A ranked, evidence-based guide to the best Henry Akins instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, who each course is for, and how they compare.
Weight Distribution Masterclass
Learn to make every position crushing with Henry Akins' pressure-first system.
Understanding Connection In Jiu Jitsu
Build real pressure and easy defense by learning how connection controls movement.
Guard Passing Mastery
Use weight and angle shifts to pass modern guards without speed or strength.
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🥋 #1 Weight Distribution Masterclass by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 36 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Pressure comes from connection
Techniques: Weight Distribution, Pressure, Angles, Frame Collapsing, Side Control
- Understanding Connection In Jiu Jitsu – Expands pressure with the broader concept of connection.
- Guard Passing Mastery – Applies weight distribution directly to modern guards.
- Cross Side Domination – Builds specific side control control and attacks.
You learn to connect your body weight to opponents so your top game feels heavy without strength. The lessons show how small angle changes kill frames and make passes stick. You will not get a giant move list; you will learn one method to apply everywhere.
✅ Pros
- Principles transfer to every top position quickly.
- Clear logic reduces guesswork while passing and pinning.
- Pairs well with any existing system or gi grips.
⚠️ Cons
- Speaking pace can feel slow for some learners.
- Not a move encyclopedia; concept-heavy focus.
- Pricey unless you time a Daily Deal.
💡 I improved pin control most by shifting angles to load my mass onto their frames, not by squeezing harder. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Understanding Connection In Jiu Jitsu by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 33 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Remove slack to control
Techniques: Connection, Angles, Scissor Sweep, Shin Lever Sweep
- Weight Distribution Masterclass – Pairs perfectly; pressure needs connection.
- Guard Passing Mastery – Applies connection ideas to real guard problems.
You learn to remove slack, align hips and shoulders, and connect your center to theirs. The material shows how this improves chokes, escapes, and sweeps. You will not get flashy entries; you will get universal timing and body mechanics.
✅ Pros
- Links offense and defense under one idea.
- B-roll clips show live-context usage clearly.
- Scales to any ruleset or size difference.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a position-specific curriculum.
- Abstract sections may require rewatching.
- Price is premium outside sales.
💡 I stopped forcing moves when I felt how small angle changes create connection that opponents cannot shake. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Guard Passing Mastery by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 11 hours and 17 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Angles beat frames
Techniques: Guard Passing, Knee Shield Solutions, Butterfly Passing, Pressure
- No-Gi Guard Passing: One Concept – Same passing core focused on no-gi.
- Cross Side Domination – Turn passes into stable pins and finishes.
You learn to collapse frames, soak space, then stabilize. The examples show how to beat knee shield, lasso, DLR, and butterfly using the same rules. You will not memorize dozens of passes; you will get a blueprint that repeats.
✅ Pros
- Consistent ruleset across many guards.
- Less grip dependence reduces fatigue.
- Live-minded Q&A clarifies tricky spots.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a gi-grip encyclopedia.
- Runtime feels long in places.
- Production focuses on content over polish.
💡 I stopped chasing moves once I could feel which angle collapse removed their last post. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 The Black Hole: No-Gi Closed Guard by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 2 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Kill posts, then attack
Techniques: No-Gi Closed Guard, Posture Breaking, Hip Bump, Kimura, Triangle
- Inside The Closed Guard – Focuses on posture and opening strategies.
- Closed Guard Attacks – Pairs posture control with finishing options.
You learn to remove posts, stop their stand-ups, and off-balance from seated or standing opponents. The course chains hip bump, kimura, guillotine, triangle and armlock entries. You will not rely on sleeve grips; everything works slick in no-gi.
✅ Pros
- Purpose-built for no-gi without lapel dependence.
- Problem-solution layout mirrors sparring reality.
- Good posture control and stand-up counters.
⚠️ Cons
- Runtime is large for new white belts.
- Submission depth is broad, not ultra-deep.
- Pricey unless discounted.
💡 I stopped pulling with my arms and started collapsing posts with my hips and legs first. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #5 Cross Side Domination by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Pin first, finish second
Techniques: Side Control, Paper Cutter Choke, Americana, Armbar, Wrist Lock
- The Scarf Hold: The Soul Stealer – Integrates pressure from kesa gatame variants.
- Weight Distribution Masterclass – Core pressure theory behind this system.
You learn super chill control and how to load your mass into frames without muscling. The attack tree covers armlocks, paper cutter, kimuras, and wrist locks. You will not find lapel trickery; you will get pressure that makes submissions easy.
✅ Pros
- Strong transition from pass to finish.
- Energy-efficient holding strategies.
- Covers common late-escape counters.
⚠️ Cons
- Less lapel-specific detail for gi specialists.
- Forward-weight bias may not fit every body type.
- Not focused on bottom escapes.
💡 I started finishing more by focusing on immobility before submissions. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 No-Gi Guard Passing: The One Concept You Need by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 13 minutes
Volumes: 7
Biggest takeaway: One concept passes
Techniques: No-Gi Guard Passing, Posture, Knee Shield Counters, Butterfly Solutions
- Guard Passing Mastery – Same logic for gi and mixed rooms.
You learn no-gi openings from knees and standing with posture rules that protect you. The passing sections show butterfly, seated, and DLR counters via angle shifts. You will not chase grips; you will pass with posture and pressure.
