A ranked, evidence-backed list of the best no-gi BJJ Fanatics instructionals with Reddit sentiment, strengths, ideal buyers, and smarter alternatives.
Leg Locks: Enter The System
A complete, safe, and structured leg lock system that still sets the standard.
Systematically Attacking The Guard (1.0)
An advanced, competition-tested passing system with high step, body lock, and clear transitions.
Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50
Turn 50/50 from neutral into a winning, high-percentage leg lock hub.
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🥋 #1 Leg Locks: Enter The System by John Danaher
Instructor: John Danaher
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 10 hours and 45 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Structure beats chaos
Techniques: Heel Hook, Ashi Garami, 50/50
- Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 – Deep dive on 50/50 with modern paths and counters.
- Down Under Leg Attacks – Simpler intro to effective leg entries and finishes.
- Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts – Tonon details practical heel hook mechanics and counters.
You will learn a step-by-step leg lock framework that prioritizes control and safety. You will understand positions like saddle and 50-50 with clear decision trees. You will not get a quick highlight reel or short runtime.
✅ Pros
- Explains a complete leg lock framework with clear logic.
- Safety-first approach reduces gym injury risk while learning.
- Troubleshooting and re-attacks increase finishing reliability.
⚠️ Cons
- Long runtime and slow delivery pace.
- Not ideal if you only want a few quick moves.
- Some naming feels older compared to newer sets.
💡 I improved fastest when I treated leg locks as control positions first and submissions second. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Systematically Attacking The Guard (1.0) by Gordon Ryan
Instructor: Gordon Ryan
Style: System Based, Footage Breakdown
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 11 hours and 20 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Layers of passing threats
Techniques: Body Lock, High Step Passing, Float Passing
- Systematically Attacking The Guard 2.0 – Updated approach including high step refinements.
- Body Lock Study – If you only want body lock passing at depth.
- The Body Lock Pass – Cheaper and concise body lock curriculum.
You will learn a deep passing framework with options for every common guard. You will see real rolling breakdowns for context. You will not get a short or budget course.
✅ Pros
- Advanced passing options with elite-level detail.
- Live footage clarifies timing and decision points.
- Scales from pressure to movement passing well.
⚠️ Cons
- High price tag limits accessibility.
- Overwhelming depth for newer players.
- Some sequences age compared to newer editions.
💡 I made the biggest gains when I paired high step entries with body lock finishes to cover both mobility and control. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Biggest takeaway: Make 50/50 win
Techniques: 50/50, Backside 50/50, Kneeline Control
- Leg Locks: Enter The System – Wider leg lock framework before specializing in 50/50.
- Down Under Leg Attacks – Simpler entries and finishing options to start quickly.
You will learn every major 50/50 path, including backside 50/50. You will learn how to troubleshoot common defensive reactions. You will not get a broad leg lock overview.
✅ Pros
- Covers control, finishes, and counters for 50/50 thoroughly.
- Troubleshooting sections fix the exact failures people meet.
- Clear teaching and pacing make complex ideas digestible.
⚠️ Cons
- Focused on 50/50 only; limited scope.
- Requires prior leg lock fundamentals for best results.
- Runtime and depth can feel heavy for beginners.
💡 I stopped fearing 50/50 once I had consistent knockdowns and backside transitions mapped out. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #4 The Body Lock Pass by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Tight control wins
Techniques: Body Lock, Leg Pummeling, Pressure Passing
- Body Lock Study – If you want maximum depth and competition study.
- Under the Legs Passing Anthology – Expands beyond body lock to a fuller passing toolkit.
You will learn a complete body lock sequence from entries to finishes. You will learn how to answer the most common defensive reactions. You will not get a broad passing curriculum.
✅ Pros
- Fast to implement with clear progressions.
- Excellent troubleshooting for real reactions.
- Strong value compared to deeper but pricier sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Not a complete passing curriculum.
- Less depth than Gordon’s body lock study.
- Requires comfort with heavy pressure control.
💡 I got consistent passes by prioritizing head and hip pins before chasing the actual clear. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Edging Your Way Out Of Danger: Submission Escapes by Craig Jones
Instructor: Craig Jones
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 52 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Stay calm, strip grips
Techniques: Submission Escapes, Heel Hook Defense, Armbar Defense
- Can't Keep Me Down: Escaping Pins – Pair submission escapes with pin escapes for completeness.
- Exit The System – Broad escape coverage with counters to offense.
You will learn how to survive and counter common submission threats. You will learn crisp defensive sequences you can drill today. You will not get much gi-specific guidance.
✅ Pros
- Practical late-stage details that reduce panic.
- Teaches safe exits that lead into offense.
