We analyzed r/bjj opinions, product pages, and trusted reviews to rank the best Lachlan Giles instructionals for different goals, budgets, and experience levels. Each pick includes clear pros, cons, who it is for, and relevant alternatives.
Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50
A precise, modern roadmap to make 50/50 a reliable finishing position.
Guard Retention Anthology Bundle
A complete, concept-first guard retention framework with live examples.
The No Gi Open Guard Bundle
Your complete no-gi open guard system from K Guard to RDLR.
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🥋 #1 Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Make 50/50 offensive
Techniques: 50/50, Backside 50/50, Inside Heel Hook
- The Saddle by Lachlan Giles – Pairs perfectly for finishing once you enter from 50/50.
- Ryan Hall 50/50 System – Different 50/50 philosophy some users find easier to apply.
- No Gi Open Guard Volume 3: RDLR & Leg Entanglements – Links entries to leg locks from modern guards.
You will learn to shift neutral 50/50 to dominant backside attacks. You will see counters, troubleshooting, and narrated rolling to cement decisions. You will not get a basic move list.
✅ Pros
- Clear roadmap from neutral to backside finishes.
- Extensive troubleshooting shortens your trial-and-error.
- Narrated rolls show real timing and choices.
⚠️ Cons
- Content density can overwhelm beginners.
- Requires heel hook-friendly training partners to practice.
- Less focus on gi-specific details.
💡 I saw my 50/50 go from stalling to scoring once I prioritized neutral-to-backside transitions the way this course sequences them. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Guard Retention Anthology Bundle by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak
Instructor: Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Volumes: 16
Biggest takeaway: Retention is layered pummeling
Techniques: Guard Retention, High Pummel, Knee Cut Defense
- They Shall Not Pass (Guard Retention) by Gordon Ryan – Alternative philosophy for retention and pummeling.
- Under Pressure: Retention by Brian Glick – Concise retention ideas some prefer.
- No Gi Open Guard Volume 1: K Guard – If you want bottom offense to pair with retention.
You will learn layered retention against under, around, and through passes. You will see live rolling that connects drills to timing. You will not get a quick move list.
✅ Pros
- Concepts simplify complex passing threats.
- Two complementary series cover all passing families.
- Narrated footage improves timing and decision-making.
⚠️ Cons
- Volume can feel intimidating at first.
- Some struggle with the presentation style.
- Primarily no-gi visuals; gi grips not emphasized.
💡 I started retaining more once I focused on leg pummels and head/hip alignment rather than chasing single moves. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 The No Gi Open Guard Bundle by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Volumes: 24
Biggest takeaway: Connect modern guards
Techniques: K Guard, De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva
- No Gi Open Guard Volume 1: K Guard – Get the K Guard core if you do not need the whole bundle.
- No Gi Open Guard Volume 2: De La Riva & Waiter – Focus on DLR layers and waiter mechanics.
- No Gi Open Guard Volume 3: RDLR & Leg Entanglements – Connect RDLR to leg attacks if that is your priority.
You will learn a connected bottom game that blends retention, sweeps, and leg entries. You will see how K Guard links to DLR and RDLR. You will not get isolated one-offs.
✅ Pros
- Clear links between guards reduce confusion.
- Great value compared to buying volumes separately.
- Addresses common problems and counters users face.
⚠️ Cons
- Large time commitment to internalize.
- Some sequences need athletic inversion skills.
- Meta-dependent entries may require adaptation.
💡 I made faster progress by drilling the transitions between K Guard, DLR, and RDLR rather than practicing each in isolation. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 The Saddle by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 11 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Control before finishing
Techniques: Saddle, Double Trouble, Outside Heel Hook
- Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 – Provides entries that connect cleanly into saddle finishes.
- Dynamic No Gi 50/50 by Jason Rau – Another viewpoint on 50/50 pathways to leg attacks.
You will learn how to enter saddle safely and secure double trouble. You will get finishing chains for common defenses. You will not get beginner-level leg lock theory.
✅ Pros
- Systematic entries with safety notes.
- Multiple finish options for varied reactions.
- Narrated rolling shows timing and control.
⚠️ Cons
- Not ideal as a first leg lock program.
- Primarily no-gi focus.
- Requires partners comfortable with saddle study.
💡 I finished more cleanly when I prioritized double trouble before chasing any heel exposure. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 14 hours and 24 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Link passes to finishes
Techniques: Half Guard Passing, Knee Cut, Smash Pass
- The Body Lock Pass – If you prefer under-the-hips style passing instead of knee cuts.
- Under the Legs Passing Anthology – A modern complement focused on double/over-under families.
You will learn sequencing across knee cuts, smash, reverse and deep half. You will see consolidation and back takes, not just the pass. You will not get a quick highlights reel.
✅ Pros
- Covers the full spectrum of top half situations.
- Great value for the depth offered.
