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Best Garry Tonon Instructionals on BJJ Fanatics (All 8 Ranked)
I ranked every Garry Tonon BJJ Fanatics instructional after watching 50+ hours of his content and testing it on the mat. Tonon is an original Danaher Death Squad member, 5x EBI champion, and ADCC medalist with a 9-2 MMA record in ONE Championship. His teaching style is energetic, charismatic, and movement-focused.
Heads up: the BJJ Fanatics links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes the rankings – every pick is studied and tested on the mat first.
Jump to a pick
- 1. Exit The System
- 2. Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts
- 3. Shoot To Kill: Wrestle, Scramble, Submit
- 4. Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu
- 5. Unifying The Systems – Navigating Between the DDS Submissions Systems
- 6. Heisting: Making Your Jiu Jitsu Multidimensional
- 7. How To Take The Back
- 8. Fundamentals: Simple Systems
- Comparison table
- FAQ
The top picks, up front
2026 editionExit The System
Garry TononA complete escape framework covering every submission family with counters built in.
≈5.5 h · 8 vols · no-gi · $$$Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts
Garry TononModern heel hook system: entries, ashi control, and finish mechanics against educated defenders.
≈7 h · 7 vols · no-gi · $$$Shoot To Kill
Garry TononTurn takedowns into immediate submissions. Features the Kani Basami he used against Renato Canuto at ADCC.
≈6 h · 8 vols · no-gi · $$$Exit The System
Garry TononThe definitive submission escape system on BJJ Fanatics. Tonon built this as the counterpart to Danaher’s Enter The System, covering prevention, early escape, late escape, and counter-attacks for every major submission family.
What it covers
Tonon’s four-stage escape framework covers prevention (don’t get caught), early escape (before the lock sets), late escape (when it’s deep), and counter-attack (turn defense into offense). Each submission family gets its own volume.
Volume 1 covers straight armbar escapes from mount, guard, and side control. Volume 2 handles bent armlocks (kimura, americana). Volume 3 tackles guillotines across four grip variations: low elbow, high elbow, arm-in, and figure four. Volume 4 addresses triangles from every angle including rear and inverted. Volume 5 covers arm triangles and back escapes (kata gatame, D’arce, figure four body lock). Volumes 6-7 handle heel hooks, ankle locks, toe holds, and kneebars using the ashi garami hierarchy. Volume 8 wraps up with omoplata escapes and narrated live rolling.
Why it stands out
- Four-stage escape framework you can apply to any submission, not just the ones covered
- Counter-attacks built into every escape route – you never just survive, you always threaten back
- Named as a counterpart to Danaher’s Enter The System – the defense companion to the most famous attack series in BJJ
- Tight pacing makes it watchable without drag, and Tonon’s charisma keeps you engaged
A masterpiece… more information than anyone has dared to put in an instructional before.
BJJ World
No gi-specific details or lapel-based defense. u/n00b_f00 on r/bjj noted: “I wish there was more. I wish there was some gi stuff in there.” This covers submission escapes only, not pin escapes. Pair with Can’t Keep Me Down for pin escapes and Protect Your Back for back survival. If you want escape content organized by position instead of by submission, Priit Mihkelson’s Defense DVD takes that approach. For a more verbose alternative covering similar ground, Danaher’s New Wave Submission Escapes goes deeper but at 3x the runtime.
Everyone. Defense is the foundation. A confident escape game accelerates progress everywhere because you stop hesitating to attack.
You exclusively train gi and need lapel-specific escapes.
Protect Your Back (back survival) and Can’t Keep Me Down (pin escapes) for complete defense.
Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts
Garry TononTonon’s leg lock masterclass. Covers the same heel hooks and ashi garami entries that made him famous at EBI and ADCC, distilled into a system that’s faster to implement than Danaher’s Leg Lock Encyclopedia.
What it covers
This is Tonon’s approach to the modern leg lock game: inside and outside heel hooks, cross ashi garami, kuzushi from ashi positions, heel exposure mechanics, and butterfly guard to heel hook entries.
The first two volumes cover irimi ashi garami fundamentals and the philosophy behind safe entries. Volume 3 teaches entries from standing, guard positions, and scrambles. Volume 4 covers outside ashi garami entries and control. Volume 5 breaks down cross ashi garami. Volume 6 handles backside mechanics and counters versus standing opponents. Volume 7 covers advanced sequences, linking leg attacks to back takes and upper body submissions.
