Best Guard Retention Instructional: Top BJJ Fanatics Picks

The most comprehensive guard retention instructional ever produced. 16 volumes, 500+ chapters, and 13+ hours covering every passing style from toreando to knee cut to body lock. Giles and Tabak built a system that doesn’t just stop passes, it creates counterattacking opportunities through K guard transitions, triangles, and leg locks.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 13+ hours across 16 volumes (500+ chapters)
• 📅 Released: 2020 (bundle updated 2025)
• 🥋 Gi and No-Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced (blue belt+)
• 🕸 Complete Guard Retention System

What It Covers

Part 1 (Around & Under The Legs, 8 volumes, ~7 hours) covers guard retention fundamentals, hip mechanics, layers of guard, leg pummeling, inversions, gangorra movements, and 4 crossover variations. Volumes 3-4 focus on side selection, toreando defense, leg drag defense, and North-South retention. Volumes 5-6 tackle under-the-legs retention: stack pass prevention, over-under defense, and angle development for recovery. Volume 7 covers the battle for control with grip mechanics for both gi and no-gi. Volume 8 shifts to offense with K guard transitions, triangle setups, and narrated rolling demonstrations.

Part 2 (Through The Legs & Close Range, 8 volumes, ~6 hours) covers knee cut pass defense, headquarters position escapes, cross knee cut defense, over-under pass resistance, and counterattacking systems including triangle chokes, leg lock sequences, and armbar threats.

What Makes It Stand Out

• 500+ chapters create the most granular retention coverage available, with specific solutions for every pass type you’ll face
• K guard transitions and submission counterattacks (triangles, armbars, mini bars) are integrated directly into retention sequences
• Narrated rolling footage in Volume 8 shows exactly how Giles applies retention principles in real-time against resisting opponents
• Covers both gi and no-gi throughout, so you don’t need separate resources for each format

What the Community Says

The most in-depth analysis of the subject of guard retention.

Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (9/10 rating)

Chapter one alone improved my guard.

r/bjj user

Anything Lachlan Giles makes is sure to be good. He is definitely my favorite person to buy instructionals from.

Sherdog Forums user

Weakness

Dense and long. 13+ hours requires serious commitment, and beginners may struggle with the advanced concepts. By comparison, Firas Zahabi covers core retention concepts in 1.5 hours, and Priit Mihkelson’s Grilled Chicken system explicitly requires no flexibility or athleticism. If you want a quick-start introduction before committing to the full system, Zahabi (#5) is the better entry point.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate to advanced grapplers who want the most complete guard retention system available, covering both gi and no-gi against every passing style.

Avoid if: You’re a white belt who needs fundamentals first. Start with Zahabi (#5) or Danaher (#2) for conceptual foundations, then graduate to this.

Pairs with: Brian Glick’s Under Pressure (#3) for specialized half guard/butterfly Clamp defense that complements Giles’s broader system.

Danaher’s unified guard retention theory explains not just what to do, but why. Three core guard positions (seated, supine, turtle), a complete framing system (forearm, forehand, backhand, self-framing), and specific counters for every major pass type. BJJ World said if they could only choose one Danaher instructional, it would be this one.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~10 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2019
• 🥋 Primarily Gi
• 🎯 All levels (built as a curriculum)
• 🕸 Conceptual Guard Retention Framework

What It Covers

Volume 1 is an extended introduction covering guard retention theory and the Danaher system. Volumes 2-4 cover the three essential skills: movement (hip escapes, shrimping, inversions, pummeling, spinning, pendulum movements, rollbacks, shoulder rolls), framing (forearm framing, forehand framing, backhand framing, self-framing), and grip breaking. Volume 5 teaches guard passing mechanics from the defender’s perspective: demarcation lines, cranial shift, head protection, and connection concepts. Volumes 6-8 cover specific scenarios: defense against pressure passing, toreando pass, knee slice, leg drag, and long step.

What Makes It Stand Out

• The strongest conceptual framework for guard retention: once you understand demarcation lines, cranial shift, and connection concepts, you can defend passes you’ve never seen before
• Three core guard positions (seated, supine, turtle) give you a retention option from every situation
• Framing taxonomy (4 distinct frame types) is unique to this instructional and immediately applicable
• Built as a curriculum, making it one of the few retention instructionals beginners can follow from start to finish

What the Community Says

If I had to choose only one of his BJJ DVD instructionals to get, it would be this one.

