Pressure passing is the art of making your opponent carry your weight while you systematically strip their guard. These 10 instructionals represent the best pressure passing systems on BJJ Fanatics, covering over-under, body lock, knee slice, and smash passing from world champions who built their careers on suffocating top games. I’ve studied all of them, cross-referenced reviews from BJJ World, Jitsmagazine, Meerkatsu, and community forums, and ranked them by teaching clarity, system depth, and mat-tested results.
Last updated: March 2026. Prices checked at time of writing.
#1 Pick – Best Gi Pressure
Battle Tested Pressure Passing – Bernardo Faria
The gold standard for over-under pressure passing. 5x World Champion Faria covers his entire system with 20+ narrated rolls.
- Concept-based over-under system that builds progressively
- No athleticism required – pure technique and pressure
- Narrated rolling shows real application vs. world-class guards
Gi-focused; over-under centric
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#2 Pick – Best No-Gi Pressure
The Body Lock Pass – Lachlan Giles
The definitive body lock passing system. Five-stage framework from entries through troubleshooting to completion, with narrated sparring.
- Most organized body lock system available
- Narrated rolling shows live decision-making
- Sao Paulo guard opening as bonus closed guard break
Premium price; body lock is one tool in a larger toolbox
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#3 Pick – Best Headquarters System
Pressure Passing & Top Game – Rafael Lovato Jr
Checkpoint-based system from a dual BJJ/MMA champion. Integrates submissions (arm triangles, shotgun armbars) directly into passing.
- “Checkpoint” headquarters framework is unique
- Submissions built into passing sequences
- MMA-proven by undefeated Bellator champion
Narrower than Faria’s approach; headquarters/knee slice focused
Check PriceWhy these 3?
These three picks each dominate a distinct pressure passing niche:
- Bernardo Faria (#1) built the most accessible pressure passing system in BJJ history around his signature over-under pass. BJJ World gave Battle Tested a 5/5 rating. At $79, the value is unmatched: you get a concept-based system, counters to spider/lasso/butterfly/worm guard, and 20+ narrated rolls against world-class competition. His anticipatory teaching approach means you learn to predict opponent reactions, not just react to them.
- Lachlan Giles (#2) created the most organized body lock passing resource available. BJJ World rated it 5/5 and Jitsmagazine called it “fantastic.” Six volumes progress from concepts through entries, knee line clearing, pass completion, and the Sao Paulo guard opening. The narrated rolling footage alone justifies the price for no-gi practitioners.
- Rafael Lovato Jr (#3) brings a unique headquarters-based pressure system with built-in submissions. BJJ World called it “the perfect blend of old-school pressure and modern Jiu-jitsu craziness.” His checkpoint framework gives you a clear positional roadmap, and his dual BJJ/MMA championship pedigree proves the system works across rulesets.
Each remaining review targets a specific style, format, or budget. The full rankings cover over-under, body lock, knee slice, tripod, and conceptual pressure systems for both gi and no-gi.
Answer a few questions and I’ll recommend the best pressure passing instructional for your situation.
Full Rankings: 10 Best Pressure Passing Instructionals
Each review includes specific technique breakdowns, named reviewer quotes, strengths, weaknesses with competitor comparisons, and who should (and shouldn’t) buy it.
1. Battle Tested Pressure Passing – Bernardo Faria
The most accessible, proven pressure passing system in BJJ. Faria built his 5 World Championship titles on the over-under pass, and this instructional teaches the entire system from weight distribution fundamentals through advanced guard-specific counters.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~6-7 hours across 4 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2019
- 🥋 Gi
- 🎯 All levels (especially beginner-friendly)
- 🕸 Over-under pressure passing
What It Covers
Volumes 1-3 build progressively through weight distribution, the over-under pass (Faria’s signature), and guard-specific variations against lapel guard, spider guard, butterfly guard, and worm guard. Escape prevention and anticipatory passing (predicting opponent reactions) round out the technical content. Volume 4 features 20+ narrated rolls against high-level opponents like Leandro Lo, Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, and Erberth Santos, with Faria analyzing every situation in real time.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Concept-based system that builds progressively from foundations to advanced applications
- No athleticism, flexibility, or strength required. Pure technique and pressure.
