We ranked Joel Bouhey's most useful BJJ Fanatics instructionals using r/bjj reception, teaching clarity, and value so you can pick the right course for your game.
The Falcon Guard by Joel Bouhey
Turn closed guard into a tight, posture-breaking submission system.
Finding The Darce Choke Everywhere
A tight, stepwise plan to finish darce from common scrambles.
Just Chokes
Build a choke-first game with proven gi and no-gi finishes.
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🥋 #1 The Falcon Guard by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 40 hours and 7 minutes
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: Clamp first, then finish.
Techniques: Closed Guard, Overhook, Triangle, Armbar, Wrist Lock, Sweep
- Ultimate Flowchart – Drill sequences that include falcon entries and finishes.
- Finding The Darce Choke Everywhere – Pairs well because falcon guard feeds the darce.
- Just Chokes – Broader choke library from falcon and beyond.
You will learn how to build the falcon clamp, break posture, and cycle through triangles, armbars, and sweeps. You will see reliable answers when opponents try to peel the overhook, stand, or smash. You will not get a random move dump; it is a repeatable closed-guard plan that works in gi and no-gi.
✅ Pros
- Clear, simple clamp structure that scales across belts.
- Ties directly into triangles, armbars, and sweeps with predictable reactions.
- Concepts work in gi and no-gi without grip dependence.
⚠️ Cons
- Focuses on closed guard, which some players avoid.
- Requires consistent overhook drilling to master entries.
- Less content on open guard or standing entries.
💡 I ranked it first because it turns a static guard into a reliable submission engine with easy reactions to read. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Finding The Darce Choke Everywhere by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 4 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Darce appears everywhere.
Techniques: Darce, Front Headlock, Short Darce, Turtle Attacks, Peruvian Neck Tie
- Just Chokes – Broader choke arsenal if you want more than darce.
- Reverse Triangle The World – Another front-headlock complement when darce stalls.
You will learn entries from turtle, side control, and guillotine transitions plus short-darce mechanics. You will get falcon guard tie-ins and drilling that improves recognition. You will not get a generic choke sampler; the focus is darce application across positions.
✅ Pros
- Clear pathways from the most common scrambles.
- Finishing mechanics address typical white and blue belt stalls.
- Useful in gi and no-gi with identical frames.
⚠️ Cons
- Narrow focus may feel niche to some players.
- Requires comfort in front headlock exchanges.
- Less attention to back-take chains compared to chokes.
💡 I rated it highly because it systematizes a choke that shows up in every room yet is often finished poorly. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Just Chokes by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 52 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Prioritize the neck early.
Techniques: Guillotine, Darce, North South Choke, Bow And Arrow, Loop Choke, Paper Cutter, Ezekiel
- The Guillotine Machine – Deeper guillotine specialization after this overview.
- Finding The Darce Choke Everywhere – Focus on darce mechanics if that is your A-game.
You will learn clear setups for guillotine, darce, north-south, lapel chokes, and more. You will understand when to switch grips and which finishes fit the position. You will not get obscure low-percentage strangles; it focuses on high-reward options.
✅ Pros
- Broad coverage reduces gaps across gi and no-gi.
- Logical links between chokes improve finishing rate.
- Useful reference you can dip into by topic.
⚠️ Cons
- Less depth on any single choke than specialist sets.
- Volume can feel dense without a drilling plan.
- Advanced lapel details may overwhelm newer players.
💡 I like how it builds a simple decision tree around the most common strangles instead of scattering random tricks. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #4 The Guillotine Machine by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: Grip choice dictates finish.
Techniques: Guillotine, Arm In Guillotine, Ten Finger, Front Headlock, Snap Down
- Just Chokes – If you want broader choke options beyond guillotine.
- Finding The Darce Choke Everywhere – Front headlock complement when the neck slips.
You will learn arm-in and ten-finger options plus when to switch. You will add standing setups that funnel directly into finishes or back-takes. You will not get rare variants that rely on flexibility or long limbs.
