Our evidence-based ranking of the most useful Marcelo Garcia instructionals on BJJ Fanatics. We analyzed r/bjj sentiment, product contents, and teaching structure to help you choose.
The Complete North South Choke
A complete, high-percentage north-south choke system you can finish in gi or no-gi.
The Marcelo X Guard
A tight, modern x-guard system with clean entries and high-percentage sweeps.
The Complete No Gi Guard Passing System
A clean no-gi passing blueprint with battle-tested sequences and counters.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 The Complete North South Choke by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 59 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Finish with structure
Techniques: North South Choke, Side Control, Arm Isolation
- The MG Back Attack System 2.0 – Pairs well when opponents turn to avoid the choke.
- The Marcelotine – Another MG signature finish that connects from similar entries.
You will learn reliable entries, counters, and finishing mechanics for the north-south choke. You will not get a generic move dump; each sequence builds toward a tight finish. Expect a practical, repeatable system that works under pressure.
✅ Pros
- Step-by-step finishes reduce the ‘feel-y’ problem.
- Entries chain cleanly from common top positions.
- Applies equally well in gi and no-gi rounds.
⚠️ Cons
- Short-limbed players may need tweaks.
- Less emphasis on setups from guard.
- Requires drilling to develop squeeze and timing.
💡 I rate this highest because it converts side control pressure into a finish pathway faster than any other MG course. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 The Marcelo X Guard by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 12 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Entries drive success
Techniques: X Guard, Single Leg X, Tilt Sweep
- The Marcelo Guard: Mastering The Butterfly Guard – Pairs well for upright seated entries into x-guard.
- 2 on 1 Control No Gi – Great complementary grip system for x-guard entries.
You will learn how to enter x-guard from real positions and finish with reliable sweeps. You will not get lost in advanced leglock theory. Expect a concise system that still scales to higher levels.
✅ Pros
- Entries from butterfly, DLR, and deep half are practical.
- Sweeps progress naturally into passing or leg entanglements.
- Stays focused on winning positions rather than theory.
⚠️ Cons
- Less coverage of advanced leg entanglements.
- Some want deeper gi grip details.
- Narration style is straightforward, not verbose.
💡 I rank this second because it updates the classic MG x-guard in a structure that helps you adopt it in weeks, not months. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 The Complete No Gi Guard Passing System by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 52 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Combine passes fluidly
Techniques: X Pass, Knee Cut, Backstep
- The Complete Side Control System – Pairs with passing to convert to finishes.
- The MG Back Attack System 2.0 – Back takes appear mid-pass; learn to finish.
You will learn stand-up breaks into x-pass, knee cuts, and backsteps. You will not get an encyclopedic pass-everything tome. Expect efficient sequences that convert to mount or back.
✅ Pros
- Tight counters to common modern guards.
- Shows how to string passes into mount or back.
- High success for smaller passers.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a leglock-oriented passing system.
- Limited gi-specific grip work.
- Needs positional sparring to internalize timing.
💡 I put this third because the passing logic holds up against current meta without drowning you in options. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 The Marcelotine by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 27 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Finish with leverage
Techniques: High Elbow Guillotine, Front Headlock, Mounted Guillotine
- The Complete North South Choke – Another MG choke system from top control.
- 2 on 1 Control No Gi – Great feeder grips into the guillotine.
You will learn reliable high-elbow guillotine entries and finishes. You will not get a sprawling front headlock encyclopedia. Expect a sharp, competition-proven choke that complements seated guards.
✅ Pros
- Standing and ground pathways are clear and fast.
- Connects naturally to MG seated guard threats.
- High-elbow mechanics reduce brute force.
⚠️ Cons
- Less arm-in guillotine depth than some sets.
- Front headlock counters section could be longer.
- Neck mechanics require careful coaching for safety.
💡 I value this as a finishing spike that turns scrambles and guard pulls into immediate threats. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 The MG Back Attack System 2.0 by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 56 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Trap the arm early
Techniques: Seatbelt Control, Arm Trap, Rear Naked Choke
- The Complete MG Back Attack System: Gi – If you need lapel and bow-and-arrow coverage.
You will learn practical standing and turtle back takes plus back retention. You will not get a gi-heavy bow-and-arrow module. Expect usable no-gi sequences with immediate carryover.
✅ Pros
- Actionable entries from standing and turtle.
- Arm-trap RNC sequences are high percentage.
- Back-retention troubleshooting covers common escapes.
⚠️ Cons
- Audio quality in older MG sets concerns some buyers.
- Limited gi-specific finishing options.
- Less conceptual theory than some instructors.
