The 17 Best Giancarlo Bodoni Instructionals: Complete Review & Rankings 2025

The exact back-take chain Bodoni used to submit Lucas Barbosa by RNC at the ADCC 2022 final. A layered system from turtle breakdown to hook insertion to strangles, with strong anti-escape sequences.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~8 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi (concepts apply to gi)
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Back Takes / Turtle

What It Covers

Bodoni calls the back mount “behind the elbows” – meaning your chest is glued to their back with your arms positioned behind their elbows, where they have no leverage to escape. The instructional starts with basic positional control, then covers turtle breakdowns, hook insertion, how to stay on the back when opponents stand up, and wrestling-based moves like Nelsons, cross-body rides, and twisters to get them back down.

The final two volumes focus on finishing: hand strangles (RNC, short choke, arm-in choke) and leg strangles from the back. Every technique builds on the “connection” principle that runs through the entire Essential Connections series.

What Makes It Stand Out

• This is the system that won two ADCC titles – not theoretical, proven against the best in the world
• Covers the full chain: turtle breakdown to hooks to back retention to finishing, with strong anti-escape layers throughout
• Bodoni submitted 3 of 4 opponents at ADCC 2022 using these exact sequences, zero points scored against him

What the Community Says

“The Essential Connections bundle is a progressive, systematic organization focused on chest connection principles.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8.5/10 bundle rating)

“When he stepped on the mat at ADCC it would be a very different Giancarlo. In his four matches he finished three out of four opponents.”

— John Danaher, on Bodoni’s development

Weakness

At 8 hours, this is a serious time commitment. Gordon Ryan’s “Systematically Attacking the Back” covers similar ground with arguably deeper finishing detail and more concise delivery. If you only want turtle attacks, Danaher’s turtle module from the Go Further Faster series is shorter.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who wants a reliable, competition-tested path from turtle/scrambles to the back and RNC.

Avoid if: You want a quick, condensed back attack module. 8 hours is a lot.

Pairs with: Front Headlocks – front headlock entries that feed directly into back takes

BJJ World gave this a perfect 10/10 rating. A control-first approach to modern leg entanglements that emphasizes sweeps as viable alternatives to submissions – not just heel hook finishing.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Leg Entanglements

What It Covers

Eight volumes covering the full ashi garami game: Part 1 tackles kuzushi (off-balancing) mechanics, Part 2 tests the connection to see if you have a real position or are about to lose it, Part 3 covers sweeping from ashi (ankle picks, tripod sweeps, double shin sweeps), Part 4 introduces the butterfly ashi position, Part 5 counters to top maneuvers, Part 6 attacks ashi garami from the top, Part 7 deals with common defenses, and Part 8 covers baiting tactics and transitions between positions.

The emphasis on sweeps is what separates this from most leg lock instructionals. Bodoni treats ashi garami as a full positional system, not just a submission setup.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Perfect 10/10 rating from BJJ World (Ognen Dzabirski) – his highest-rated Bodoni instructional
• Emphasizes control and sweeps over pure submission hunting, making it safer for training partners
• Covers ashi garami from both top and bottom, including defensive counters to opponent attacks

What the Community Says

“One of the best Ashi Garami instructionals I have ever seen.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (10/10)

“Having Bodoni explain the latest developments is like learning physics from Hawking.”

— BJJ World review

Weakness

Danaher’s “Enter The System: Leg Locks” remains the gold standard reference and is more encyclopedic. Bodoni’s version is more concise and practical, but if you want to understand every possible leg lock position, Danaher goes deeper. Also, this requires solid positional understanding to get the most out of it – true beginners should start with Leg Lock Defense first.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate no-gi players who want to add structured leg attacks without drowning in theory.

Avoid if: You are already a dedicated leg-lock specialist seeking edge-case details (go Danaher instead).

