Top 5 Gordon Ryan Instructionals You Should Watch In 2024

Gordon “The King” Ryan has produced a library of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructionals on BJJFanatics.com, sharing the systems that made him an ADCC world champion and no-gi grappling’s top competitor. From guard passing and retention to submission attacks and defensive escapes, each course dives deep into a specific aspect of BJJ. Below we’ve ranked all of Gordon Ryan’s BJJ Fanatics instructionals based on content quality and depth, practicality on the mats, appropriate target audience, production value, and Reddit/community reception. Real user quotes from BJJ enthusiasts on Reddit are included to give you unfiltered insight. If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality BJJ instructional, read on for the best of Gordon Ryan’s offerings – along with direct links to purchase each course.

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1. Systematically Attacking The Arm Bar

Never lose an arm bar again

The Perfect Arm Bar (new!)

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Read my full review

Full name	Systematically Attacking The Arm Bar By Gordon Ryan
Total duration	7 hours and 23 minutes
Publication year	2023, October
Where to buy	Here on BJJ Fanatics

What’s it about: Controlling and finishing the arm bar.

It’s not about arm bar entries. Every demonstration starts with Gordon Ryan already in the arm bar position. The arm bar position is spider web, and 8 alternative leg configurations (quarter juji, three quarter juji, etc.). From here, Gordon shows in great detail how to stabilize the position, how to counter escape attempts, how to separate the arms and how to finish the arm bar.

Why I like it: This is Gordon’s most clearly structured instructional, and his explanations are very clear. It’s his 30th instructional, so he’s really good at clear demonstrations, always having the perfect camera angle, not repeating himself unnecessarily, and so forth. And 95% of this instructional is stuff that I’ve never seen before from anyone else, which is crazy if you consider that it’s about such a basic and ‘small’ topic.

My recommendation: Is your arm bar very good? Are you sure? Or do people just tap out as soon as you start extending their arm? Do you even grab the essential ‘handshake grip’ when you finish the arm bar? That’s what I thought… You need this instructional. Go get it now.

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2. Systematically Attacking The Legs

The best leg locker in the world finally shares his secrets…

Learn Leg Locks, Finally

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Full name	Systematically Attacking the Legs by Gordon Ryan
Total duration	8 hours and 46 minutes
Publication year	2023
Where to buy	Here on BJJ Fanatics

What’s it about: Attacking leg locks from all the main leg locking positions (saddle, 50/50, outside ashi, ashi garami, etc.).

Why I like it: Gordon Ryan is the best leg locker ever. Truly. Before I watched this, I wondered how much Gordon could add to my understanding, given that I already watched Craig Jones’ and Lachlan Giles’ leg lock instructionals. But Gordon Ryan’s instructional is just far more elaborate and detailed.

My recommendation: If you ever want to learn leg locks, this is what you should watch.

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3. Pin Escapes

Turn your defense into your offense

Never get stuck again…

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Full name	The Pillars Of Defense: Pin Escapes – Defensive To Offensive Cycles
Total duration	8 hours and 23 minutes
Publication year	Aug. 2022
Where to buy	Here on BJJ Fanatics

What’s it about: Escaping pins like side control, mount, back mount and north south.

Why I like it: This is such an important topic. I’ve never spent enough time on it – but that’s also because the ‘traditional’ escapes never work… Gordon Ryan’s escapes work extremely well, and they’re much more detailed than the traditional ones. He starts from terrible positions (like high mount), and works his way back through a hierarchy of improving positions until you’re fully escaped. The fact that he breaks down a big position (like mount) into 8 or 9 sub positions is very helpful.

My recommendation:

By the way, you can also get Upper Body Joint Lock Escapes, that one’s similarly really good, but in my opinion it’s less important because you’re stuck in joint locks much less often than you’re stuck in pins (or at least that’s how it should be…).

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4. Attacking from Mount

A blueprint for submitting from mount

Beat stallers from mount

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Full name	Systematically Attacking From Top Pins: Mount By Gordon Ryan
Total duration	4 hours and 31 minutes
Publication year	2022, April
Where to buy	Here on BJJ Fanatics

What’s it about: Attacking submissions from mount, even if you’re opponent is defensive (or stalling). The submission chains that Gordon Ryan shows are meant to be forcing, not opportunistic. They will still work, even if your opponent knows they’re coming. (That’s how it should be, because mount is a dominant position, so you should be able to dominate your opponent.)