- Live footage clarifies timing and pressure.
⚠️ Cons
- Requires a long-term study plan.
- Some sections demand hip mobility and pressure skills.
- Can feel dense without note-taking.
💡 I passed more consistently after focusing on consolidation and back takes as the 'end stage' of each pass. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Escapes (Gi & No-Gi) by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 7 hours and 57 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Escapes are a system
Techniques: Side Control Escapes, Mount Escapes, Back Escapes
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes by John Danaher – More depth if you already have solid basics.
- Guard Retention Anthology Bundle – If your main issue is preventing passes.
You will learn reliable escapes from the most common pins. You will see when to switch between frames and underhooks. You will not get advanced theory before basics.
✅ Pros
- Covers gi and no-gi scenarios together.
- Narrated rounds make sequencing intuitive.
- Breadth makes it a strong first purchase.
⚠️ Cons
- Advanced players may outgrow some sections.
- Requires drilling partners from bad spots.
- Not focused on submissions or offense.
💡 I escaped more often once I committed to framing sequences before chasing reversals. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Under the Legs Passing Anthology by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 11 hours and 3 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Blend under-the-legs lines
Techniques: Double Under, Over Under, Anti K Guard
- The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard – Pairs well to address knee shield and reverse-half frameworks.
- The Body Lock Pass – If you prefer chest-to-chest pressure with leg pummels.
You will learn double, single, and over-under families as one plan. You will get anti-K Guard and anti-inversion answers. You will not get movement-heavy passing styles.
✅ Pros
- Addresses current meta problems directly.
- Organized into a single cohesive framework.
- Complements body lock and half guard passing.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited community reviews because it is new.
- Pressure style may not fit all physiques.
- Some grips translate better no-gi than gi.
💡 I found linking double-under and over-under as a single tree helps solve K Guard without guesswork. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 High Percentage Chokes: No Gi by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 6 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Details finish chokes
Techniques: Guillotine, Front Headlock, Triangle Entries
- Fundamentals of BJJ Escapes (Gi & No-Gi) – If defense, not finishing, is your priority.
You will learn high-percentage guillotine mechanics and related chokes. You will see how to attack from front headlock and turtle. You will not get a full positional system.
✅ Pros
- Useful submissions in common scramble positions.
- Straightforward drilling ideas.
- Affordable compared to larger sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Narrow scope versus anthologies.
- No-gi emphasis may limit gi translation.
- Fewer community reviews to benchmark.
💡 I finished more front headlocks after fixing grip sequencing and hip position the way this set teaches. Recommendation: Skip.
🥋 #9 The Half Guard Anthology by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Technique Collection, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 12 hours and 14 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Layers beat stalls
Techniques: Half Guard Bottom, Rdlr, Underhook Series
- The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard – Study top and bottom together for faster progress.
You will learn layers and options from modern bottom half guard. You will connect to RDLR and sit-up variations. You will not get a short, minimal course.
✅ Pros
- Deep coverage across bottom half ecosystems.
- Complements Giles' passing anthology.
- Value pricing when discounted.
⚠️ Cons
- Very time-consuming to digest.
- Requires note-taking and drilling plans.
- Some sections are advanced for beginners.
💡 I stopped getting stuck bottom half after layering sit-up and RDLR threats into the base frames. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #10 The Body Lock Pass by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Stages make it repeatable
Techniques: Body Lock, Knee Shield Solutions, Pressure Passing
- Under the Legs Passing Anthology – If you prefer under-the-legs pressure instead of chest-to-chest.
- The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard – Handles half guard layers that often stop body lock attempts.
You will learn hand positions, hook kills, and knee shield solutions. You will see how to chain stages without giving space. You will not get a speed-passing blueprint.
✅ Pros
- Clear stage model removes guesswork.
- Strong troubleshooting against hooks and shields.
- Pairs with other passing systems cleanly.
⚠️ Cons
- Physically demanding for some body types.
- Primarily no-gi focus.
- Less mobility passing detail.
💡 I started finishing body locks more once I treated it as stages rather than a single movement. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Should you buy Giles' anthologies or subscribe to Submeta?
If you know the exact skill you want, the anthology format gives you a deep, one-time purchase you can rewatch forever. If you want guided breadth with shorter modules, Submeta is often easier to navigate. r/bjj users note the anthologies can feel overwhelming without a plan, while Submeta feels more structured but less deep on a single topic. A common path is to start with an anthology on your biggest weakness, then use Submeta to fill gaps and keep momentum.
Is K Guard and 50/50 still relevant in 2025?
Yes for most players. Several r/bjj users argue the 50/50 set remains top tier for no-gi finishing, even if elite meta shifts. Others point out predictable K Guard entries require adaptation, but the underlying connections to DLR, RDLR, and leg entanglements still pay off. Train transitions and troubleshooting, not just the first entry.
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