Best Craig Jones Instructionals Ranked (2026) + 7 to Skip

Craig Jones’ best instructional. A completely new pinning system inspired by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s control. I can almost guarantee that every single technique here is something you’ve never been taught before in BJJ.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi (principles apply to gi)
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Top Control & Pinning

What It Covers

It’s all about the system that people like Khabib Nurmagomedov use to control people, with leg rides, leg shelves, wrist rides and many more unorthodox positions. And Craig Jones argues convincingly that these positions give you much greater control and submission opportunity than the traditional BJJ pins (mount, side control, north south, knee ride and standard back control).

Volumes cover theory (BJJ scoring vs. control, movement principles), leg rides (Turk, Shelf, rear mount variations), upper body control (claw rides, crossface, Dagestani handcuff), turtle solutions (diagonal rides, crab hooks, spiral rides, cradles), BJJ integration (side control, mount, knee on belly, leg drags, body lock), and submissions (arm triangles, Darces, RNC, Half Nelson, Cow Catcher from catch wrestling).

What Makes It Stand Out

• I can almost guarantee every single technique is something you’ve never been taught before in BJJ
• I believe Craig’s right that this pinning system is where the sport is heading now that more athletically gifted wrestlers are entering our sport
• Bridges wrestling and BJJ in a way that has never been done before (10/10 BJJ World, Filip Zanki)

What the Community Says

“My personal favorite Craig Jones DVD. It bridges wrestling and BJJ in an area where BJJ grapplers do not use wrestling techniques like rides.”

— Filip Zanki, BJJ World (10/10)

“A goldmine of strategy, though one segment of prolonged laughing felt excessive for a premium product.”

— BJJKlar.com

Weakness

Submissions only appear in the final volume, so this is more of a control system than a finishing system. BJJKlar.com noted one segment of “prolonged laughing” felt excessive. If you only want pure wrestling rides without BJJ integration, Jordan Burroughs covers that in more depth.

My Recommendation

Best for: Everyone. Buy it now. This is where the sport is heading, don’t get left behind!

Avoid if: You only compete under rulesets that don’t reward pinning (rare, but some sub-only events).

Pairs with: Just Stand Up (more pins + standing up from bottom)

Craig plays the knee shield better than anybody, and this is his definitive guide. I learned a lot of new details, even though I played this positional forever already.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi (concepts transfer to gi)
• 🎯 White to black belt
• 🕸 Guard Play (Knee Shield Half Guard)

What It Covers

It’s about knee shield half guard, both when you have it low (z guard) and high. It covers how to retain this guard against common passes, how to attack the upper body and how to enter leg locks.

Volumes cover fundamentals and retention, passing the knee shield (hip switch pass, headquarters position, weave pass, Jason Rau “Unassuming Bastard” pass, Kit Dale pass), submissions (Kimura with thumbs-grip, Achilles triangle, Yoko Ono triangle, Choi bar), leg lock entries (K-guard relationship, cross ashi garami, backside heel hooks), and transitions (whizzer applications, reinforced half guard).

What Makes It Stand Out

• Even though I played this positional forever already, I learned a lot of new details
• My favorite part is actually on how to pass the knee shield (which I always found hard)
• Probably the easiest guard to learn at first – the perfect first guard for beginners

What the Community Says

“One of the best DVD instructionals I’ve seen this year. A balance of seriousness and humor, making it easier to remember things. Really easy to follow.”

— Filip Zanki, BJJ World (10/10)

Weakness

This is a knee shield system, not a complete half guard system. If you want underhook half guard or deep half, Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology covers the full spectrum. Some of Craig’s idiosyncratic technique naming can be confusing at first.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners who need their first guard. Also advanced players who play knee shield and want to close gaps.

Avoid if: You already have an established z-guard game and want something entirely new.

Pairs with: Systematic Submission Dilemmas (for finishing the leg locks you enter from z-guard)

(I love this instructional.) A masterclass on takedowns, breaking people down, and turning wrestling positions into BJJ submissions. Fascinating.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6-8 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Takedowns & Wrestling Integration

What It Covers

It’s about takedowns, wrestling, and breaking people down. It’s also about all the differences between wrestling and jiu jitsu and why some moves work in one but not the other: fascinating.

Craig teaches a very easy to use system to break someone down from a rear body lock, to a 4 point, to the turtle, to a hip, to the back, to a strangle. It covers front headlock systems (snap direction, downblock, Russian figure 4, Russian hamstring), four-point and turtle work (seated anaconda, anaconda uke waza, kata gatame, Peterson roll, maki komi), rear body lock takedowns (kosoto, de ashi harai, tai otoshi, crab hold), and back attacks (RNC both sides, mandible rear naked, garrote, straightjacket, ushiro sankaku).

