A ranked, evidence-backed guide to the best BJJ Fanatics instructionals for shutting down leg lockers, with community sentiment, use-cases, and smart alternatives.
Get Off My Legs Gringo
A clear, concept-first survival system that teaches you to pummel, hide the heel, and free the knee line under real pressure.
Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape
Structured, all-phase leg lock defense from an ADCC champion with clear lines of defense and repeatable escapes.
The Pillars Of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes and Counter Locks
An exhaustive, position-by-position library for escaping and countering the modern leg lock meta.
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🥋 #1 Get Off My Legs Gringo by Craig Jones
Instructor: Craig Jones
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 19 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Win the inside leg pummel early.
Techniques: Heel Hook Defense, Knee Line Clearance, 50/50 Escapes, Cross Ashi Escapes, Inside Position Pummeling, Heel Slip, Backstep Escapes
- Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape (Giancarlo Bodoni) – Broader coverage of leg lock defenses with clear structure.
- The Pillars Of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes and Counter Locks (Gordon Ryan) – Most comprehensive catalog of defenses across positions.
- Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 (Lachlan Giles) – Elite 50/50 insights help you recognize and exit danger.
You learn how to survive and dismantle common leg entanglements with inside-position pummeling and knee-line escapes. The course is strongest on heel hook defense and mid-stage counters. It is not a beginner primer on positions or a full catalog of ankle locks and kneebars.
✅ Pros
- Concepts translate across all modern leg entanglements.
- Drills and cues make heel slips and re-pummeling repeatable.
- Clear focus on survival first, then resets or counters.
⚠️ Cons
- Sparse coverage on ankle locks and kneebars.
- Assumes you know basic leg entanglement landmarks.
- Price can be steep if you only need fundamentals.
💡 I improved fastest by treating inside pummeling like seatbelt hand-fighting for the legs: a constant battle you must win before anything else. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape by Giancarlo Bodoni
Instructor: Giancarlo Bodoni
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 28 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Follow lines of defense by stage.
Techniques: Lines Of Defense, Heel Hide, 50/50 Escapes, Cross Ashi Escapes, Ankle Lock Defense, Toe Hold Defense, Knee Bar Defense
- Get Off My Legs Gringo (Craig Jones) - Cleaner conceptual lens if you mainly fight heel hooks.
- The Pillars Of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes and Counter Locks (Gordon Ryan) - Max depth for students who want everything.
- Pillars Of Defense: Leg Locks to Back Takes (Gordon Ryan) - Turn escapes into back exposure reliably.
You get a methodical roadmap for defending heel hooks, ankle locks, toe holds, and kneebars. Bodoni explains when to hide the heel, free the knee, or invert out. It is ideal if you want a complete catalog without wading through ten volumes of tangents.
✅ Pros
- Covers all major leg submissions across positions.
- Teaches decision points for early, middle, and late stages.
- Balanced mix of concepts and step-by-step techniques.
⚠️ Cons
- Less rolling footage than some prefer.
- Not as concept-driven as Craig Jones’ approach.
- Pricey if you only need a handful of answers.
💡 I saw better retention when I linked each escape to a named defensive stage and a clear knee-line target. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 The Pillars Of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes and Counter Locks by Gordon Ryan
Instructor: Gordon Ryan
Style: System Based, Technique Collection, Footage Breakdown
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 6 hours and 17 minutes
Volumes: 10
Biggest takeaway: Map answers for every entanglement.
Techniques: Irimi Ashi Defense, Outside Ashi Defense, Cross Ashi Defense, 50/50 Escapes, Knee Bar Defense, Toe Hold Defense, Heel Slip
- Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape (Giancarlo Bodoni) - Simpler structure while staying comprehensive.
- Get Off My Legs Gringo (Craig Jones) - Concept-first defense if you hate move-dumps.
- Scientifically Shutting Down Modern Leg Attacks (Ruotolo Brothers) - Dynamic passing and counters as an alternative approach.
You get specific sequences for escaping and countering from every major entanglement. It shines for advanced students who want exhaustive coverage. The volume and price make it overkill if you only face a few threats.
✅ Pros
- Covers all common positions and submissions in depth.
- Includes counters so you do not just survive.
- Rolling clips contextualize choices under pressure.
⚠️ Cons
- High price and time commitment.
- Less conceptual framing for first-timers.
- Some mechanics may still require supplemental drills.
💡 I used it as a reference manual: target one entanglement per week and drill only those chapters. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Milk the System: Defending Leg Locks from Cross Ashi and 50/50 by Dan Manasoiu
Instructor: Dan Manasoiu
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 1 minute
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Simplify exits from two key hubs.
Techniques: Cross Ashi Escapes, 50/50 Escapes, Heel Slip, Leg Extraction, Re Pummeling, Knee Line Clearance, Counter Leg Locks
- Leg Lock Defense Kit (Vagner Rocha) - Budget-friendly, quick wins across common threats.
- Get Off My Legs Gringo (Craig Jones) - Broader, concept-first heel hook defense.