Pairs with: Leg Lock Defense: Survive & Escape – learn to attack and defend the same positions

Low-effort wrestle-ups from butterfly, DLR/RDLR, and half-butterfly that feed directly into Bodoni’s front headlock and back-take chains. This is how modern no-gi competitors score points from guard.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 5+ hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Guard / Sweeps / Wrestle-ups

What It Covers

Eight volumes covering wrestle-ups from every common guard configuration: seated vs. kneeling opponents, standing opponents, and supine wrestling. Techniques include double legs from seated guard, 2-on-1 grip applications, arm drags, foot sweeps (kouchi gari, de ashi barai), single leg variations, ankle picks, snapdowns, and ashi garami integration with leg lock threats.

The key insight is that these are “lazy wrestling moves” – not explosive takedowns, but efficient, leverage-based stand-ups that BJJ guard players can use without being actual wrestlers.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Connects directly to Bodoni’s proven competition formula: wrestle up, then front headlock or back take
• Covers seated vs. kneeling, standing, and supine positions – not just one scenario
• Crystal-clear finishing mechanics after the stand-up, which is the missing link in most wrestle-up content

What the Community Says

“Lazy wrestling moves that help guard-bound BJJ grapplers get sweeps in a way that most people don’t expect.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8.5/10)

Weakness

Wrestle-ups are trending right now and several competitors have covered this topic. Jon Thomas covers similar ground for free on YouTube. Also, these are harder to drill without a committed training partner who will play the reactions correctly.

My Recommendation

Best for: No-gi players who struggle to finish sweeps without standing up, and anyone building a modern ADCC-style guard game.

Avoid if: Your ruleset forbids stand-ups from guard, or you already have a strong wrestling background.

Pairs with: Front Headlocks – head snaps and guillotines when opponents sprawl on your wrestle-up

Front headlock to back take is one of Bodoni’s signature chains. His two ADCC title runs showcase exactly how valuable this pathway is in modern no-gi.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~7 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi (gi crossover with collar snaps)
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Front Headlock / Takedowns

What It Covers

Standing and ground front-headlock control: snap-downs, drag-downs, standing trips and takedowns, guillotines, anacondas, and transitions to rear mount. The emphasis is on hand-fight discipline – keeping the headlock when opponents fight your grips. Volumes progress from entries (standing and ground) to control (maintaining the position through resistance) to finishes (chokes and back takes).

What Makes It Stand Out

• Front headlock to back take is Bodoni’s signature – proven across two ADCC title runs
• Actionable, competition-ready sequences rather than scattered techniques
• Covers both standing and ground front headlock entries

What the Community Says

“The bundle is a progressive, systematic organization… Bodoni keeps a strong focus on the chest connection principles throughout.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World

Weakness

Very specialized. If you don’t snap heads or attack the front headlock, much of this won’t apply. At 7 hours, it’s long for a single position. Ryan Hall’s front headlock material is more concise.

My Recommendation

Best for: Grapplers who want a robust front headlock they can use to finish or take the back in no-gi.

Avoid if: You never attack the head, or you only want pure guard-bottom material.

Pairs with: Behind The Elbows – finish the cycle: front headlock to back, then RNC

Bodoni went from getting heel-hooked at local competitions to winning ADCC. This is the defense system he built under Danaher that transformed his biggest weakness into a strength.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours across 8 parts
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi (gi players benefit too)
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Leg Lock Defense

What It Covers

Understanding attacker goals, threat assessment, lines of defense, safe pummeling mechanics, and layered escapes across cross ashi/saddle, outside ashi, and 50/50. Covers defenses against heel hooks, kneebars, toe holds, and achilles locks. Designed to keep you training safely while you build your overall game.

The focus is on proactive defense that transitions into counterattacks, not just surviving until time runs out.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Authentic: Danaher said Bodoni’s leg locks went from his “nemesis” to “a strong point” within a year
• Proactive defense framework: understand the attacker’s goals to anticipate and counter
• Immediately applicable in no-gi; gi players benefit from the same pummeling principles

What the Community Says

“His leg lock game, his nemesis in the past, started to become a strong point.”

— John Danaher, on Bodoni’s transformation at New Wave

Weakness

Defense only. If you want offense too, you need to buy Ashi Garami separately. Lachlan Giles’ “Leg Lock Anthology” covers both offense and defense in one package. Also, beginners who have never played ashi garami may want a basic positional overview first.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone being tapped by heel hooks or kneebars and needing a structured defense system.