- Anticipatory teaching approach: you learn to predict reactions, not just respond
- Volume 4 narrated rolling section shows real-time application against world-class guards
What the Community Says
“A true masterpiece that includes all of his latest guard passing tactics and techniques.”
BJJ World (5/5 rating)
“Best for Pressure Passing” among all BJJ Fanatics guard passing instructionals.
YouJiuJitsu
Weakness
Gi-focused and heavily over-under centric. If you need no-gi solutions, Faria’s No Gi Pressure Passing ($79) covers that gap. For modern guards like single leg X, K guard, or matrix positions, Gordon Ryan’s SATG 2.0 has broader coverage. Murilo Santana’s Introduction to Pressure Passing goes deeper on pure pressure mechanics as concepts.
My Recommendation
Best for: Hobbyists, recreational grapplers, and gi competitors at any level who want a reliable, low-athleticism pressure system. Older or less athletic practitioners who can’t rely on speed.
Avoid if: You exclusively train no-gi or already have a strong over-under game and want variety.
Pairs with: Murilo Santana’s Introduction to Pressure Passing (concepts) or Faria’s own No Gi Pressure Passing (no-gi adaptation)
2. The Body Lock Pass – Lachlan Giles
The most comprehensive body lock passing resource available. Giles organized 8 hours of instruction into a clean five-stage framework: concepts, entries, clearing the knee line, completing the pass, and the Sao Paulo guard opening. Nothing else on the market matches this depth for a single passing style.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~8 hours across 6 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2021
- 🥋 No-gi (applicable to gi)
- 🎯 All levels
- 🕸 Body lock pressure passing
What It Covers
Volume I establishes the five stages of the body lock pass with weight distribution fundamentals. Volume II covers entries from seated opponents, the “headquarters” system, half guard, butterfly guard, and reverse de la riva. Volume III is dedicated to clearing the knee line, including butterfly guard clearing, guillotine counters, and knee shield passage. Volume IV handles pass completion with tripod variations, knee cross, and lockdown escapes. Volume V teaches the Sao Paulo guard opening, a closed guard break that feeds directly into body lock. Volume VI features narrated rolling with live corrections.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Five-stage framework makes a complex pass digestible and trainable
- Narrated rolling sections show real-time decision making (rare and highly valuable)
- Sao Paulo guard opening (Vol 5) gives you a closed guard break that feeds into body lock
- Systematic troubleshooting: Vol 3 is entirely dedicated to solving problems and counters
What the Community Says
“Another highly specialized instructional that sheds light on a technique not many people really use that often… this instructional is the only one doing this move justice.”
BJJ World (5/5 rating)
“Fantastic… offers something for everyone regardless of the level they’re at.”
Jitsmagazine
Weakness
8 hours on a single pass type is a significant time investment. Body lock is one tool, and you still need toreando, leg drag, or other passes for a complete game. Gordon Ryan’s SATG covers the full toolkit. Some reviewers note Giles occasionally discourages valid techniques based on personal preference (The Grappling Conjecture). At $197, it’s a premium price for one passing style.
My Recommendation
Best for: No-gi grapplers who want to build a complete body lock game from scratch. Competitors who appreciate systematic, concept-driven instruction with real sparring footage.
Avoid if: You want a complete passing system covering multiple styles, or you primarily train gi.
Pairs with: Craig Jones’ Higher Tripod Passing (tripod + body lock covers two major passing families) or Gordon Ryan’s SATG for the full toolkit
3. Pressure Passing & Top Game – Rafael Lovato Jr
A unique blend of old-school suffocating pressure and modern submissions from the only person to win both an IBJJF World Championship and remain undefeated in Bellator MMA. Lovato’s “Checkpoint” system gives you a clear positional framework built around the modified headquarters position.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~5-6 hours across 4 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2019
- 🥋 Gi (transferable to no-gi and MMA)
- 🎯 All levels
- 🕸 Headquarters / knee slice pressure
What It Covers
Volume I introduces the modified headquarters position (“Checkpoint 1”), knee slice to mount, side smash, double cross submission, and a “secret choke.” Volume II covers the shin staple, arm triangle, knee slice pressure variations, and butterfly guard bypassing. Volume III handles troubleshooting with knee slice refinements, three-quarter mount details, and the shotgun grip (thumb-in variation) leading to shotgun armbars. Volume IV rounds out with cross collar chokes from mount, butterfly guard passing, and knee shield elimination.