What Makes It Stand Out

• Craig is super knowledgeable about wrestling and MMA and how those differ from BJJ
• The chain from rear body lock to 4 point to turtle to hip to back to strangle flows very well and is easy to use
• If you’re a martial arts nerd and want to learn why supplexes don’t work in jiu jitsu, this is for you

What the Community Says

“Honestly more about wrestling than anti-wrestling. Much better than any other ‘wrestling for jiu jitsu’ course. Craig built his wrestle-jitsu game from the ground up, based on training with wrestlers like Nicky Rodriguez for ADCC.”

— BJJMore review

Weakness

The title “Anti-Wrestling Equation” is misleading – it’s really a wrestling-for-BJJ system. 8 volumes is a lot to implement without a dedicated training partner. For pure counter-wrestling, Andrew Wiltse’s content is more accessible for beginners. For a more systematic standalone wrestling system, John Danaher’s Feet to Floor is more comprehensive.

My Recommendation

Best for: Get this if you want to bring people down to the ground and keep them down. Also if you struggle with attacking the turtle. Or if you’re a martial arts nerd. (I love this instructional.)

Avoid if: You’re a pure guard puller who never plans to engage standing.

Pairs with: Power Bottom (wrestle-jitsu combo)

Craig’s hottest release – 2,000+ copies sold in 48 hours. A complete guard system for the modern no-gi meta: attach, tilt, redirect. No flexibility or inversions needed.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 4 volumes
• 📅 Released: January 2026
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Guard Play (Scramble-Based)

What It Covers

A complete guard system built for modern no-gi against aggressive standing passers. The engine is staying glued to your opponent without needing flexibility, inversions, or perfect guard distance.

Volume 1 covers cleaner entries from seated guard, knee shield, and failed shots. Volume 2 focuses on getting on top through attachment and redirection. Volume 3 adds Darces and Buggy Chokes (including the Ghost Escape to Darce combination). Volume 4 covers turtle, leg attacks, and crucifix entries.

What Makes It Stand Out

• 2,000+ copies in 48 hours, $300K+ gross in the first month
• Built around “attach, tilt, redirect” – works without flexibility or inversions
• Ghost Escape to Darce combination is a genuine innovation that caught fire on social media

What the Community Says

“8.5/10. A meaningful upgrade from the original Reach Around, with cleaner entries and better finishing options.”

— BJJ World

Weakness

At $197, this is Craig’s most expensive instructional. Gordon Ryan released a free 4-minute counter video claiming these are “low-percentage moves,” sparking a feud. Craig donated $30K from sales to 1800RESPECT in response. The original Reach Around was a mini product, so V2 at premium pricing is a significant jump.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate-to-advanced no-gi players who face aggressive standing passers and want a scramble-based guard that keeps them attached through transitions.

Avoid if: You prefer static guard positions or play primarily gi. Budget-conscious buyers may want to wait for a sale.

Pairs with: Power Bottom (mix octopus guard with wrestle-ups) and Closet Guard

The best instructional about breaking mechanics I’ve seen. Given that Craig broke so many people’s legs (remember Vinny Magalhaes), I think he’s the best teacher about this topic.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6-8 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2021
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Leg Locks & Triangles

What It Covers

Leg lock finishing mechanics, triangle finishing mechanics for all 5 triangle chokes, and how to combine upper and lower body attacks.

Volumes cover how to break legs (outside/inside heel hook mechanics, twisting leg locks, toe holds, Estima lock, Aoki lock), straight leg locks (50/50 straight ankle Lachlan Giles style, kneebar finishing), triangle finishing (omote sankaku, hantai sankaku, ushiro sankaku, gyaku sankaku with extension grip), triangle entries (lumberjack, overhook, Williams guard, submission-to-triangle entries), and combination attacks from all positions.

What Makes It Stand Out

• This is the best instructional about breaking mechanics I’ve seen – it teaches how to actually break a leg, not just pop it
• The triangle part is also great (but could be replaced by a Danaher dvd)
• The leg lock entries are still up to date

What the Community Says

“Craig Jones is precise, to the point, wasting no time and demonstrating techniques in extreme detail. One title you shouldn’t miss out on.”

— BJJ World

“Loved Systematic Submission Dilemmas, and almost everything that came after it.”

— Beltchecker forum user

Weakness

Some material feels dated – Craig doesn’t use the false reap in this instructional, which he would likely include if filming today. John Danaher’s Triangles: Enter the System is more systematic for pure triangle technique. Lachlan Giles’ Leg Lock Anthology is a more modern leg lock system. 8 volumes is dense.