Why it stands out
- Faster implementation than Danaher’s Leg Lock Encyclopedia. As u/superhandsomeguy1994 put it: “80% of material Danaher shows in 20% of the time”
- Back side entry explanations improved finishes quickly for most practitioners
- Includes clear safety advice for training heel hooks – critical for gym culture
- Links legs to back takes and upper-body submissions, not just isolated finishes
Probably the best leg lock DVD I would recommend to someone starting out. He does a terrific job summarizing all the major entries, positions and breaking mechanics. It’s 80% of material Danaher shows in 20% of the time.
u/superhandsomeguy1994, r/bjj (21 upvotes)
Assumes basic ashi garami literacy. u/BillyRedBallz on r/bjj warned: “Unless you already know the basics of the primary leg lock positions and entries it probably won’t be that useful.” A deleted user added: “Garry shows a lot of entries but doesn’t go into much detail on them.” If you don’t know what inside sankaku or cross ashi are, start with Danaher’s Leg Lock Encyclopedia ($77 on daily deals) for the vocabulary. Lachlan Giles’ Leg Lock Anthology is more exhaustive for ankle locks and toe holds. No gi legality coverage.
Intermediate grapplers who want a fast, actionable heel hook system. Purple belts and above who know ashi positions but lack a finishing system.
You’re brand new to leg locks. Start with Danaher’s Enter The System: Leg Locks for the vocabulary first.
Unifying The Systems (to connect legs to back, kimura, and triangles) and Shoot To Kill (for takedown-to-leg-entry transitions).
Shoot To Kill: Wrestle, Scramble, Submit
Garry TononThe wrestling instructional that BJJ players actually need. Tonon doesn’t just teach takedowns – he teaches how to turn every shot into a submission threat. Features the exact Kani Basami he used against Renato Canuto at ADCC.
What it covers
Volume 1 teaches getting behind your opponent through duck unders, arm drags, and snap downs. Volume 2 covers single legs (including the Canuto variation), double legs with corner turns, and rear body lock takedowns.
Volume 3 teaches ashi garami entries from front headlocks, body locks, and cradles – plus Imanari rolls. Volume 4 is rolling and flying attacks: 8 Kani Basami scissor takedown variations, Sumi Gaeshi, Yoko Sumi Gaeshi, and Victor rolls into kneebars. Volume 5 covers front headlock attacks (standing guillotines, cradles, flying triangles, falling armbars). Volume 6 handles cradles, kimuras, tai otoshi, and side triangles. Volume 7 teaches scrambling through Granby rolls, Maki Komi, and funk wrestling. Volume 8 provides narrated rolling at instructional pace.
Why it stands out
- Every takedown leads directly into a submission threat – not just positional advantage
- Features the Kani Basami he used at ADCC against Renato Canuto
- Scramble drills build real timing that transfers to live rolls
- Sambo and Judo integration (Sumi Gaeshi, Kani Basami, Victor rolls) alongside pure wrestling
He really hits something I felt was an undertapped area of BJJ. Everything taught at most BJJ gyms is what I call haphazard wrestling or judo… BJJ actually has a ton more freedom in what can be done on the feet.
u/I_AM_SCUBASTEVE, r/bjj (24 upvotes)
Steep learning curve for brand-new beginners who have never shot a takedown. No gi grip fighting guidance. BJJ World noted the arm drags and duck unders require significant training and drilling to master. If you want pure wrestling fundamentals first, Adam Wheeler’s Wrestling for BJJ is more accessible. For cage-specific wrestling, Craig Jones’ Anti-Wrestling Equation is better suited.
Intermediate grapplers who want to stop pulling guard and start threatening submissions from standing. Purple belts who can do the basics but lack a system for connecting shots to finishes.
You’re a complete wrestling beginner who needs the absolute basics first.
Heisting (expands standing-to-ground blends beyond wrestling) and Breaking Legs (for finishing the leg entries you create from shots).
Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu
Garry TononTonon’s principles-first course. Instead of teaching specific positions, he teaches the underlying mechanics – levers, wedges, fulcrums, kuzushi, pattern recognition, and misdirection – that make every technique work better.