💡 I value how it emphasizes trapping a limb to remove defensive tools before chasing the choke. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 The Marcelo Guard: Mastering The Butterfly Guard by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 11 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Posture beats pressure
Techniques: Butterfly Guard, 2 On 1, X Guard Links
- The Marcelo X Guard – Natural next step from seated to x-guard.
You will learn a proactive seated guard with easy sweeps. You will not get a supine, distance-kicking style. Expect posture and grip rules that scale to no-gi and gi.
✅ Pros
- Teaches posture and hand-fighting, not just moves.
- Strong links to x-guard and SLX.
- Useful in both gi and no-gi rooms.
⚠️ Cons
- Less lapel-specific depth than some gi specialists.
- Advanced leg entanglement options are brief.
- Demands timing versus heavy knee cuts.
💡 I like how it turns guard into offensive wrestling with sleeves and lapels as scaffolding. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 2 on 1 Control No Gi by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 57 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Win the hands first
Techniques: 2 On 1, Single Leg, Butterfly Sweep
- The Marcelo X Guard – Most common follow-up from seated 2-on-1.
You will learn two-on-one grips from standing and seated. You will not get a wrestling-only or guard-only course. Expect clear links to SLX, butterfly, and knee cuts.
✅ Pros
- Makes hand-fighting purposeful in no-gi.
- Feeds both takedowns and guard offense.
- Simple rules that scale quickly.
⚠️ Cons
- Less depth on takedown finishes.
- Limited submission chains from top.
- Requires initiative to feel benefits.
💡 I like how this reduces chaos by giving you a single handle that works everywhere. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 The Complete Side Control System by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 12 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Underhook wins games
Techniques: Side Control, Knee On Belly, North South Links
- The Complete MG Mount System – Natural follow-up once you arrive to mount.
You will learn to stabilize side control and attack. You will not get bottom-side escapes. Expect practical progressions into mount and north-south finishes.
✅ Pros
- Balances control and submissions.
- Transitions to mount and NS are seamless.
- Clear answers to common underhook escapes.
⚠️ Cons
- No bottom-side escape section.
- Gi-specific grips are brief.
- Pressure skills need mat time to develop.
💡 I rate it as a solid bridge from pass to finish with minimal detours. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #9 The Complete MG Mount System by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 42 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Mount before submit
Techniques: S Mount, Armbar, Mounted Guillotine
- The Complete Side Control System – If you are still stabilizing side control before mount.
You will learn to arrive in mount and lock opponents down. You will not get a beginner fundamentals primer. Expect crisp S-mount transitions and finishes.
✅ Pros
- S-mount chains fit small-framed passers.
- Mounted guillotine provides a non-armbar finish.
- Troubleshooting addresses common escapes.
⚠️ Cons
- Steeper learning curve for novices.
- Limited lapel-based finishing options.
- Assumes you can stabilize mount first.
💡 I like how it emphasizes transitions that trap arms before chasing the choke or armbar. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #10 The Complete Crucifix Back Attack System by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Trap arms to finish
Techniques: Crucifix, Short Choke, Armbar From Crucifix
- The MG Back Attack System 2.0 – Broader back control coverage if crucifix feels narrow.
You will learn to trap arms and attack from crucifix. You will not get a general back-control overview. Expect seatbelt-focused control and finishes after bodylock or sprawl entries.
✅ Pros
- Practical entries from real scrambles.
- Seatbelt concepts cross over to standard back.
- Finishing options beyond RNC.
⚠️ Cons
- Niche position for some games.
- Less gi-specific lapel use.
- Requires drilling to keep opponents from rolling out.
💡 I like it for building a specialty that punishes turtling opponents. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #11 Attack The Attacker by Marcelo Garcia
Instructor: Marcelo Garcia
Style: Conceptual, Technique Collection
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 32 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Defend, then hit back
Techniques: Guard Recovery, Elbow Push Escape, Butterfly Sweep Links
- The Marcelo Guard: Mastering The Butterfly Guard – More focused on a core position.
You will learn grip fighting, distance rules, and recoveries that lead to offense. You will not get deep mastery of a single position. Expect a sampler you can mine for ideas.
✅ Pros
- Covers common pressure problems with simple rules.
- Shows how to counter-attack from escapes.
- Useful for mapping MG concepts early.
⚠️ Cons
- Not deep on any one position.
- Experienced players outgrow it quickly.
- Overlap with other MG sets.
💡 I suggest this only if you need a broad tour before specializing. Recommendation: Skip.
Is Marcelo Garcia content still relevant in 2025?
Yes. r/bjj users still credit MG for foundational x-guard and north-south choke success, and recent BJJ Fanatics releases update his systems for no-gi and modern entries. If you want depth on a single position, choose a focused set like x-guard, north-south, or passing. If you prefer a broad tour, consider Attack The Attacker, but it sacrifices depth.
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