My Recommendation

Best for: Get this if you want to make sure you really know how to break a leg (not just pop it). And if you want to spice up your leg entries.

Avoid if: You’re a beginner who hasn’t learned basic leg lock positions yet.

Pairs with: Make Z-Guard Great Again (for entries) and Get Off My Legs, Gringo (for defense)

The most complete leg lock defense instructional available. Craig covers early, middle and late stage defense. I learned a lot of details, and many more went over my head. I already radically improved my defense from single x.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate+ (must understand leg entanglements)
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense

What It Covers

Leg lock defense. Early, middle and late stage. So it covers how to defend and escape single x, 50/50 and saddle, the reap, backside 50/50 and double trouble and even deep heel hooks.

Volumes cover basic concepts (hip positioning, knee line concept, hand fighting principles, height principle), heel hook escapes (Eddie Cummings heel slip method, double trouble principle), deep cross ashi defense (misdirection-based defense – the “star of the instructional”), shallow ashi and 50/50 defense (cross feet, hand fighting), outside attack defense (straight ashi, split squat ashi, seated ashi), and prevention from all guard positions (butterfly, half, closed, reverse X).

What Makes It Stand Out

• Craig is super knowledgeable about leg lock defense. I learned a lot of details, and many more went over my head
• The misdirection-based defense section is the “star of the instructional” (Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World)
• Focuses on “make that leg lock not work” rather than simply escaping

What the Community Says

“Craig’s defensive-oriented work is superior to his submission instructionals. The misdirection-based defense is the star of the instructional.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8/10)

Weakness

Not suitable for beginners – requires understanding of ashi garami positions, heel hooks, and leg entanglements. Gordon Ryan’s Pillars of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes offers a more comprehensive and updated system. Lachlan Giles’ Leg Lock Defense on Submeta is another strong alternative.

My Recommendation

Best for: Get this if you’re tired of being heel hooked by people who are worse than you.

Avoid if: You’re a beginner who doesn’t yet understand basic leg entanglement positions.

Pairs with: Systematic Submission Dilemmas (offense and defense together)

A wrestle-up guard system that changed how I play guard. My experience is that I find the wrestle-ups hard to complete most of the time, but trying them makes everything else in my guard a lot easier.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5.5 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Purple belts and above
• 🕸 Guard Play (Wrestle-Up System)

What It Covers

How to wrestle up, how to gain height and stand up from guard, bottom turtle and how to threaten gaining height to enter traditional guard attacks.

Volumes cover Mexican concepts and long-range guard (double leg setups from seated guard), knee manipulation and single leg combos (reverse De La Riva, arm drags, ankle picks), mid-range guard (ashi garami entries, front headlock setups, heisting), reverse Z guard and short-range guard (knee levers, false half guard, overwrap), offensive turtle (Granby rolls, kneebar attacks, power half Nelson), and all-fours transitions (uchi mata, harai goshi, rear body lock to ashi garami).

What Makes It Stand Out

• My experience is that I find the wrestle-ups hard to complete most of the time, but trying them makes everything else in my guard a lot easier
• Pretty much everything is new – building height from guard, from turtle, to 4 point, to standing. All new and fascinating
• Filip Zanki (BJJ World) rated it 9/10 and praised “unique ways of approaching the guard”

What the Community Says

“Craig really explores some unique ways of approaching the guard using wrestling-based techniques. Professional camera work, multiple angles, HD quality.”

— Filip Zanki, BJJ World (9/10)

Weakness

Advanced material requires substantial prior knowledge of no-gi positions and leg locks. Not beginner-friendly. Gordon Ryan’s Seated Guard offers a more systematic and beginner-friendly alternative. The B Team Bottom Game is the updated version and largely supersedes this.

My Recommendation

Best for: Get this if you want to learn a new style of guard in which you constantly threaten to stand back up. (I think this instructional pairs very well with the Anti-Wrestling Equation.)

Avoid if: You’re a beginner or primarily a gi player.

Pairs with: Anti-Wrestling Equation (the wrestle-jitsu combo)

If you know me, you know I love this instructional. I’m 100% on board with Craig’s quest to learn from MMA and wrestling to make jiu jitsu even more effective than it already is.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 4 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate (requires wrestling knowledge)
• 🕸 Turtle Escapes & Wrestling Pins

What It Covers

Much like Craig’s other recent instructionals (Anti-Wrestling, Power Top, Power Bottom and Power Ride), Just Stand Up integrates traditional and folk style wrestling techniques into grappling. It has more pins like those in Power Ride, and more ways to build height like in Power Bottom.

