We ranked the most effective BJJFanatics instructionals for shutting down wrestlers: takedown defense, front headlock systems, guillotines, wrestle-ups, and whizzer counters, with real community proof.
The Anti-Wrestling Equation
A complete anti-wrestling playbook that turns shots into chokes, back takes, and points.
Wrestling Takedown Defense For Grappling
A practical takedown defense blueprint that stops shots and opens passes.
The Front Headlock System
A choke-first front headlock system that converts sprawls into finishes.
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🥋 #1 The Anti-Wrestling Equation by Craig Jones
Instructor: Craig Jones
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 6 hours and 11 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Win the neck to win scrambles.
Techniques: Front Headlock, Guillotine, Darce, Snap Down, Sprawl, Go Behind, Back Take
- The Front Headlock System by John Danaher – A classic, methodical front headlock curriculum to punish shots.
- Nicky Ryan's Wrestle Up Series – Modern wrestle-ups for scoring from bottom on aggressive wrestlers.
- Only Way Out: Front Headlock and Turtle Escapes by Brian Glick – Balance your offense with smart escapes when your neck is threatened.
You learn to shut down level changes, win front headlock exchanges, and score when opponents grab legs. The system shows decisive counters for singles, doubles, and turtle scrambles. It is long and dense, but the structure makes it easy to plug pieces into live rounds.
✅ Pros
- Directly targets common wrestler entries with immediate counters.
- Front headlock details translate to gi, no-gi, and MMA.
- Dense, no filler volumes focused on system connections.
⚠️ Cons
- Length and depth can be overwhelming at first.
- No built-in drilling program for class planning.
- Not ideal if you want pure folkstyle takedown instruction.
💡 I ranked this first because it cleanly connects sprawl, head control, and back takes into a chain you can repeat under pressure. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Wrestling Takedown Defense For Grappling by Alex Enriquez
Instructor: Alex Enriquez
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Early frames beat deep shots.
Techniques: Sprawl, Down Block, Whizzer, Single Leg Defense, Double Leg Defense, Tie Clears, Ankle Pick Defense
- They Shoot, You Score: Single Leg Counter Wrestling - Budget-friendly focus on single leg counters.
- The Anti-Wrestling Equation by Craig Jones - Adds chokes and back takes once the shot stalls.
You drill stance, motion, and sprawls that translate on day one. Then you work tie clears and specific single, double, and ankle pick defenses. The emphasis is doing less, earlier, with counters you can repeat.
✅ Pros
- Short, drillable sequences for day-one improvement.
- Clear answers to the most common wrestling entries.
- Affordable price compared to premium mega-sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Less depth on chokes than front headlock-focused courses.
- Limited gi-specific tie usage shown.
- Fewer long-form community reviews than star instructors.
💡 I ranked it this high because simple sprawl timing plus tie clears covers 80% of the problem most wrestlers present in BJJ rooms. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 The Front Headlock System by John Danaher
Instructor: John Danaher
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 7 hours and 52 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Organize your headlock game.
Techniques: Front Headlock, Guillotine, Arm Triangle, Go Behind, Back Take, Snap Down
- Front Head Lock: Control, Submissions and Transitions by Kaynan Duarte - Competition-driven front headlock finishes with modern pacing.
- Mastering the Guillotine by John Combs - Aggressive guillotine options directly off sprawls and snap-downs.
You learn a logical progression from chin strap to guillotines, arm triangles, and back takes. The emphasis is why each grip and angle works. It is wordy, but the structure is gold for shutting down wrestlers.
✅ Pros
- Systemic approach makes counters repeatable under fatigue.
- Explains priorities and contingencies in plain language.
- Timeless concepts usable in gi and no-gi.
⚠️ Cons
- Long segments can test attention spans.
- Less drilling structure than modern short-form releases.
- Pricey if you only need a few counters.
💡 I kept this near the top because its logic tree helps you troubleshoot any shot defense, even when scripts break mid-scramble. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Nicky Ryan's Wrestle Up Series by Nicky Ryan
Instructor: Nicky Ryan
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 4 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Use guard to start wrestling.
Techniques: Wrestle Up, Double Leg, Single Leg, Ankle Pick, Arm Drag, Go Behind
- Wrestling Up From Guard by Dante Leon - Cheaper wrestle-up options with clear DLR paths.
- The Anti-Wrestling Equation by Craig Jones - Combine wrestle-ups with headlocks and chokes.
You learn to time steps and level changes from seated and supine guards. The entries chain into ankle picks, doubles, and front headlock go-behinds. It is a strong plan if you prefer to stand rather than sweep traditionally.
✅ Pros
- Clear timing concepts for step entries.
- Connects guard hand-fighting to takedown finishes.
- Pairs well with front headlock systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Less content for pure gi players.
- Premium pricing for three volumes.
- Requires conditioning to re-attack repeatedly.
💡 I rated it above other wrestle-up sets because the timing cues make shots from guard feel predictable, not risky. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Wrestling Up From Guard by Dante Leon
Instructor: Dante Leon
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Stand up to sweep.
Techniques: Wrestle Up, De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, Knee Pick, Ankle Pick, Underhook
- Nicky Ryan's Wrestle Up Series - More detail and variations for advanced players.
- The Anti-Wrestling Equation by Craig Jones - Add chokes after the wrestle-up entries.