What it covers
This is not a position-based instructional. Tonon teaches the meta-skills that power all of jiu-jitsu: high hands positioning, sheering force, hip height management, ear-to-back control, capitalizing on momentum, levers, wedges, fulcrums, kuzushi (off-balancing), pattern recognition, and misdirection. Each concept gets demonstrated across multiple positions.
Each concept includes practical examples across sweeps, passes, and submissions. As u/Darce_Knight noted, the real value is that these principles apply “regardless of whatever is trendy or in fashion.” The grip fighting sections alone are worth the price for anyone who loses grip battles regularly.
Why it stands out
- Teaches you to diagnose your own sticking points instead of just memorizing techniques
- Grip fighting and kuzushi sections transfer directly to competition
- Principles-first approach means the content ages better than technique-specific instructionals
- At 10+ hours, this is Tonon’s most comprehensive release
One of the better instructionals I’ve seen. I love concept stuff, and this is something that you can apply as the years go on regardless of whatever is trendy or in fashion. He takes different ideas (high hands, sheering force, hip height, ear to back, capitalizing off momentum) and shows you how each one works across different positions.
u/Darce_Knight, r/bjj (well-known reviewer)
Dense and nonlinear. One reviewer with 100+ instructionals called it “so dense covering so many topics and so scattered” that it was their least favorite format-wise despite the content itself being good. u/Larfox noted: “He’s having a conversation with the camera, more than straight bullet point instruction” which makes it harder to digest. u/WhyYouDoThatStupid flagged it as “for more advanced people” despite the all-levels label. For a more beginner-friendly concept course, Jordan Preisinger’s BJJ Theory Course is more accessible. Some overlap with Danaher’s New Wave Jiu Jitsu concepts.
Practitioners who feel stuck and want to understand why techniques work, not just what to do. Also great for coaches who need a principles framework for teaching.
You need a concrete system for one position right now. Grab a position-specific instructional first, then come back here.
Any other Tonon instructional – the principles here make everything else work better. Start with Exit The System for a defense-first application.
Unifying The Systems – Navigating Between the DDS Submissions Systems
Garry TononThe Rosetta Stone for Danaher Death Squad jiu-jitsu. Tonon maps the transitions between all six DDS subsystems – legs, back, kimura, armbar, triangle, and front headlock – so you never lose momentum between attacks.
What it covers
Volume 1 covers rotational finishes (toe holds, heel hooks, kneebars, ankle locks), transitions within the leg lock system, and back takes from leg locks using facing-forward and rear-facing principles. Volume 2 handles back attacks through cross-body ride fundamentals, Juji Gatame transitions including the unusual Lat Juji option, crucifix entries, and routes back to leg locks. Volumes 3-4 are dedicated to kimura: enhancement details, one-arm Kimura, T-Kimura variations from top, bottom, and turtle, Juji Gatame transitions, and triangle strangles from kimura via omoplata routes.
Volume 5 positions the front headlock as the “hub” connecting all systems – covering guillotines, leg lock transitions, back attacks, and kimura connections. Volume 6 maps armlock navigation and the previously uncovered armlock-to-leg-lock transitions. Volume 7 covers triangles from multiple angles with forward and rear-facing methods. Volume 8 teaches attacking in 3’s and 4’s – creating dilemmas by threatening multiple submissions simultaneously.
Why it stands out
- Front headlock positioned as the “hub” connecting all six DDS systems
- Fills the critical gap in transitional knowledge between Danaher’s individual system instructionals
- Volume 8’s “Attacking in 3’s and 4’s” dilemma concept is unique to this release
- Armlock-to-leg-lock transitions were previously uncovered in any DDS material
Garry Tonon won the fight for the best possible DVD up to date, out of everyone in the DDS. A late contender for the best BJJ instructional of 2020.
BJJ World (reviewer: colleric)
Requires familiarity with each individual DDS subsystem. If you haven’t studied Danaher’s Enter The System series or at least Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts, this will feel abstract. Requires a dedicated drilling partner. No gi/IBJJF rules coverage.
Advanced grapplers who know the individual DDS systems but drop finishes during transitions. Purple belts and above who want to build inescapable submission chains.
You haven’t learned at least one complete submission system yet. Start with Breaking Legs or Exit The System first.
Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts (if leg-to-back is your main chain) and Habits (for the principles underlying the transitions).