✅ Pros
- Posture-first openings reduce scrambles.
- Targets the most common no-gi guards.
- Pairs smoothly with side control systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Less useful for gi-only players.
- Not a sport-meta specific lapel system.
- Some sections could be tighter.
💡 I stopped grip-fighting and started angle-fighting to get past hooks. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Dismantling and Passing the Half Guard (Top) by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 6 minutes
Volumes: 5
Biggest takeaway: Home base beats frames
Techniques: Half Guard Top, Knee Shield Counters, Quarter Guard Clear, Knee Cut
- Half Guard Retention and Sweeps (Bottom) – Pair with a complete half-guard game.
You learn structured answers to common knee shield and Z-guard frames. The routes prioritize stable pins with quarter-guard clearing. You will not get a leglock meta; you will get pressure routes to dominant pins.
✅ Pros
- Logical routes from each knee-shield flavor.
- Gives answers to common half counters.
- Transitions reinforce pin-first mindset.
⚠️ Cons
- Not aimed at leg entanglement systems.
- Moderate pacing; less snappy editing.
- Gi-specific grip nuance is limited.
💡 I stopped fighting the shield and started changing angles to melt it. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Half Guard Retention and Sweeps (Bottom) by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 27 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Change base to breathe
Techniques: Half Guard Retention, Bridge Series, Hook Sweep, Underhook Back Take
- Guard Passing Mastery – Study top and bottom together.
You learn to change base, bridge, and hook so pressure no longer pins you flat. The sweeps are direct and connect to back takes. You will not find lapel feeds; you will learn reliable no-frills direction changes.
✅ Pros
- Addresses the most common bottom half problems.
- Sequences are short and repeatable.
- Back takes come naturally from sweeps.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a comprehensive knee shield offense.
- Limited lapel-focused content.
- Fewer volumes than other sets.
💡 I stopped muscling half guard when I learned to change base before bridging. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #9 The Turtle System by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 4 hours and 4 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Turtle can attack
Techniques: Turtle Entries, Clock Choke, Crucifix, Back Takes
- Cross Side Domination – Convert turtle scrambles into stable pins.
You learn to connect head and shoulder, deal with sprawls, and re-enter to offense. The attacks include clock chokes, crucifix, and clean back takes. You will not stall; you will move with structure that keeps you safe.
✅ Pros
- Gives purpose and structure to turtle.
- Connects to dominant back and crucifix.
- Entries work for both gi and no-gi.
⚠️ Cons
- Philosophically polarizing position.
- Not a full back control curriculum.
- Some will prefer alternative turtle frameworks.
💡 I stopped treating turtle as a timeout and started using it to enter the back. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #10 The Scarf Hold: The Soul Stealer by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 33 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Pressure taps exist
Techniques: Scarf Hold, Pressure Pinning, Wrist Lock, Americana, Armbar
- Cross Side Domination – Pairs well to finish after passes.
You learn safe entries, heavy control, and how to convert pressure into armlocks and chokes. The course addresses common escapes and how to shut them down. You will not get flashy transitions; you will get pressure mechanics that hold anyone.
✅ Pros
- Turns a stigmatized pin into a weapon.
- Entries from positions you already reach.
- Submission coverage is practical and direct.
⚠️ Cons
- Back exposure fears linger for some.
- Less relevance for pure guard players.
- Not tournament-rule optimized content.
💡 I realized kesa becomes safe once you control hips and head lines, not just the arm. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #11 The Back System by Henry Akins
Instructor: Henry Akins
Style: Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 1 minute
Biggest takeaway: Basics still finish
Techniques: Back Control, Seatbelt, Choke Finishes, Hook Management
- Cross Side Domination – If you prefer pin-to-finish routes.
You learn seatbelt, hook management, and clean choke mechanics. The focus is reliable control, not fancy traps. You will not get huge system depth; you will get a fundamentals refresh.
✅ Pros
- Clear teaching pace for newer belts.
- Connection tips make control stickier.
- Easy to implement alongside other material.
⚠️ Cons
- Less depth than leading back systems.
- Not competition-meta specific.
- Pricey for fundamentals-only buyers.
💡 I finished more chokes by prioritizing chest connection over squeezing early. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked Henry Akins instructionals
We prioritized community reception from r/bjj discussions, then judged clarity of Henry’s systems (connection and weight distribution), applicability to common rooms (gi and no-gi), instructor authority, and production/pedagogy. When items tied, we favored recency and distinctiveness. We cited primary product pages, BJJ Heroes for instructor context, and relevant YouTube demos or podcast clips.
Should beginners start with Henry Akins?
Yes, if you value fundamentals. Start with Weight Distribution Masterclass or Understanding Connection. They reduce guesswork and make your existing techniques work better, regardless of style. If you need direct techniques first, pick Guard Passing Mastery and layer pressure concepts as you drill.
Daily deals vs full price
BJJ Fanatics runs frequent sales and daily deals. Given the $279 standard price, waiting for a Daily Deal is smart for most buyers. Exceptions: if a course solves your immediate problem (e.g., no-gi closed guard), buying now can accelerate progress. Otherwise, wishlist and watch for discounts.
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