Avoid if: You already have ironclad leg lock defense and want only obscure positions.

Pairs with: Efficiently Executing Ashi Garami – understand both sides of the exchange

A practical, drill-heavy butterfly guard set that bridges theory to live timing. Addresses why butterfly “dies” in sparring and gives you the troubleshooting steps to fix it.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours (estimated)
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 No-gi (gi crossover with collar drags)
• 🎯 Beginner to intermediate
• 🕸 Guard / Seated

What It Covers

Why butterfly guard fails against pressure passers and how to fix it with timing drills and off-balance sequences. Covers links to X-guard entries, single-leg wrestle-ups, and butterfly-to-back transitions. Includes defenses against bodylock passes that shut down most butterfly players. Works in the gi with collar drags and sleeve control variants.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Bridges theory to live timing with specific troubleshooting for common shut-downs
• Wrestle-up integrations make butterfly guard scoreable in competition rounds
• Anti-bodylock pass defense, which most butterfly sets ignore

What the Community Says

“Everyone is crazy about wrestle ups these days and Giancarlo takes care of that… once and for all defining a place for wrestle ups in the BJJ guard.”

— BJJ World review of the Forging The Guard series

Weakness

Less detailed than Marcelo Garcia’s butterfly material, which remains the gold standard for butterfly guard depth. If you already have a mature butterfly/X game and want edge-case details, this adds moderate value rather than transformative value.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners and intermediates building a seated guard that funnels to back takes and leg entries.

Avoid if: You already have a mature butterfly/X game and want edge-case details.

Pairs with: Wrestle Ups – turn off-balances into finishes

A foundation-focused X-guard that connects to leg entanglements and crab rides. BJJ World rated it 9.5/10 for making X-guard relevant in modern no-gi.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2.5 hours across 4 parts
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 No-gi (gi crossover with pant grips)
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Guard / X-Guard

What It Covers

Four focused parts: Part 1 covers kuzushi (off-balancing) from X-guard, Part 2 teaches sweeping (backward sweeps, directional sweeps, spinning leg techniques, ankle pick-like sweeps), Part 3 introduces reverse X-guard entries, and Part 4 connects X-guard to crab rides and ashi garami entries.

The 50/50 guard transitions are well covered, and the crab ride to back attack chain is a highlight.

What Makes It Stand Out

• BJJ World rated it 9.5/10 – one of Bodoni’s highest-rated individual sets
• Clean integration with leg entries and wrestle-ups makes X-guard relevant in current no-gi meta
• Crab ride to back attack chain is a standout section

What the Community Says

“Really does teach you how to become effective at playing this very powerful, but equally risky position.”

— BJJ World (9.5/10)

Weakness

At 2.5 hours, this is short compared to other X-guard resources. Lachlan Giles covers X/SLX more comprehensively in his Half Guard Anthology. If you want exhaustive X-guard detail, this is a strong introduction but not the final word.

My Recommendation

Best for: Players who like seated-guard chains and want X-guard to flow into leg entries and back takes.

Avoid if: You rarely stand opponents or attack legs from guard.

Pairs with: Butterfly Guard – X-guard is the natural extension of butterfly

Solves the classic problem: you get to mount or side control and then lose it. Bodoni’s chest-to-chest pinning system keeps you connected through hip escapes and kipping attempts.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi (gi lapel upgrades covered)
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Top Game / Pins / Submissions

What It Covers

Chest-to-chest pinning, transitions, and submissions from side control, north-south, and mount. Covers armbars, kimuras, guillotines, arm triangle variations, and triangle choke setups. The emphasis is on maintaining connection so opponents cannot hip-escape or kip out.

When opponents turtle from pins, you flow directly into the back-take system from the Behind The Elbows set – the two connect by design.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Directly addresses the “I get to dominant positions but lose them” problem
• Submissions from pins (arm triangles, kimuras, guillotines) are practical and high-percentage
• Designed to connect with the back-take system when opponents turtle from pins

What the Community Says

“The Essential Connections bundle teaches why chest connections matter, how to set them up, hold them, and finish.”