You concentrate on the positions hobbyists actually get stuck in: Cross Ashi and 50/50. The structure is simple, with clear extraction mechanics and re-pummeling options. It is not a full-spectrum catalog and assumes you already know position names and threats.
✅ Pros
- Laser-focused on two problem positions.
- Step-by-step extractions reduce panic during heel exposure.
- Easy to pair with broader defense courses.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited scope beyond Cross Ashi and 50/50.
- Less conceptual context than Jones or Bodoni.
- No gi-specific variants for lapel entanglements.
💡 I fixed most of my late-stage panic by drilling his Cross Ashi leg extraction to a metronome. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Leg Lock Defense Kit by Vagner Rocha
Instructor: Vagner Rocha
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 57 hours and 29 minutes
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: Use spring position to stay safe.
Techniques: 50/50 Escapes, Honeyhole Escapes, Spring Position, Single X Defense, Toe Hold Defense, Knee Bar Defense, Counter Passing
- Milk the System: Defending Leg Locks (Dan Manasoiu) - More depth on Cross Ashi and 50/50.
- Leg Lock Defense & Counter Attacks (Chase Davis) - Low-cost alternative with modern counters.
You cover the most common leg threats with practical exits and counter-passing. The spring position acts as a safety anchor when things get messy. It is a quick-start option, not a deep encyclopedia.
✅ Pros
- Excellent price-to-value for quick safety gains.
- Covers many common threats in one sitting.
- Counter-passing links defense to offense.
⚠️ Cons
- One-volume scope limits depth.
- Less concept scaffolding than premium sets.
- Production and pacing feel basic compared to flagships.
💡 I saw hobbyists adopt the spring position as a universal 'safe mode' within one class. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 The Pillars of Defense: Leg Locks to Guard Passing by Gordon Ryan
Instructor: Gordon Ryan
Style: System Based, Footage Breakdown
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 1 minute
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Punish leg attacks with passes.
Techniques: Defense To Body Lock, Defense To Leg Drag, Irimi Ashi Defense, Outside Ashi Defense, Cross Ashi Defense, 50/50 Escapes, Passing After Escape
- Pillars: Leg Locks to Back Takes (Gordon Ryan) - Another path to punish failed leg attacks.
- Leg Lock Defense Kit (Vagner Rocha) - Cheaper defense-to-pass ideas with simpler scaffolding.
You learn to connect escapes to passes so leg lockers pay for attempts. The body lock theme fits current no-gi meta. It is advanced and best once basic defensive cycles are automatic.
✅ Pros
- Gives you finishes to the exchange, not just resets.
- Aligns with modern pressure-passing trends.
- Rolling clips demonstrate timing and grips.
⚠️ Cons
- High price compared to competitors.
- Steep learning curve if your defense is undeveloped.
- Less useful for pure beginners.
💡 I kept passes post-escape by cueing to body lock immediately after knee-line freedom. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Leg Lock Defense & Counter Attacks by Chase Davis
Instructor: Chase Davis
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 47 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Counter right after escaping.
Techniques: Outside Ashi Defense, Honeyhole Escapes, 50/50 Escapes, Leg Drag Off Escape, Clamp Transitions, Counter Triangles
- Leg Lock Defense Kit (Vagner Rocha) - Similar price with a broader threat list.
- Get Off My Legs Gringo (Craig Jones) - Step up to a stronger conceptual backbone.
You get quick, usable answers for outside ashi, honeyhole, and 50/50. The counter-attacks connect to passing or fast submissions. It is not a meta-defining set, but the price and practicality are compelling.
✅ Pros
- Tight, no-fluff lessons you can apply fast.
- Includes transitions to passes or finishes.
- Great price for building a safety baseline.
⚠️ Cons
- Less comprehensive than premium catalogs.
- Production feels simpler than top sellers.
- Limited concept scaffolding for true beginners.
💡 I had success assigning one counter per escape, so students always finish the exchange. Recommendation: Skip.
How to Choose the Right Anti-Leg-Lock Course
If heel hooks are your main problem, start with a concept-first set like Craig Jones so you can survive unfamiliar positions. If you want complete coverage across ankle locks, toe holds, kneebars, and multiple ashi positions, pick a structured catalog like Bodoni or Gordon. If you only get stuck in Cross Ashi and 50/50, a focused kit like Big Dan’s can solve real problems fast. Tight budgets can start with Vagner or Chase, then upgrade later.
Do You Need Offense to Build Great Defense?
Yes, at least a working knowledge. Understanding how heel exposure and knee-line control work makes your escapes faster. Pair a defense course with a short offensive primer or study opponent goals inside each entanglement. You will spot traps earlier, pummel better, and avoid giving up secondary legs. This also helps you counter-attack immediately after freeing the knee line.
Training Plan: Two Weeks to Safer Legs
Week 1: Drill inside-leg pummeling, heel hiding, and knee-line backsteps in 5-minute rounds; finish with 4x situational escapes from Cross Ashi. Week 2: Add 50/50 exits and a body lock pass follow-up. Keep a tally of clean knee-line clears and passes after escapes. If your clear rate is below 70%, repeat Week 2 before adding counters.
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