What Makes It Stand Out
- “Checkpoint” headquarters framework provides a clear positional roadmap that most pressure passers lack
- Submissions (arm triangle, shotgun armbars, cross collar choke) are built into the passing game, not bolted on after
- Lovato excels at explaining “how to be heavy” with actual mechanics of generating pressure
- MMA-tested: undefeated in Bellator MMA validates the system beyond pure grappling
What the Community Says
“The perfect blend of old-school pressure from the top and some modern Jiu-jitsu craziness… from the very first moment, the DVD kept me interested.”
BJJ World
“A 4-part masterpiece of guard destruction.”
BJJ Fanatics
Weakness
Narrower scope than Faria’s over-under catalog or Gordon Ryan’s SATG. Focuses primarily on the headquarters/knee slice pathway, so you won’t get body lock, toreando, or leg drag coverage. Production quality may not match the latest BJJ Fanatics releases. Lucas Lepri’s Science of Guard Passing covers more guard types if you need broader answers.
My Recommendation
Best for: Gi competitors who want a pressure-based headquarters/knee slice system with integrated submissions. MMA fighters who need top control that transitions to finishing.
Avoid if: You need no-gi specific instruction, or you want a system that covers multiple passing families rather than one pathway.
Pairs with: Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested Pressure Passing (over-under for a second passing lane) or Craig Jones’ Power Ride (for what to do after you secure the pass)
4. Introduction to Pressure Passing – Murilo Santana
The missing manual for understanding WHY pressure passing works. Santana is a middleweight with some of the most suffocating pressure in any weight class, proving these concepts work regardless of size. This instructional teaches connection, structure, and head position before any specific moves.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~5-6 hours across 4 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2018
- 🥋 Gi (concepts transfer to no-gi)
- 🎯 All levels
- 🕸 Pressure passing concepts
What It Covers
Covers Santana’s complete pressure passing system: over-under pass (executed differently from Faria’s version), double-under pass, half stack, full stack, and half guard passes. The emphasis throughout is on concepts and pressure mechanics rather than a catalog of techniques. Head position, hip control, and the principle of connection form the backbone.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Concept-first approach: teaches the physics of pressure before showing specific techniques
- Described as “a concept-first lens that makes Faria’s sequences tighten up” by practitioners who own both
- Santana generates legendary pressure as a middleweight, proving it’s about mechanics, not mass
- Less technique-heavy, more principle-heavy, which makes it easier to implement and retain
What the Community Says
“Concept-first pressure passing that teaches connection, structure, and head position before moves.”
BJJMore
“Far from the most physically imposing man in BJJ, yet the middleweight has some of the most stifling pressure passing seen in any weight class.”
BJJee
Weakness
Less comprehensive in technique catalog than Faria’s offerings. Older instructional with production values below current standards. Doesn’t address body lock, tripod, or the modern passing meta. Santana is less well-known than Faria or Ryan, which means fewer supplementary YouTube breakdowns. If you want explicit no-gi tailoring, look at Faria’s No Gi Pressure Passing or Giles’ Body Lock Pass.
My Recommendation
Best for: Conceptual learners who want to understand pressure mechanics before drilling specific passes. Grapplers who already know the over-under and double-under but can’t generate real pressure.
Avoid if: You want a technique encyclopedia, or you need modern guard-specific solutions (K guard, matrix, etc.).
Pairs with: Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested Pressure Passing (Santana’s concepts + Faria’s techniques = the complete pressure passer)
5. The Science of Guard Passing – Lucas Lepri
The most comprehensive gi-specific guard passing system from the most decorated lightweight competitor in IBJJF history. Lepri’s 8 World Championship titles were built on a passing game that blends pressure and speed in ways few competitors manage.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ 6+ hours across 4 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2019
- 🥋 Gi
- 🎯 Blue belt and above
- 🕸 Comprehensive gi passing (pressure + speed)
What It Covers
Volume 1 covers knee cut pass fundamentals with folding pass combinations, direct back takes, and tripod knee cut variations. Volume 2 handles spider lasso passing (punch pass technique), deep half guard strategies, the hip lock pass, and a kimura trap system. Volume 3 addresses modern guards: single leg X (with monoplata submission), X guard, worm guard, and lapel guard neutralization. Volume 4 delivers advanced techniques including RDLR passing, spider guard to back takes, and sit-up guard handling.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Covers every major guard type: spider, lasso, RDLR, DLR, half, deep half, X, single leg X, worm, lapel, butterfly
- Knee cut system is arguably the most proven in competition history (8 World titles)
- “Scientific” methodology makes techniques accessible regardless of physical attributes
- Combines pressure AND speed passing in one connected system
What the Community Says
“Meticulous in every sense… combines pressure and speed-based passing systems effectively.”
