We researched every Chad Lyman BJJ Fanatics release, read community feedback, and ranked the best instructionals by clarity, applicability, and real-world results.
Street Takedowns
A street-ready takedown system that favors control, safety, and quick finishes.
C4C PJJ Fight Functional Jiu-Jitsu
A principled side control bottom system for safe reversals and stand-ups.
Street Fighting Secrets
A blunt, street-first blueprint for covers, clinch, angles, and exits.
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🥋 #1 Street Takedowns by Chad Lyman
Instructor: Chad Lyman
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 58 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Control posture before finishing.
Techniques: Handfighting, Body Lock, Two On One, Arm Drag, Punch Defense, Underhook, Foot Sweeps
- C4C PJJ Fight Functional Jiu-Jitsu – Pairs the stand-up with reliable side control escapes.
- Gi To Street Self-Defense by Eli Knight – Translates common gi grips to street contexts.
- Jiu-Jitsu Based Self Defense Solutions by Eli Knight – Broad self-defense playbook to complement takedowns.
You learn stance, hand fighting, and distance before adding body locks, trips, and arm drags that work in jeans, boots, and chaos. Entries prioritize posture and head position so you stay safe against punches. You will not get sport setups that need perfect grips or big mats; this is about dependable control first.
✅ Pros
- Clear progression from concepts to drills that survive clothing and crowds.
- Technique choices reduce head exposure and manage strikes responsibly.
- Pairs well with any existing wrestling or BJJ base with minimal friction.
⚠️ Cons
- Sport-focused players may want more chain wrestling variety.
- Limited discussion of legal policy for LEOs and security contexts.
- No deep dive on finishing mechanics on hard surfaces.
💡 I ranked this first because it gives you a simple, stress-proof takedown process you can coach and reproduce fast. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 C4C PJJ Fight Functional Jiu-Jitsu by Chad Lyman
Instructor: Chad Lyman
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 26 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Frames before escapes under pressure.
Techniques: Side Control Escapes, Frames, Ghost Escape, Reverse Triangle, Underhook Escape, Octopus Guard
- Street Takedowns – Add stand-up entries that flow into the escapes.
- Escapes and Attacks From Bottom Side Control by Eli Knight – Another pragmatic approach to side control adversity.
You learn frames and barriers first, then add escapes that either recover guard or put you on top. The tactics account for strikes, gear, and adrenaline dumps. You will not get sport-only lapel sequences; this aims at survivability and simple finishes.
✅ Pros
- Principles make troubleshooting easier across body types.
- Good balance of fundamentals and a few sharp submissions.
- Content applies well to coaching beginners and LEOs.
⚠️ Cons
- Less sport nuance for advanced competitors.
- Runtime details are unclear on the store page.
- Some chapters feel concept heavy over reps.
💡 I put this second because it solves the most common bad spot in self-defense with clean rules you can remember under stress. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Street Fighting Secrets by Chad Lyman
Instructor: Chad Lyman
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 43 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Angles beat wild striking.
Techniques: Clinch Entries, Angle Creation, Striking Cover, Disengagement, Stand Up, Weapon Defense
- Gi To Street Self-Defense by Eli Knight – If you train in a gi and want street translation.
- Untangled: How To Disengage From Conflict by Eli Knight & Jared Jessup – Adds verbal and exit tactics to your toolkit.
You learn to cover intelligently, enter the clinch, and create angles that lead to takedowns or disengagement. The focus is on chaos management, not points. You will not see sport guard sequences or deep lapel play here.
✅ Pros
- Fast to implement for beginners and mixed-experience groups.
- Angles and cover mechanics are taught clearly and succinctly.
- Good base for designing intro self-defense classes.
⚠️ Cons
- Experienced grapplers may want more ground chains.
- Limited legal context or policy guidance for professionals.
- Some scenarios could use more pressure-testing examples.
💡 I ranked this third because it delivers a day-one street framework coaches can adapt quickly for civilians and security teams. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 The Anchor Guard by Chad Lyman
Instructor: Chad Lyman
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 26 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Break posture to slow passes.
Techniques: Anchor Guard, Overhook Bear Trap, Butterfly Sweep, Back Take, Cross Collar Choke, Leg Anchor
- Glover Approved Guard Retention by Jeff Glover – If posture breaking is your main concern.
- Position, Transition and Submission by Eli Knight – Generalist fundamentals that complement Anchor Guard.
You learn to anchor posture, then flow into Bear Trap overhooks, sweeps, chokes, and back takes. The structure reduces speed requirements and helps smaller grapplers. You will not get meta leg locks; this is classic control with modern grips.
✅ Pros
- Teaches sticky control that fits less athletic games.
- Great for coaches building attack trees from open guard.
- Flows naturally into high-percentage sweeps and back takes.
⚠️ Cons
- Less coverage of no-gi finishing details.
- Opponents with strong posture can still stand and disengage.
- Limited integration with modern leg entanglements.
💡 I placed this fourth because it is a teachable, posture-centric guard that many hobbyists can adopt quickly. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Comprehensive Street Self Defense by Chad Lyman
Instructor: Chad Lyman
Style: Conceptual, Technique Collection
Best for: Beginner
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 22 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Angles and covers come first.
Techniques: Clinch Control, Two On One, Distance Management, Weapon Threats, Disarms
- Street Fighting Secrets – More focused guidance on covers, angles, and exits.
- Jiu-Jitsu Based Self Defense Solutions by Eli Knight – Broader scenarios with clean fundamentals.
You get an overview of covers, clinch entries, two-on-ones, and simple trips while considering weapons. It helps beginners see the big picture. You will not get deep detail or policy-heavy guidance here.
✅ Pros
- Easy entry point for new students and mixed groups.
- Touches the main self-defense decision points early.
- Useful to plan further study paths.
⚠️ Cons
- Too broad for advanced users seeking detail.
- Community feedback notes lack of depth in parts.
- Sparse policy and scenario context for professionals.
💡 I ranked this last because it is a survey, not a deep system, and the community feedback asks for more detail. Recommendation: Skip.
How we scored these picks
Community reception drove 40 percent of the score using r/bjj and LEO-adjacent threads. System clarity and cohesion counted for 20 percent, followed by applicability (15 percent), instructor authority (15 percent), and production quality (10 percent). When threads conflicted, we favored first-hand reports and repeated themes, and reflected friction in pros and cons.
Which one should you buy first
If you need dependable stand-up now, start with Street Takedowns. If ground survival under strikes is your pain point, pick C4C PJJ. Coaches building a day-one safety class will get fast mileage from Street Fighting Secrets. Skip the survey course unless you truly want a broad sampler.
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