Our data-backed ranking of Felipe Pena (Preguica) instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, with who each set helps most, pros and cons, and links to deeper reviews.
The Pena Back Attack System: Retention, Control, Submissions
A complete, proven back system that unifies retention, control, and high-percentage chokes for gi and no-gi.
Back Control and Submission
A fast, modern back-control toolkit that prioritizes retention and clean finishes.
World Class Back Takes From Bottom
Turn common guards into back exposure with clean, repeatable paths.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 The Pena Back Attack System: Retention, Control, Submissions by Felipe Pena
Instructor: Felipe Pena
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 22 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Separate sides to finish reliably.
Techniques: Back Takes, Seatbelt, Bow And Arrow, Rnc, Twister, Crucifix, Guillotine
- Back Control and Submission – Newer, tighter update with focused back control finishes.
- World Class Back Takes From Bottom – Great feeder system into back exposure from common guards.
- No Gi Knee Shield Guard – Pairs well if your entries come from half guard knee shield.
If you want a back game that survives scrambles and still finishes, start here. Pena organizes the back into attack and support sides, then drills retention before layering submissions. Live rounds show the exact transitions he trusts in competition so you can copy the pacing and choices.
✅ Pros
- Tight system that connects retention to finishes with clear decision points.
- Balanced across gi and no-gi with overlapping grips and concepts.
- Includes specific and live training to model real pacing.
⚠️ Cons
- Accent may require careful listening for newer students.
- If you already own a deep back-control series, overlap exists.
- Less focus on entries from top passing compared to some sets.
💡 I found the attack/support side split makes decision making on the back almost automatic. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Back Control and Submission by Felipe Pena
Instructor: Felipe Pena
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 4 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Short, finish-focused upgrade path.
Techniques: Back Retention, Bow And Arrow, Arm Triangle, Twister, Guillotine, Wristlock, Rnc
- The Pena Back Attack System – Broader framework if you want the full tree.
- World Class Back Takes From Bottom – Great for bottom-to-back pathways that feed finishes.
You get the must-have back retention and a finishing menu without fluff. Pena sequences twister variations, bow-and-arrow, guillotine counters, and straight jacket setups. If you need a sharper, faster finish rate from the back, this is the shortest path.
✅ Pros
- High-value price for a focused four-volume update.
- Practical retention counters from top and bottom sides.
- Great companion to the broader 2023 back system.
⚠️ Cons
- Overlaps with the 2023 back system for some lessons.
- Fewer live rounds than longer sets.
- Accent may slow note-taking at first.
💡 I would start here if I needed quick back-finishing upgrades for next month’s comps. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 World Class Back Takes From Bottom by Felipe Pena
Instructor: Felipe Pena
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 4 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Consistent bottom-to-back pathways.
Techniques: De La Riva, Kiss Of The Dragon, Berimbolo, 50/50, Butterfly Guard, Back Takes
- The Pena Back Attack System – Pair for retention and finishing once you expose the back.
- Back Control and Submission – Smaller upgrade if you only need finishes.
This is your playbook for turning bottom guards into back exposure. Pena maps options from closed, half, DLR, 50/50, and spider, then connects them to seatbelt and hooks. If your guard stalls, these entries restart your attacks without risky scrambles.
✅ Pros
- Comprehensive bottom entries that funnel to back control.
- Works across multiple modern guards to avoid stalls.
- Clear next steps into retention and submissions.
⚠️ Cons
- Time investment across four volumes.
- Gi-centric grips reduce carryover for some no-gi games.
- Accent can slow newer students.
💡 I would use this as the engine to feed any finishing-focused back curriculum. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 No Gi Knee Shield Guard by Felipe Pena
Instructor: Felipe Pena
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 32 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Patient frames create attacking lanes.
Techniques: Knee Shield, Kimura Trap, Omoplata, Inverted Triangle, Parakeet Sweep, Pendulum Sit Up
- 0 To 100 Open Guard Passing (Gi) – Pair with a top game if you play both sides.
- World Class Back Takes From Bottom – Natural follow-up once you elevate to the back.
You learn to turn knee shield frames into chained threats against the near arm, far arm, and legs. The structure makes it easy to pick a first move, then pivot. If your no-gi bottom feels reactive, this gives you initiative and safer routes to the back.
✅ Pros
- Clear three-branch structure makes choices simple under pressure.
- Builds to back exposure or leg entries without risky inversions.
- Great antidote to common knee-slice sequences.
⚠️ Cons
- Less applicable if your game is top-heavy.
- Some lessons assume half guard familiarity.
- Not ideal for gi-only students.
💡 I like how the near-arm, far-arm, and leg branches cover most reactions without guesswork. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 0 To 100 Open Guard Passing: De La Riva - Lasso - Spider by Felipe Pena
Instructor: Felipe Pena
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 38 minutes
Volumes: 5
Biggest takeaway: Pressure chains beat sticky grips.
Techniques: De La Riva Passing, Leg Drag, Knee Slice, Smash Pass, Lasso Pass, Spider Pass
- No Gi Knee Shield Guard – Bottom-side balance if you mostly pass in gi.
- World Class Back Takes From Bottom – Pairs with passes that force turtle and back exposure.
If DLR and lasso grips slow you down, this shows the pressure sequences Pena trusts. It teaches where to enter, when to cut, and how to stack without giving sweeps. Expect steady progressions instead of scramble-heavy solutions.
✅ Pros
- Targets the most common gi guards with clear branches.
- Emphasizes control and pressure over athletic speed.
- Pairs cleanly with bottom-to-back systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Gi-specific grips limit no-gi transfer.
- Five volumes require commitment to finish.
- Less detail on late-stage scramble recovery.
💡 I like the outside/middle/inside DLR split for fast diagnosis during passing. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked these Felipe Pena instructionals
We weighted community reception most (r/bjj opinions across threads), then system clarity, applicability (gi/no-gi and belt range), instructor authority, and production/pedagogy. When sources conflicted (e.g., preference for lecture-heavy vs concise teaching), we reflected it in pros/cons and ratings. If a product page lacked details like duration, we did not guess.
Which should a white or blue belt buy first?
Pick Back Control and Submission if you want quick finishing upgrades with minimal time. Choose the Back Attack System if you want the full retention-to-finish tree. Guard players who get stalled should add World Class Back Takes From Bottom next. No-gi half guard players will benefit from the Knee Shield set. Pure gi passers should consider 0 To 100 Passes.
Do these translate to no-gi or gi?
Back systems translate well to both because seatbelt and chest-to-back mechanics are universal. World Class Back Takes leans gi due to collar and belt grips. Knee Shield is squarely no-gi. 0 To 100 Passing is gi-specific. If you split time evenly, start with the back content before format-specific material.
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