gi passing reference with heavy detail.
- Complete Knee Cut Blueprint by Lachlan Giles – For a knee-cut specific plan to complement inside position.
You learn how to enter double-inside safely, then cycle between floating, tripod and straight-hamstring passing. There are clear counters to sumi gaeshi and DLR. The executive summary condenses decision points for quick refreshers.
✅ Pros
- Protects you from wrestle-ups and leg locks while passing.
- Teaches multiple pass families without overwhelm.
- Great decision-tree recaps for drilling.
⚠️ Cons
- Less emphasis on knee-on-belly transitions after the pass.
- Newer course means fewer external reviews yet.
- Needs your own drilling plan to groove footwork.
💡 I value how inside position neutralizes modern seated guards while keeping you upright and balanced. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Only Way Out: Dynamic Back Escapes by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 6 hours and 8 minutes
Volumes: 7
Biggest takeaway: Escape map by side matters.
Techniques: Back Escapes, Body Triangle Escapes, Elbow Cut, 2 On 1 Pass Off
- The Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes by Gordon Ryan – If you want the competition meta take on back escapes.
- Go Further Faster: Back Escapes by John Danaher – For exhaustive principles and structured pedagogy.
You get a clean taxonomy: overhook side, underhook side and body triangle. Core skills like elbow cut and 2-on-1 pass-off are drilled into reactions. The result is calmer, safer escapes against tight back riders.
✅ Pros
- Clarifies the two sides of back control and what changes.
- Body triangle solutions that do not panic or injure ribs.
- Executive summary enables quick pre-class refreshers.
⚠️ Cons
- Less focus on counter-attacks after escaping.
- Advanced control scenarios may require slow rewatches.
- Not aimed at gi lapel-specific back control.
💡 I like how separating overhook and underhook sides reduces guesswork under strangle threats. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Simplify The System: Sumi Gaeshi (The Butterfly Sweep) by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 6 hours and 18 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Direction fixes the sweep.
Techniques: Sumi Gaeshi, Butterfly Sweep, Hiza Guruma, Arm Drag
- Butterfly Guard Re-Imagined by Marcelo Garcia – If you want the butterfly archetype from a legend.
- Hook Sweep Systems by Mikey Musumeci – For a high-level approach to hook-sweep style attacks.
You get mechanics for shoulder, head-to-floor and direction choices that kill common failures. Entries cover both standing and body-lock passers. It also shows how sumi connects to triangles and ashi entries.
✅ Pros
- Explains why your sweep fails and how to fix it.
- Multiple grip families to suit your body type.
- Study-guide volume for fast revisit.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a full butterfly guard encyclopedia.
- Some viewers want more angle variations for gi grips.
- A few think pacing could be tighter.
💡 I like how the forward-shift concept reframes the sweep for slower athletes. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Simplify The System: Half Guard Mastery by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 7 hours and 38 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Lower-leg shift unlocks options.
Techniques: Half Guard, Knee Lever, Lower Leg Shift, Tight Waist
- Half Guard Anthology by Jake Mackenzie – If you want a specialist view with deep variations.
- High Half Guard by Bernardo Faria – For classic pressure half guard mechanics in the gi.
You get a clear plan to win angles and finish without muscling. The study guide helps you review the right sweep at the right time. Troubleshooting flattened positions keeps your half guard alive against pressure passers.
✅ Pros
- Covers entries from pins and guard to half guard.
- Integrates clamp and single-leg paths smoothly.
- Troubleshooting fixes smashed positions quickly.
⚠️ Cons
- Eight volumes can feel long for casual viewers.
- Few lapel-specific gi variations included.
- Demands consistent drilling for fluency.
💡 I like how the knee lever and lower-leg shift give smaller players leverage against pressure. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Under Pressure: Leg Entanglements by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 7 hours
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Safe entries change outcomes.
Techniques: Leg Entanglements, Cross Ashi, Inside Heel Hook, Ashi Garami
- Leg Locks: Enter The System by John Danaher – If you want the most complete leg lock theory reference.
- Leg Lock Anthology by Craig Jones – For a competitor-driven heel hook finishing approach.
Entries connect from clamp, sumi and half guard, so you are not forcing positions. The focus is responsible mechanics and dilemma building, not reckless dives. It is best for intermediate to advanced no-gi players building a complete game.
✅ Pros
- Integrates with clamp, sumi and half guard routes.
- Emphasizes control before finishing mechanics.
- Good stepping stone to deeper leg systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Less beginner-friendly than escapes or side scissor.
- No-gi focus leaves out lapel leg entanglements.
- Newer set with fewer third-party reviews.
💡 I see this as the bridge course that lets hobbyists adopt leg attacks without chaos. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked Brian Glick instructionals
We weighted r/bjj sentiment the heaviest, then scored clarity of system, applicability to common rolls, instructor authority and production quality. Tie-breakers were recency and distinctiveness. We also favored instructionals with executive summaries and study guides because those features actually improve retention for busy hobbyists.
Should gi players buy these no-gi heavy sets?
Yes, especially the escapes, clamp, side scissor and sumi. The core mechanics are grip-agnostic and you can adapt to sleeves and collars easily. If you want lapel-specific plays, pair Glick’s sets with a gi-focused companion like Faria’s closed guard or Giles’s guard retention for extra grip details.
What order should you study them?
Escapes first so you survive longer. Next add clamp or side scissor to turn retention into offense. Then layer standing passing with inside position. Add sumi as your off-balance engine. Finally explore leg entanglements once your frames and inside position are reliable.
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