— BJJ World review of the bundle

Weakness

Purely top-focused. If you want a dedicated passing system to actually reach these positions, start with the Half Guard Passing set. For a more comprehensive pinning system, Craig Jones’ Power Ride covers unorthodox rides (leg rides, wrist rides) that go beyond traditional pins.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediates who reach dominant positions but struggle to maintain them and finish.

Avoid if: You need a passing system first – this assumes you can already get to side control.

Pairs with: Half Guard Passing – force half guard and connect into stable pins

A step-by-step passer’s roadmap that teaches you to impose the pass rather than react. Strong troubleshooting for common half-guard frames and underhooks.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours across 6 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi (gi cross-collar grip layer)
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Passing

What It Covers

Forcing half guard, establishing chest-to-chest, and finishing passes through common counters. Covers crossface and chin strap techniques, dealing with underhooks, and hip/shoulder control mechanics. The system is designed to work with the pins and submissions set – once you pass, you flow into chest-to-chest control.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Teaches you to impose your passing game rather than react to the guard player
• Thorough troubleshooting for common half-guard frames and underhooks
• Connects directly into the Pins & Submissions set once you complete the pass

What the Community Says

“The bundle covers everything from the initial connection to the final submission, with half guard passing as the entry point.”

— BJJ World

Weakness

Narrowly focused on half-guard only. Gordon Ryan’s “Passing The Guard” series covers more passing variations (toreando, leg drag, body lock, etc.). If you face players who never concede half guard, this becomes less relevant.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate passers who want a structured plan for forcing and completing half-guard passes.

Avoid if: You already play a deep body-lock passing system and want only edge cases.

Pairs with: Pins & Submissions – connect passes into stable control and finishes

Goes beyond defense into proactive counter-attacking from ashi positions. The ashi-to-back conversions are huge for scoring under ADCC and IBJJF no-gi rules.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours (estimated)
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Leg Lock Counters

What It Covers

Counter-attacking from outside ashi, cross ashi (saddle), 50/50, and backside positions. Includes ashi-to-back transitions, which are some of the highest-value scoring sequences in modern no-gi competition. This is the offensive follow-up to Leg Lock Defense: Survive & Escape.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Goes beyond pure defense into proactive counters and ashi-to-back conversions
• Ashi-to-back transitions mirror how Bodoni wins big matches at ADCC
• Aligns with Bodoni’s own career arc from leg lock victim to leg lock specialist

What the Community Says

“Displayed strong wrestling, excellent leg lock defense and counter offense… a dangerous closed guard, great back takes, and impressive finishing ability.”

— Living As a Grappler analysis of Bodoni’s game

Weakness

Requires understanding of basic leg lock positions first – this is not a beginner set. If you haven’t studied the defensive side, start with Leg Lock Defense: Survive & Escape. Danaher’s systematic approach to the same material is more methodical.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate-to-advanced no-gi players who face leg-lockers regularly and want to turn defense into offense.

Avoid if: You haven’t built basic leg lock survival mechanics yet.

Pairs with: Leg Lock Defense: Survive & Escape – build your defense foundation first

A clear half-guard starter that covers knee shield, half butterfly, underhook, and deep half. Rated 8/10 by BJJ World, though the deep half section is thin at just 10 minutes.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 5 parts
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 No-gi (gi lapel anchors noted)
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Guard / Half Guard

What It Covers

Five parts: Half Guard Criteria (1 hour covering guard recovery and positioning concepts), Knee Shield Half Guard (1 hour – clamping, triangle setups, scoop grip sweeps), Half Butterfly (arm drags, overhead sweeps, ashi garami entries), Underhook Half Guard (~30 minutes), and Deep Half (~10 minutes). Also covers no-gi waiter sweep variations and X-guard transitions.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Broad coverage of multiple half-guard variations in one set
• Knee shield section (1 hour) is the strongest part, with clear clamping and sweep mechanics
• Prioritizes control criteria and recovery sequences before attacks

What the Community Says

“More of a general instructional than a resource for building a half guard game.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8/10)

Weakness

The deep half section is only 10 minutes – barely covered. If deep half is your game, Lucas Leite or Paul Schreiner go much deeper. Ognen Dzabirski at BJJ World noted this is more of a general overview than a position-building resource.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intermediate players who want structure and live-ready recoveries across multiple half-guard variations.

