Ranked picks of the best Knight Jiu Jitsu (Eli Knight) instructionals on BJJ Fanatics with who-each-course-is-for, key strengths, and honest community sentiment.
Escapes and Attacks From Bottom Side Control by Eli Knight
Learn to escape bottom side control safely and turn defense into offense fast.
Jiu-Jitsu Based Self Defense Solutions by Eli Knight
Eight volumes teaching practical BJJ for common real-world encounters.
Compression Locks: Slices and Sandwiches by Eli Knight
Build a nasty, coherent slicer system from real positions.
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🥋 #1 Escapes and Attacks From Bottom Side Control by Eli Knight
Instructor: Eli Knight
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 1 minute
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Escape paths must threaten offense.
Techniques: Guard Replacement, Kesa Escape, Crossface Defense, Headlock Escape, Reverse Triangle, Darce
- Position, Transition and Submission – Covers the full fight arc with additional mount and back details.
- Deconstructing For Defense – Pairs well by hardening your escapes against choke attacks.
You will learn frames, hip escapes, and timing that consistently recover guard or reverse against heavy pressure. You will also learn safe ways to connect escapes to attacks. You will not get a gi-only or tournament-only approach; the details consider strikes and scramble risk.
✅ Pros
- Teaches reliable structures for frames and space that scale under pressure.
- Shows immediate attack connections so you do not stall after escaping.
- Balances sport mechanics with strike-aware safety choices.
⚠️ Cons
- Street-aware details may feel unnecessary for pure IBJJF goals.
- No formal drills section for those wanting homework sets.
- Publication year and runtime are not listed clearly.
💡 I found the emphasis on posture recovery before movement is what unlocked my escapes and reversals here. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Jiu-Jitsu Based Self Defense Solutions by Eli Knight
Instructor: Eli Knight
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 4 hours and 29 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Escape first, finish only if needed.
Techniques: Technical Stand Up, Bear Hug Defense, Rear Choke Defense, Clinch Takedown, Mount Escape, Guard Pass
- Gi To Street Self-Defense – Choke translations from gi to clothing you actually wear.
- Untangled: How To Disengage From Conflict – Focused curriculum on breaking contact and leaving safely.
You will learn how to clinch safely, avoid wall pins, and survive bottom positions with exits. You will also see when to finish and when to disengage. You will not get tournament-only tactics; every option assumes strikes and chaotic movement.
✅ Pros
- Huge scope in eight volumes at an accessible price.
- Principle-first teaching keeps decisions simple under stress.
- Useful templates for class planning and scenario drills.
⚠️ Cons
- No dedicated sport rule-set optimization here.
- Some content overlaps with other Knight courses.
- Runtime and year are not listed clearly.
💡 I like how every chapter ends with a realistic exit option, not just a finish. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Compression Locks: Slices and Sandwiches by Eli Knight
Instructor: Eli Knight
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 29 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Slicers thrive as traps, not hail-marys.
Techniques: Calf Slicer, Bicep Slicer, Baratoplata, Ham Sandwich, Veal Sandwich, Truck
- Deconstructing For Defense – If you want defense against common chokes instead.
- Escapes and Attacks From Bottom Side Control – Pairs slicer traps with strong survival and reversals.
You will learn bicep and calf slicers and sandwich variations from spider web, crucifix, truck, and 50/50. You will also learn transitions so threats chain into finishes. You will not get beginner-only content; legality varies by rule-set and belt.
✅ Pros
- Distinct submission family that surprises experienced partners.
- Explains entries from common control positions clearly.
- Connects attacks so misses often lead to new finishes.
⚠️ Cons
- Legality varies; not ideal for lower-belt IBJJF competitors.
- Mobility demands can be high in some sequences.
- Price is higher than other Knight sets.
💡 I realized slicers are best used to force reactions that expose higher-percentage finishes. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Deconstructing For Defense: How To Dismantle Chokes, Strangles and Headlocks by Eli Knight & Jared Jessup
Instructor: Eli Knight & Jared Jessup
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 52 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Early posture beats late heroics.
Techniques: Guillotine Defense, Darce Defense, Triangle Defense, Rnc Defense, Arm Triangle Defense
- Escapes and Attacks From Bottom Side Control – If side control is your main pain point.
- Untangled: How To Disengage From Conflict – If your priority is getting away, not countering.
You will learn posture rules, hand-fighting orders, and specific escapes to break guillotines, triangles, RNCs, and more. You will also learn early-versus-late options to limit panic. You will not get sport-only lapel counters; the tactics consider strikes and walls.
✅ Pros
- Highly coachable structure that is easy to recall under stress.
- Targets the chokes most people actually face.
- Good complement to any front-headlock study.
⚠️ Cons
- Less tournament-specific lapel work.
- Some content overlaps with other defense sets.
- No listed runtime or year details.