Volumes cover updated turtle position (elbow tucking, foot positioning, Granby rolls, building height when standing), seat belt control and hip sit technique (power half control, bodylock defenses, Turk ride), leg rides and crossface techniques (staples, underhook controls, arm triangle variations), and unorthodox setups (North-South attacks, Sucker Drag, Barrel Roll, Shultz choke, Saitiev Reversal).

What Makes It Stand Out

• If you know me, you know I love this instructional — 100% on board with Craig’s quest to integrate wrestling into BJJ
• BJJ World rated it 9/10 for addressing “common mistakes we do in BJJ when it comes to pinning”
• Sucker Drag, Barrel Roll, and Saitiev Reversal are unique techniques you won’t find elsewhere

What the Community Says

“9/10. Addresses common mistakes we do in BJJ when it comes to pinning and bridges wrestling principles into BJJ turtle work.”

— BJJ World

Weakness

The title is misleading – only DVDs 1-2 cover standing up. DVDs 3-4 pivot to pinning offense, making this feel more like “Power Ride Lite.” Priit Mihkelson’s Turtle and Defensive BJJ is more detailed for pure turtle escapes. At 4 volumes, it’s one of Craig’s shorter releases.

My Recommendation

Best for: If you liked Power Ride but still find it hard to convert your new pins to submissions (like me), you’ll find new weapons here. If you liked Power Bottom but still find yourself getting choked on your way up, this will give you more details.

Avoid if: You already own Power Ride and Power Bottom and feel confident with both. Overlap is significant.

Pairs with: Power Ride and Power Bottom

Late-stage submission escapes with calm, practical mechanics. The “edge out” philosophy is easy to remember under stress, and it makes escapes fun because you’re attacking again fast.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3 hours across 4 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Escapes & Defense

What It Covers

Late-stage submission escapes with a focus on small, deliberate movements. Craig’s philosophy: bad positions are not really that bad – all you need is patience.

Volumes cover principles of positional escapes, side control escapes (hip escapes, running man position – static variation, Heisman escape, single leg escape), mount escapes (knee-elbow, bridge, kipping), and back mount escapes (sliding-back, body triangle defense, single hook escape). Includes the buggy choke escape tested against Jay Rodriguez.

What Makes It Stand Out

• “Edge out” philosophy is easy to remember under stress — small deliberate movements rather than grand explosive ones
• Makes escapes fun – you’re attacking again fast after escaping
• Rated 8.5/10 by Ognen Dzabirski at BJJ World

What the Community Says

“Craig’s philosophy that bad positions are not really that bad — all you need is patience. Small, deliberate movements as opposed to grand ones.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8.5/10)

Weakness

At only 3 hours across 4 volumes, this is one of Craig’s shorter instructionals. Gordon Ryan’s escape volumes offer 10+ hours of content. Does not cover leg lock escapes (covered in Get Off My Legs Gringo). Priit Mihkelson’s Defense instructionals offer a different, more systematic defensive philosophy.

My Recommendation

Best for: Everyone; fills real holes for blue-purple belts. The “edge out” approach is immediately usable.

Avoid if: You already master Danaher-style escapes and want only leg defense.

Pairs with: Get Off My Legs, Gringo (for leg lock escapes)

Makes closed guard proactive again, not stalling. A great “plan B” when wrestle-ups get stuffed, rated 8.5/10 by BJJ World.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3.5 hours across 4 parts
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi (concepts transfer to gi)
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Guard Play (Closed Guard)

What It Covers

Craig’s modern take on closed guard for no-gi. Turns the most fundamental guard into an active attacking hub with sweeps, submissions, and transition threats. Covers tethered control, breaking posture mechanics, and linking submissions from closed guard to back takes and leg entries.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Makes closed guard proactive again, not just a stalling position
• Great “plan B” when wrestle-ups get stuffed – switch to closed guard and attack
• Rated 8.5/10 by BJJ World (Ognen Dzabirski)

What the Community Says

“8.5/10. A solid refresher on the most fundamental guard position with modern no-gi details.”

— BJJ World

Weakness

Closed guard is the most covered topic in all of BJJ. Danaher’s Guardian series is more comprehensive. If you never close guard in no-gi (many modern players don’t), this may not see much use.

My Recommendation

Best for: Players who want a tethered, safe attacking hub when other guards get shut down.

Avoid if: You never close guard in no-gi.