Why I like it: I hate stallers, they make jiu jitsu way too difficult. And they’re boring. I had never seen any of these submission chains before that Gordon Ryan shows in this instructional. And it works extremely well. I had practically never hit an arm bar from mount before I watched this submission (at least not against a staller), and it’s my best submission now.

My recommendation: Do you have any submissions from mount? Even if the guy is stalling? Most people don’t… Gordon Ryan will show you how to sit up straight in mount, like an MMA fighter getting ready to throw punches, and to put grappling pressure that will lead to a submission sooner rather than later. This is a really important instructional to become well rounded in your offense and to beat stallers, so I recommend you get it now.

By the way, you can also get Attacking from Side Control and North South. It’s just as good. And the upside is that you’re in side control more often than you’re in mount. The reason that I put Attacking from Mount above it, is that I believe people generally struggle more with attacking from mount against defensive opponents.

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5. The ADCC 2022 Breakdown

Learn from real life footage

Learn from Gordon’s mistakes

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Full name	My evolution your Revolution: ADCC 2022 analysis
Total duration	4 hours and 13 minutes
Publication year	2022
Where to buy	Here on BJJ Fanatics

What’s it about: Gordon Ryan breaks down all his matches of ADCC 2022, where he won his weight division and his superfight with Andre Galvao.

Why I like it: I love match breakdowns because they show you real jiu jitsu and strategy. In a real match, nothing ever goes perfectly. Not for us, and not for Gordon Ryan. That’s why it’s super useful to see not just how techniques look on instructionals (in a perfect setting), but also how messy they look in real life. Gordon is also very self critical, he mentions a lot of things that he messed up during his matches and why, which you’ll learn a lot from. And if you watched ADCC it’s just very cool te relive all those moments.

My recommendation: This one is for the true jiu jitsu nerds. Is that you? Did you watch ADCC and were you on the edge of your seat? Then you’ll enjoy this instructional. And you can also get My Evolution Your Revolution: ADCC 2019 and My Evolution Your Evolution: ADCC 2017, you’ll enjoy those too.

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No money? Watch Gordon’s only free instructional.

Bonus: Free Gordon Secrets

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All Gordon Ryan instructionals

Here’s a list of all Gordon Ryan instructionals, what they’re about, when they were published and how long they are. They’re sorted from new to old.

Also read: BJJ Fanatics Review: Top 10 best BJJ Fanatics Instructionals

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Finally learn how to leg lock with finesse

Master Leg Locks

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More Gordon Ryan Instructional Reviews (In Depth)

Some of Gordon’s insturctionals warrant going into more depth. They’re pricy after all…