BJJ World (5/5 rating)

Guard Retention is the fourth Danaher series I purchased, and it almost instantaneously improved my game.

r/bjj user (blue belt)

His guard retention instructional was good but maybe could have been 4 discs instead of 8.

Sherdog Forums user

Weakness

Extremely verbose. About half of Volume 1 is introduction, and Sherdog users noted the entire set could have been condensed to 4 volumes. Lachlan Giles packs more technique density per hour with less lecture time. Also primarily gi-focused, so no-gi practitioners should look at Giles & Tabak (#1) or Brian Glick (#3) instead.

My Recommendation

Best for: Conceptual learners who want to understand the “why” behind guard retention. Also excellent for beginners who need a structured curriculum approach.

Avoid if: You already understand retention concepts and want pure technique volume. Lachlan Giles (#1) gives you 500+ chapters of specific retention techniques versus Danaher’s theory-heavy approach.

Pairs with: Priit Mihkelson’s Grilled Chicken (#4) for a complementary defensive system that covers what Danaher doesn’t: a single unpassable resting position.

The Clamp system gives you one core principle that stops every major pass type, then immediately creates submission threats. 3-stage defense (early, mid, late) for both knee cut and body lock passes, with kimura, omoplata, armbar, and arm triangle attacks built directly into the retention flow. BJJ World rated the full bundle 9.5/10.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours across 4 volumes (standalone); 15+ hours across 16 volumes (full bundle)
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 No-Gi focused
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Guard Retention & Counterattacking

What It Covers

Volume 1 introduces the Clamp concept, the core principle for guard retention, along with posture and grip mechanics. Volume 2 covers knee cut pass defense at early, mid, and late stages, plus kimura submissions from retention positions. Volume 3 tackles body lock pass defense at all three stages, with armbar attacks and arm triangle chokes. Volume 4 covers omoplata submissions, system overview, training methodology, and recovery options from pins.

The full bundle adds Half Butterfly Mastery (4 volumes covering reactive sweeps, Sumi Gaeshi, body lock prevention) and Leg Entanglements (8 volumes covering Ashi Garami entries from DLR, X guard, K guard, heel hooks, toe holds, and back takes).

What Makes It Stand Out

• The Clamp concept gives you a single principle that applies to every pass type, unlike technique-by-technique approaches that require memorizing dozens of counters
• 3-stage defense (early/mid/late) for each pass means you have a recovery option even when a pass is 90% complete
• Submissions (kimura, omoplata, armbar) are integrated directly into retention, so your defense becomes offense
• Danaher black belt pedigree with a teaching style that’s more concise and drill-oriented than Danaher himself

What the Community Says

Developing a super-dangerous guard game has never been easier.

Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (9.5/10 rating for full bundle)

Focusing on the heel and knee clamp versus being fixated on the overhook is a game changer.

BJJ Nation review

Weakness

The Clamp concept is highly specific to half guard and half butterfly positions. If you primarily play open guard (DLR, RDLR, spider), Lachlan Giles’s Anthology (#1) has broader coverage. Also, the full system across 3 instructionals (15+ hours) is a massive investment. Firas Zahabi covers core retention in 1.5 hours if you want a quick fix.

My Recommendation

Best for: No-gi grapplers who get passed by knee cuts and body locks and want a retention system that immediately creates submission threats.

Avoid if: You’re a gi player who needs collar/sleeve-based retention. Danaher (#2) or Lucas Valente (#6) are better picks for gi-specific defense.

Pairs with: Lachlan Giles & Tabak’s Anthology (#1) for broader open guard retention that complements Glick’s half guard focus.

