We researched Travis Stevens instructionals on BJJ Fanatics and ranked the best by community reception, clarity, applicability, and production quality.
BJJ Basics
A structured fundamentals blueprint that speeds up your first two years.
Magic Guard Passing
Make hard guards feel simple with lapel-savvy pressure.
Mastering No Gi Passing
No-gi pass chains built on balance and pinning.
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🥋 #1 BJJ Basics by Travis Stevens
Instructor: Travis Stevens
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 8 hours and 14 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Master the core positions fast.
Techniques: Knee Cut Pass, Toreando, Armbar, Cross Collar Choke, Triangle, Scissor Sweep, Ankle Pick
BJJ Basics gives you a clear, position-first path through the essential sweeps, passes, escapes, and finishes. Short chapters make it simple to study, drill, and revisit weak spots. You will not learn niche meta tricks here; you will learn the reliable core that wins in everyday training.
✅ Pros
- Eight volumes organize the full fundamentals game without fluff.
- Chapters are short and actionable, great for drilling blocks.
- Gi-focused details improve grips, posture, and positional aims.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited no-gi transfer compared with dedicated no-gi sets.
- Broad survey means less deep diving on any single micro-position.
- Price can be high unless you catch a sale.
💡 I rate this highest because it solves the real problem most buyers have: a coherent foundation you can study in small, repeatable chunks. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Magic Guard Passing by Travis Stevens
Instructor: Travis Stevens
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Volumes: 2
Biggest takeaway: Pin first, pass second.
Techniques: Closed Guard Opening, Spider Guard Passing, Lasso Guard Passing, Butterfly Guard Passing, Knee Cut Strategy, Half Guard Passing
- Killing the Spider and Lasso Guard - Deeper look at two trouble guards featured here.
Magic Guard Passing gives you a connected plan for opening, pinning, and finishing common guards. You learn when to apply knee cuts, when to staple hooks, and when to retreat and re-pin. It will not cover modern leglock passing or bodylock nuances; it teaches classic, high-percentage gi pressure done right.
✅ Pros
- Tight two-volume plan that is easy to revisit.
- Great lapel and pinning details that scale to bigger partners.
- Focus on linking passes reduces scramble risk.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited coverage of modern no-gi passing mechanics.
- Less depth on leg-drag and bodylock tree than specialist sets.
- Assumes basic gi grip literacy.
💡 I ranked this high because it converts guard passing into predictable sequences using grips and pressure most gyms already train. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Mastering No Gi Passing by Travis Stevens
Instructor: Travis Stevens
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 8 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Pin first, then chain passes.
Techniques: Over Under Pass, Double Under Pass, Knee Cut Pass, Weave Pass, Leg Drag Entries, Distance Management
- Magic Guard Passing - Gi version with similar pressure-first themes.
Mastering No Gi Passing teaches you to win frames before attempting to pass. You learn to pin hips and knees, then cycle between safe pressure options. It assumes you already know basic no-gi grips and will not cover modern bodylock trees in depth.
✅ Pros
- Explains no-gi balance and distance cleanly.
- Pressure options that work for bigger or older athletes.
- Transitions between passes are explicit, not implied.
⚠️ Cons
- Less modern bodylock coverage than specialist sets.
- Intermediate pacing may overwhelm brand-new white belts.
- Runtime details and release date are not clearly listed.
💡 I like how it reframes no-gi passing around pinning the hips and knees instead of chasing grips you do not have. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Understanding Collar Chokes by Travis Stevens
Instructor: Travis Stevens
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Grip, angle, then squeeze.
Techniques: Cross Collar Choke, Paper Cutter Choke, Bow And Arrow Choke, Ezekiel Choke, Loop Choke, Grip Fighting
- Chokes - Shorter, budget-friendly choke concepts from Stevens.
Understanding Collar Chokes zeroes in on the finish. You learn how to build grips and angles from mount, side, and back so collars bite with less strength. It does not address no-gi strangles; it is a gi-only finisher toolkit.
✅ Pros
- Narrow focus on finishing raises submission rate fast.
- Explains when to switch to paper-cutter or bow and arrow.
- Pairs well with any passing system.
⚠️ Cons
- Gi only, with no no-gi equivalents offered.
- Some buyers may want more volume count clarity.
- Less value if collars are already a strong suit.
💡 I like how it reframes collar chokes as geometry and timing so smaller athletes can finish big partners cleanly. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Attacking & Defending The Turtle by Travis Stevens
Instructor: Travis Stevens
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Beginner
Format: Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 23 minutes
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: Attack shell edges, not the shell.
Techniques: Turtle Breakdowns, Hook Removal, Front Headlock Reversal, Arm Trap Roll, Leg Trap Roll, Back Takes
This course gives you fast answers for top and bottom turtle. You learn to strip hooks, roll at the right moment, and convert positions into back takes or sweeps. If you want exhaustive turtle theory or no-gi wrestling-style rides, look elsewhere.
✅ Pros
- Short, practical fixes you can use this week.
- Back-take pathways are simple and repeatable.
- Includes bottom turtle survival and reversals.
⚠️ Cons
- Brief runtime compared with larger systems.
- Primarily gi focused; fewer no-gi examples.
- Less depth on crucifix and ride transitions.
💡 I like this as a plug-in for anyone whose rounds keep stalling at turtle and needs immediate, simple options. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Chokes by Travis Stevens
Instructor: Travis Stevens
Style: Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 47 hours and 51 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Small grip tweaks finish more chokes.
Techniques: Cross Collar Choke, Paper Cutter Choke, Loop Choke, Ezekiel Choke, Grip Breaks, Finish Details
- Understanding Collar Chokes - Deeper, finish-focused collar system in the gi.
Chokes is a short, affordable look at common gi finishes. You get bite-improving tweaks more than a full system. If you want comprehensive choke theory, choose a longer course.
✅ Pros
- Low price is easy to justify on sale.
- Practical finish cues you can test tonight.
- Pairs well with broader fundamentals sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited scope and depth versus larger systems.
- Gi only; no-gi players gain little here.
- Sparse social proof noted by buyers.
💡 I suggest this only when you specifically want low-cost choke tuning and already own a fundamentals or passing course. Recommendation: Skip.
How we ranked Travis Stevens instructionals
We weighted r/bjj community reception the most, then judged how coherent the system is versus a loose move dump. Next, we checked applicability across belts and gi or no-gi. We also factored Stevens credibility as a Danaher black belt and Olympic medalist, and the clarity of structure, drills, and examples. When threads conflicted, we prioritized more recent or specific comments and reflected that in pros and cons.
Which one should a pure no-gi player start with?
Start with Mastering No Gi Passing. It explains balance, distance, and pinning without cloth grips and links passes into chains. If you need finishes, pair it with a no-gi submission set from another coach. Magic Guard Passing is strong, but most value is in the gi. BJJ Basics is also gi-first.
Do these pair well together?
Yes. A practical path is BJJ Basics for global structure, then Magic Guard Passing or Mastering No Gi Passing to upgrade your top game. Add Understanding Collar Chokes if you pass but rarely finish with collars. Skip Chokes unless you specifically want a budget finisher tune-up.
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