We researched r/bjj, BJJ Fanatics, BJJ Heroes, and YouTube to rank the best rubber guard instructionals for no-gi. Clear picks for different needs and budgets.
Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren
A practical meathook-first rubber guard system that works without freakish flexibility.
The Ultimate Rubber Guard by Eddie Bravo
The definitive, four-volume overview straight from rubber guard's creator.
The Ultimate Path to the Rubber Guard by Jeremiah Vance
Modern gogo clinch chains with drills that make rubber guard feel repeatable.
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🥋 #1 Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren
Instructor: Brandon McCaghren
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 4 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Control posture first
Techniques: Meathook, Gogo Clinch, Triangle
- The Ultimate Path to the Rubber Guard by Jeremiah Vance – More drills and modern gogo clinch pathways.
- The Ultimate Rubber Guard by Eddie Bravo – Directly from the system's creator.
- Rubber Guard: Concepts From Half Guard by Richie Martinez – Best if your entry is half guard.
You will learn a tight, angle-based meathook system from closed and half guard. You will build control first, then attack with triangles, omoplatas, and gogo variations. You will not get a loose move dump or gi-specific grips.
✅ Pros
- Clear, progressive system that links entries to finishes.
- Teaches safe mechanics for non-flexible athletes.
- Strong community track record and actionable details.
⚠️ Cons
- Terminology can be off-putting if new to 10th Planet.
- Less focus on gi adaptations.
- Still requires basic hip mobility to protect knees.
💡 I rank this first because r/bjj consistently points to BMac's meathook details as the most useful entry into rubber guard for real rolls. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 The Ultimate Rubber Guard by Eddie Bravo
Instructor: Eddie Bravo
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 13 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Creator-level clarity
Techniques: Mission Control, Lockdown, Omoplata
- Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren – More actionable for most roll settings.
- The Ultimate Path to the Rubber Guard by Jeremiah Vance – Modern gogo clinch chains and drills.
- The 10th Planet Dead Orchard and Truck Finishes by Jeremiah Vance – Specialized rubber guard offshoot attacks.
You will learn the complete logic of rubber guard and lockdown from Eddie. You will see how it connects to MMA and no-gi strategy. You will not get gi-based grips or lapel systems.
✅ Pros
- Authoritative terminology and system logic.
- Broad coverage across closed and half guard.
- Context for MMA and posture control.
⚠️ Cons
- Pricey compared to peers.
- Some content overlaps with free videos.
- Not beginner friendly without coaching context.
💡 I place Eddie second because the authority and structure are invaluable, but many buyers report better immediate results with Meathook or Vance for less money. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 The Ultimate Path to the Rubber Guard by Jeremiah Vance
Instructor: Jeremiah Vance
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Drill the gogo clinch
Techniques: Gogo Clinch, Jersey, Triangle
- Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren – Simpler entries and posture control emphasis.
- The 10th Planet Dead Orchard and Truck Finishes by Jeremiah Vance – Specialized finishes once control is locked.
- Rubber Guard: Concepts From Half Guard by Richie Martinez – Best if your entries are from half guard.
You will learn jersey to gogo clinch chains and how to finish safely. You will get solo and partner drills to build control and timing. You will not get gi lapel dependencies or move dumps.
✅ Pros
- Strong focus on drilling and repeatable sequences.
- Great for adding gogo clinch to your closed guard.
- Competition-backed clips inspire confidence.
⚠️ Cons
- Requires basic hip mobility.
- Terminology may feel foreign at first.
- Not ideal for gi-first athletes.
💡 I like how this course turns gogo clinch into a complete plan with drills, which helps you retain and apply it in live rounds. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Rubber Guard: Concepts From Half Guard by Richie Martinez
Instructor: Richie Martinez
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Half to rubber funnel
Techniques: Jersey, Short Stop, Gogo Clinch
- The Ultimate Path to the Rubber Guard by Jeremiah Vance – More drilling and gogo-first chains.
- Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren – Closed guard emphasis and posture control.
- The Ultimate Rubber Guard by Eddie Bravo – Canonical terminology and history.
You will learn to convert half guard into jersey and meathook. You will attack with short stop, carni, and gogo clinch follow ups. You will not rely on extreme flexibility or gi grips.
✅ Pros
- Great bridge for half guard specialists.
- Angle-first mechanics reduce flexibility needs.
- Clear flows to omoplata and triangles.
⚠️ Cons
- Still niche if you avoid 10th Planet style.
- Gi players will need adaptations.
- Some find RG easier to stall without strikes.
💡 I recommend this if your best offense starts from half guard, because it gives you a clean route into classic rubber guard threats. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 The 10th Planet Dead Orchard and Truck Finishes by Jeremiah Vance
Instructor: Jeremiah Vance
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Advanced
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Finish when posture breaks
Techniques: Dead Orchard, Truck, 100 Percent
- The Ultimate Path to the Rubber Guard by Jeremiah Vance – Build entries before specialized finishes.
- Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren – Reliable posture control foundation.
- Rubber Guard: Concepts From Half Guard by Richie Martinez – Half guard routes into high guard.
You will learn dead orchard, 100%, and truck pathways after control. You will find armbars and twister-style finishes that punish broken posture. You will not get beginner entries or gi adjustments.
✅ Pros
- Excellent specialized finishing coverage.
- Connects dead orchard to truck back takes.
- Pairs well with Vance's entry-focused course.
⚠️ Cons
- Narrow scope without prior control skills.
- Less useful for beginners.
- Terminology may require acclimation.
💡 I view this as a finish-first companion; add it after you can reliably get to high guard or gogo clinch. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Getting To The 10th Planet by Zach Maslany
Instructor: Zach Maslany
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Beginner
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 37 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Learn key hubs first
Techniques: Free New York, Lockdown, Truck
- Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren – Deeper, rubber-guard-first focus.
- The Ultimate Path to the Rubber Guard by Jeremiah Vance – Modern gogo clinch paths and drills.
- The Ultimate Rubber Guard by Eddie Bravo – Canonical deep dive.
You will learn how to reach rubber guard from positions you already play. You will also see lockdown, truck, and spider web concepts. You will not get the deepest rubber guard finishing system here.
✅ Pros
- Great orientation to 10th Planet terms.
- Emphasizes entries you can plug into day one.
- Covers multiple hubs beyond rubber guard.
⚠️ Cons
- Shallow on rubber guard finishes.
- Some flexibility prerequisites noted by coach.
- Better as a primer than a core system.
💡 I see this as a map, not the territory; use it to learn terminology and routes, then pick a deeper rubber guard system. Recommendation: Skip.
Is rubber guard only for super flexible people?
You do not need circus-level flexibility, but you do need safe hip mobility and timing. r/bjj threads note that knee stress happens when you force mission control against posture rather than angling first. Meathook and jersey entries reduce strain if you control posture with your core and clamp, not by yanking your foot. Coaches also warn beginners to build basic guard and hip mobility before grinding rubber guard reps. Use drills and stop if you feel knee torque.
Does rubber guard work in MMA or at high levels?
r/bjj is split. Some point to examples and say it can work in specific matchups; others argue it is inconsistent in modern MMA without strikes or against posture-savvy opponents. The safer conclusion: it is a niche that demands strong posture control and transitions, not a universal guard. If you train MMA, integrate stand-ups and sweeps; if you train sub-only no-gi, combine meathook with trucks and back takes.
Meathook, Jersey, and Gogo Clinch: what is the difference?
Meathook is an overhook-based high guard that kills posture and opens triangles. Jersey is a clamp position that funnels to meathook or gogo clinch. Gogo clinch is a high collar tie with your shin that chains to gogoplata, omoplata, or sweeps. Many modern systems teach jersey to meathook or gogo clinch as the control-first pathway before finishing.
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