Affordable, fundamentals-first gi gripping with simple drills that stick.
The Bottom Line
You will learn how to establish and keep collar-and-sleeve control, plus drill footwork that creates throwing and passing chances. It is concise and beginner-friendly. You will not get advanced lapel systems or no-gi hand fighting.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Budget gi learners
Skip if: You train no-gi only
Tech focus: Collar And Sleeve, Grip Breaks, Kuzushi, Foot Sweeps, Movement Drills, Grip Recovery
Biggest takeaway: Basics beat chaos.
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What You'll Learn
A classic, budget-friendly roadmap to gripping for gi BJJ. You get collar-and-sleeve priorities, grip breaks, footwork drills, and simple ashi waza that land you safely for passes or submissions.
Great if you want fundamentals without a huge runtime.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Collar And Sleeve
- Grip Breaks
- Kuzushi
- Foot Sweeps
- Movement Drills
- Grip Recovery
- Guard Pull Counters
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: Beginner
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 1 hour and 27 minutes
- Volumes: 3
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like this as a cheap on-ramp before investing in bigger systems.
Why Fernando Yamasaki?
Fernando Yamasaki is a BJJ 6th-degree and judo 4th-degree black belt with decades of coaching. His gripping curriculum favors clarity and drilling. Expect practical counters to common collar-and-sleeve fights, basic kuzushi, and BJJ-specific tie-ins after the throw. It is designed to be digestible for new gi students. The goal is safe, steady standup competence.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Often listed as a worthwhile buy for standup fundamentals.
- Appreciated for simple gripping and movement drills that scale.
- Good price-to-value for building a base quickly.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Mostly gi and judo-leaning; limited no-gi translation.
- Less depth than modern long-form series.
- Production feels dated compared to newer releases.
Smart Alternatives
- Scientific Gripping Systems For Jiu Jitsu – Newer, more cohesive ruleset. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
- Gorilla Grips by Magid Hage – Better ground integration and no-gi nods. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
- Gripping Workshop: The Ultimate Study by Neil Adams – Deeper on positive vs negative gripping ideas. (Price: $127.00, 4 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View Judo Gripping Systems For BJJ on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