A paradigm shift in guard defense. On your back, knees bent toward shoulders, feet together pointing at the opponent’s chest, arms outside legs with elbows tight. It looks bizarre and it works against everyone, gi or no-gi, white belt to black belt. BJJ World called it the guard DVD the BJJ world has sorely missed.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3-4 hours across 4 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2018
• 🥋 Gi and No-Gi
• 🎯 All levels (especially older/less athletic grapplers)
• 🕸 Defensive Guard Retention

What It Covers

Volume 1 introduces the Grilled Chicken position, maintaining it under forward pressure, and staying inside the guard. Volume 2 covers dynamic defense: lifting the opponent, side-to-side movement, pressure passing defense, leg drag pass prevention, inverted concepts, and grapevine guard recovery. Volume 3 teaches the concept of symmetry: aiming, spinning without bearing the opponent’s weight, killing symmetry to stop passes, and double-under guard pass defense. Volume 4 covers specific applications: knee cut defenses, leg lock escapes, and the “reaching” concept for open guard safety.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Five core principles (360 Reach, reverse arm/leg roles, specific defense, non-specific defense, asymmetry) cover every defensive situation from a single position
• Works identically in gi and no-gi because it doesn’t rely on grips
• Explicitly designed for older, less flexible, less athletic practitioners who can’t invert or scramble their way out of passes
• BJJ World compared Mihkelson’s impact to Danaher’s: “like having exclusive access to Danaher’s leg locking concepts back in the day”

What the Community Says

The one guard DVD that the BJJ world has sorely missed.

BJJ World (5/5 rating)

Priit is the Estonian Danaher? Or is Danaher the American Priit? Very quickly changed my defense drastically for the better.

Lim, DefensiveBJJ.com

Grilled Chicken leveled up my guard retention like crazy. In the span of a week I feel like I made years of improvement.

DefensiveBJJ.com testimonial

Really? What the…why has no one else taught me these almost obvious truths?

Anthony N. Chandler, WordPress blog review

Weakness

Purely defensive. The Grilled Chicken has no inherent offensive submissions built in. Lachlan Giles’s Anthology (#1) integrates K guard transitions, triangle setups, and armbar attacks directly from retention positions. Graham Barlow noted the teaching method can be “confusing and difficult” with inconsistent rules during live drilling. You’ll eventually need a separate attacking system for competition.

My Recommendation

Best for: Masters division competitors, older grapplers (40+), or anyone who struggles with pass defense due to limited mobility or athleticism.

Avoid if: You want offense from your guard retention. Brian Glick’s Under Pressure (#3) integrates kimura, omoplata, and leg lock attacks directly from retention, which Priit’s system does not.

Pairs with: Brian Glick’s Under Pressure (#3) to add counterattacking options on top of Priit’s unpassable base.

Everything you need to start retaining your guard, in 1 hour and 23 minutes. Zahabi distills the core retention concepts into a zero-fluff package. BJJ World described it as content equivalent to a 6-hour seminar compressed into an hour.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 1 hour 23 minutes across 3 parts
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 Gi and No-Gi concepts
• 🎯 Beginners (white-blue belt)
• 🕸 Quick-Start Guard Retention

What It Covers

Part 1 covers core defensive techniques: the stiff arm, granby roll, and inversions. Part 2 introduces guard retention concepts and a framework for constructing a bulletproof retention system. Part 3 provides pass-specific counters for the knee slide, toreando pass, and double under pass, with specific drills for each.

What Makes It Stand Out

• The best time-to-value ratio of any retention instructional: immediate, actionable techniques in under 90 minutes
• Stiff arm, granby roll, and ankle-to-ankle recovery are techniques you can drill and apply the same day
• Conceptual framework in Part 2 teaches you how to think about retention, not just what to do
• Perfect entry point before committing to a longer system like Giles or Danaher

What the Community Says

Content equivalent to what you would learn in a 6-hour seminar distilled in an hour, with zero fluff.

BJJ World (recommended in best-of roundup)

Weakness

Extremely short at 1.5 hours. You get surface-level coverage of each pass defense compared to Danaher’s dedicated volumes for each passing style or Lachlan Giles’s 13+ hours. No narrated rolling footage, no counterattacking system, and no advanced scenarios. Zahabi is primarily an MMA coach, not a competition BJJ specialist, so practitioners wanting competition-tested retention may prefer ADCC-tested instructors like Lachlan Giles.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners who need immediate guard retention improvements. Also useful as a warm-up resource before committing to Lachlan Giles’s 13+ hour system.

Avoid if: You’re purple belt or above. The content will feel too basic. Lachlan Giles (#1) or Brian Glick (#3) offer the depth you need at that level.

Pairs with: John Danaher’s Guard Retention GFF (#2) for the conceptual depth that Zahabi intentionally skips to stay concise.