💡 I like the split between early and late defenses; it reduces decision fatigue fast. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Gi To Street Self-Defense by Eli Knight
Instructor: Eli Knight
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 3 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Clothing grips mirror gi mechanics.
Techniques: Rear Choke, Front Choke, Turtle Chokes, Guard Chokes
- Jiu-Jitsu Based Self Defense Solutions – Wider scenario coverage if you want more than chokes.
- Untangled: How To Disengage From Conflict – Focuses on clean disengagement and exits.
You will learn how classic gi chokes map to hoodies, jackets, and tees. You will also learn street-safe setups and follow-ups. You will not get advanced lapel guards or sport-only grips.
✅ Pros
- Immediate real-world translation for common choke mechanics.
- Clean chapter structure makes class planning easy.
- Great on-ramp to broader self-defense study.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited beyond chokes and basic positions.
- Less relevant for no-gi purists.
- Runtime and year details are not listed.
💡 I like how each gi choke is mirrored with a realistic clothing grip version. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Position, Transition and Submission by Eli Knight
Instructor: Eli Knight
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 4 hours and 24 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Positions drive submission success.
Techniques: Pyramid Guard, Gift Wrap, Kimura, Figure Four Armlock
- Escapes and Attacks From Bottom Side Control – Stronger focus on the most common stuck position.
- Gi To Street Self-Defense – If you mainly want clothing-grip translations.
You will learn positional priorities, transitions, and simple submissions with street context. You will also get pyramid guard and gift wrap chains. You will not get deep sport lapel or modern guard systems here.
✅ Pros
- Solid overview that connects the fight from start to finish.
- Friendly pacing for new students and class planning.
- Street-aware details without fear-mongering.
⚠️ Cons
- Too general for advanced specialists.
- Limited modern guard coverage.
- Year and runtime missing on page.
💡 I like how the gift wrap anchors offense without risking position. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Kimuras For The Street by Eli Knight & Jared Jessup
Instructor: Eli Knight & Jared Jessup
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Kimura is a control position.
Techniques: Kimura, Genie Kimura, Wrist Pin, North South, 100 Kilo
- Deconstructing For Defense – If your main struggle is choke defense.
- Position, Transition and Submission – If you want a broader positional roadmap.
You will learn kimura entries from guard, half guard, top pins, and clinch. You will also learn restraint and disengagement options. You will not get lapel-heavy sport variations; this is street-minded.
✅ Pros
- Shows kimura beyond just the finish mechanics.
- Covers entries from common live positions.
- Pairs well with headlock and front head counters.
⚠️ Cons
- Less novel if you own Knight’s other sets.
- Minimal sport-specific lapel detail.
- No listed runtime or year.
💡 I like how clinch-to-kimura entries give sturdy takedown or restraint choices. Recommendation: Skip.
🥋 #8 Untangled: How To Disengage From Conflict by Eli Knight & Jared Jessup
Instructor: Eli Knight & Jared Jessup
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 36 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Exit options beat ego fights.
Techniques: Technical Stand Up, Wall Pin Escape, Clinch Entries, Mount Escape
- Gi To Street Self-Defense – If you want clothing-grip adaptations for chokes.
- Jiu-Jitsu Based Self Defense Solutions – If you want a larger scenario library.
You will learn technical stand-up layers, wall-pin escapes, and simple top disengagements. You will also learn when to choose exit over pursuit. You will not get sport-specific systems; the goal is clean disengagement.
✅ Pros
- Clear mission: leave safely with minimal effort.
- Good adjunct for gyms adding self-defense days.
- Simple frameworks beginners can retain quickly.
⚠️ Cons
- Overlaps with other Knight self-defense content.
- Less value if you never train scenarios.
- No runtime/year details listed.
💡 I appreciate the consistent emphasis on leaving when possible. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
How we ranked these Knight Jiu Jitsu picks
We weighted community reception most heavily by scanning r/bjj threads about Eli Knight’s channel and self-defense orientation, plus topic-specific threads on slicers and kimura-as-control. Next we scored structure: is it a system you can remember or a loose move dump? Finally we checked applicability (beginner vs intermediate, gi/no-gi, strike awareness) and instructor track record (Royce Gracie lineage, seminar demand, collaborations). When evidence conflicted, we favored patterns across multiple sources and noted common objections like legality and pain-compliance concerns.
Are compression locks safe and legal?
Compression locks can damage soft tissue if applied recklessly. Many competitions restrict them to higher belts. If you train them, communicate with partners, apply slowly, and verify your event’s rules. The upside is that slicers create reactions that open higher-percentage finishes. If most of your rounds are IBJJF white/blue divisions, consider training these as traps and transitions more than primary submissions.
Should beginners buy a self-defense course first?
If your goal is personal safety, a structured self-defense course can shortcut decision-making under stress. You will learn clinch entries, wall-pin escapes, and safe exits. If your main goal is gi tournaments, start with positional escapes and guard work instead. You can add street-minded courses later for perspective and coaching ideas.
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