Pairs with: Power Bottom (mix close/open with wrestle-ups)

I actually don’t like this one that much, because a big part is about a passing style in which you only engage with your opponent on favorable terms. Obviously very effective in competition, but I think it makes for somewhat boring rolls in the gym.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4-6 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Guard Passing

What It Covers

It’s about passing guard against 3 types of guard players: people on their back, seated guard players, and people that don’t want to stay on their back. Uses a disengage/re-engage philosophy where you only attack on favorable terms.

Covers stacks, torreandos, leg drags, split squat stance, J-Point camping, and the high-step trilemma. BJJ World rated it 8/10.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Extremely effective competition passing strategy – only engage when you have the advantage
• The disengage/re-engage philosophy is genuinely how top competitors pass at the highest levels
• BJJ World rated it 8/10

What the Community Says

“8/10. Effective guard passing system built around selective engagement.”

— BJJ World

Weakness

I actually don’t like this one that much. The disengagement-heavy style makes for somewhat boring rolls in the gym. And I feel like the more I engage, the more I learn. Don’t get it if you want to learn how to pass established guards (passing closed guard, passing de la riva, etc.) because it’s not about that.

My Recommendation

Best for: Get this if you want to learn how to pass while giving your opponent nothing. Competition-focused grapplers will love this.

Avoid if: You want to learn how to pass established guards, or you value engaging training over competition optimization.

Pairs with: Higher Tripod Passing (tactical add-on)

Concise, tactical add-on to Power Top. Based on Josef Chen’s system with Craig’s personal refinements, this is a “what’s working now” module.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2 hours across 4 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2025
• 🥋 No-gi (applicable to gi)
• 🎯 Intermediate+ passers
• 🕸 Guard Passing

What It Covers

Based on Josef Chen’s tripod passing system with Craig’s refinements. Covers tripod mechanics, forcing butterfly guard, near-side underhook passing, duck-under passes, and dogfight transitions. Includes the “Tiananmen Square Lockdown” position (Craig’s naming humor at work). Applicable to both gi and no-gi.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Great “what’s working now” module – current passing meta
• Rated 8.5/10 by Ognen Dzabirski at BJJ World
• Applicable to both gi and no-gi

What the Community Says

“8.5/10. Practical, efficient passing system built on Josef Chen’s framework.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World

Weakness

Only ~2 hours, so this is a focused tactical module rather than a comprehensive passing system. Requires existing passing knowledge. Works best as an add-on to Power Top.

My Recommendation

Best for: Passers already comfortable disengaging/re-engaging who want the latest meta passing techniques.

Avoid if: You’re new to passing – start with Power Top first.

Pairs with: Power Top

I don’t like this instructional too much because it feels unfinished. It’s quite short, and Craig talks about some sections that didn’t make it into the dvd. But the false reap position is very hot right now in high level no-gi.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2-3 hours
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Advanced leg lockers
• 🕸 Leg Lock Entries

What It Covers

The false reap, which is a position from which you can enter leg attacks. It’s very hot right now in high level no gi competition. Features practitioners like Kichuk, Pato, Couch, Rau, and Garmo demonstrating entries and transitions into cross ashi garami and other modern leg entanglements.

What Makes It Stand Out

• The false reap is one of the hottest positions in modern no-gi competition
• Features multiple high-level practitioners demonstrating entries
• Connects directly to cross ashi garami and modern leg entanglements

What the Community Says

“A specialized topic for serious leg lockers. The position is increasingly popular in competition.”

— BJJ community consensus

Weakness

This is an instructional you can skip, because the quality is a bit lower and it’s a small topic. It feels unfinished – Craig talks about some sections that didn’t make it into the dvd. I would only get this if you identify as a leg locker and want to learn this new entry.

My Recommendation

Best for: Serious leg lockers who specifically want to learn the false reap entry system.

Avoid if: You’re not deeply into leg locks. The quality is lower than Craig’s other recent work.

Pairs with: Systematic Submission Dilemmas (for finishing the entries you create)

I’m actually great at guillotines (relatively speaking) and I see that these escapes are the only ones that work against me. The guillotine is one of the easiest submissions to get tapped with by people who are much worse than you.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2 hours across 2 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Front Headlock Defense

What It Covers

Escapes from front headlock submissions, such as the guillotine, d’arce and anaconda choke. Craig also shares great details for finishing all these submissions, so you learn both sides. Context: Craig coached Alexander Volkanovski for UFC fights, and this material reflects MMA crossover applications.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Super good details. These escapes are the only ones that work against me as a guillotine specialist (relatively speaking)
• The guillotine is one of the easiest submissions to get tapped with by people much worse than you – this solves that
• Teaches both offense and defense for front headlock positions

What the Community Says

“Practical front headlock survival with the unique perspective of someone who coaches in MMA.”