BJJ World (5/5 rating)
“Best Overall” guard passing instructional on BJJ Fanatics.
YouJiuJitsu
Weakness
Not a pure pressure passing set. Includes significant speed passing elements, which makes it broader but less focused than Faria (over-under) or Giles (body lock). Gi-specific, with techniques like worm guard passing that don’t transfer to no-gi at all. Older instructional that doesn’t address the most recent guard innovations.
My Recommendation
Best for: Gi competitors who face a wide variety of guard styles and need answers for all of them. Practitioners who want the broadest gi passing toolkit from the most decorated lightweight passer in history.
Avoid if: You want pure pressure passing only, or you train primarily no-gi. For dedicated pressure, Faria or Lovato go deeper.
Pairs with: Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested Pressure Passing (Lepri gives you the toolkit, Faria deepens your pressure game within it)
6. Systematically Attacking The Guard 2.0 – Gordon Ryan
The most comprehensive passing system available from the most dominant no-gi competitor in history. SATG 2.0 expanded the original to 8 volumes, covering pressure, speed, and float passing in one connected decision tree. Not purely pressure, but the pressure components (split squat, body lock, over-under, knee shield destruction) are world-class.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ 10+ hours across 8 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2021
- 🥋 No-gi
- 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
- 🕸 Complete no-gi passing system
What It Covers
The 2.0 expands the original 4-volume SATG with full toreando system including J-point camping, enhanced high-step passing, flanking passes, inside camping (addressing the modern meta), and extensive live rolling analysis. Pressure-specific content includes split squat passing, body lock pass (RGA NYC style), over-under with kneebar finish, deep half passing, Z guard handling, lockdown escape, and 10+ knee shield destruction options. The toreando/high-step trilemma and J-point camping concepts are unique to this instructional.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Most comprehensive passing system on the market, covering virtually every no-gi guard scenario
- J-point camping and flanking concepts are unique to this instructional
- Split squat system is a framework that applies across multiple guard types
- Submissions (guillotine, D’arce, kneebar) integrated directly into passing sequences
What the Community Says
“Excellent learning material for anyone interested in incorporating something new into their No-Gi passing game.”
Jiused Life (Jitsuist)
“Gordon lays out a comprehensive passing blueprint with high step, float passing, and pressure sequences.”
BJJMore
Weakness
10+ hours is an enormous time commitment. Dense, systematic approach can overwhelm beginners. At ~$247, it’s the most expensive option on this list. Not everyone connects with Ryan’s clinical teaching style compared to Faria’s enthusiastic approach. Pure pressure passers may find this too hybrid. For dedicated pressure-only instruction, Faria or Santana are more focused.
My Recommendation
Best for: Serious no-gi competitors who want the most complete, modern passing system. Intermediate to advanced practitioners building a full passing toolkit, not just a pressure game.
Avoid if: You’re a beginner, you want gi-specific instruction, or you want a focused pressure-only system rather than a comprehensive toolkit.
Pairs with: Craig Jones’ Power Ride (for maintaining control after passing with SATG concepts)
7. No Gi Pressure Passing – Bernardo Faria
Faria’s over-under system translated for the slippery world of no-gi. Over 80% of Faria’s no-gi passing is a variation of the over-under pass, and this instructional covers 30+ variations with specific grip adjustments for when there’s no cloth to grab.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~5-6 hours across 4 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2019
- 🥋 No-gi
- 🎯 All levels
- 🕸 No-gi over-under pressure passing
What It Covers
Volume 1 introduces no-gi pressure mechanics with shoulder placement, pivoting, and entries from guard pulls, open guards, half guard, and butterfly guard. Volume 2 is dedicated to counter-prevention: hip escape defense, bench press defense, and submission counter prevention. Volume 3 covers over-under position setup, kneebar submissions from the pass, and guillotine defense. Volume 4 delivers 15+ passing sequences including toreando, double-under, double-over, half guard pressure passes, jump-over passes, and folding passes.