Avoid if: You want an exhaustive half-guard encyclopedia (get Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology instead).

Pairs with: Half Guard Passing – understand the top-bottom fight from both sides

An underused guard position that creates simple, nasty dilemmas. High triangle/omoplata payoff with a surprise factor that many training rooms under-defend.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours (estimated)
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 No-gi (gi collar tie and sleeve-pin variants)
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Guard / Clamp

What It Covers

Clamp control from seated and closed-guard style entries with tight triangle/omoplata trees. The clamp position traps the opponent’s arm and head together, creating a constant submission threat that forces reactions you can predict and exploit.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Surprise factor – the clamp is under-defended in most training rooms
• Simple dilemmas: every escape from the clamp feeds into another attack
• Good crossover to gi with collar tie and sleeve-pin variations

What the Community Says

“Bodoni keeps coming in steady with high quality instructionals, at similar frequency to Ryan’s and Danaher’s.”

— BJJ World observation on Bodoni’s output

Weakness

Niche guard that most people won’t build their entire game around. If you need fundamental seated-guard mechanics first, start with butterfly guard. The clamp works best as an add-on to an existing guard system, not a standalone.

My Recommendation

Best for: Players who want a unique attacking hub with high triangle/omoplata payoff.

Avoid if: You need fundamental seated-guard mechanics first.

Pairs with: Closed Guard – clamp dovetails with classic closed-guard attacks

A fundamentals set with modern grip-fighting detail. Makes closed guard proactive instead of “hold and hope.”

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 4 parts (estimated)
• 📅 Released: 2024
• 🥋 Gi & no-gi
• 🎯 Beginner to intermediate
• 🕸 Guard / Closed Guard

What It Covers

Structured posture breaking, angles, and chains (armbar/triangle/omoplata), with tips for both no-gi and gi (cross-collar setups). System-based approach rather than technique lists. Bodoni showed dangerous closed guard work at the 2024 ADCC final against Jacob Rodriguez, using sweeps and submission attempts to secure victory.

What Makes It Stand Out

• System-based approach: posture break, angle, chain – not a list of random techniques
• Bodoni used closed guard at the 2024 ADCC final, proving it works at elite level
• Great starter set for newer grapplers wanting a coherent plan

What the Community Says

“Bodoni showcased his underrated closed guard through sweeps and submission attempts to secure victory by points in overtime.”

— ONE Championship analysis of Bodoni’s 2024 ADCC final

Weakness

Closed guard has many excellent existing resources. Roger Gracie and John Danaher both have deeper coverage. Bodoni is primarily known as a top player, not a closed guard specialist, which limits the credibility advantage here.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners and intermediates who want a coherent closed-guard plan for both gi and no-gi.

Avoid if: You only train no-gi and never close your guard, or you already have a mature closed guard system.

Pairs with: Butterfly Guard – open up to seated guards once opponents stand

DLR adapted for modern no-gi with clear connections to ashi garami entries, X-guard transitions, and K-guard bolos. Rated 8/10 by BJJ World.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 2+ hours
• 📅 Released: 2025
• 🥋 Gi & no-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Guard / DLR

What It Covers

DLR leg positioning, weight shifts, and off-balances with options to wrestle up or enter legs. Covers pummeling sequences, ashi garami exposures, X-guard transitions, K-guard bolos with inversions, reverse reaps, kani basami entries, backside 50/50, and waiter sweep variations. Stronger in the gi with pant and sleeve grips, but usable no-gi with ankle/knee controls.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Content from a 2x ADCC champion who has tested everything at the highest level
• Connects DLR to modern leg entry systems instead of treating it as a standalone position
• Covers K-guard bolos and kani basami entries – advanced transitions most DLR sets skip

What the Community Says

“Good for beginners, ideal for intermediate grapplers, and useful for experts, given that the instruction comes from the reigning ADCC champion.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8/10)

Weakness

DLR is fundamentally stronger in the gi. Dedicated no-gi players get less value here compared to butterfly or X-guard. Also, at 2+ hours, coverage is broader than deep.