- Concise structure makes drilling easy.
⚠️ Cons
- Humor and branding not for everyone.
- Less theory than conceptual escape systems.
- Strictly no-gi focus limits gi crossover.
💡 I started escaping reliably once I learned to prioritize safety wedges before big movements. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Down Under Leg Attacks by Craig Jones
Instructor: Craig Jones
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 49 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Simple entries work
Techniques: Leg Entries, Inside Heel Hook, Finishing Mechanics
- Leg Locks: Enter The System – For a full framework before specializing.
- Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 – For modern 50/50 depth and backside paths.
You will learn user-friendly entries and reliable finishing mechanics. You will build confidence with leg locks safely. You will not get every modern variation or a dense encyclopedia.
✅ Pros
- Approachable and effective first leg lock course.
- Good finishing details without jargon.
- Strong value for the price.
⚠️ Cons
- Less comprehensive than newer mega-systems.
- A few sequences show age vs current defenses.
- Structure is looser than framework-heavy sets.
💡 I saw quicker progress starting with clean entries before stacking advanced entanglements. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Exit The System by Garry Tonon
Instructor: Garry Tonon
Style: System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 33 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Have layers ready
Techniques: Submission Escapes, Counter Attacks, Prevention
- Can't Keep Me Down: Escaping Pins – Add positional escapes to complete your defense.
- Edging Your Way Out Of Danger – Late-stage mechanics that feed into counters.
You will learn layered escapes for common no-gi submissions. You will get practical counters that turn defense into offense. You will not get a narrow deep dive on a single submission.
✅ Pros
- Covers the full escape lifecycle clearly.
- Remains relevant and easy to reference by problem.
- Direct teaching with minimal fluff.
⚠️ Cons
- Less conceptual depth than some systems.
- A few meta contexts feel dated.
- Breadth limits depth per hold.
💡 I escaped more once I built consistent early and late responses instead of hoping to scramble. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Nicky Ryan's Wrestle Up Series by Nicky Ryan
Instructor: Nicky Ryan
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 4 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Stand and score
Techniques: Wrestle Up, Single Leg, Body Lock
- Interplay Between High Step and Body Lock Passing – Pair top-game sequences with your wrestle-ups.
- Slay The Wrestle Up Guard vs Kneeling Opponent – Study top counters to refine your entries.
You will learn clear wrestle-up paths from common no-gi guards. You will apply singles, doubles, and body locks with BJJ timing. You will not get a full open guard encyclopedia.
✅ Pros
- Adds a vital way to score in no-gi guard.
- Dense content with minimal fluff.
- Blends wrestling mechanics with BJJ context well.
⚠️ Cons
- Feels like a move list to some.
- Not a complete open guard system.
- Requires basic wrestling positioning comfort.
💡 I started winning more when I stopped forcing sweeps and stood up into clean singles. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #9 The Headhunter Guillotine Series by Neil Melanson
Instructor: Neil Melanson
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 38 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Control, then crush
Techniques: Guillotine, Chin Strap, Front Headlock
- The Way of The Goose – More guillotine variations from the same coach.
- Front Headlock: Enter The System – If you want a conceptual headlock framework.
You will learn powerful arm-in and chin strap guillotines. You will learn front headlock control that sets up passes and submissions. You will not get a gentle or beginner-first teaching style.
✅ Pros
- Aggressive mechanics that finish against stubborn defense.
- Integrates well with front headlock passing.
- Unique grips expand your submission options.
⚠️ Cons
- Style can be polarizing and niche.
- Less beginner-friendly than conceptual sets.
- System cohesion varies across segments.
💡 I started finishing arm-in guillotines by prioritizing chin strap control and head positioning over squeezing. Recommendation: Skip.
Danaher vs Gordon for Passing: Which first?
If you want a clear framework to start passing no-gi today, begin with Danaher’s organization and decision trees. If you already pass consistently and want depth across more scenarios, Gordon’s Systematically Attacking The Guard offers encyclopedic coverage and live breakdowns. Most readers get best results learning structure first, then layering Gordon’s depth for specific guards and body lock refinements.
Body Lock vs Leg Pin Passing: What fits you?
Body lock passing suits pressure-first players who like chest-to-chest control and predictable pins. Leg pin passing can neutralize guard retention and elevate legs, but some sets lack depth or structure. Community consensus favors Lachlan’s body lock for clarity and value; choose leg pin as a supplemental angle rather than your only plan.
Are older instructionals still useful in 2025?
Yes, when the underlying mechanics are timeless. Sets like Exit The System and Danaher’s ETS remain relevant because control principles and safety do not expire. Supplement with newer updates for niche positions, but do not discard classics that still fix common problems in the gym.
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