✅ Pros
- Standing and ground entries make it practical fast.
- Drills focus on bite direction and pressure, not fluff.
- Pairs well with wrestling and guard pull styles.
⚠️ Cons
- Single-topic set; broader choke hunters may prefer a library.
- Arm-in details can take time for shorter arms.
- Less lapel integration than gi specialists expect.
💡 I appreciate how it reframes guillotines as a family with simple switches instead of scattered moves. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Ultimate Flowchart by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: Drill Heavy, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 57 hours and 19 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Link moves, save time.
Techniques: Toreando, Knee Slice, Armbar, Reverse Triangle, Kimura, Hip Escape, Stand Up In Base
- The Falcon Guard – Prefer a single-position plan instead of broad drills.
- White Belt Defense – If your main issue is survival, start here.
You will learn ready-made chains that touch passing, control, and submissions. You will practice with solo and partner flows to build rhythm and recall. You will not get deep theory on a single position; it is about linking skills.
✅ Pros
- Great for limited training windows.
- Sequences encourage anticipation of common reactions.
- Solo options keep progress going between classes.
⚠️ Cons
- Less depth on any one position.
- Requires repetition to avoid rote movement.
- Gi lapel specifics are minimal.
💡 I find flow templates speed up reaction building and reduce decision fatigue in sparring. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Reverse Triangle The World by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 40 hours and 34 minutes
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: It is there after passes.
Techniques: Reverse Triangle, Triangle Choke, Back Attacks, Knee On Belly, Scissor Sweep
- Finding The Darce Choke Everywhere – If you prefer strangles from front headlock.
- Just Chokes – Want more triangle and lapel options too?
You will learn where the reverse triangle hides and how to lock it fast. You will see entries off guard passes, back control, and scrambles. You will not get a broad triangle encyclopedia; this is reverse triangle focused.
✅ Pros
- Surprise factor raises finish rate early.
- Useful when guard is passed and options shrink.
- Clean links from armbars and back attacks.
⚠️ Cons
- Niche topic may not suit beginners.
- Leg length helps in some angles.
- Less detail on triangle defense counters.
💡 I value how it weaponizes positions many people view as dead ends for submissions. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 White Belt Defense by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 35 hours and 30 minutes
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: Escape decisions are simple.
Techniques: Mount Escape, Frame Hip Escape, Upa, Reguard, Posture Management
- White Belt Defense Vol. 2: Side Control – Continue with side-control survival.
- White Belt Defense: The Back – Finish the core defensive trio.
You will learn when to bridge, frame, and shrimp to safety. You will practice short drills that build timing to regain guard. You will not get advanced reversals or submissions; it is survival-first.
✅ Pros
- Cuts early frustration by focusing on one position.
- Short, repeatable drills fit busy schedules.
- Pairs well with fundamentals programs.
⚠️ Cons
- Very narrow scope by design.
- Not ideal for competitors seeking offense.
- Less value once escapes are automatic.
💡 I like how it gives new students one job: survive mount and get back to guard. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
How we ranked these Bouhey instructionals
We weighted r/bjj reception and usefulness in real rooms most (about 40 percent). We then scored how coherent the system is, who benefits most, teaching clarity, and production quality. Tie-breakers were recency and how distinct the approach is from other common resources. If a product lacked broad community discussion, we leaned more on clarity and applicability.
Is Bouhey better for gi or no-gi?
Most sets are format-agnostic. Falcon guard, darce, guillotine, and reverse triangles use frames and head control that map to both uniforms. Just Chokes mixes collar options and no-gi strangles, so you can train year round without relearning concepts.
Beginner path with Bouhey
Start with White Belt Defense to survive mount. Layer in Falcon Guard for a reliable closed-guard offense. If you prefer no-gi scrambles, add Finding The Darce Choke Everywhere. Use Ultimate Flowchart for drilling when you are short on mat time.
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