What Makes It Stand Out
- 30-40 over-under variations specifically adapted for no-gi gripping
- Volume 2 on counter-prevention is gold: teaches what to do when people escape
- Adds submission threats (kneebar) directly from the passing position
- Volume 4 branches beyond over-under with 15+ additional pass types
What the Community Says
“Takes a methodical route, building upon the very foundations of passing the guard without the Gi.”
BJJ World (5/5 rating)
Weakness
Still very over-under centric. If your game doesn’t revolve around over-under, less useful. Less modern than Gordon Ryan’s SATG 2.0, which addresses current competition guards like K guard and inside camping. Doesn’t cover body lock passing (Lachlan Giles or Gordon Ryan cover that better). Older instructional that misses the current tripod passing meta.
My Recommendation
Best for: No-gi grapplers who want a proven over-under based pressure system. Practitioners transitioning from gi to no-gi who already know Faria’s gi system.
Avoid if: You want body lock or tripod passing, or you need solutions for modern competition guards.
Pairs with: Lachlan Giles’ The Body Lock Pass (body lock + over-under covers two major pressure families)
8. Higher Tripod Passing – Craig Jones
Dense, modern, and paradigm-shifting. Craig Jones built on Josef Chen’s tripod passing system with his own innovations from wrestling and catch wrestling. The core principle: pin the upper body first, then beat the legs. At just 2 hours, every minute counts.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~2 hours across 4 parts
- 📅 Released: 2022
- 🥋 No-gi (applicable to gi)
- 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
- 🕸 Tripod pressure passing
What It Covers
Part 1 covers mechanics and foundational positioning with detailed upper and lower body placement. Part 2 introduces forcing butterfly guard and ashi garami baiting to create passing opportunities without resistance. Part 3 is the heart of the instructional: near-side underhook mechanics and side-switching techniques, plus solutions for the lockdown position. Part 4 delivers bonus wrestling and catch wrestling integration: duck-unders, dog fight resolutions, and cowcatcher/head wrap half Nelson variations.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Core principle (pin upper body first, then beat legs) is a paradigm shift for most grapplers
- Near-side underhook details alone justify the price according to multiple reviewers
- Wrestling and catch wrestling integration (duck-unders, cowcatcher) rarely covered in BJJ instructionals
- Concise format (2 hours) with zero filler
What the Community Says
“A detailed breakdown of the modern tripod passing system with methodical instruction.”
Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8.5/10 rating)
“Craig Jones has genuinely done an excellent job… very steep learning curve, not beginner-friendly.”
Jitsmagazine
Weakness
Very steep learning curve and not beginner-friendly. Only 2 hours means some topics only get surface coverage. Narrow focus (tripod only) means you need other instructionals for a complete game. The Josef Chen tripod system is newer and less proven at the world championship level than Faria’s over-under or Gordon Ryan’s SATG.
My Recommendation
Best for: Intermediate to advanced no-gi competitors who want to add the trending tripod passing style to their existing game.
Avoid if: You’re a beginner, or you want a complete passing system rather than a specialized tool.
Pairs with: Lachlan Giles’ The Body Lock Pass (tripod + body lock = two high-percentage pressure options)
9. No Gi Power Passing – Matheus Diniz
The ADCC champion who won his division without giving up a single point shares his guard-by-guard pressure passing system. Trained at Marcelo Garcia Academy, Diniz’s approach is practical, pressure-first, and organized by the guard you’re facing.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~5 hours across 4 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2020
- 🥋 No-gi
- 🎯 All levels
- 🕸 ADCC-proven pressure passing
What It Covers
A full guard-by-guard passing system covering knee shield dismantling, closed guard passing, body lock entries and consolidation, and a pressure-first framework for each major guard type. Emphasis throughout is on beating the knee line and pinning hips as the foundation for all passes.
What Makes It Stand Out
- ADCC-proven system: won without giving up a point in the toughest no-gi tournament
- Marcelo Garcia Academy pedigree: practical, effective instruction
- Guard-by-guard organization is easy to reference when facing specific guards
- Pressure-first philosophy that works against elite competition
What the Community Says
“Won ADCC without giving up a point, scoring the most takedowns and passes in the toughest no-gi tournament on Earth.”
