Our research-backed picks for the best catch wrestling instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, ranked by community reception, clarity, and who benefits.
The Catch Wrestling Formula
A ruthless catch-wrestling system that turns pins into submissions and punishes modern guards.
Championship Catch Wrestling: The Head and Arm Ride
Turn kesa gatame into a submission hub with Barnett's pressure system.
Championship Catch Wrestling: Arm Locks
Turn rides into high-percentage armlocks without giving space back.
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🥋 #1 The Catch Wrestling Formula by Neil Melanson
Instructor: Neil Melanson
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 57 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Pin to submit is a system.
Techniques: Cradle, Shoulder Pin, Arm In Guillotine, D Arce, Anaconda, Whizzer, Kneebar
- Cradle of Filth – Focused cradle series if you want pure pin-to-submission chains.
- The Filthy Kimura – Catch-flavored kimura system to pair with shoulder-pin control.
- Championship Catch Wrestling: The Head and Arm Ride – If you prefer kesa-focused top control and finishes.
You get a coherent, pressure-first framework that links cradles, pins, and submissions so you always attack forward. It complements a BJJ base without replacing guard retention or modern leg entanglements. Expect shoulder-pin chains, guillotines, d'arces, and cradle transitions that fit right into no-gi rounds.
✅ Pros
- A true system that links control to submissions.
- Language and grips resonate with wrestlers crossing to BJJ.
- Four volumes give enough depth without bloat.
⚠️ Cons
- Some sequences feel dated in current leg-lock meta.
- Editing is rough compared to newer releases.
- Not aimed at gi players or collar-based guards.
💡 I saw how cradles shut down scrambles and create submission entries that most BJJ players rarely prepare for. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Championship Catch Wrestling: The Head and Arm Ride by Josh Barnett
Instructor: Josh Barnett
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 11 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Ride first, submit second.
Techniques: Kesa Gatame, Compression Locks, V1 Armlock, Wristlock, Anaconda Vice, Forearm Choke, Mount Entries
- Championship Catch Wrestling: Arm Locks - If you love the arm attack ecosystem from kesa.
- Championship Catch Wrestling: Neck Locks - Expand into neck cranks that fit Barnett's pressure game.
Barnett teaches riding mechanics that make kesa sticky and miserable. You learn to chain arm and neck attacks without giving space. It is perfect if you prefer pin-to-finish top games in no-gi.
✅ Pros
- Covers entries to and from kesa across positions.
- Clear riding mechanics that reduce scrambles.
- Submission variety without losing control.
⚠️ Cons
- Not ideal if you avoid neck cranks.
- May suit heavier athletes more.
- Less focus on guard passing specifics.
💡 I realized kesa becomes high percentage when your ride denies hip movement, not just when you crank submissions. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Championship Catch Wrestling: Arm Locks by Josh Barnett
Instructor: Josh Barnett
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 32 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Control beats flailing defense.
Techniques: V1 Armlock, Americana, Armbar, Wristlock, Pinning, Rides
- Championship Catch Wrestling: The Toe Hold - Expand into classic catch lower-limb pressure finishes.
- Championship Catch Wrestling: Neck Locks - Pair armlocks with spine and neck attacks for a full top game.
This series shows how to pin, isolate, and then attack the arm. You get straight and bent arm locks that flow from kesa, side control, and mount. It is ideal if you prefer brutal simplicity over complex entanglements.
✅ Pros
- Six volumes cover entries from most dominant tops.
- Emphasizes secure isolation before finishing torque.
- Pairs well with kesa and neck-lock sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Less relevant for guard players who avoid top pins.
- Old-school stack ideas may feel dated.
- Neck-crank tolerance varies by gym rules.
💡 I learned that pin pressure makes armlocks feel inevitable, not risky scrambles. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Killer Catch Wrestling Combos by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Entries flow into finishes.
Techniques: Takedown To Finish, Front Headlock, Heel Hook Entries, Keylock Series, Rides
- Catch Wrestling For MMA - If you want Paulson-influenced material tailored for MMA.
- The Nelson Family: Catch Wrestling Nelson Holds - A focused look at classic holds, though community views are mixed.
You get punchy sequences that start on the feet and end with control or taps. It favors pressure and simple grips over elaborate setups. If you like clear links from entry to finish, it delivers.
✅ Pros
- Clear standup-to-ground chaining.
- Great seminar-style details on safety and control.
- Priced well for a three-part series.
⚠️ Cons
- Some sequences feel dated to modern meta.
- Quality of Paulson online content varies.
- Less drill structure than pure fundamentals sets.