Heisting: Making Your Jiu Jitsu Multidimensional
Garry TononHip heisting is one of the most dismissed movements in BJJ – until Tonon turns it into a complete system connecting takedowns, guard, scrambles, and submissions. BJJ World gave it a 10/10.
What it covers
Volume 1 covers ashi garami entries and ankle picks via heisting. Volume 2 teaches Sumi Gaeshi sacrifice throws and footwork applications. Volume 3 handles back attacks through ducking techniques and arm drags. Volume 4 covers dynamic pinning and elbow positioning. Volume 5 teaches top position with heels-to-butt positioning and foot sweeps.
Volume 6 covers takedowns including single legs, front headlock, and sprawl applications. Volume 7 teaches scrambling from turtle position, passing, funk rolls, and ashi garami scrambles. Volume 8 wraps up with inversions for guard retention and leg lock connections.
Why it stands out
- BJJ World rated it 10/10 – describing heisting as “one of the most dismissed and ignored movements” turned into gold
- Connects stand-up, top game, and bottom game through one unified movement principle
- Emphasis on movement over positional details means it ages better than technique-based sets
- Scramble and funk roll drills are immediately applicable in live training
A multidimensional approach to training that reframes hip heisting beyond basic shrimping drills, unifying standing, top, and bottom positions through one foundational movement.
Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (10/10)
Concept-first and nonlinear. If you prefer structured position-by-position learning, this will feel scattered. Requires athletic reps and partner timing to implement. Less positional detail than Danaher’s guard or pin instructionals. Craig Jones’ Just Stand Up covers some similar scramble territory with a different framework.
Intermediate-to-advanced grapplers who feel “stuck in positions” and want to flow between layers. Athletes who thrive in scrambles and want to systemize that chaos.
You prefer rigid, position-based curricula. Or if you’re a beginner who needs foundational positions before movement concepts.
Shoot To Kill (more wrestling-first approach to similar outcomes) and Unifying The Systems (for connecting the attacks you create through heisting).
How To Take The Back
Garry TononTonon’s 10-volume deep dive on back takes. Features dozens of entries battle-tested at EBI and ADCC, covering everything from arm drags to hip shoveling to scramble-based back exposure.
What it covers
This is Tonon’s most extensive set by volume count. He covers arm drags from standing and seated positions, hip shoveling techniques for establishing back control from various positions, duck unders, snap downs to back exposure, and scramble-based back takes from turtle, front headlock, and leg lock exchanges.
The later volumes integrate back takes into the broader DDS system – connecting them to leg locks (failed back take to ashi garami) and upper body attacks (failed back take to kimura or front headlock).
Why it stands out
- 10 volumes means this is the deepest back take resource from any DDS member
- Every technique is battle-tested at EBI and ADCC competition
- Integrates back takes with leg locks and upper body attacks for when entries fail
- Hip shoveling concept for establishing control is uniquely Tonon
The one with all the armdrags.
u/RighteousBrotherBJJ, r/bjj (when asked about favorite Tonon instructional)
Less community review coverage than his top releases. If you want a back attack system focused on finishing from the back (not just getting there), Gordon Ryan’s Systematically Attacking the Back is more comprehensive on the finishing side. For gi-specific back takes, Andre Galvao covers that territory.
Grapplers who can identify back exposure opportunities but lack the entries to capitalize. Anyone who trains no-gi and considers the back the highest-value position.
You already have a strong back take game and need finishing details instead.
Exit The System (for when your opponent takes your back) and Unifying The Systems (for connecting back takes to other subsystems).
Fundamentals: Simple Systems
Garry TononTonon distills his ADCC and EBI-level knowledge into the simplest possible systems for beginners. Covers sweep systems, back attacks, wrestling integration, and guard passing with step-by-step clarity.
What it covers
This is Tonon’s newest and most beginner-friendly release. Each volume focuses on one essential system: sweeps, back attacks, wrestling techniques adapted for BJJ, guard passing, and submissions. Every technique is broken down step-by-step with an emphasis on simplicity and high-percentage success.
Unlike Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu (which teaches principles), this instructional teaches concrete techniques organized into simple, repeatable systems that beginners can implement immediately.