BJJ Fanatics
Weakness
Less well-reviewed than Faria, Giles, or Ryan’s sets. Fewer detailed volume-by-volume breakdowns available from independent reviewers. Competes directly with Gordon Ryan’s SATG which has more depth and detail. Less focus on concepts and principles compared to Murilo Santana.
My Recommendation
Best for: No-gi competitors who want an ADCC-proven system organized by guard type. Good complement to Gordon Ryan’s SATG for a different perspective on pressure-first passing.
Avoid if: You want the most detailed, reviewed, and community-validated system (Faria or Giles have more coverage).
Pairs with: Lachlan Giles’ The Body Lock Pass (Diniz gives the framework, Giles deepens your body lock game)
10. Power Ride: A New Philosophy on Pinning – Craig Jones
Not a passing instructional, but the best resource for what happens AFTER you pass with pressure. Craig Jones’ revolutionary concept: don’t be past the legs, be ON the legs. Traditional BJJ pins leave legs free for bridges and hip escapes. Power Ride pins opponents on the legs to prevent all explosive movements.
Quick Facts
- ⏰ ~3.5-4 hours across 6 volumes
- 📅 Released: 2023
- 🥋 No-gi (applicable to MMA)
- 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
- 🕸 Wrestling-based pinning / top control
What It Covers
Volume 1 covers theory on control and movement mechanics. Volumes 2-3 progress through leg rides (turk, shelf, rear mount variations) and upper body controls (claw rides, cross face, Nelson variations, Dagestani handcuff). Volume 4 handles turtle breakdown with diagonal rides, crab hooks, spiral rides, and cradles. Volume 5 integrates pins with BJJ positions: side control, mount, and knee on belly entries plus connections to leg drag, body lock, and smash passing. Volume 6 delivers submissions: arm triangles, D’arce chokes, rear naked chokes, half Nelson submissions, cowcatcher, and Ezekiel choke.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Revolutionary concept: pinning ON the legs rather than past the legs changes the entire top game paradigm
- Fills a massive gap in BJJ instruction: wrestling-based pins adapted for BJJ barely exist elsewhere
- Volume 5 specifically connects pins to passing (leg drag, body lock, smash pass entries)
- Progressive structure from theory through application to submissions
What the Community Says
“Comprehensive… fills a gap in modern BJJ.”
Filip Zanki, BJJ World (10/10 rating)
“One of his best instructionals… a complete system blending wrestling and BJJ pinning concepts.”
Jitsmagazine
“A goldmine of strategy, pressure systems, and tactical dominance.”
BJJKlar
Weakness
NOT a passing instructional. Most content is about controlling after the pass, with Volume 5 bridging the gap to passing. Not suitable for beginners lacking fundamental positional knowledge. One segment criticized for prolonged laughing during instruction (BJJKlar). Wrestling-heavy vocabulary may confuse pure BJJ practitioners initially.
My Recommendation
Best for: Intermediate to advanced grapplers who already pass but struggle to maintain control and get submissions from top. MMA fighters who need ride-based control. Wrestlers transitioning to BJJ.
Avoid if: You need help getting past the guard in the first place, or you’re a beginner.
Pairs with: Craig Jones’ Higher Tripod Passing (pass with tripod, control with Power Ride) or any pressure passing system on this list
Pricing & Deals
BJJ Fanatics runs frequent sales (40-60% off) around holidays and events. Prices below are regular retail. Sign up for their email list to catch discounts.
| Instructional | Price | Format | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Tested Pressure Passing | $79 | Gi | ~6-7h |
| The Body Lock Pass | $197 | No-gi | ~8h |
| Pressure Passing & Top Game | $127 | Gi | ~5-6h |
| Intro to Pressure Passing | $127 | Gi | ~5-6h |
| Science of Guard Passing | $197 | Gi | 6+h |
| SATG 2.0 | $247 | No-gi | 10+h |
| No Gi Pressure Passing | $79 | No-gi | ~5-6h |
| Higher Tripod Passing | $197 | No-gi | ~2h |
| No Gi Power Passing | $127 | No-gi | ~5h |
| Power Ride | $197 | No-gi | ~3.5h |
Pressure Passing Glossary
- Over-under pass: One arm goes over the top leg, the other goes under the bottom leg. Faria’s signature position. Generates chest-to-chest pressure while controlling both legs asymmetrically.
