We ranked the best Erik Paulson instructionals for BJJ, using r/bjj sentiment, pedagogical structure, applicability, and production quality to help you choose confidently.
Killer Kesa Gatame
Turn scarf hold into a reliable pin-to-tap system that works.
Killer Leglocks From Side Control
Add high-percentage leglocks directly from strong side-control positions.
Killer Catch Wrestling Combos
Chain wrestle to the mat and flow straight into submissions.
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🥋 #1 Killer Kesa Gatame by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Kesa can be a pin and submission hub.
Techniques: Kesa Gatame, Ezekiel Choke, Straight Armbar, Shoulder Lock, Reverse Triangle
- The Catch Kesa Gatame by Josh Barnett – Another catch-informed kesa system with high-pressure finishes.
- Bricks Kesa Gatame System by Jeremy Brick – Modernized scarf-hold structure for gi and no-gi.
- Modified Kesa Gatame by Matthew McPeake – Power-line concepts for control and safer transitions.
You learn how to secure kesa without giving your back, then layer high-percentage chokes and armlocks. The structure shows when to switch grips, change angles, and finish safely. It is ideal if you want top pressure with real submission options.
✅ Pros
- Clear structure turns an underused pin into a full system.
- Catch details add painful but legal finishing options in no-gi.
- Concise teaching helps you implement quickly in sparring.
⚠️ Cons
- If you lose the arm battle, back exposure is real.
- Older terminology may feel dated for newer players.
- Not every crank is allowed under common rule sets.
💡 I found the arm-position battles and telephone-lock series make kesa feel secure, not scary, and give you multiple tap routes before opponents start shrimping. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Killer Leglocks From Side Control by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Side control can launch modern leg attacks.
Techniques: Kneebar, Toe Hold, Shin Lock, Heel Hook, Banana Split
- Ground Marshal Leglocks by Neil Melanson - A catch-influenced leglock roadmap with heavy control concepts.
- Killer Leg Locks 3-DVD Set by Erik Paulson - Older set with fast pacing and many finishing options.
- Science of Filthy Triangles by Neil Melanson - Pairs well to attack upper body when legs are defended.
This course shows how to turn top control into leg attack chains without giving space. You learn when to switch from toe hold to kneebar or heel hook based on reactions. It is best for no-gi or sub-only rooms that allow reaping and heel hooks.
✅ Pros
- Unique angle: leglocks from a dominant top position.
- Clear grip and hip cues reduce exposure during entries.
- Pairs well with pressure passing and knee-on-belly.
⚠️ Cons
- Less useful under strict IBJJF rules without heel hooks.
- Fast pacing may challenge newer leglock learners.
- Requires careful partner safety to drill consistently.
💡 I saw how knee-line control from side control makes leg entries feel safe, because you never abandon chest-to-chest until the finish is locked. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Killer Catch Wrestling Combos by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: System Based, Technique Collection, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Combinations force predictable defensive reactions.
Techniques: Chain Takedowns, Arm Drag, Head Snatch, Bulldog Headlock, Standing Leglocks
- The Catch Wrestling Formula by Neil Melanson - Catch-style controls adapted cleanly for BJJ rules and pacing.
- Filthy Grappling Takedowns by Neil Melanson - Aggressive tie-ups and finishes to complement chain attacks.
- Front Headlock Attacks by Luis Ojeda - Catch front headlock pressure for no-gi sequences.
You get a playbook of tie-ups, snapdowns, and drags that lead to pins and taps. The value is the sequencing: one attack triggers the next. Great for wrestlers crossing into no-gi BJJ who want instant offense.
✅ Pros
- Clear chains from standing into finishing positions.
- Teaches pressure that slows scrambles quickly.
- Works well as a linking course across other systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Some sequences lean MMA or sub-only focused.
- A few entries will not fit refereed gi rounds.
- Occasional showy options that need careful filtering.
💡 I liked how the tie-up to arm-drag series trains you to win the first contact, so your pass or finish feels inevitable. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Arm Drag Series by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 33 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Arm drags create clean, repeatable back exposure.
Techniques: Arm Drag, Back Take, 2 On 1, Butterfly Sweep
- The Ground Marshal Guard by Neil Melanson - Pairs well: arm-drag style grips to back exposure from guard.
- Special K Guard by Neil Melanson - Modern pathways to the back from bottom.
This program focuses on the most transferable grip in grappling. You learn entries from standing and seated, then how to keep the back with seatbelt mechanics. It is ideal if you want quick wins without reinventing your guard.
✅ Pros
- Focuses on a proven handle that scales to all levels.
- Mixes standing and seated entries for more mat time.
- Drills and redrags keep you one step ahead.
⚠️ Cons
- Premium price for a two-volume set.
- Not a full takedown curriculum by itself.
- Some variations may feel redundant.
