Ethan Crelinsten trained under Firas Zahabi at TriStar Gym in Montreal before joining John Danaher’s squad at Renzo Gracie Academy. He co-founded B-Team Jiu-Jitsu in Austin alongside Craig Jones and Nicky Rodriguez in 2021. A 2x ADCC Trials champion, Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds lightweight champion, and Polaris titleholder, Crelinsten is known for an elite back finishing rate and a teaching style that BJJ World calls accessible enough that “people flock to his classes and seminars.” We ranked all five of his BJJ Fanatics instructionals using BJJ World expert ratings, named reviewer feedback, and competitive alternatives.
Finish on the Back
Escape-first pedagogy plus the “Switcharoo” RNC setup. BJJ World rated it 8/10.
Advanced and Effective Guard Passing
The Scoop Grip System and knee fold pass with rolling breakdowns showing live application.
Get The F**k Off Me: Back Escapes
Crelinsten’s highest-rated set (BJJ World 8.5/10) covering seatbelt counters and threat staging.
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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: Understand escapes first, then use the “Switcharoo” rotational RNC setup to cut finishing angles.
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.
Volume 1 spends a full hour on back escapes first – shoulder escapes, turning motions, hook clearances – so you understand what opponents try before you learn to shut it down. Volume 2 breaks down the RNC with Crelinsten’s “Switcharoo” rotational angle-cutting setup, plus belly-down finishes and mandible chokes. Volumes 3-4 cover kimuras from the back, trap-based combos, and armbar finishing options. BJJ World gave it 8/10, noting it “features a huge array of submission finishes from unorthodox back positions.” The Neon Belly Podcast dedicated an episode to studying Crelinsten’s back control methodology alongside Keith Krikorian’s approach.
✅ Pros
- Escape-first teaching approach: you learn what opponents attempt before learning to prevent it.
- The “Switcharoo” RNC setup and mandible choke variations are not widely taught elsewhere.
- Over 4 hours of focused content with a progressive structure (escapes to retention to attacks).
⚠️ Cons
- Does not cover back entries – for getting to the back, Gordon Ryan’s “Systematically Attacking from the Back” or Danaher’s “Back Attacks: Enter the System” are more thorough.
- Exclusively no-gi; gi players wanting collar-based back attacks should look at Roger Gracie’s instructionals instead.
- For pure back escapes (not attacks), his own “Get The F**k Off Me” set goes deeper on the defensive side.
💡 The escape-first structure is what sets this apart. By understanding exactly how opponents try to turn or clear hooks, you learn to block those escapes before they start. 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: The Scoop Grip System creates passing angles that standard grips cannot.
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.
This is the more advanced of Crelinsten's two passing sets. It introduces the Scoop Grip System - a proprietary grip concept for creating passing angles - and the knee fold pass with multiple setups and finishes. It also covers counter-wrestling offense using whizzers and footwork when opponents try to stand up during passes. Rolling breakdowns show Crelinsten using these techniques in live sparring, which adds real context that pure demonstration lacks. Pairs well with his Loose Passing set for a complete no-gi passing game.
✅ Pros
- The Scoop Grip System is a unique contribution not widely taught by other instructors.
- Rolling breakdowns show live application, not just static demonstration.
- Directly addresses the common problem of opponents wrestling up during pass attempts.
⚠️ Cons
- Requires solid passing fundamentals already - not a first passing instructional.
- For knee slide specialists, Lucas Lepri's knee slide instructional on BJJ Fanatics goes deeper on that specific pass.
- Gordon Ryan's "Systematically Attacking the Guard 2.0" covers similar territory with more volume and depth, though at a higher price point.
💡 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: Recognize threats at each stage of back control and address them with the most optimal method for the situation.
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.
Crelinsten's highest-rated instructional at BJJ World (8.5/10). The 7-volume structure covers preventative measures, escapes, reversals, and overtime strategies, organized around recognizing threats at different stages of back control. BJJ World called it "a very well-organized instructional tackling a subject that not many other coaches have targeted successfully" and noted that "Ethan has a real knack for teaching the Gentle Art." Key content includes seatbelt counter-fighting techniques, grip switching strategies, and "strangle territory" defense during active back control.
✅ Pros
- Highest BJJ World rating (8.5/10) of any Crelinsten instructional.
- Back escapes are underserved in the instructional market - most elite grapplers focus on attacking.
- 7-part structure with ~4 hours covers preventative measures through active escape sequences.
⚠️ Cons
- BJJ World notes it is not "the Holy Grail of back defense" - some gaps remain in edge cases.
