We ranked every Ethan Crelinsten BJJ Fanatics instructional by community reception, teaching system, applicability, and production quality. Real r/bjj opinions, clear use-cases, and smart alternatives.
Finish on the Back
Turn back control into taps with a cohesive finishing system.
Advanced and Effective Guard Passing
Build a relentless no-gi passing game that actually holds.
Get The F**k Off Me: Back Escapes
A practical roadmap for escaping modern back control.
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🥋 #1 Finish on the Back by Ethan Crelinsten
Instructor: Ethan Crelinsten
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 21 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Prioritize choke before everything.
Techniques: Rnc, Hand Fighting, Rear Triangle, Crucifix, Mandible Strangle, Seatbelt
- Back Attacks Enter The System by John Danaher – Deeper theory across all back scenarios.
- Systematically Attacking The Back by Gordon Ryan – Comprehensive hand-fighting and RNC finishing tree.
- Galvao Style Back Attacks by Mica Galvao – Aggressive, modern entries and finishes.
You will learn a complete approach to back control: grips, hand-fighting priorities, and high-percentage strangling mechanics. You will drill choke-first finishes plus auxiliary threats like triangles and crucifix. You will not get straightjacket specifics; this is Ethan’s own framework.
✅ Pros
- Clear system that connects control, prevention, and finishes.
- Actionable hand-fighting rules raise your finish rate fast.
- Works for all sizes and translates to EBI overtime.
⚠️ Cons
- Assumes you can already get to the back reliably.
- No straightjacket deep dive included.
- Concept density can challenge newer blue belts.
💡 I improved back finishes most by adopting his choke-first decision tree and denying my opponent’s first escape beat. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Advanced and Effective Guard Passing by Ethan Crelinsten
Instructor: Ethan Crelinsten
Style: System Based, Footage Breakdown, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 2 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Passing is pressure plus pacing.
Techniques: Knee Fold Pass, Knee Slide, Scoop Grip, X Pass, Whizzer, Bodylock
- Passing the Guard: Go Further Faster by John Danaher – Foundational, structured pressure systems.
- Next Generation Guard Passing by Mica Galvao – Aggressive modern passing for lighter athletes.
You will learn knee-fold and knee-slide chains that connect to bodylocks and scoop grips. You will see live rolling plus breakdowns for real timing. You will not get gi-specific grip paths.
✅ Pros
- Covers pass chains that survive modern wrestle-ups.
- Rolling breakdowns reveal how choices happen in motion.
- Pairs well with float or bodylock systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Less detail on classic half guard pressure trees.
- May feel advanced if your base passing is undeveloped.
- No gi-grip equivalents for lapel-based sequences.
💡 I fixed stalling passes by linking knee-fold entries to scoop grips and a clear Plan B cartwheel. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Get The F**k Off Me: Back Escapes by Ethan Crelinsten
Instructor: Ethan Crelinsten
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 13 minutes
Volumes: 7
Biggest takeaway: Rotate intelligently, then clear hooks.
Techniques: Body Triangle Escape, Shoulder Slip, Belly Down Escape, Granby, Hand Fighting
- New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Positional Escapes by John Danaher – Broader escape heuristics across positions.
- Ultimate Back Attacks and Escapes Bundle by Gordon Ryan – Combines attack and escape perspectives.
You will learn how to classify danger and use rotation to exit body triangles, double-unders, and classic seatbelts. You will also get live-round commentary for application. You will not find gi-grip back escapes here.
✅ Pros
- Organizes chaos with early/mid/late decision rules.
- Addresses body triangle, cross-body ride, and overtime tactics.
- Live rounds show how timing really works.
⚠️ Cons
- Seven parts can feel long without note-taking.
- Less emphasis on re-attacking chains after escape.
- Price is higher than Ethan’s other sets.
💡 I stopped flailing from the back once I tracked danger stages and rotated on his cues. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Leg Lock Counters by Ethan Crelinsten
Instructor: Ethan Crelinsten
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 53 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Counter to offense instantly.
Techniques: Outside Ashi, Cross Ashi, 50/50 Counters, Backside 50/50, Leg Pummel
- Pillars of Defense: Leg Locks to Back Takes by Gordon Ryan – Extensive decision trees into back takes.
- Ruotolo Leg Entanglement Counters (various sources) – Community often studies their bolo-style counters.
You will learn specific counters from standard, outside, cross ashi and 50/50. You will use re-attacks to pass or chase the back. You will not get multi-hour theory like Danaher’s deep dives.
✅ Pros
- Prioritizes counters that end in scoring positions.
- Concise format helps recall under pressure.
- Strong coverage of 50/50 and backside pathways.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a full leg lock system from A to Z.
- May feel brief if you love lecture-style detail.
- Some overlap with free content exists.
💡 I became calm in ashi once I trained his immediate back-take and smash counters. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Loose Passing by Ethan Crelinsten
Instructor: Ethan Crelinsten
Style: Conceptual, System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 58 minutes
Volumes: 5
Biggest takeaway: Footwork governs your passing.
Techniques: Crescent Step, Pivot Step, Float Passing, Stack Pass, Leg Drag, Cartwheel Pass
- New Wave Passing systems by John Danaher (various) – More structured outside and bodylock frameworks.
- Next Generation Guard Passing by Mica Galvao – Dynamic movement passing with sharp fundamentals.
You will learn footwork-first passing and how to disconnect before re-engaging. You will add stack and cartwheel options plus back-chase finishes. You will not get a heavy half-guard pressure tree here.
✅ Pros
- Clear disconnection theory for float passing.
- Useful footwork drills that carry to other passes.
- Gives lighter athletes a realistic top style.
⚠️ Cons
- Less cohesive if you lack core passing fundamentals.
- Some viewers disliked the organization flow.
- Limited guidance for pin retention after the pass.
💡 I stopped getting tangled by learning to disconnect, reset angles, then re-attach to pass. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
What should you buy first?
If your main problem is finishing once you secure the back, start with Finish on the Back. If you struggle to hold top and pass in no-gi scrambles, get Advanced and Effective Guard Passing. If teammates body-triangle you for minutes, the Back Escapes set is the fastest relief. Leg Lock Counters is a strong add-on once you routinely see standard, outside, or cross ashi. Loose Passing is best after you have a stable pressure or knee-slide base.
Does Ethan’s material fit beginners?
Yes, but pick with care. Finish on the Back and Back Escapes both include clear decision rules that newer players can follow. Passing sets require some base fundamentals to shine. Loose Passing rewards coordination and angle resets; beginners may prefer simpler pressure or knee-slide routes first. All courses are no-gi focused; gi-only learners should supplement with collar and sleeve frameworks.
Daily Deal strategy
BJJ Fanatics rotates Daily Deals frequently. Community members often recommend waiting for a discount unless you need a course urgently. Use wishlists and alerts so you can pounce when Finish on the Back or the passing sets appear. You can build a full Ethan library at a fraction of list price by stacking sales with loyalty rewards when available.
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