Want instructionals that teach the AOJ-style outside passing and distance control you see from Tainan Dalpra? Here are the closest BJJ Fanatics courses to learn that system, ranked by reception and usefulness.
Understanding The Distance On Top
Learn AOJ’s three distances so you pass like Tainan.
Understanding The Distance From Guard
Build an AOJ-style bottom game by managing distance.
Precision Knee Cut Passes
Master the knee cut that AOJ passers rely on.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 Understanding The Distance On Top by Gui Mendes
Instructor: Gui Mendes
Style: Conceptual, System Based, Footage Breakdown
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 17 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Pass by distance, not moves.
Techniques: Distance Management, Outside Passing, Knee Cut, Long Step, Leg Drag
- Understanding The Distance From Guard – Pairs perfectly if you also want AOJ-style guard concepts.
- Precision Knee Cut Passes – Adds surgical knee-cut mechanics to Gui’s distance map.
You will learn AOJ’s far, middle, and near distances and when to switch between them. You will connect knee cuts, leg drags, and long steps into a plan instead of guessing. You will not get a random move list or no-gi body-lock focus.
✅ Pros
- The most faithful AOJ-style top framework available on Fanatics.
- System-first teaching clarifies when to knee cut, drag, or long step.
- Includes sparring analysis to see decisions in real time.
⚠️ Cons
- Concept-heavy pacing may feel slow if you want quick techniques.
- Color and mat choices reduce visual contrast for some viewers.
- Limited no-gi applicability compared to body-lock instructionals.
💡 I rank this first because it teaches the decision tree behind Tainan-like passing rather than isolated moves. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Understanding The Distance From Guard by Gui Mendes
Instructor: Gui Mendes
Style: Conceptual, System Based, Footage Breakdown
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 39 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Distance dictates your next guard.
Techniques: Collar Sleeve, De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, X Guard, Guard Retention
- Precision Collar and Sleeve Guard Passing - Study the opposite side to attack collar-sleeve players better.
You will create an organized bottom game across near, middle, and far distances. You will learn collar-sleeve, DLR, RDLR, and X-Guard choices against common passes. You will not get a move buffet detached from strategy.
✅ Pros
- Explains how elite AOJ guards create dilemmas for passers.
- Four volumes with sparring analysis to ground the concepts.
- Pairs perfectly with the top-distance course for full blueprint.
⚠️ Cons
- Less directly about Tainan’s passing than the top series.
- A few buyers felt AOJ platform versions were stronger.
- Heavy on gi grips; limited no-gi transfer without adaptation.
💡 I included this second because learning the bottom perspective sharpens your ability to anticipate and finish passes like Tainan. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Precision Knee Cut Passes by Lucas Lepri
Instructor: Lucas Lepri
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 22 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Angles and grips beat frames.
Techniques: Knee Cut, Pressure Control, Grip Fighting
- Precision Guard Passing Bundle - Expand into collar-sleeve and half guard systems.
You will refine entries, grips, and hip angles for unstoppable knee cuts. You will learn finishes and stabilizations that prevent last-second reguards. You will not get a distance framework; pair with Gui’s concepts.
✅ Pros
- Elite knee-cut mechanics that plug directly into AOJ-style chains.
- Concise teaching with repeatable checkpoints for stability.
- Great value pricing compared to larger sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Less conceptual; needs pairing with a system course.
- Assumes some familiarity with gi passing grips.
- Limited coverage of long step or leg drag specifics.
💡 I see this as the best add-on after Gui: it makes your knee cut finish feel inevitable. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Blueprint To Meregali's Top Pressure: Outside Passing by Nicholas Meregali
Instructor: Nicholas Meregali
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 4 hours and 8 minutes
Volumes: 6
Biggest takeaway: Camp, then cut decisively.
Techniques: Outside Passing, Long Step, Toreando, Leg Drag
- Fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu: Inside Half Guard Passing - Complements outside sequences with half-guard finishes.
You will learn to camp outside, exhaust reactions, then finish with knee cuts, long steps, or drags. You will connect sequences that mirror modern AOJ-style passing. You will not get deep no-gi body-lock mechanics.
✅ Pros
- Clear emphasis on outside-to-inside transitions common in Tainan’s game.
- Long-step, knee-cut, and drag flows in one place.
- Six volumes provide robust coverage and troubleshooting.
⚠️ Cons
- Mixed community reception; some did not click with the teaching style.
- High price compared to shorter, focused courses.
- Less emphasis on micro-grip theory than AOJ materials.
💡 I value this for giving you a complete outside-passing cadence you can train as a system. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Interplay Between High Step and Body Lock Passing by Nicky Ryan
Instructor: Nicky Ryan
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Biggest takeaway: High step unlocks body locks.
Techniques: High Step, Body Lock, Half Guard Passing
- Body Lock The World - Another structured body-lock curriculum for no-gi specialists.
You will tie high-step movement to body-lock entries and half-guard finishes. You will improve step timing that also helps gi outside passing. You will not learn collar-sleeve or lapel-dependent sequences.
✅ Pros
- Bridges no-gi body locks with AOJ-like high-step mechanics.
- Concise explanations with actionable sequences.
- Good stepping drills that transfer to gi movement.
⚠️ Cons
- Not focused on gi grips that Tainan favors.
- More techniques than conceptual frameworks.
- Pricey relative to runtime unless discounted.
💡 I include this for well-rounded passers who want high-step mechanics that resemble the AOJ long-step vibe. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Does Tainan Dalpra have a BJJ Fanatics instructional?
As of October 2025 we found no Tainan-authored products on BJJ Fanatics. Tainan’s long-term coach is Gui Mendes, who has two BJJ Fanatics releases focused on distance management. Those are the closest match to Tainan’s style available on Fanatics today. For athlete context, see BJJ Heroes profiles for both Tainan and Gui.
How to combine these courses for an AOJ-style pass game
Start with Gui’s Top Distance to learn when to be far, middle, or near. Add Lepri’s Precision Knee Cut to upgrade the finish. Use Meregali for outside sequences and long-step chains. If you cross-train no-gi, Nicky Ryan’s high-step drills improve your step timing and half-guard finishes. Drill one sequence per distance and film your rounds to test decision timing.
Why outside passing fits lighter and middleweights
Outside passing lets you dictate grips and pace without stalling in closed spaces. AOJ-style long steps and knee cuts tax your opponent’s frames while keeping you safe from underhooks. This is why Tainan and many feather-to-middleweight champs favor outside-first passing, then convert to tight pressure only when the hips and shoulders are compromised.
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