- For a more conceptual, principle-based approach, Danaher's "Back Escapes: Go Further Faster" may be more thorough on the theoretical level.
- Lachlan Giles covers back escapes within broader guard retention work on Submeta, which some prefer for the integrated approach.
💡 The preventative focus is the real value here - learning to stop the back take before it is fully established saves you from needing desperate escapes later. 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: Turn your opponent's leg lock attacks into back takes and guard passes instead of just escaping.
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.
Crelinsten's first BJJ Fanatics release takes the opposite approach from typical Danaher-lineage leg lock instruction. Instead of offense, it focuses entirely on counters - turning your opponent's leg lock attacks into your own scoring positions. Volumes 1-2 cover direct counter techniques from standard ashi garami, outside ashi, cross ashi, and 50/50. Volume 3 adds sequences, and Volume 4 (~20 minutes) explains the decision-making framework for when to counter vs. escape. BJJ World called the content "a gold mine" but noted "you need previous leg lock knowledge to get the most out of it, and the more you already know about leg locks, the more useful this instructional is going to be."
✅ Pros
- Fills a genuine gap - few instructionals focus specifically on leg lock counters rather than offense.
- BJJ World praised it as "a gold mine" for technical quality and content depth.
- Compact ~3 hour format covers counters from all major ashi garami positions.
⚠️ Cons
- Requires existing leg lock knowledge - beginners should start with Danaher's "Leg Locks: Enter the System" or Craig Jones' "Battle Tested Leg Locks" first.
- Not a complete leg lock system; Lachlan Giles' "Leg Lock Anthology" is more comprehensive overall.
- At ~3 hours it is more compact than competitors, which some may find insufficient for the price.
💡 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: Crescent step, pivot step, and switch step footwork patterns create passing angles without relying on grips.
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.
Crelinsten's approach to loose passing centers on connection vs. disconnection theory - knowing when to engage and when to break contact. The five-part set builds from footwork drills (crescent step, pivot step, switch step) through multi-pass linking methodology where you chain left-right-left direction changes to overwhelm the guard player. Includes flowcharts and supplementary notes with embedded videos. This is the foundational passing set; Advanced and Effective Guard Passing builds on these concepts with the Scoop Grip System.
✅ Pros
- Loose passing is Crelinsten's bread and butter in competition - he uses exactly what he teaches.
- Connection/disconnection theory and footwork drills build fundamental movement skills that transfer across all passing.
- Flowcharts and supplementary notes are a useful addition for off-mat study.
⚠️ Cons
- Does not cover pressure or tight passing - grapplers wanting that should look at Bernardo Faria or Lucas Lepri's work.
- Gordon Ryan's "Systematically Attacking the Guard 2.0" covers both loose and tight passing in greater depth, though at a much higher price.
- At under 2 hours total runtime, lighter on content than his other sets.
💡 The crescent step and direction-change sequences are the standout drills. They build habits that improve all your other passes too. 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 (BJJ World 8/10) - the escape-first teaching approach and the "Switcharoo" RNC setup are worth the price alone. If teammates body-triangle you for minutes, the Back Escapes set (BJJ World 8.5/10) is the fastest relief and Crelinsten's highest-rated release. For passing, start with Loose Passing if you need foundational footwork (crescent step, pivot step, switch step), then add Advanced and Effective Guard Passing for the Scoop Grip System and knee fold pass. Leg Lock Counters fills a genuine niche - few other instructionals focus specifically on turning leg lock defense into offense - but requires that you already understand basic ashi garami positions. Crelinsten also has 374 videos on Submeta ($24.99/month) including a white belt curriculum and narrated rolling sessions with B-Team members, which is worth considering for ongoing learning alongside one-time BJJ Fanatics purchases.
Does Ethan’s material fit beginners?
Yes, but pick with care. Finish on the Back works for all levels because the escape-first approach (Volume 1 covers what opponents try before teaching you to prevent it) builds understanding from the ground up. Back Escapes similarly organizes threats by stage, which newer grapplers can follow. The passing sets need existing fundamentals - if you cannot maintain a basic combat base, Danaher's "Feet to Floor: Go Further Faster" is a better starting point. Leg Lock Counters explicitly requires prior leg lock knowledge per BJJ World's review. All courses are no-gi focused; gi-only learners should supplement with collar and sleeve frameworks. For absolute beginners, Crelinsten's white belt curriculum on Submeta may be a better entry point than any of his BJJ Fanatics releases.
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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