1. Systematically Attacking The Guard – No-Gi Guard Passing Masterclass

Purchase: Systematically Attacking The Guard by Gordon Ryan – BJJ Fanatics
Content & Depth: This 8-volume, 10+ hour passing system is often hailed as Gordon’s most comprehensive instructional. It breaks down how to dismantle and pass every type of guard with a conceptual framework. A standout feature is Gordon’s “tight vs. loose vs. submission passing” trilemma concept that underpins the entire passing game. One Reddit reviewer called it “an incredible instructional, extremely comprehensive and will keep you busy for a long time.” It covers everything from body-lock passes to dynamic rolling backtakes, all explained with fine detail and accompanied by narrated sparring footage.
Practicality: Guard passing is notoriously difficult, but the techniques here are battle-tested at the highest levels. Many users report immediately adding passes like the rolling kimura pass to their game with success. In fact, one user noted: “One of the first things on there is the rolling kimura pass. I started doing that and haven’t needed the rest of the instructional since lol.” Gordon balances showing specific moves and explaining when and why to use them, so you can adapt the system in live sparring.
Target Audience: Best suited for intermediate to advanced grapplers. Beginners will learn a ton, but some concepts may feel overwhelming until you have basic guard fundamentals. A Redditor pointed out it’s “mostly technique based, some concepts – it’s somewhere between a standard instructional and a Danaher lecture,” meaning it has more focus on how-to than John Danaher’s ultra-philosophical style, yet still expects the viewer to put in study time. If you love deep technical detail, this is for you.
Production Value: Excellent. The video is well-organized by chapters (with timestamps), making the massive content easier to navigate. Unlike some older BJJ Fanatics releases, this one isn’t just one long video – it’s divided logically (e.g. by guard type) with an on-screen curriculum. One Reddit reviewer praised that Gordon “spends a good chunk of Volume 1” just on foundational concepts like stance scenarios and transitions, a level of structured detail they “had yet to see from anyone else – including Danaher”. The audio/video quality is high, multiple camera angles capture subtleties, and you even get live sparring breakdowns at the end.
Community Reception: Widely acclaimed. Grapplers on r/bjj frequently list this as one of the best passing instructionals available. Reddit user PM_ME_YER_LIFESTORY wrote: “Imo an incredible instructional, extremely comprehensive… The best concept in it is the trilemma between tight, loose, and submission passing… highly valuable.” Many appreciate that it’s a bit easier to digest than Danaher’s lectures while still delivering profound insights. Gordon himself has since developed even more passing refinements (sometimes dubbed “Guard Passing 2.0”), but this course remains a gold standard for no-gi passing knowledge. Overall, if guard passing is your focus, Systematically Attacking The Guard takes the top spot for its depth and proven effectiveness.

2. “They Shall Not Pass” – Guard Retention System

Purchase: They Shall Not Pass by Gordon Ryan – BJJ Fanatics
Content & Depth: This 8-volume guard retention instructional is Gordon’s answer to never letting anyone pass your guard. It systematically covers layers of defense for all guard scenarios – from preventing guard passes (hip movements, frames, inversion drills) to recovering guard if an opponent nearly passes. Users report that Gordon provides an extremely detailed roadmap for retaining guard using the DDS (Danaher Death Squad) style of inside position and foot pummeling. One experienced Redditor said: “They Shall Not Pass by Gordon Ryan is really good, at least for DDS-style guard play… I get more usable [material] from his instructionals than Danaher’s. Danaher is more of a why-guy and Gordon is more of a how-guy.” That captures the depth here – Gordon explains exact techniques to stop passes, not just theory. He even breaks down what to do against specific pass attempts like toreandos, knee cuts, body locks, etc., often chaining multiple defensive actions.
Practicality: Guard retention is a fundamental survival skill, and this course’s concepts can start helping your game immediately. Even if you can’t execute every invert or granby roll like Gordon, learning the principles of distance management and angle creation will improve your guard defense. Many practitioners found this system highly applicable in no-gi sparring, noting that using Gordon’s strategies made their guard “a nightmare to pass.” As one Reddit user compared guard retention instructionals: “I think Gordon’s They Shall Not Pass is probably a better instructional if you want to improve your guard retention without changing up your game.” It’s geared to integrate with a typical open guard game, so you can plug these defensive moves into your arsenal right away.
Target Audience: Suitable for all levels, but especially useful for blue belts and up who have an established guard game to refine. A brand-new white belt might struggle with some advanced inversions, but the core concepts (maintaining inside position, hip movement, frame recovery) are universal. If you’re flexible or athletic, you’ll get even more out of the sophisticated movements. For those who have studied Lachlan Giles’ Guard Retention Anthology, note that Gordon’s approach is slightly different (more focused on wrestling-style granby and inside control). One Reddit purple belt noted Lachlan’s set might suit extremely flexible guard players, whereas Gordon’s is great for a broad no-gi audience. In short, any grappler who hates getting their guard passed (which is all of us!) can benefit, though intermediate practitioners will be able to implement the details fastest.
Production Value: High-quality production typical of BJJ Fanatics. The instruction is organized logically, starting from basic retention concepts and building up to advanced drills. It comes with a menu and chapter navigation. Camera work is clear, and Gordon’s explanations are direct (with less tangents than Danaher). He occasionally uses Danaher-isms and terminology, but explains them so you’re not lost. Some viewers find Gordon’s speaking style a bit monotone, but others appreciate that he sticks to teaching “the little details” without too much philosophical digression. Overall, it’s a well-produced course that’s easy to follow.
Community Reception: Very positive, often compared favorably against other retention instructionals. On Reddit, many users recommend They Shall Not Pass alongside (or even over) Lachlan Giles’ famous set, especially for no-gi specialists. Even those who “can’t stand” Gordon’s personality admit his guard retention material is top-notch in terms of usable techniques. The general sentiment is that this set delivers on its promise – if you study and drill it, your guard will indeed become very hard to pass. Grapplers frequently cite this as a must-have for anyone who plays guard in no-gi competition. With its detailed content and strong real-world results, They Shall Not Pass earns a high spot on this list.

