Make no-gi closed guard dangerous with posture breaks, off-balances, and high-percentage finishes.
The Bottom Line
You learn to remove posts, stop their stand-ups, and off-balance from seated or standing opponents. The course chains hip bump, kimura, guillotine, triangle and armlock entries. You will not rely on sleeve grips; everything works slick in no-gi.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: No-gi guard players
Skip if: You only train gi
Tech focus: No-Gi Closed Guard, Posture Breaking, Hip Bump, Kimura, Triangle
Biggest takeaway: Kill posts, then attack
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What You'll Learn
Akins revives no-gi closed guard with posture breaking, standing counters, off-balances, and a submission chain that does not need cloth grips. The series is long and organized in volumes by problems you actually face in live rounds.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- No-Gi Closed Guard
- Posture Breaking
- Hip Bump
- Kimura
- Guillotine
- Triangle
- Armbar
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 5 hours and 2 minutes
- Volumes: 8
- Released: 2024
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I stopped pulling with my arms and started collapsing posts with my hips and legs first.
Why Henry Akins?
Akins’ closed guard approach comes from connection and posture disruption rather than chasing grips. As a Rickson black belt, he emphasizes mechanics that create leverage first, then attacks built on broken posture.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Closed guard details work even without grips.
- Great drills to kill posts and make them sit.
- Good standing counters and sweeps sequence.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Full price is steep; wait for sales.
- Some want more advanced submission chains.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Inside The Closed Guard – Focuses on posture and opening strategies. (Price: $279.00, 2022)
- Closed Guard Attacks – Pairs posture control with finishing options. (Price: $279.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Black Hole: No-Gi Closed Guard on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.