We ranked the best Nick Rodriguez BJJ Fanatics instructionals using r/bjj sentiment, clarity of system, applicability for no-gi, and production quality, with links to full reviews.
Rody Lock: The Nick Rodriguez Body Lock System
A complete, pressure-first body lock system that turns leg pummeling into consistent passes.
Get Off Me Son! EBI Back Escapes
A practical, staged system to escape the back under EBI overtime and regular rules.
Control and Submissions: EBI Back Attacks
Turn EBI back starts into high-percentage strangles with clear control cycles.
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🥋 #1 Rody Lock: The Nick Rodriguez Body Lock System by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 19 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Stages make pressure repeatable.
Techniques: Body Lock, Leg Pummeling, Knee Slice, Tight Waist, Two On One, Half Guard Pass, Elbow Pry
- The Body Lock Pass by Lachlan Giles – Great step-by-step body lock structure and value.
- Systematically Attacking The Guard 2.0 by Gordon Ryan – High-step and body lock refinements at advanced depth.
You learn how to acquire, secure, and finish body locks from standing, kneeling, and supine guards. The progression covers concepts, entries, beating frames, and troubleshooting common counters like sumi gaeshi and underhooks. You will not get gi lapel-specific details or movement-heavy passing.
✅ Pros
- System flows from concepts to fixes so you always have a next step.
- Entries work from both kneeling and standing against seated or supine guards.
- Short, clear segments keep focus and make drilling easier.
⚠️ Cons
- Heavy pressure emphasis may not fit fast outside-passers.
- Athletic heavyweights may find it too basic without advanced variations.
- No gi-specific grip work for lapel-based guards.
💡 I saw hobbyists adopt a reliable pass fast by drilling the two-on-one and knee-line beats before adding finishes. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Get Off Me Son! EBI Back Escapes by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 51 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Win the hip line first.
Techniques: Ebi Start, Belly Down Escape, Body Triangle Defense, Hip Line Clear, Double Underhooks, Reverse Hitchhiker
- Control and Submissions: EBI Back Attacks – Pair escapes with overtime back finishes.
- Systematically Attacking The Guard: Half Guard Passing – Control skills that stop back exposure earlier.
You start from EBI back positions and learn reliable escapes before the triangle closes. The belly-down sequence prevents body triangles; hip-line wins free the shoulders. You will not get gi choke defenses or IBJJF-specific lapel answers.
✅ Pros
- Clear early, mid, and late-stage escape maps reduce panic.
- Belly-down answers prevent the body triangle before it locks.
- Live troubleshooting shows real reactions and fixes.
⚠️ Cons
- Heavily framed around EBI overtime positions.
- Less content on gi-specific back chokes.
- Light on preventative turtle tools compared to offensive sets.
💡 I watched students cut escape time fast by practicing hip-line clears from the EBI start every round. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 Control and Submissions: EBI Back Attacks by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Control cycles create finishes.
Techniques: Handfighting, Body Triangle, Belly Down Finish, Centerline Retention, Double Underhooks, Rnc Chains
- Get Off Me Son! EBI Back Escapes – Pair your offense with proven escapes.
- Systematically Attacking The Guard 2.0 by Gordon Ryan – Passing upgrades that lead to the back.
You learn start posture, grip sequences, and body triangle usage to keep the ride. Finishing mechanics are organized into sequences that exploit common escapes. You will not find gi-specific chokes or IBJJF lapel setups.
✅ Pros
- Start mechanics and handfighting are laid out step by step.
- Control cycles anticipate predictable escapes to stay glued.
- Short volume format is easy to revisit before comps.
⚠️ Cons
- Narrow EBI framing may require adaptation for other rulesets.
- Less coverage of entries to the back from neutral.
- Advanced students may want more live breakdowns.
💡 I saw higher finishing when athletes drilled start mechanics before adding body triangle cycles. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Takedowns to Back Control by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 27 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Back takes start with ties.
Techniques: Rear Body Lock, Arm Drags, Snap Downs, Mat Return, Anaconda, Guillotine
- Slay The Wrestle Up Guard vs Standing Opponent – Stops modern wrestle-up threats as you pass.
- The Body Lock Pass by Lachlan Giles – Direct path to back exposure after takedowns.
You learn stance, handfighting to ties, and rear body lock entries that flow to the back. The focus is on clean finishes hobbyists can hit. You will not get deep folkstyle scrambles or gi-based foot sweeps.
✅ Pros
- Back-focused takedowns reduce stalling in top half guard.
- Accessible entries for non-wrestlers with clear grips.
