A complete, pressure-tested back escape system with live-round breakdowns.
The Bottom Line
You learn to survive strangle territory first, then dismantle hooks and lock configurations. The course shows specific tactics for overhook and underhook sides plus body triangle breaks. Narrated sparring reveals timing and sequencing so you can reproduce escapes under fire.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Comp-focused no-gi players
Skip if: Tight budget or beginner
Tech focus: Hand Fighting, Body Triangle Escape, Straight Jacket Defense, Shoulder Slip, Granby
Biggest takeaway: Control wrists before hips move.
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What You'll Learn
Gordon Ryan lays out a full defensive framework against the most dominant position in grappling. You learn precise hand fighting and how to beat both overhook and underhook sides.
Live rounds and narrated breakdowns show the decision tree under pressure so you can copy it in sparring.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Hand Fighting
- Body Triangle Escape
- Seatbelt Defense
- Overhook Side Escape
- Underhook Side Escape
- Straight Jacket Defense
- Turtle Recovery
- Shoulder Slip
- Hip Switch
- Granby Options
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Footage Breakdown, Conceptual
- Skill level: Advanced
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 7 hours
- Volumes: 8
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I found the biggest gains came from drilling the overhook-side shoulder slip until it felt automatic.
Why Gordon Ryan?
Gordon Ryan is a multiple-time ADCC champion and the most dominant no-gi finisher of his era. He is a black belt under Garry Tonon and John Danaher. His game popularized the straight-jacket back system. Ryan routinely publishes footage-based breakdowns to illustrate decision-making. He is known for clear mechanical explanations and high standardization of grips and angles.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- The set includes over an hour of rolling from back with narration; seeing choices in real time really helped me.
- Pricey, but you will stop getting strangled from back if you apply it consistently.
- Clear drills for breaking body triangles and controlling strangle-side wrists.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Too expensive for one position even with sales codes.
- Long runtime and organization can feel heavy for newer players.
- Dense material assumes you know his system and terminology.
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Smart Alternatives
- Systematically Attacking The Back – Pairs well for understanding the offense you must defeat.
- A New Philosophy Of Positional Escapes – Broader escapes with counteroffense tie-ins.
- Fundamentals of BJJ Escapes (Gi & No-Gi) – Budget-friendly foundation before specialization.
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