This is a practical roadmap from common open guards to singles and doubles. You get finishes and timing that work when opponents insist on standing. Pair it with a headlock system for even better results.
✅ Pros
- Clear ties to common guards many already play.
- Affordable and concise.
- Emphasizes timing and safety on the rise.
⚠️ Cons
- Less coverage of neck attacks from the sprawl.
- No dedicated gi module.
- Assumes basic guard mechanics knowledge.
💡 I placed it in the top five because it is the easiest wrestle-up starting point for most blue belts and up. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Shin Whizzer by Neil Melanson
Instructor: Neil Melanson
Style: Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 58 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Make overhooks offensive.
Techniques: Shin Whizzer, Overhook, Darce, Kimura, Guillotine
- Creative Counter Wrestling Tricks by David McFadden - More folkstyle-style scramble counters to singles.
- Mastering the Guillotine by John Combs - Add classic finishes when shin whizzer exposes the neck.
You weaponize the overhook with leg positioning that breaks posture. The entries flow to guillotines, d’arces, and kimuras when wrestlers cling to legs. It is unconventional, but the control is real and punishing.
✅ Pros
- Targets the exact tie-ups wrestlers prefer.
- Gives painful pressure that slows scramblers.
- Pairs well with guillotine and d’arce systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Less step-by-step progression than some systems.
- Unorthodox mechanics may not fit everyone.
- No gi-specific collar options.
💡 I slotted it mid-list because it solves stubborn single-leg clamps that stall many anti-wrestling counters. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Mastering the Guillotine by John Combs
Instructor: John Combs
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Threaten necks to stop shots.
Techniques: High Elbow, High Wrist, Arm In, Front Headlock, Snap Down
- The Front Headlock System by John Danaher - More structured path through all headlock families.
- Front Head Lock: Control, Submissions and Transitions by Kaynan Duarte - Modern competition examples and drills.
You get gripping variations, positional entries, and built-in defenses. The focus is finishing mechanics that hold up when opponents scramble like wrestlers. It is a cost-effective headlock complement to any anti-shot plan.
✅ Pros
- Covers both finish and escape layers.
- Competition-tested and wrestler-aware entries.
- Great price-to-depth ratio.
⚠️ Cons
- Less emphasis on tie fighting and footwork.
- Not a full standing curriculum.
- Some content is no-gi weighted.
💡 I ranked it here because a confident guillotine changes how wrestlers shoot on you. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Front Head Lock: Control, Submissions and Transitions by Kaynan Duarte
Instructor: Kaynan Duarte
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 50 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Head heavy, elbows closed.
Techniques: Front Headlock, Anaconda, Darce, Arm In Guillotine, Spin To Back
- The Front Headlock System by John Danaher - Deeper conceptual scaffolding for headlocks.
- The Anti-Wrestling Equation by Craig Jones - More explicit anti-wrestling framing.
You get the control details to keep heads heavy and elbows closed. Then the series layers submissions and back takes for when shots fail. It favors practical sequences over long lectures.
✅ Pros
- Mixes defense and offense cleanly.
- Includes specific single-leg counters.
- Competition-tested pacing and drills.
⚠️ Cons
- Less conceptual depth than classic systems.
- No gi-collar alternatives.
- Assumes basic shot-stopping mechanics.
💡 I placed it here because it is a solid, modern headlock flow that complements wrestle-up play. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #9 Creative Counter Wrestling Tricks by David McFadden
Instructor: David McFadden
Style: Technique Collection, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 2 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Counter and score quickly.
Techniques: Whizzer Kick, Far Ankle, Jonesy Roll, Cradle, Backdoor Defense
- Shin Whizzer by Neil Melanson - BJJ-specific overhook counters with submissions.
- They Shoot, You Score: Single Leg Counter Wrestling by Max & Ben Askren - Budget drill set for single-leg counters.
You get practical counters for head-inside and head-outside singles, plus low singles. The focus is turning defense into offense with rolls, kicks, and far-ankle. Use it to complement your headlock and guillotine work.
✅ Pros
- Direct coverage of stubborn single-leg scenarios.
- Good value for adding scramble options.
- Pairs nicely with overhook-based BJJ.
⚠️ Cons
- Less BJJ-specific finishing detail.
- Some movements are athletic and timing-based.
- Not a full standing curriculum.
💡 I placed it last as an optional scramble toolkit after you own headlock and sprawl basics. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked instructionals to beat wrestlers
We weighted r/bjj sentiment most, since matside outcomes matter. We then checked system cohesion: can you connect sprawl, head control, and scoring? Applicability came next (no-gi first, gi-friendly helpful). Instructor track record and production style rounded things out. Tie-breakers: recency and distinctive approaches like shin whizzer or wrestle-ups.
Quick training plan to implement anti-wrestling
Week 1: stance, motion, down-block, sprawl to front headlock. Week 2: guillotine and d’arce finishes; go-behind drills. Week 3: single-leg counters (whizzer, limp leg, far-ankle). Week 4: wrestle-ups from seated and RDLR. Keep rounds short and situational: 60–90 second starts from shot entries.
Gi vs no-gi for beating wrestlers
No-gi is closer to wrestling, so sprawls, head snaps, and ankle picks translate directly. In the gi, add collar ties, sleeve drags, and lapel-assisted front headlocks. Your priorities stay the same: early head position, hips back, frames in, then attack the neck or wrestle up.
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