- Four-part structure is easy to drill in short rounds.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a comprehensive wrestling curriculum.
- Limited coverage of counter-wrestling from bad positions.
- Less emphasis on chain shots for advanced wrestlers.
💡 I watched students connect arm drags to rear body locks and land immediate back exposure without complex chains. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Slay The Wrestle Up Guard vs Standing Opponent by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Break angles before they stand.
Techniques: Wrestle Up Counters, X Guard Answers, Anaconda, Darce, Arm Drags, Knee Line Denial
- Slay The Wrestle Up Guard vs Kneeling Opponent – Companion set for kneeling counters.
- Rody Lock: The Nick Rodriguez Body Lock System – Blend counters with pressure passes.
You learn to read sit-up cues and break angles before wrestle-ups get under you. The sequences funnel to front headlocks and quick passes. You will not get gi sleeve-based stand-up grip breaks.
✅ Pros
- Timely focus on a common meta problem.
- Front headlock chains create offense from defense.
- Standing reactions reduce leg entanglement risk.
⚠️ Cons
- Less detail than some conceptual-heavy instructors.
- Requires comfort handfighting from the feet.
- Limited leg lock-specific counters.
💡 I recommend pairing these counters with body lock passing so failed shots still land you on top. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Nicky Rod’s Slay the Hand Fight: Offensive and Counter-Offensive Hand Fighting by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: Conceptual, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 54 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Control the ties first.
Techniques: Handfighting, Arm Pass, Snap Down, Drag Entries, Head Position, Grip Breaks
- Takedowns to Back Control – More specific tie-to-finish guidance.
You get a compact overview of ties, head position, and grip breaks. The pacing favors immediate drilling and reaction building. You will not get exhaustive chain wrestling or gi sleeve strategies.
✅ Pros
- Fast, digestible pacing promotes drilling.
- Multiple options per tie help different body types.
- Great primer before deeper wrestling study.
⚠️ Cons
- Light detail compared to wrestling specialists.
- Limited counters to elite pummeling and re-grips.
- No gi sleeve or lapel tie-ups.
💡 I view this as a quick-start for handfighting that you can layer into rear body lock offense. Recommendation: Skip.
🥋 #7 Escape Every Time! EBI Overtime Armbar Escapes by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 39 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Beat the finish race early.
Techniques: Reverse Hitchhiker, Stack Escape, Spiderweb Defense, Posture Recovery, Hip Switch, Pressure Walkout
- Get Off Me Son! EBI Back Escapes – Complete the EBI defense picture.
You drill stack pressure, shoulder line clears, and reverse hitchhiker sequences from spiderweb. The cues are simple and repeatable. You will not get gi sleeve-specific escapes or deep counter submissions.
✅ Pros
- Clear sequencing by armbar stage reduces guesswork.
- Pressure stacks create exits for less flexible athletes.
- Short volumes enable targeted drilling blocks.
⚠️ Cons
- Niche EBI focus may not mirror your comps.
- Some techniques demand fast timing under pressure.
- Few counter-attack finishes after the exit.
💡 I recommend pairing these escapes with back escapes to cover both overtime starts. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Defending No Gi Takedowns by Nick Rodriguez
Instructor: Nick Rodriguez
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Head wins before hips.
Techniques: Sprawl, Head Position, Pummeling, Front Headlock, Go Behind, Snap Down
- Takedowns to Back Control – Turn counters into back takes.
You practice stance, head position, and sprawl timing that shut down common shots. Counters funnel to front headlocks and go-behinds for quick scores. You will not get folkstyle mat returns or gi-specific grip breaks.
✅ Pros
- Simple stance and head rules you can apply day one.
- Front headlock counters turn defense into offense.
- Short volumes make weekly standup blocks manageable.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a deep wrestling curriculum.
- Requires partners willing to start from standing.
- Less leg-entanglement-specific defense content.
💡 I suggest drilling sprawl-to-go-behind rounds before live to build confidence quickly. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
How we ranked Nicky Rod’s instructionals
We weighted community reception from r/bjj the most, then clarity of the system, applicability for no-gi hobbyists and competitors, instructor authority, and production quality. Tie-breakers were recency and distinctiveness. When opinion conflicted, we reflected both sides in pros and cons and adjusted the community rating modestly rather than guessing.
Which Nicky Rod should you buy first?
If you mainly pass: start with Rody Lock. If you get stuck on the back in no-gi: get EBI Back Escapes. Competitors who face EBI overtime should add EBI Back Attacks. For standup nerves, pick Takedowns to Back Control, and add Defending No Gi Takedowns if your room spars from the feet weekly.
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