By BJJ More Team | Updated March 2025
Ready to transform your guard game from passive to predatory? Giancarlo Bodoni’s systematic approach might be exactly what your BJJ arsenal needs. His “Forging The Guard” series breaks down complex positions into digestible, actionable techniques that work for grapplers at every level. Check out his complete collection on BJJ Fanatics and revolutionize your mat time today.
What You’ll Find in This Review
- What Makes Bodoni’s Instructionals Unique
- The Complete “Forging The Guard” Series Breakdown
- Bodoni’s Leg Lock Expertise
- My Personal Experience & Key Takeaways
- Who These Instructionals Are Perfect For
- Final Verdict & Recommendations
Who is Giancarlo Bodoni?
Before diving into the instructionals, it’s worth understanding who’s doing the teaching. Giancarlo Bodoni is an ADCC champion and former member of the Danaher Death Squad (DDS) who later joined the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team. His technical precision, particularly in leg locks, has made him one of the most respected instructors in modern no-gi Jiu-Jitsu.
Bodoni’s teaching style combines the systematic approach of the DDS with his own unique insights, making complex techniques surprisingly accessible. As you’ll see throughout this review, his instructional style emphasizes drilling, positional control, and creating seamless connections between techniques.
The “Forging The Guard” Series: A Systematic Approach to Guard Mastery
Bodoni’s flagship instructional series “Forging The Guard” breaks down essential guard positions with remarkable clarity. Here’s my analysis of each component:
1. Mastering The Foundations of Closed Guard
This instructional completely reframes how you’ll think about the closed guard. While many instructors offer a collection of random techniques, Bodoni builds a coherent system that progresses from fundamental control to advanced attacks.
What impressed me most was Bodoni’s emphasis on grip fighting and posture control – elements often glossed over in other instructionals. He presents several drills that immediately improved my ability to break my opponent’s posture and maintain control.
Key techniques covered:
- Progressive grip-fighting strategy
- Hip movement and distance management
- High-percentage sweeps from closed guard
- Submission chains that cover your opponent’s likely responses
At approximately 3 hours of content, this instructional offers exceptional value, particularly for beginners and intermediate grapplers looking to solidify their closed guard foundations.
2. Mastering The Foundations of Butterfly Guard
If you’re frustrated by butterfly guard concepts that sound good on paper but fall apart in live rolling, this instructional provides the missing pieces. Bodoni breaks down not just the techniques, but the timing and connection points that make butterfly guard truly effective.
What sets this instructional apart:
- Focus on establishing and maintaining proper hook placement
- Timing-based drills to develop realistic entries
- Clear progression from basic sweeps to advanced combinations
- Integration with leg lock entries (where Bodoni truly shines)
Reddit users consistently praise this instructional, with one comment noting that “Bodoni’s butterfly guard drills transformed my game.” After implementing his concepts for several months, I can confirm this isn’t hyperbole – the systematic approach genuinely works.
3. Mastering The Foundations of Ashi Garami
This might be the crown jewel of Bodoni’s collection. Given his association with the DDS and New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, his expertise in leg entanglements is unsurprising, but the clarity of his instruction is remarkable.
The instructional covers:
- Classification of different Ashi Garami positions and their advantages
- Entries from standing, passing, and defensive positions
- Control mechanics that prevent common escapes
- Finishing details for various leg locks
What impressed me was Bodoni’s emphasis on control before submission – a hallmark of the DDS approach. The technical details he shares on heel exposure for the heel hook are worth the price alone.
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4. De La Riva Guard
De La Riva guard can feel overwhelming with its myriad of grips and variations. Bodoni simplifies this complexity by focusing on core principles that apply across different scenarios.
Key strengths of this instructional:
- Clear explanation of how to establish and maintain the position
- Framework for adjusting to different opponent reactions
- High-percentage sweeps and transitions to other guards
- Integration with his overall guard system
I’ve found his approach to De La Riva particularly valuable in no-gi contexts, where traditional grip-dependent techniques often fall short. His emphasis on leg positioning and weight distribution provides a more adaptable framework.
Beyond Guards: Bodoni’s Other Essential Instructionals
Countering Leglocks
In an era where leg attacks are increasingly prevalent, this defensive instructional fills a critical gap in many practitioners’ knowledge. Rather than just teaching escapes, Bodoni focuses on building a proactive defense that can transition into counterattacks.
The instructional is structured around:
- Early defensive awareness and positioning
- Frame creation and proper leg alignment
- Escape pathways based on opponent’s commitment level
- Counter-attacking sequences
What separates this from other leg lock defense instructionals is Bodoni’s emphasis on understanding the attacker’s goals. By explaining both sides of the exchange, he provides a more complete defensive framework.
One Reddit user commented, “After watching this, my leglock defense feels much more structured and proactive,” which perfectly captures the value of this instructional.
My Experience with Bodoni’s Teaching Style
After studying multiple instructionals in Bodoni’s catalog, certain patterns emerge that define his teaching approach:
- System-Based Learning: Each technique connects to a broader framework, creating cohesive systems rather than isolated moves.
- Progressive Complexity: Concepts start simple before building to more advanced applications, making the material accessible regardless of experience level.
- Practical Drilling Methods: Bodoni consistently provides specific drills to develop the timing and feel necessary for each technique.
- Technical Precision: The small details that make techniques work are clearly highlighted – a reflection of his DDS lineage.
What I appreciate most is Bodoni’s honesty about techniques. When something requires specific attributes or works better in certain contexts, he says so directly rather than claiming universal effectiveness.
Who Are These Instructionals For?
Perfect for you if:
- You prefer systematic approaches over collections of random techniques
- You want to develop a cohesive guard game that flows between positions
- You’re interested in modern no-gi tactics, particularly leg locks
- You appreciate detailed technical instruction with clear drilling methodologies
Maybe look elsewhere if:
- You prefer a more traditional, gi-focused approach
- You’re looking for quick “competition hacks” rather than fundamental development
- You learn better through broader conceptual frameworks rather than technical details
Final Verdict: Are Bodoni’s Instructionals Worth Your Money?
After spending considerable time with Giancarlo Bodoni’s instructional library, I can confidently say these rank among the most valuable BJJ resources I’ve studied.
The “Forging The Guard” series in particular offers exceptional value for grapplers looking to develop a cohesive guard game. Each installment builds upon a common framework, creating a comprehensive system rather than disconnected techniques.
For those specifically interested in leg locks, Bodoni’s expertise in this area makes his Ashi Garami and Countering Leglocks instructionals essentially required viewing. The technical precision he brings to these topics is unmatched in most comparable products.
Bottom line: If you’re serious about developing a systematic, technically sound approach to BJJ – particularly in no-gi contexts – investing in Bodoni’s instructionals is a decision you won’t regret. Get them now on BJJ Fanatics and transform your game.
Looking for more world-class BJJ instruction? Check out my breakdown of the best Craig Jones instructionals for another leg lock master’s approach to modern grappling.