Why it stands out
- The most beginner-friendly Tonon instructional – concrete techniques over abstract concepts
- Distills ADCC/EBI-level techniques into simple systems anyone can follow
- Clear step-by-step instruction at a slower pace than his intermediate releases
- Covers breadth: sweeps, back attacks, wrestling, passing, and submissions in one set
It is VERY basic. If you are a white belt and it is your first instructional, I’d recommend it. But it’s not like Danaher’s GFF where it’s a ‘beginner’ instructional but brown belts will still be saying they’re learning a bunch of good details by watching it.
u/WoeToTheUsurper2, r/bjj (8 upvotes)
u/GiantSpookMan on r/bjj said: “Calling them ‘systems’ is a bit generous as they’re more like small sequences and go all over the place.” Experienced competitors will not find much new material. For a deeper fundamental system, John Danaher’s Go Further Faster series covers similar territory with more granularity and more hours. If you’re intermediate or above, start with Exit The System or Breaking Legs instead.
White belts and fresh blue belts who want a complete starter system from a world-class competitor. Also useful for hobbyists who want efficient, high-percentage fundamentals without information overload.
You’re a purple belt or above looking for advanced material. The other seven instructionals on this page will serve you better.
Exit The System (add defense to your fundamentals) and Habits (to understand the principles behind the techniques).
All picks, side by side
Comparison tableSwipe sideways for details · the price column stays pinned →
| # | Instructional | Instructor | Runtime | Level | Format | Category | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exit The System | Garry Tonon | 5h 33m across 8 volumes (50+ chapters) | All levels | No-Gi | Submission escapes & defense | $$$ | Check price → |
| 2 | Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts | Garry Tonon | 7h 9m across 7 volumes | Intermediate | No-Gi | Leg locks | $$$ | Check price → |
| 3 | Shoot To Kill: Wrestle, Scramble, Submit | Garry Tonon | 6h 4m across 8 volumes | Intermediate | No-Gi | Takedowns & wrestling | $$$ | Check price → |
| 4 | Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu | Garry Tonon | 10h 26m across 10 volumes | All levels | No-Gi (principles apply universally) | Concepts & principles | $$$ | Check price → |
| 5 | Unifying The Systems – Navigating Between the DDS Submissions Systems | Garry Tonon | ~8 hours across 8 volumes | Advanced | No-Gi | Transitions & submission flow | $$$ | Check price → |
| 6 | Heisting: Making Your Jiu Jitsu Multidimensional | Garry Tonon | 5h 29m across 8 volumes | Intermediate | No-Gi | Movement & scrambles | $$$ | Check price → |
| 7 | How To Take The Back | Garry Tonon | ~8 hours across 10 volumes | All levels | No-Gi | Back takes | $$$ | Check price → |
| 8 | Fundamentals: Simple Systems | Garry Tonon | ~6 hours across 8 volumes | White to blue belt (all levels benefit) | No-Gi (principles apply to gi) | Fundamentals | $$$ | Check price → |
Who Is Garry Tonon?
Garry Tonon (born September 12, 1991) is an American submission grappler and mixed martial artist from New Jersey. He holds a black belt under Tom DeBlass and Ricardo Almeida (awarded September 2013) and runs Garry Tonon Jiu Jitsu in East Brunswick, NJ.
Tonon was an original member of the Danaher Death Squad at Renzo Gracie Academy, training alongside Eddie Cummings, Gordon Ryan, and Nicky Ryan under John Danaher. He became the first-ever EBI champion in 2014, submitting all four opponents at EBI 1 (three by heel hook, one by RNC). He went on to win five EBI titles total.
At ADCC, Tonon is a 3x medalist. His 2013 debut included a legendary match against Kron Gracie. He placed 3rd at ADCC 2019 after submitting Dante Leon by heel hook. Other notable wins include AJ Agazarm, Joao Miyao, and Dillon Danis.
In 2018, Tonon transitioned to MMA with ONE Championship. His professional record stands at 9-2, with signature submission wins including a kimura over Johnny Nunez and an RNC over Martin Nguyen (earning a $50,000 performance bonus). His only losses came to Thanh Le (KO, title fight) and Shamil Gasanov (decision).
In December 2025, Olympic judo champion Satoshi Ishii awarded Tonon his Judo black belt at Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu academy. Tonon has said: “I am so thankful that the first martial art that I got into was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and it saved my life a million times.”