— BJJ community feedback

Weakness

Only ~2 hours across 2 volumes, making it one of Craig’s shortest instructionals. Danaher’s Front Headlock: Enter the System is far more comprehensive for pure guillotine offense. Limited to front headlock positions only.

My Recommendation

Best for: Get this if you want to counter guillotines. (This one is also great in combination with Power Bottom, in which you learn to get up from guard, because you can get up without fearing the guillotine.)

Avoid if: You rarely face front headlocks in training.

Pairs with: Power Bottom (get up from guard without fearing the guillotine)

Great habits for avoiding panic and conserving energy. Immediately useful for hobbyists and competitors alike.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3 hours
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 White-blue belts
• 🕸 Escapes & Defense

What It Covers

Positional escapes from mount, side control, back mount, and other common bad positions. Designed for lower belts who need survival skills before developing offense. Focuses on remaining calm, conserving energy, and building incremental escape habits.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Great habits for avoiding panic and conserving energy under pressure
• Immediately useful for hobbyists and competitors at lower belt levels
• Foundational defense that every beginner needs

What the Community Says

“A solid beginner-focused escape system that builds good habits early.”

— BJJ community

Weakness

Overlaps with Edging Your Way Out, though this is more beginner-focused while Edging covers late-stage submission escapes. More experienced grapplers will find the content basic.

My Recommendation

Best for: White-blue belts building survival first.

Avoid if: You only train offense (don’t).

Pairs with: Power Ride (understand the pin you’re escaping)

Fills the kneebar gap in Craig’s otherwise heel-hook-heavy catalog. Clear leg-positioning cues lead to better breaks.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2-3 hours
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate+ leg lockers
• 🕸 Leg Locks (Kneebar)

What It Covers

A focused deep dive on kneebar mechanics, entries, and finishing. Craig’s catalog is heavily heel-hook focused, and this fills the kneebar gap with clear leg-positioning cues and breaking details that transfer directly to competition.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Fills the kneebar gap in Craig’s heel-hook-heavy catalog
• Clear leg-positioning cues that transfer directly to competition
• Practical focus on finishing, not just catching

What the Community Says

“A niche but valuable addition for dedicated leg lockers looking beyond heel hooks.”

— BJJ community

Weakness

Niche topic that only appeals to dedicated leg lockers. If you rarely attack kneebars, this won’t see much use. Relatively short compared to Craig’s major releases.

My Recommendation

Best for: Leg-lockers expanding beyond heel hooks who want a dedicated kneebar system.

Avoid if: You rarely attack legs.

Pairs with: False Reap Accusations (entries that lead to kneebar positions)

The updated and expanded version of Power Bottom, featuring Craig Jones and Nicky Rodriguez. Largely supersedes the original.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6 hours
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Purple belts and above
• 🕸 Guard Play (Wrestling-Integrated)

What It Covers

An expanded version of Power Bottom with added content from Nicky Rodriguez. Covers the wrestle-up guard system, turtle offense, height building, and wrestling integration from bottom position. Nicky Rod adds his athletic wrestling perspective to Craig’s conceptual framework.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Updated version of Power Bottom with additional Nicky Rodriguez content
• Combines Craig’s conceptual approach with Nicky Rod’s athletic wrestling background
• More comprehensive than the original Power Bottom

What the Community Says

“The B-Team version adds a second perspective that makes the wrestle-up concepts more accessible.”

— BJJ community

Weakness

If you already own Power Bottom, much of the Craig Jones content is the same. The Nicky Rod additions may not justify a second purchase. Gordon Ryan’s Seated Guard is more systematic for pure guard play.

My Recommendation

Best for: Players new to Craig’s bottom game system who want the most complete version.

Avoid if: You already own Power Bottom – the overlap is significant.

Pairs with: Anti-Wrestling Equation

The updated Power Top with Nicky Rodriguez’s additions. Same disengage/re-engage passing philosophy, now with more athletic options.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6 hours
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Guard Passing

What It Covers

An expanded version of Power Top with Nicky Rodriguez’s wrestling-based passing additions. Same disengage/re-engage philosophy, with added content on dynamic passing transitions and athletic passing sequences.

What Makes It Stand Out

• More passing options than the original Power Top
• Nicky Rodriguez adds athletic wrestling-based passing sequences
• Updated for the current no-gi meta

What the Community Says

“The Nicky Rod additions bring an athletic dimension to Craig’s cerebral passing approach.”

— BJJ community

Weakness

Same issue as Power Top – the disengagement style makes for boring gym rolls. If you already own Power Top, the overlap is significant. I actually don’t like this passing philosophy that much for training (the more I engage, the more I learn).