My Recommendation

Best for: Gi-primary players who want Bodoni’s systematic take on DLR with modern leg entry connections.

Avoid if: You rarely play with pant or collar grips, or you train primarily no-gi.

Pairs with: Reverse De La Riva – cover both sides of the DLR tree

RDLR as a transition hub to X-guard, singles, and backside entries. Bodoni treats it as a connector, not a camping position – which fits modern scoring.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2-3 hours (estimated)
• 📅 Released: 2025
• 🥋 Gi & no-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Guard / RDLR

What It Covers

No-gi-friendly RDLR using knee posts and shin wedges to expose singles, X-guard entries, or backside 50/50. Treats RDLR as a transition hub rather than a place to camp, which fits modern scoring rulesets that penalize guard stalling.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Treats RDLR as a transition hub, not a resting position
• No-gi friendly with knee posts and shin wedges rather than relying on gi grips
• Connects naturally to X-guard and leg entry systems

What the Community Says

“Bodoni’s works keep coming in steady with high quality instructionals.”

— BJJ World

Weakness

Very specialized. Needs to be combined with the standard DLR set for full value. If you don’t play shin-on-shin or knee posting games, the entry points won’t be available.

My Recommendation

Best for: Open-guard tinkerers seeking more entries to X-guard and leg entanglements.

Avoid if: You don’t play shin-on-shin or knee posting games.

Pairs with: De La Riva – round out both DLR variants

Best value if you want Bodoni’s complete top-game and back-attack system in one purchase. 20+ hours across 28 volumes covering back takes, front headlocks, passing, and pins.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ 20+ hours across 28 volumes (4 instructionals)
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Bundle / Systems

What It Covers

Combines all four Essential Connections instructionals: Behind The Elbows (~8h), Front Headlocks (~7h), Half Guard Passing (~5h), and Submissions & Pin Transitions (~6h). This is the cohesive, modern no-gi stack Bodoni used while winning ADCC -88kg twice.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Cheaper than buying all four separately – significant savings on 20+ hours of content
• Mirrors the complete competition stack that won two ADCC titles
• Everything connects: front headlock feeds back takes, passes feed pins, pins feed back takes

What the Community Says

“Contains four encyclopedic instructionals focusing on chest to chest and chest to back positions.”

— Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8.5/10)

Weakness

20+ hours is a massive time commitment. Most people would be better served buying just Behind The Elbows (#1) to test Bodoni’s teaching style before committing to the full bundle.

My Recommendation

Best for: Serious learners who prefer a full system over isolated positions and want the price savings.

Avoid if: You want a single, short set to test the waters. Buy Behind The Elbows standalone first.

Pairs with: Wrestle Ups – adds high-percentage reversals that feed directly into the back-take system

Only buy this if DLR is central to your (mostly gi) game. Combines both DLR and RDLR for a price discount.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours (combined estimated)
• 📅 Released: 2025
• 🥋 Gi & no-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate
• 🕸 Bundle / Guard

What It Covers

Both DLR and RDLR instructionals in one purchase. Useful if you are building a gi-first open-guard specialty and want both standard and reverse DLR with Bodoni’s systematic approach.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Savings versus buying both DLR sets separately
• Complete DLR/RDLR system from a 2x ADCC champion
• Connects to leg entry systems and X-guard transitions

What the Community Says

“The instruction comes from the reigning ADCC champion.”

— BJJ World

Weakness

Primarily gi-focused. No-gi players get limited value from DLR, and at an estimated 5 combined hours, depth per position is modest. Mikey Musumeci’s DLR content goes deeper for gi specialists.

My Recommendation

Best for: Gi-focused open-guard players committed to building a DLR/RDLR system.

Avoid if: You train mostly no-gi.

Pairs with: Butterfly Guard – blend seated guards when DLR grips aren’t available