Lucas Valente’s guard has not been passed in competition for 7+ years. That’s not a marketing claim. It’s a verified competitive record at the highest levels of IBJJF competition. His retention system is built on the “X theory” concept, 3 stations of grips, and 13 basic movements for defensive structure.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3-4 hours across 4 parts
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 Primarily Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate (competition-focused)
• 🕸 Competition Gi Guard Retention

What It Covers

Part 1 covers body positioning fundamentals, the 3 stations of grips, the “X theory” concept for guard retention, and 13 basic movements for proper defensive structure. Part 2 provides detailed counters to knee cut passes and toreando passes. Part 3 tackles folding pass defense and double under pass defense. Part 4 integrates all concepts against combination passing with competition-specific applications.

What Makes It Stand Out

• 7+ year no-pass streak in competition validates every technique with the highest possible proof level
• The “X theory” concept and 3 stations of grips provide a unique framework you won’t find in any other instructional
• 13 basic movements create a systematic drilling program for retention
• Competition-specific applications in Part 4 bridge the gap between drill and live performance

What the Community Says

Lucas Valente is one of the top lightweights in the world at black belt right now, boasting one of the craziest guard retention streaks on the planet.

BJJ Fanatics product page

To be honest, that was never something that I focused on. It’s not like I go, “oh I don’t want to…” I don’t have a goal like I don’t want to have my guard passed for that amount of time.

Lucas Valente, Grappling Insider interview

Weakness

Primarily gi-focused. No-gi practitioners should look at Giles & Tabak (#1) or Brian Glick (#3). Some sections feel basics-heavy for advanced belts. Valente is a lightweight whose retention may rely on hip mobility and speed that doesn’t translate as well for heavier grapplers. Priit Mihkelson’s Grilled Chicken (#4) is explicitly designed for older and less athletic practitioners.

My Recommendation

Best for: Gi competitors at blue and purple belt who want a competition-proven retention system with a unique conceptual framework.

Avoid if: You train primarily no-gi, or you’re a heavyweight. Giles & Tabak (#1) covers both formats and doesn’t assume lightweight athleticism.

Pairs with: Thomas Lisboa’s Beyond The Basics (#7) for additional pass-specific drilling from the same Alliance lineage.

Lisboa groups guard retention counters by pass type, making it exceptionally easy to drill. Stack pass, over-under, folder pass, knee cut (8 variations), leg weave, toreando, leg drag, long step. If you know which pass keeps beating you, Lisboa has the specific counter.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3-4 hours across 4 parts
• 📅 Released: 2020
• 🥋 Primarily Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Pass-Specific Guard Retention Drilling

What It Covers

Part 1 covers stack pass defense: hook sweep counter, modified technical stand up, triangle choke counter, Dimi defense, pushing the elbow, and back roll defense. Part 2 tackles over-under and folder pass defense: belt sweep, crucifix attack, inverted roll sweep, and kimura counter. Part 3 addresses knee cut and other passes: 8 different knee cut pass defense concepts, leg weave pass defense, and toreando defenses. Part 4 covers leg drag defense, long step pass defense, and half guard head control retention.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Organization by pass type makes it the easiest instructional to drill. You can pick the pass that beats you and go straight to those counters.
• 8 knee cut defense variations is the most comprehensive knee cut defense coverage in any single instructional
• Alliance lineage (trained under Fabio Gurgel, taught at Marcelo Garcia Academy NYC) gives the techniques a competition-proven foundation
• Includes offensive counters (crucifix, kimura, triangle) from defensive positions, not just survival

What the Community Says

When Thomas Lisboa says he goes beyond the basics, that means you get to learn those black belt secret moves that make or break the position. Think of it as fundamentals on steroids.

BJJ World (Closed Guard Beyond Basics review)

Weakness

Less conceptual than the top picks. Lisboa teaches technique-by-technique counters rather than a unified theoretical framework like Danaher (#2) or a single transferable principle like Glick’s Clamp (#3). The organization-by-pass-type means you learn isolated responses rather than a connected system. Less community discussion than Lachlan Giles, Danaher, or Priit.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate gi players who know exactly which passes beat them and want targeted drilling material for each one.

Avoid if: You need a conceptual framework that transfers to new situations. Danaher (#2) or Lachlan Giles (#1) teach principles that work against passes you haven’t encountered yet.

Pairs with: Lucas Valente’s Encyclopedia (#6) for complementary competition gi retention from the same Alliance ecosystem.