A pass-by-pass gi primer with retention drills.
The Bottom Line
Lisboa’s set groups counters by pass type, making it easy to drill. You will learn to avoid stack, over-under, knee cut, toreando and long step patterns. It is competent coverage, though less conceptual than the top picks.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Drill-focused learners
Skip if: You want deep concepts
Tech focus: Knee Cut Defense, Leg Weave Defense, Long Step Defense, Headquarters Defense, Leg Drag Defense, Half Guard Rebuild
Biggest takeaway: Organize reps by pass type.
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What You'll Learn
Alliance black belt Thomas Lisboa organizes retention around common passes: stack, over-under, knee cut, toreando, leg drag and long step. The focus is on drills and specific counters with simple movement concepts. It is a straightforward gi-friendly primer if you want targeted reps.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Knee Cut Defense
- Leg Weave Defense
- Long Step Defense
- Headquarters Defense
- Leg Drag Defense
- Half Guard Rebuild
Format & Level
- Instructional style: Drill Heavy, Technique Collection
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 2 hours and 27 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Skip. I suggest this to white-blue belts who want pass-specific reps in the gi.
Why Thomas Lisboa?
Thomas Lisboa is an Alliance black belt and experienced coach who emphasizes fundamentals and structured drilling. His approach is practical: identify the pass and apply the appropriate counter sequence. Expect clear instruction without heavy theory.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Clear, pass-specific structure helps drilling.
- Good beginner-friendly retention drills.
- Affordable way to cover multiple pass styles.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Less community discussion than bigger releases.
- Not as concept-rich as anthology-style systems.
- Mostly gi-oriented examples.
Smart Alternatives
- Guard Retention Made Easy – Shorter primer with immediate reactions. (Price: $79.00, 3 vols)
- Guard Retention Anthology Bundle – Upgrade to a deeper, more conceptual roadmap. (Price: $247.00, 16 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View Beyond The Basics: BJJ Guard Retention on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
