Our research-backed ranking of the best K guard instructionals on BJJ Fanatics. We analyze community sentiment, structure, usability, instructor pedigree, and value for money.
Shotgun K Guard
A modern, competition-proven K guard system that teaches you when and how to hit backside or frontside with high-percentage finishes.
Understanding The K-Guard
A structured K guard curriculum with real counters, clean links to matrix and 50/50, and practical troubleshooting.
No Gi Open Guard Volume 1: K Guard
A structured, concept-first K guard inside a complete open-guard roadmap from an elite teacher.
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🥋 #1 Shotgun K Guard by Mateusz Szczecinski
Instructor: Mateusz Szczecinski
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 57 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Backside vs frontside decisions
Techniques: Backside 50/50, Outside Heel Hook, Matrix
- Understanding The K-Guard – Similar depth with extra troubleshooting vs common passes.
- No Gi Open Guard Vol 1: K Guard – More beginner-friendly conceptual base for K guard.
- K Guard & Matrix System Part 1 – Best if you mainly want K guard to back takes.
You get a clear decision tree for K guard. You will learn entries, control, and finishes on both backside and frontside. You will not get much gi or beginner pacing.
✅ Pros
- Backside vs frontside split removes guesswork under pressure.
- Entries from many guards make the system accessible in scrambles.
- Finishing mechanics are detailed and competition-tested.
⚠️ Cons
- Assumes leg-lock familiarity and rules awareness.
- Minimal gi adaptation guidance included.
- Not ideal if you want fundamentals-only teaching.
💡 I ranked this first because the community feedback praises its clear decision rules and because it covers both lower- and upper-body options without feeling like a move dump. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Understanding The K-Guard by Jason Rau
Instructor: Jason Rau
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 44 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Troubleshooting beats passers
Techniques: Backside 50/50, Matrix, Underhook Dlr
- Shotgun K Guard – Deeper finishing mechanics and explicit frontside branch.
- K Guard & Matrix System Part 1 – If back takes are your main goal.
You learn a full K guard with answers to common passes. You will connect to matrix, crab ride, and leg entanglements. You will not get beginner-only pacing or gi grips.
✅ Pros
- Excellent pass-counter sections increase live success.
- Entries cover standing and kneeling opponents well.
- Optional flowchart add-on supports retention and drilling.
⚠️ Cons
- Higher price than comparable length titles.
- Assumes leg-lock safety and rules knowledge.
- Not tailored to gi-specific grips and sleeves.
💡 I put Rau second because r/bjj consistently calls it the most complete middle-ground system with practical counters that translate directly to rolls. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 No Gi Open Guard Volume 1: K Guard by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 58 minutes
Biggest takeaway: K guard with context
Techniques: Shallow K Guard, Backside 50/50, Entries Vs Standing
- Shotgun K Guard – More advanced finishing trees once basics click.
- Understanding The K-Guard – Sharper troubleshooting against modern passes.
You learn K guard with context inside an open-guard system. You will practice entries, back takes, and leg entanglements with clear frameworks. You will not get gi-specific grips.
✅ Pros
- Excellent fundamentals and concepts for new K guard users.
- Clear mapping from entries to finishes and back takes.
- Trusted pedagogy from an ADCC medalist.
⚠️ Cons
- Less cutting-edge than 2025 releases.
- Primarily no-gi; little gi adaptation advice.
- Some chapters are long for quick rewatching.
💡 I placed this third because it remains the most approachable launchpad for players learning K guard within a bigger open-guard map. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 K Guard & Matrix System: Attacking The Legs From The Knees Part 1 by Mikey Musumeci
Instructor: Mikey Musumeci
Style: Conceptual, System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 55 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Matrix from K guard
Techniques: Matrix, Baby Bolo, Back Takes
- No Gi Open Guard Vol 1: K Guard – Cheaper, more balanced K guard fundamentals.
- Now That's What I Call K-Guard – Compact option with both upper- and lower-body finishes.
You learn K guard as a path to matrix and back takes. You will drill posture, balance rules, and hook mechanics in detail. You will not get a balanced sweep-focused course.
✅ Pros
- World-class detail on balance and hook mechanics.
- Drilling structure helps retention and transfer.
- Back-take system integrates cleanly with modern guards.