3. Systematically Attacking The Back – Rear Mount Offense System

Purchase: Systematically Attacking The Back by Gordon Ryan – BJJ Fanatics
Content & Depth: In this instructional, Gordon reveals the secrets behind his famed back attack system – including the “straightjacket” strangle system he and coach John Danaher used to dominate ADCC. It’s an 8-part course covering controlling the back (both underhook and overhook sides), setting traps, and systematically finishing with the rear naked choke, armbar, triangle, or transitions to other attacks. Gordon provides immense detail on hand-fighting from the back, grip sequences to peel defenses, and how to maintain back control (like dealing with body triangle defenses). The depth is such that one Redditor watched it “around 5 times” and still gleaned new insights. It also includes live rolling footage with Gordon narrating how he applies the back takes and finishes in sparring – a huge plus for visual learners. If you want to learn how Gordon strangles elite black belts from back control, this is the blueprint.
Practicality: For anyone who can attain back position, this course is extremely practical. It doesn’t just show one choke, but an entire system of controlling and re-attacking so you can finish high-level opponents who are defending intelligently. A reviewer on r/bjj stated: “If you are interested in learning how to rear naked [choke] from the back it’s probably the best instructional out there. If you intend to study it extensively then I would absolutely recommend it.” The techniques do require disciplined practice – Gordon himself emphasizes setting traps and patiently following the system rather than rushing the choke. But for those willing to drill the sequences and invest mat time, the payoff is huge: a deadly back attack game. Many users mention their RNC success rate climbed after implementing Gordon’s grip fighting patterns and strangle finishes. This is competition-proven material (Gordon hit five RNCs at ADCC 2019), so it works.
Target Audience: Intermediate and above. While beginners can certainly learn the fundamentals of back control here, parts of the system (like transitioning to arm traps or one-armed strangles) assume you have some baseline skill in controlling an opponent. One user cautioned that as a blue belt they found Systematically Attacking The Back “too advanced” on first watch. However, as you progress, you can keep returning to it – it’s a resource that grows with you. For advanced students and instructors, this set is gold for teaching efficient back attack mechanics. Notably, if you’ve studied Danaher’s Back Attacks: Enter the System, you’ll find overlap, but Gordon’s style is more direct and he includes his personal tweaks and strategies (plus less philosophy). The course is designed for no-gi back attacks, but many concepts apply in gi as well.
Production Value: Very good. This was one of Gordon’s earlier releases, but BJJ Fanatics still delivered clear audio, multiple angles, and on-screen chapter titles. The layout is systematic: it starts with theory and control, then goes into offense (chokes, arm locks, transitions) and finally troubleshooting and sparring examples. A Reddit user asked about the layout and another confirmed “the thing is pretty well organized” – the first volume has a bit of introductory material (some of which overlaps with Danaher’s concepts of back control), but then it gets into specific scenarios like losing a hook and how to recover. The filming includes helpful close-ups on Gordon’s hand fighting and grip positions, which is crucial for a topic like this. All in all, it’s easy to follow along and not hard to navigate despite the depth of material.
Community Reception: Overwhelmingly positive among serious students of the game. On Reddit, it’s frequently mentioned in discussions of the best back attack instructionals. Many grapplers credit this instructional for elevating their finishing rate from back control. One Redditor emphatically noted that if your goal is to master the rear naked choke, this is “the best instructional out there” and absolutely worth it if you’re ready to study and drill. The only caveat from users is that you should be prepared to put in work – this isn’t a quick fix, but a complete system. If you do, the community agrees you’ll possess a back attack game that’s far ahead of your peers. Given the quality and the importance of back control in BJJ, Systematically Attacking The Back earns its high ranking.

