A complete footwork-first gi passing system that turns seated guards into easy finishes.
The Bottom Line
You will learn how to control stance, distance, and angles before grips so your first step wins. The system splits choices into front door vs back door and chains toreandos into knee slices, folds, and leg drags. You will not get heavy over under pressure here; it is built for fast, mobile gi passing.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Fast-footwork gi passers
Skip if: You want no-gi only
Tech focus: Toreando, Knee Slice, Leg Drag, Forklift Pass, Angle Creation, Hand Fighting
Biggest takeaway: Win the angle before grips land.
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What You'll Learn
Isaac maps a complete standing-first passing system for when opponents sit up. You learn stance, range, and how to create angles before grips land. Front door vs back door paths make decisions simple. The curriculum chains toreando variations into knee slices, folds, and leg drags.
If you like movement-based passing, this is plug and play for gi rounds and comps.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Toreando
- Knee Slice
- Leg Drag
- Forklift Pass
- Thigh Drag
- Hand Fighting
- Angle Creation
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 1 hour and 42 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I found the front door vs back door language makes timing reads obvious, which removes hesitation when opponents frame or post.
Why Isaac Doederlein?
Isaac is a black belt under Cobrinha with a dynamic, movement-heavy top game. He won IBJJF Worlds in 2022 and Brazilian Nationals in 2019 and 2023. BJJ Heroes lists leg drag as a favorite and documents dozens of elite podiums. His teaching emphasizes simple concepts tied to predictable reactions, which suits standing-first passing.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- His footwork looks like art and closest to Rafa's energy today.
- Good place to start: bullfighter with collar grip into stacks and knee cuts.
- If you are fast and use footwork, Isaac is the recommendation.
- Students praise his theme based teaching for retention.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- If you prefer pressure passing, people point to Meregali instead.
- Several recommend Danaher or Gordon for broader passing frameworks first.
- Gi-first grips; no-gi focused players may need translation.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Pressure Passing Encyclopedia by Bernardo Faria – A slower, chest to chest pressure style if movement passing is not your game. (Price: $79.00)
- Modern No Gi Guard Passing by Kaynan Duarte – Translates concepts to no-gi with clear finishing sequences. (Price: $97.00)
- Outside Passing by Jason Rau – Loose, angle based passing that pairs well with Isaac's entries. (Price: $99.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Footwork Passing vs the Seated Guard on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