💡 I like arm drags because they shortcut past stalling grips and force decisive angles for back takes or single legs. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Guard Templates For Attacking And Defending by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Templates simplify choices under pressure.
Techniques: Guard Retention, Omoplata, S Guard, Half Guard, Guard Recovery
- Advanced Guard Systems by Neil Melanson - A catch-influenced guard that attacks and controls aggressively.
- The Ground Marshal Guard by Neil Melanson - Structured pathways for back exposure and submissions from guard.
Instead of random moves, you get guard maps. The focus is retaining, recomposing, and then attacking through pre-planned chains. It suits white to brown belts who want clarity under pressure.
✅ Pros
- Conceptual guard maps reduce decision fatigue.
- Strong emphasis on defense into offense.
- Applies to both gi and no-gi rooms.
⚠️ Cons
- Less detail on modern lapel-based guards.
- Some hybrid ideas may feel unfamiliar at first.
- Not a deep dive on any single guard style.
💡 I like how the half-guard template feeds both stand-ups and sweeps, so you can pick based on ruleset and opponent. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Takedowns From The Knees, Turtles & Open Guard Passing by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 53 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Tie-ups decide passing before grips settle.
Techniques: Snapdowns, Knee Tap, Open Guard Passing, Turtle Counters
- Filthy Grappling Takedowns by Neil Melanson - Aggressive tie-ups that pair with turtle counters.
- Crack The Turtle by Neil Melanson - Systematic turtle-breaking for back exposure.
Real rooms start from knees and scramble to turtle. This course hands you reliable snaps, drags, and knee taps that feed clean passes. It is built for intermediate no-gi or mixed-rule gyms.
✅ Pros
- Targets two under-taught scenarios: knees and turtle.
- Drills build timing, not just static positions.
- Passes link directly off snapdowns and drags.
⚠️ Cons
- Less value for pure gi competitors.
- Not a full stand-up curriculum from neutral.
- Pacing may feel brisk for beginners.
💡 I like how the snap-to-knee-tap feeds straight into staple passes before the guard player sets guards. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Dynamic Submissions by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: Technique Collection, Drill Heavy
Best for: Advanced
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 13 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Angles and grips make flying entries safer.
Techniques: Flying Armbar, Flying Triangle, Dive Roll Kneebar
- The Headhunter Guillotine Series by Neil Melanson - Aggressive front-headlock finishing for scrambly players.
- The Science of Filthy Triangles by Neil Melanson - Refine triangle mechanics if you like dynamic setups.
This is not a fundamentals set. It focuses on athletic entries that still hold up when you understand grips and angles. Use it as a finishing module once your base game is solid.
✅ Pros
- Compact explanations for complex entries.
- Pairs with stand-up tie-ups and scrambles.
- Teaches safe progressions before speed.
⚠️ Cons
- Advanced focus; minimal value for new students.
- Legality varies across competitions.
- Some entries require athleticism to finish reliably.
💡 I would cherry-pick one entry and drill it slow-first; the mechanics matter more than speed. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 STF Attack Series by Erik Paulson
Instructor: Erik Paulson
Style: Technique Collection
Best for: Advanced
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 8 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Creative cranks expand finishing vocabulary.
Techniques: Stf Crank, Inside Trip To Stf, Toe Hold To Stf
- The Catch Wrestling Formula by Neil Melanson - Legality-aware catch controls for BJJ contexts.
- Filthy Cross Body Attacks by Neil Melanson - Top-pressure submissions that avoid illegal cranks.
This is a niche, crank-forward course. It is fun for experimentation and self-defense framing, but less relevant for IBJJF-style competition. Use it if your room allows cranks and you enjoy catch mechanics.
✅ Pros
- Unconventional finish routes expand your attack tree.
- Entries are taught from common control positions.
- Useful for sub-only or mixed-rules drilling.
⚠️ Cons
- Legality issues limit transfer to many tournaments.
- Some material feels dated for current metas.
- High risk if drilled carelessly.
💡 I would treat this as elective study: pull 1–2 ideas that fit your game and ruleset. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked these Erik Paulson instructionals
We weighted r/bjj sentiment most heavily, then judged how cohesive each system is, how applicable it is to BJJ rooms (gi/no-gi legality, common positions), and how clearly it is taught. Kesa and side-control leglocks scored high for unique yet practical solutions. Chain-wrestling combos placed well because they connect standing to finishing. Dynamic and STF ranked lower due to legality or advanced demands. When data was unclear (e.g., exact runtime), we prioritized verified product pages over guesses.
About the instructor
Erik Paulson is a former Shooto champion and founder of Combat Submission Wrestling. He holds black belts in Judo and BJJ and has coached top MMA and grappling athletes. His style blends catch mechanics with BJJ structure and emphasizes chain attacks, pain-compliance, and concise instruction. Sources used include BJJ Fanatics profiles and public records.
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