Danaher gives a complete no-gi closed guard system with rules for posture, elbow, height, and chains that cover every common scenario.
The Bottom Line
You will learn closed guard as linked positions that solve posture, elbow, and height problems. The decision-making rules reduce guesswork during tough no-gi rounds. You will not get a quick move dump; expect dense concepts and long-form instruction.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: No-gi learners who want rules
Skip if: You dislike long theory segments
Tech focus: Side Scissor, Clamp, Top Lock, Hip Sweep, Trap Triangle
Biggest takeaway: Structure beats guesswork in no-gi.
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What You'll Learn
Danaher maps closed guard into linked positions like side scissor, clamp, double underhooks, top lock, and high cross, with tactics for when you win or lose posture and elbow battles.
It is the most structured no-gi closed guard roadmap, with decision rules that help you choose the next best move.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Side Scissor
- Clamp
- Double Underhooks
- Top Lock
- Hip Sweep
- Trap Triangle
- Elbow Sweep
- Rear Triangle
- Two Stage Attack
- Leglock Entries
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 9 hours and 38 minutes
- Volumes: 8
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I use Danaher’s posture and elbow battle rules as a checklist when stuck in closed guard.
Why John Danaher?
John Danaher is a renowned coach behind champions like Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon. His New Wave approach focuses on principles first, then tactics. This set connects side scissor, clamp, top lock, and high cross into one map. He emphasizes solving posture and elbow control before committing to attacks. The instruction is dense and analytical. Expect long-form explanations and precise mechanics.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Systemic framework that clarifies what to do when posture fights swing.
- Real value is the concepts around each move, not just techniques.
- Great for no-gi players who struggle to generate offense.
- Well-organized sequence of positions with clear transitions.
- Community-made flowcharts show it clicks as a system.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Expensive relative to shorter sets.
- Long runtime and dense delivery can overwhelm beginners.
- Some feel GFF vs New Wave overlap is confusing.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- The Roger Gracie Closed Guard System – Cleaner gi-focused fundamentals with minimal jargon. (Price: $149.00, 4 vols)
- Efficiently Executing From Closed Guard by Giancarlo Bodoni – Shorter, actionable no-gi options with modern flavor. (Price: $197.00, 4 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Closed Guard – Building a Complete Closed Guard System on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