What Makes Tonon a Good Instructor
- Fast, engaging delivery. u/Darce_Knight (one of the most respected reviewers on r/bjj): “Most instructionals feel like a chore to me. So it’s refreshing to watch one that’s short, sweet, and to the point.” A deleted user with 64 upvotes summed it up: “Garry teaches like a sped up, engaging, non-sleep inducing Danaher.”
- Movement-first philosophy. Where Danaher emphasizes positions, Tonon emphasizes transitions and scrambles. His teaching mirrors how real rolls unfold. u/danjr704 noted: “I’ve done seminars with all the DDS guys, and think Garry by far was the best.”
- ADCC and MMA tested. Every technique in his catalog has been pressure-tested against world-class competition. The Kani Basami from Shoot To Kill? He used it against Renato Canuto at ADCC. The kimura from his MMA arsenal? He finished Johnny Nunez with it in ONE Championship.
Tonon’s DDS Systems Explained
Tonon’s DDS Systems Explained
Garry Tonon’s instructionals cover three main pillars:
Defense and escapes – Exit The System (submission escapes), Protect Your Back (back survival), Can’t Keep Me Down (pin escapes). Tonon’s four-stage escape framework (prevention, early, late, counter) runs through all of them.
Offensive systems – Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts (leg locks), Shoot To Kill (wrestling to submissions), How To Take The Back (back takes), Heisting (multidimensional movement).
Connecting it all – Unifying The Systems ties all six DDS subsystems together (legs, back, kimura, armbar, triangle, front headlock). Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu teaches the principles (kuzushi, levers, wedges) that power everything. Fundamentals: Simple Systems distills it all for beginners.
Recommended Combos
- Complete defense: Exit The System + Protect Your Back + Can’t Keep Me Down
- Leg lock path: Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts + Unifying The Systems
- Wrestling path: Shoot To Kill + Heisting
- Beginner path: Fundamentals: Simple Systems + Exit The System
Suggested Watch Order
Suggested Watch Order
| Path | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Fundamentals | Exit The System | Habits | — |
| Leg Lock | Breaking Legs | Unifying Systems | Heisting | — |
| Wrestling | Shoot To Kill | Heisting | How To Take The Back | Unifying Systems |
Best Garry Tonon Instructional by Goal
Best Garry Tonon Instructional by Goal
| Goal | Best Pick | Also Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Submission escapes | Exit The System | Protect Your Back |
| Leg locks | Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts | Unifying The Systems |
| Wrestling for BJJ | Shoot To Kill | Heisting |
| Concepts & principles | Habits For Highly Effective | Fundamentals |
| Back takes | How To Take The Back | Heisting |
| Transitions & flow | Unifying The Systems | Heisting |
| Scrambles & movement | Heisting | Shoot To Kill |
| Absolute beginner | Fundamentals: Simple Systems | Exit The System |
Which Garry Tonon Instructional Fits Your Game?
Garry Tonon has 8 instructionals ranging from leg locks to wrestling to overall game philosophy. Pick your priority and we’ll match you to the right one.
Pricing & Deals
All Garry Tonon instructionals are priced at $197 on BJJ Fanatics. The best way to save is through the daily deals page, where prices often drop to $77-$97.
| Instructional | Full Price | Typical Daily Deal | Volumes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exit The System | $197 | $77-$97 | 8 |
| Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts | $197 | $77-$97 | 7 |
| Shoot To Kill | $197 | $77-$97 | 8 |
| Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu | $197 | $77-$97 | 10 |
| Unifying The Systems | $197 | $77-$97 | 8 |
| Heisting | $197 | $77-$97 | 8 |
| How To Take The Back | $197 | $77-$97 | 10 |
| Fundamentals: Simple Systems | $197 | $77-$97 | 8 |
My advice: Check the BJJ Fanatics daily deals page before buying at full price. Exit The System is worth $197 – the rest, wait for a deal.
Free Garry Tonon Content
BJJ Fanatics publishes free technique previews from Tonon’s instructionals on their blog and YouTube. These give you a taste of his teaching style before buying:
- Guillotine Escape – Free preview from Exit The System (BJJ Fanatics blog)
- Knee Slide Simplified – Free technique from Fundamentals: Simple Systems (BJJ Fanatics blog)
- Three Brilliant Escapes – Free compilation of escape techniques (BJJ Fanatics blog)
Tonon is also active on Instagram (@garabortonon) where he regularly posts technique clips and training footage from ONE Championship camp.