4. Systematically Attacking from Open Guard (Seated Position) – Bottom Game Offense

Purchase: Systematically Attacking From Open Guard (Seated) by Gordon Ryan – BJJ Fanatics
Content & Depth: This massive course (another ~8 volumes) focuses on Gordon’s no-gi open guard attacking system – essentially how to play seated guard offensively to sweep or submit. It covers grips and off-balancing from butterfly guard, arm drags, wrestle-ups, ashi garami entries into leg locks, and transitions from guard to top. Gordon organizes the material by opponent posture: how to attack when the opponent is standing square vs staggered, how to deal with kneeling opponents, etc. This logical structure was praised in a detailed Reddit review where the user said: “He separates his guard based on what the opponent is doing… I’ve yet to see that type of detail from anyone else – including Danaher.” The depth is exceptional – Gordon not only shows the primary attacks (e.g. arm drag to back take, sumi gaeshi sweep, kani-basami entries) but also covers “what if” scenarios and counters to the opponent’s reactions. It even includes instruction on forcing your opponent into the stance you prefer, essentially teaching you to control the guard engagement on your terms. In short, it’s a complete seated guard playbook.
Practicality: For no-gi players, an aggressive guard that threatens sweeps and submissions is a must – and this instructional delivers just that. Students have found these techniques directly applicable in sparring. The course heavily features techniques that link guard to leg lock attacks and back takes, which fits the modern no-gi meta. A Reddit commenter lauded this set as one of Gordon’s best, saying: “His Seated Guard is one of the best instructionals out there. The amount of offense, off-balancing, and pressure he generates from there is insane.” Because Gordon includes drills and concept discussions (not just isolated moves), viewers can understand when to switch between techniques, which is key to applying it live. Expect to improve your sweep success and your ability to create scrambles that lead to dominant positions. This is a system Gordon used to great effect (he often swept or submitted partners from butterfly guard in sparring footage). If you invest time in this, your open guard will go from passive to truly offensive.
Target Audience: Intermediate to advanced, and particularly those who favor no-gi open guard or play butterfly guard. Less experienced grapplers can learn basic movements here (it does teach fundamentals like arm drags and hook sweeps from scratch), but the overall system might overwhelm a beginner with its many options. As the Reddit review OP noted, “This is NOT a set for white belts. This will probably fly over a lot of younger blue belts as well.” If you’re a blue belt with some proficiency in guard, you can start drilling pieces of it and add more as you go. Advanced players will appreciate the fine points on Kuzushi (off-balancing) and chaining attacks. Gi players can also benefit (many principles apply to gi guard, though some leg entanglements are no-gi specific). In summary, if you already have a guard game and want to turn it into a systematic attacking guard, this is aimed at you.
Production Value: Outstanding – and even the reviewer who was skeptical of BJJ Fanatics was impressed. The content is well-edited with chaptered sections and on-screen titles, plus the inclusion of positional sparring footage to demonstrate techniques in action. The production fixes a common gripe by having clear timestamped chapter breaks, which the reviewer cited as a “big improvement on typical Fanatics offerings”. Gordon’s instruction is methodical and he explains the why behind each grip and move, not just the how. The camera work is thorough, capturing different angles of the complex leg entanglements. As a bonus, the set comes with a PDF or flowchart (depending on version) to visualize the decision tree of the guard attacks. This course was so well made that the Reddit reviewer concluded: “As crazy as this sounds, it is worth the full retail price… one of the few instructionals worth the money on Fanatics.” That says it all about the quality and organization.
Community Reception: Extremely positive. Many in the community rank this among Gordon’s top instructionals for its detail and effectiveness. On r/bjj, users often mention this Systematically Attacking Open Guard series in the same breath as his guard passing set, noting it’s a perfect complement – one for when you’re on bottom, one for when you’re on top. The in-depth Reddit review of this course highlighted its logical structure and called it “one of the few products on Fanatics that is actually worth the money.” Some initially suspected the glowing review was “too good to be true,” but many who later purchased the set found themselves agreeing with its high praise. The only caution is the level of complexity: it’s a lot to digest, but the community consensus is that if you put in the time to study this, your guard game will transform. For grapplers serious about no-gi open guard mastery, this instructional is a community favorite and well-deserving of its ranking here.