💡 I saw how keeping a ride after the takedown stops 90 percent of escapes. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Brutal Catch Wrestling Leg Riding and Hammer Locks by Joel Bane
Instructor: Joel Bane
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 39 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Ride pressure opens arms.
Techniques: Leg Ride, Hammerlock, Double Wrist Lock, Turtle Rides, Spiral Ride
- Catch Wrestling Turtle Encyclopedia: Fighting From The Turtle - Deeper focus on turtle mechanics and attacks.
- The Real Deal Catch Wrestling Double Wrist Lock - A complete study of the top wrist lock from everywhere.
You learn to ride first, then isolate the far arm for DWL-style finishes. The system shines against turtle and sit-outs common in no-gi. It is simple to add to a wrestler's toolkit.
✅ Pros
- Clear linkage from ride to submission.
- Great value for top-control focused players.
- Applies well in wrestling-heavy rooms.
⚠️ Cons
- Shoulder cranks may be restricted in comps.
- Less material for bottom players.
- Production feels plainer than flagship sets.
💡 I realized a strong spiral ride gives you both control and the far arm for free. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Catch Wrestling Turtle Encyclopedia: Fighting From The Turtle by Joel Bane
Instructor: Joel Bane
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 16 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Ride pressure creates openings.
Techniques: Turtle Rides, Breakdowns, Cradles, Spiral Ride, Dwl Entries
- Brutal Catch Wrestling Leg Riding and Hammer Locks - Pairs turtle rides with DWL finishes.
- No-Gi Grappler's Guide to Front Headlock - Sharpen a key turtle control and finishing hub.
You get breakdowns and rides that drain the turtle and expose arms and neck. The focus is control first so you do not lose position. It is ideal for wrestlers crossing into no-gi submission grappling.
✅ Pros
- Highly focused on a neglected phase.
- Rides work across rule-sets with tweaks.
- Complements leg-ride and DWL study.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited bottom escapes content.
- Rule nuances matter for cranks.
- Less relevant for lapel-based gi play.
💡 I learned that breaking posture in turtle is about hip levers, not yanking the neck. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Championship Catch Wrestling: Bottom Defense & Counter Offense by Josh Barnett
Instructor: Josh Barnett
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 18 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Structure first, then counter.
Techniques: Frames, Leg Nelson, Hip Heists, Bridges, Reversals
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes (BJJ Fundamentals) - If you want a BJJ-first defense framework to complement catch ideas.
- Understanding the Distance On Top - Pair counters with elite passing distance concepts.
You learn to deny pins and create counter offense without turtling aimlessly. The focus is on structure, timing, and simple reversals. It pairs well with BJJ guard retention so your bottom game covers both worlds.
✅ Pros
- Addresses a neglected bottom skill set.
- Works well for self defense and sub-only formats.
- Clear counters to heavy rides and pins.
⚠️ Cons
- Less detail on modern guard layers.
- Neck crank tolerance varies by gym.
- Requires drilling to time counters safely.
💡 I saw that anti-pin structure makes escapes safer than frantic shrimping. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Kimura Hunting by Kazushi Sakuraba
Instructor: Kazushi Sakuraba
Style: Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 54 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Creative kimura entries.
Techniques: Kimura, Kimura Trap, Arm Destruction, Grip Breaks, Scramble Entries
- The Filthy Kimura - A more systematized kimura curriculum with catch flavor.
- Anti Jiu Jitsu - Companion concepts from the same legend if on sale.
Expect creative setups and grip breaks that reflect Sakuraba's MMA genius. Translation quirks mean you will mine ideas more than follow a strict system. It is fun, affordable, and adds clever kimura entries to your toolbox.
✅ Pros
- Budget friendly for a legend's ideas.
- Clever entries you can graft onto any game.
- Good inspiration for kimura-based traps.
⚠️ Cons
- Translation and formatting issues noted by users.
- Not a full system compared to others.
- Some tactics feel MMA oriented.
💡 I realized a few creative grips can make standard kimuras appear from anywhere. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
How we ranked the best catch instructionals
We weighted community reception most, pulling 3 to 7 r/bjj opinions per item. Next, we judged clarity and cohesion of the system, then applicability by level and rule-set. Instructor authority and production quality rounded out the score. If evidence conflicted, we reflected it in pros and cons and tempered the community rating. We avoided duplicate SKUs and favored sets clearly labeled or categorized as catch on BJJ Fanatics.
Who should choose catch systems over pure BJJ sets
If you wrestle or prefer top pressure, catch instructionals add rides, cradles, and wrist control that plug gaps in no-gi. They pair well with a BJJ guard-retention base. If you are light and guard-focused, start with BJJ defense and passing then layer catch rides. Always check your comp rules for cranks and neck pressure limits before adding them.
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