Glossary
- Ashi Garami – Leg entanglement position used to control an opponent’s leg for heel hooks, ankle locks, and kneebars. Tonon’s primary offensive system.
- Backside (50/50 Backside) – Ashi garami variation where you face your opponent’s back. High-percentage heel hook finishing position featured in Breaking Legs.
- Cross Ashi – Ashi garami where your legs cross over the opponent’s hip. Covered extensively in Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts.
- DDS (Danaher Death Squad) – Grappling team led by John Danaher at Renzo Gracie Academy. Tonon was an original member alongside Gordon Ryan and Eddie Cummings.
- EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) – Submission-only tournament format. Tonon won the first EBI and five total.
- Heisting – Hip movement technique where you elevate and rotate your hips to create angles. Central concept of Tonon’s Heisting instructional.
- Imanari Roll – Rolling entry into ashi garami from standing. Featured in Shoot To Kill Volume 3.
- Irimi – Japanese term meaning “entering.” Tonon uses it to describe ashi garami entries in Breaking Legs.
- Kani Basami – Scissor takedown. Tonon used this against Renato Canuto at ADCC. Covered in Shoot To Kill Volume 4.
- Kuzushi – Off-balancing. A core concept in Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu and a principle underlying all of Tonon’s techniques.
- Sumi Gaeshi – Sacrifice throw. Featured in both Heisting and Shoot To Kill as standing-to-ground transitions.
FAQ
What is the best Garry Tonon instructional for beginners?
Fundamentals: Simple Systems is designed specifically for beginners with step-by-step instruction. Exit The System is also beginner-friendly and arguably more impactful – defense is foundational, and Tonon’s four-stage escape framework is easy to follow and apply.
How many instructionals does Garry Tonon have on BJJ Fanatics?
Garry Tonon has 10 instructional sets on BJJ Fanatics: 8 full-length series (Exit The System, Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts, Shoot To Kill, Habits For Highly Effective Jiu-Jitsu, Unifying The Systems, Heisting, How To Take The Back, Fundamentals: Simple Systems) plus 2 shorter focused sets (Protect Your Back, Can’t Keep Me Down: Escaping Pins).
Is Garry Tonon still part of the Danaher Death Squad?
No. Tonon was an original DDS member at Renzo Gracie Academy but the team dissolved after the well-known split. Tonon now runs his own academy in East Brunswick, NJ. His instructionals still reflect DDS principles, especially Unifying The Systems.
What is the difference between Exit The System and Danaher’s Enter The System?
They’re complementary. Danaher’s Enter The System teaches attacks (how to enter and finish submissions). Tonon’s Exit The System teaches defense (how to escape and counter those same submissions). Tonon literally named his set as the counterpart.
Are Garry Tonon instructionals good for gi?
Tonon’s instructionals are filmed in no-gi. The principles transfer to gi (especially Exit The System, Habits, and the concepts in Heisting), but you won’t find gi-specific grips, collar choke escapes, or lapel techniques.
What is Garry Tonon’s MMA record?
Tonon’s professional MMA record is 9-2 in ONE Championship. He debuted in 2018 and has notable submission wins including a kimura over Johnny Nunez and an RNC over Martin Nguyen ($50K bonus). His losses came to Thanh Le (KO, title fight) and Shamil Gasanov (decision).
Should I buy Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts or Danaher’s Leg Lock Encyclopedia?
Different tools. Danaher’s set is deeper and more systematic – it’s the reference library. Tonon’s set is faster to implement with more entries and scramble-based approaches. If you’re new to leg locks, start with Danaher’s Enter The System: Leg Locks ($77 on deal) for vocabulary, then add Tonon’s set for entries and finishing.
What is heisting in BJJ?
Heisting is a hip movement where you elevate and rotate your hips to create angles. Tonon made it the central concept of his Heisting instructional, showing how this one movement pattern connects takedowns, guard play, scrambles, and submissions into a fluid game.
Still deciding which Garry Tonon instructional to buy?
Start with Exit The System for the most impactful defense framework, Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts for his leg lock game, or Fundamentals: Simple Systems if you’re a beginner. Check today’s prices – BJJ Fanatics runs daily deals that often drop these to $77-$97.