- Body lock pass: Locking both arms around the opponent’s hips/legs and using chest pressure to drive through the guard. The dominant no-gi pressure pass in modern competition.
- Headquarters position: A staging position between half guard and full guard where the passer controls from a knee slice ready position. Lovato Jr’s “Checkpoint” system is built around this.
- Knee slice (knee cut): Passing by sliding the knee across the opponent’s thigh. One of the highest-percentage gi passes, and Lepri’s foundation.
- Smash pass: Folding the opponent’s legs to one side while driving chest-to-chest pressure. Common from half guard and butterfly guard.
- Tripod passing: Standing in a tripod base (head and two hands on the mat) while using upper body weight to pin the opponent. Craig Jones’ Higher Tripod system is the leading resource.
- Split squat: A kneeling stance with one knee up and one knee down, used as a passing platform. Gordon Ryan’s foundational concept across SATG.
- J-point camping: A concept from Gordon Ryan’s SATG 2.0 where you hold a specific position on the opponent’s guard to force reactions. Unique to Ryan’s system.
- Sao Paulo guard opening: A closed guard break from Lachlan Giles’ Body Lock Pass that feeds directly into body lock position. Named after the Brazilian city where it was popularized.
- Stack pass: Driving the opponent’s legs over their head using pressure and weight. Covered in Santana’s and Faria’s systems.
- Claw ride / Turk / Shelf: Wrestling-based pins adapted for BJJ in Craig Jones’ Power Ride. Used to control from on top of the legs rather than past them.
FAQ – Pressure Passing Instructionals
What is the best pressure passing instructional for beginners?
Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested Pressure Passing ($79) is the best entry point. Faria’s over-under system requires zero athleticism and builds progressively from concepts through guard-specific applications. His enthusiastic teaching style makes complex material accessible, and Volume 4’s narrated rolls show exactly how the techniques work against real resistance.
Is pressure passing good for smaller or lighter grapplers?
Yes. Murilo Santana (a middleweight) has some of the most suffocating pressure in any weight class, proving these concepts work regardless of size. Pressure passing is about connection, structure, and leverage, not mass. Santana’s Introduction to Pressure Passing is the best resource for understanding the mechanics that create pressure without relying on bodyweight.
Bernardo Faria vs Lachlan Giles: which should I buy?
It depends on format and pass preference. Faria’s Battle Tested ($79) covers gi-focused over-under passing with a concept-based approach. Giles’ Body Lock Pass ($197) covers no-gi body lock passing with a five-stage framework. For gi pressure, buy Faria. For no-gi body lock, buy Giles. They complement each other well if you train both formats.
Do I need Gordon Ryan’s SATG for pressure passing?
Not exclusively. SATG 2.0 is the most comprehensive passing system available, but it covers pressure, speed, and float passing. If you want dedicated pressure instruction, Faria (gi) or Giles (no-gi body lock) go deeper on pure pressure. SATG is better if you want a complete system that includes pressure as one component.
What is the difference between pressure passing and smash passing?
Smash passing is a type of pressure pass where you fold the opponent’s legs to one side while driving chest-to-chest. Pressure passing is the broader category that includes smash passes, over-under, body lock, stack passes, and any approach that uses weight and structure to overcome guard defenses. All smash passes are pressure passes, but not all pressure passes are smash passes.
Which instructional covers the most different pass types?
Lucas Lepri’s Science of Guard Passing covers the widest range of guards (spider, lasso, RDLR, DLR, half, deep half, X, single leg X, worm, lapel, butterfly) but isn’t purely pressure-focused. For pressure-specific variety, Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested and No Gi Pressure Passing together cover over-under, toreando, double-under, half guard, and folding passes across both gi and no-gi.
Related Instructional Guides
- Best BJJ Instructionals – Our complete ranked list of the top instructional content
- Best Guard Passing Instructionals – Pressure passing is one approach – see all styles
- Best Side Control Instructionals – After pressure passing, dominate from side control
- Complete Guard Pass Guide – Every guard pass in BJJ explained