My Recommendation

Best for: Competition-focused passers who want the most complete version of Craig’s passing system.

Avoid if: You already own Power Top or prefer engaging passing styles.

Pairs with: Higher Tripod Passing

A rare deep dive on cage wrestling for MMA. Transfers well to gyms that train with a wall. Craig’s UFC coaching experience with Alexander Volkanovski shows here.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 MMA/No-gi
• 🎯 MMA athletes and grapplers who train with a wall
• 🕸 MMA & Cage Wrestling

What It Covers

Cage wrestling techniques for MMA and grappling gyms with a wall. Covers wall-based takedowns, scrambles, positional control against the cage, and transitions from cage clinch to ground control. Features 40+ techniques drawn from Craig’s coaching work with UFC fighters like Alexander Volkanovski and Jack Della Maddalena.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Rare deep dive on a crucial MMA skill-set – very few instructionals cover this
• Transfers well to gyms that train with a wall or barrier
• Craig’s UFC coaching experience (Volkanovski, Della Maddalena) brings real-world MMA credibility

What the Community Says

“One of the few instructionals that actually covers cage wrestling in meaningful depth.”

— MMA community

Weakness

Pure sport BJJ players who never train against a wall or barrier will get zero use from this. Very niche content that only serves a specific training environment.

My Recommendation

Best for: MMA athletes and grapplers who spar with a wall.

Avoid if: Your gym never trains against barriers (pure sport BJJ).

Pairs with: Anti-Wrestling Equation

The original Octopus Guard mini product. Great for smaller players who thrive in movement, but now superseded by the full Octopus Guard 2.0 system.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~1 hour
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Guard Play (Scramble-Based)

What It Covers

The original scramble-based Octopus Guard concept. Focused on winning individual scrambles through attachment and movement. A mini product that introduced the concept later fully developed in Octopus Guard 2.0.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Great for smaller players who thrive in movement-based grappling
• Introduced the octopus guard concept that became a full system in V2
• Pairs well with wrestle-ups and back-takes

What the Community Says

“A good intro to the concept, but V2 is the real deal.”

— BJJ community

Weakness

At ~1 hour, this is a mini product, not a full instructional. Octopus Guard 2.0 covers everything here and much more. Only buy this if V2 is out of your budget.

My Recommendation

Best for: Dynamic guard players on a budget who want to sample the octopus guard concept.

Avoid if: You can afford Octopus Guard 2.0, which supersedes this entirely.

Pairs with: Power Bottom

Craig’s intermediate-era leg lock instructional. Back-take integrations feel very “Craig,” but largely superseded by newer releases.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2h 52m
• 📅 Released: 2018
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate leg lockers
• 🕸 Leg Locks

What It Covers

Leg lock entries, finishing mechanics, and back-take integrations from leg entanglements. Part of Craig’s early catalog from the DDS era. Good as an intermediate upgrade after learning basics, but the entries and finishing are covered better in his newer work.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Back-take integrations from leg entanglements feel very “Craig”
• Good intermediate upgrade after learning basic ashi control
• 5/5 from BJJ World (older rating scale)

What the Community Says

“Solid DDS-era material with Craig’s signature back-take integrations.”

— BJJ World (5/5, older scale)

Weakness

Entries and finishing are covered better in Make Z-Guard Great Again (entries) and Systematic Submission Dilemmas (finishing). Pre-B-Team era material. Consider this outdated if you own his newer catalog.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate leg-lockers on a budget who want DDS-era material.

Avoid if: You already own SSD or Make Z-Guard Great Again.

Pairs with: Down Under Leg Attacks

Short, affordable upgrade to triangle mechanics. Builds confidence to attack up the middle. Has been offered free by BJJ Fanatics.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~40 min across 7 chapters
• 📅 Released: 2017
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Triangles

What It Covers

Triangle choke mechanics, entries, and finishing details. One of Craig’s earliest releases at just ~40 minutes. The triangle mechanics are still solid, but now covered far more comprehensively in Systematic Submission Dilemmas.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Short and affordable introduction to Craig’s triangle approach
• Has been offered free by BJJ Fanatics – check availability
• 5/5 from BJJ World (older rating scale)

What the Community Says

“A quick intro to triangle mechanics from one of BJJ’s best finishers.”

— BJJ World (5/5, older scale)

Weakness

At ~40 minutes, this is barely an instructional. Systematic Submission Dilemmas covers all of this and far more across 8 volumes. Only worth getting if it’s free or heavily discounted.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone adding reliable upper-body subs on a tight budget.

