We ranked every BJJ Fanatics Chris Wojcik instructional by community reception, clarity of system, and on-mat usefulness, with Reddit sentiment and primary sources to back it up.
Woj Lock the World: A guide to the future of ankle locks by Chris Wojcik
A complete reverse Aoki ankle-lock system you can apply from outside ashi, cross ashi, and 50-50 for fast, reliable finishes.
Don't Stand Up by Chris Wojcik
A practical open guard plan that turns retention into instant offense with K guard, false reap, and calf slicers.
Don't Get Passed by Chris Wojcik
A five-part open guard curriculum that turns retention into dilemmas, then drills it with games.
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🥋 #1 Woj Lock the World: A guide to the future of ankle locks by Chris Wojcik
Instructor: Chris Wojcik
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Ankle locks can be a full system
Techniques: Reverse Aoki Lock, Woj Lock, Straight Ankle Lock, Outside Ashi, 50/50, Cross Ashi, Estima Lock
- Dynamic Ankle Locks by Jason Rau – If you want more Y-guard entries and aoki options organized by situation.
- Shotgun Aoki Locks by Mateusz Szczecinski – Strong pressure-based aoki finishes that complement Wojcik's mechanics.
- Outside Ashi Reloaded by Jason Rau – Dilemma-building between ankle locks and heel hooks from outside ashi.
This is the clearest straight ankle and reverse Aoki roadmap on the market right now. You get crisp finishing mechanics, second-leg attacks from 50-50, and options that work in heel-hook restricted events. If you already play pure heel hooks, use this to add safe, fast ankle locks that change the leg-lock conversation.
✅ Pros
- Teaches a modern ankle-lock family with specific second-leg sequences from 50-50.
- Production and pacing make it easy to implement within one training week.
- Great ruleset coverage when heel hooks are limited or banned.
⚠️ Cons
- Not the most exhaustive heel hook curriculum for specialists.
- Focus on no-gi; gi-specific grips and stalls are not addressed.
- If you prefer passing-first styles, a pure leg focus may feel narrow.
💡 I saw how second-leg attacks make 50-50 safer and far more productive for mid-level competitors. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Don't Stand Up by Chris Wojcik
Instructor: Chris Wojcik
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Biggest takeaway: Retention must link to offense
Techniques: Guard Retention, K Guard, False Reap, Calf Slicer, 50/50, Wrestle Up, Body Lock Defense
- Understanding The K-Guard by Jason Rau – If you want more K guard depth with multiple entries and finishes.
- No Gi Open Guard Volume 1: K Guard by Lachlan Giles – A structured K guard syllabus from an ADCC medalist to supplement retention.
- Dynamic Reverse Guard by Jason Rau – More tools to stop passes and build offense from reverse guard.
You get a direct answer to modern standing and body lock passing without ever needing to disengage. Retention chains lead straight to K guard, false reap options, calf slicers, and 50-50 dilemmas. It is ideal if you want a bottom game that punishes pass attempts instead of merely surviving them.
✅ Pros
- Pairs retention with immediate leg and upper body counters so you threaten right away.
- Covers common meta passes like body lock, headquarters, and double unders.
- Actionable for hobbyists; techniques slot into existing bottom games quickly.
⚠️ Cons
- Not focused on gi-specific grips or collar-sleeve strategies.
- Advanced K guard specialists may want deeper variations than presented.
- If you prefer top pressure systems, a bottom-first focus may underwhelm.
💡 I found the retention-to-attack flow solves the usual stall after you save guard, creating momentum swings in live rounds. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Don't Get Passed by Chris Wojcik
Instructor: Chris Wojcik
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Volumes: 5
Biggest takeaway: Games make retention durable
Techniques: Open Guard Retention, K Guard, False Reap, 50/50 Pummeling, Wrestle Up, Leg Drag Defense, Double Under Defense
- The Guard Retention Anthology: Around and Under by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak – For exhaustive retention structure you can cross-reference with Chris's games.
- Dynamic Headquarters Passing by Jason Rau – Study the passer's perspective to shore up the exact problems this set targets.
- No Gi Open Guard Volume 2: De La Riva & Waiter by Lachlan Giles – Alternate no-gi open guard paths that complement Wojcik's approach.
This course is Chris's most complete open guard package. The five volumes move from core concepts to targeted counters and finish with training games that make retention stick. If you want a repeatable bottom framework, it is an excellent place to start.
✅ Pros
- Five volumes progress cleanly from principles to pressure-tested games.
- Addresses the most common modern passes with specific counters and wrestle-ups.
- Good value if you want a single open guard starting point.
⚠️ Cons
- Specialists may seek deeper K guard or 50-50 minutiae elsewhere.
- Not intended for gi-specific collar-sleeve frameworks.
- If you dislike drilling games, the final volume may not resonate.
💡 I noticed the ecological-style games accelerate retention timing far better than watching passive demos. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
How we ranked Chris Wojcik instructionals
We weighted r/bjj sentiment most (love and hate across multiple threads), then scored clarity of system, applicability for typical no-gi hobbyists, instructor pedigree, and production. When sources conflicted, we prioritized recent comments and posts, and noted tradeoffs in the cons. Tie-breakers were recency and distinctiveness of approach.
Which one should you buy first
If you want quick submission upside, start with Woj Lock the World. If you want a daily-driver bottom game, pick Dont Stand Up. Prefer a complete curriculum plus drills and games to lock timing in place? Choose Dont Get Passed. Already own one set? Use the alternatives to deepen the same lanes without overlap.
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