⚠️ Cons
- Expensive relative to peers.
- Less time on sweeps or top transitions.
- Advanced pacing can frustrate newer learners.
💡 I recommend this for motivated learners who mainly want to turn K guard into reliable back exposure rather than a generic open-guard. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Now That's What I Call K-Guard by Adam Benayoun
Instructor: Adam Benayoun
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Balanced and affordable
Techniques: Matrix, Backside Heel Hook, Triangles
- Understanding The K-Guard – More troubleshooting depth vs passers.
- K Guard & Matrix System Part 1 – If you mainly want back takes.
You learn a compact K guard with balanced finishes. You will practice matrix, triangles, omoplata, and backside heel hooks. You will not get the depth of multi-volume mega sets.
✅ Pros
- Great value without fluff.
- Easy to complete in a few sessions.
- Covers both upper and lower body attacks.
⚠️ Cons
- Shallower than premium deep dives.
- Less specific guidance for IBJJF gi rules.
- Two volumes limit advanced branches.
💡 I slot this fifth as the best value pick for most newer K guard adopters who want results fast without information overload. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Special 'K' Guard by Neil Melanson
Instructor: Neil Melanson
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 55 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Upper-body finish variety
Techniques: K Control, Kimura Series, Mounted Triangle
- Shotgun K Guard – Modern frontside/backside split with leg-lock depth.
- Now That's What I Call K-Guard – Compact, balanced, and modern no-gi focus.
You learn K guard as K-control with heavy upper-body finishes. You will practice triangles, armbars, and kimuras from unique grips. You will not get deep modern 50/50 decision trees.
✅ Pros
- Distinct lineage and philosophy add perspective.
- Upper-body finishes diversify your threats.
- Affordable four-volume structure.
⚠️ Cons
- Less emphasis on current leg-lock meta.
- Some sequences feel old-school heavy.
- Not focused on IBJJF gi grips.
💡 I keep this mid-list because it adds unique finishing options and history that many modern-only sets skip. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Leg Lock Strategies: K-Guard and Cross Ashi by Jack Stapleton
Instructor: Jack Stapleton
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 7 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Budget cross-ashi linkage
Techniques: Cross Ashi, K Guard Entries, Knee Bar
- Understanding The K-Guard – If you want a true K guard system.
- Shotgun K Guard – For modern finishing depth from K.
You learn to connect K guard to cross ashi attacks and defenses. You will improve heel-exposure denial and finishing mechanics. You will not get a dedicated K guard-only curriculum.
✅ Pros
- Great price for a structured leg-lock start.
- Includes defense and finishing details.
- Shows practical K guard entry routes.
⚠️ Cons
- Not focused solely on K guard.
- Lighter conceptual depth than top picks.
- Less community chatter than bigger names.
💡 I include this as a budget gateway if you want K guard to feed into a workable leg-lock game quickly. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Reverse That Sh!t (Reverse K-Guard System) by Junny Ocasio
Instructor: Junny Ocasio
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 8 minutes
Volumes: 5
Biggest takeaway: Counter their K counters
Techniques: Reverse K Guard, 70 30, Backside 50/50
- Understanding The K-Guard – Fix core K guard before adding reverse options.
- Shotgun K Guard – Modern defaults that may remove the need for reverse branches.
You learn to define and enter reverse K guard. You will connect it to backside, 70/30, and saddle with counters to common denials. You will not get beginner K guard fundamentals.
✅ Pros
- Targets a real problem: denied underhook leg.
- Clear stance-based organization aids recognition.
- Affordable way to add reverse pathways.
⚠️ Cons
- Niche compared with core K guard sets.
- Assumes strong leg-lock literacy.
- Branding may turn some learners off.
💡 I include this as a specialized add-on for players whose K guard gets consistently shut down by skilled passers. Recommendation: Skip.
K Guard vs Shallow K vs Reverse K: When To Use Each
Use classic K guard when you can secure the underhook on the near leg and control knee line pressure; it offers the cleanest path to backside 50/50 and matrix back takes. Use shallow K guard when the passer stands tall and leaves inside position available; it creates faster entries to leg entanglements with less inversion. Use reverse K guard when opponents deny your underhook or backstep early; it reopens entries to backside, 70/30, or saddle by switching leg and hip angles and attacking from the inside.
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