Avoid if: You own Systematic Submission Dilemmas, which supersedes this entirely.

Pairs with: Systematic Submission Dilemmas

A “bridge” instructional for leg lockers who want to convert leg attacks into guard passes. Efficient for points players, but dated.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3 hours
• 📅 Released: 2019
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate leg lockers
• 🕸 Guard Passing (via Leg Locks)

What It Covers

How to use leg lock threats to create passing opportunities. If you already attack legs, this teaches you to convert failed entries into guard passes and score points. DDS-era content from Craig’s time training under Danaher.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Great “bridge” concept connecting leg attacks with guard passing
• Efficient for points-based competitors
• 5/5 from BJJ World (older rating scale)

What the Community Says

“A clever concept connecting leg attacks to passing, though now superseded.”

— BJJ World (5/5, older scale)

Weakness

Dated (2019) and superseded by Power Top’s more comprehensive passing system. The passing philosophy here is DDS-era, not Craig’s current B-Team approach. If you want Craig’s current passing, get Power Top.

My Recommendation

Best for: Leg-lockers who want higher pass percentage in points competition.

Avoid if: You want Craig’s current passing methodology – get Power Top.

Pairs with: Systematic Submission Dilemmas

Craig’s earliest leg lock instructional – a budget-friendly intro to his leg philosophy. Still applicable in no-gi, but clearly superseded by newer releases.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 DVDs
• 📅 Released: 2018
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Beginner to intermediate
• 🕸 Leg Locks

What It Covers

Craig’s foundational leg lock system from his early career. Covers basic ashi garami positions, heel hook entries and finishing, and leg lock combinations. Part of the “Down Under” series that established Craig as a top leg lock instructor. Reviewed by David Bista at BJJ World (5/5).

What Makes It Stand Out

• Budget-friendly introduction to Craig’s leg lock philosophy
• Still applicable in no-gi today for fundamental concepts
• 5/5 from BJJ World (David Bista review, older rating scale)

What the Community Says

“A solid introduction to leg locks from Craig’s early career.”

— David Bista, BJJ World (5/5, older scale)

Weakness

This is Craig’s 2018 material – before the DDS refinements and B-Team evolution. Make Z-Guard Great Again (entries) and Systematic Submission Dilemmas (finishing) cover everything here and much more. Buy only if deeply discounted.

My Recommendation

Best for: New leg-lockers on a budget who want Craig’s foundational material.

Avoid if: You already have SSD-level expertise, or can afford newer releases.

Pairs with: Systematic Submission Dilemmas

Craig’s original z-guard material. A low-cost way to test if z-guard fits your game, but clearly superseded by Make Z-Guard Great Again.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3 hours
• 📅 Released: 2017
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Guard Play (Z-Guard)

What It Covers

Craig’s original z-guard instructional covering knee shield fundamentals, sweeps, and leg lock entries. This was the first comprehensive z-guard product on BJJ Fanatics, but Make Z-Guard Great Again covers all of this in much greater depth with better production quality.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Low-cost way to test if z-guard fits your game
• Pairs with the newer Make Z-Guard Great Again for comparison
• 5/5 from BJJ World (older rating scale)

What the Community Says

“The original z-guard system that put Craig on the instructional map.”

— BJJ World (5/5, older scale)

Weakness

Completely superseded by Make Z-Guard Great Again, which covers everything here in more depth with updated techniques. Only get this for budget reasons.

My Recommendation

Best for: Budget learners exploring knee-shield.

Avoid if: You want only Craig’s latest material – get Make Z-Guard Great Again.

Pairs with: Make Z-Guard Great Again

A free mini-course that turns knee shield and RDLR into wrestle-ups and leg entries. Zero-cost way to sample Craig’s newer entry ideas.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 6 chapters (short)
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate+
• 🕸 Guard Play (Free Content)

What It Covers

A concise free no-gi guard system that connects knee shield and reverse de la riva into wrestle-ups and leg lock entries. Links to false reap and cross ashi entries. Not a beginner course – assumes familiarity with knee shield, RDLR, and false reap mechanics.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Zero-cost way to sample Craig’s newer entry ideas
• Great teaser for the full False Reap Accusations instructional
• Available free at bjjfanatics.com/pages/the-pendejo-guard

What the Community Says

“Free content that actually delivers value. Grab it while it’s available.”

— r/bjj community

Weakness

Very short and assumes existing knowledge. Not suitable for beginners. May go offline at any time – grab it while it’s available.

My Recommendation

Best for: Everyone – grab it if it’s live. Free content is free content.

Avoid if: It’s offline – go straight to False Reap.

Pairs with: False Reap Accusations