5. Systematically Attacking The Arm Bar – Armbar Submission Mastery

Purchase: Systematically Attacking The Arm Bar by Gordon Ryan – BJJ Fanatics
Content & Depth: In this 7+ hour masterclass, Gordon dives deep into every facet of the armbar (juji gatame). It functions as an encyclopedia of arm locks: covering armbar entries from top and bottom, breaking mechanics, grip configurations (standard, reverse, triangle-armbar combos), and even troubleshooting all common defenses. Gordon systematically teaches variations like the traditional armbar, quarter juji, triangle armbar (腕挫三角), and his favorite “shoulder sankaku” (an armbar variation attacking the far shoulder). Each variation is broken down into setup, control, and finish. A highlight is the dedicated section on countering defenses – Gordon demonstrates how to defeat every defensive grip or stacking escape an opponent might use. Importantly, the instructional includes extensive rolling footage with commentary, where you see Gordon apply armbars live and then explain the movements. This combination of theoretical and practical demonstration gives the course tremendous depth. A Redditor who watched it noted it “goes in depth on the different types of armbars, breaking every variety of defensive grip, and includes rolling footage where you see him do everything against live resistance.” It’s as comprehensive on one submission as you’ll find.
Practicality: For anyone who loves armbars or wants a stronger submission game, this course is extremely practical. Gordon’s approach treats the armbar not just as a move but as a systematic attack that can be entered from mount, guard, back takes, even leg entanglements. By learning the hierarchy of control (pinch knees, control thumb, etc.) and how to flow to alternate finishes (e.g. switching to a triangle or omoplata if needed), you’ll start finishing armbars on higher-level opponents. People who have studied this set mention their understanding of armbar mechanics drastically improved – especially regarding grip breaks and maintaining control during transitions. It addresses that common scenario of losing an armbar because the opponent clasps hands or slips out. With Gordon’s techniques, you learn to anticipate and counter those defenses step by step. The inclusion of competition-style sparring examples makes it easy to see how to apply these moves in real time. If you dedicate practice time, you can systematically add these armbar attacks to your game – whether you’re an aggressive guard player or a top player who wants to finish more fights.
Target Audience: All levels (with a focus on intermediate). Gordon teaches from the ground up how to do an armbar properly, so even a white belt can learn fundamental armbar form here. Beginners will benefit from seeing correct body positioning and common mistakes to avoid. That said, some portions (like the finer points of double-wrist control vs. figure-four grip breaks) will resonate more with intermediate students who have experienced those scenarios in rolling. Advanced players and instructors will appreciate the detailed breakdown of less common variations (e.g. far-side armbar from side control or the armbar-triangle arm weave). The course is no-gi oriented, but aside from grip fighting differences, almost all concepts apply with the gi as well. It’s essentially a complete armbar curriculum – valuable to anyone who favors submissions. If arm locks aren’t a big part of your game yet, this could be the roadmap to make them a strength.
Production Value: Excellent. By the time Gordon filmed this, BJJ Fanatics had refined their format: expect clear chapter segmentation for each major topic (e.g. “Armbar from Mount – Breaking Grips” etc.), high-resolution video, and slow-motion replays for key moments. The sound and camera angles capture every detail of hand positioning (critical for learning grip breaks). The addition of narrated rolling footage is a production highlight – you see unscripted rounds where opponents defend, and Gordon adjusts, exactly as taught. This greatly enhances the learning experience and was specifically praised by users. Gordon’s instruction style is straightforward; he systematically covers a technique and then often recaps the key steps at the end of the segment, which aids retention. The course maintains an engaging pace despite its length, likely because the content is subdivided logically and interspersed with the sparring clips. Overall, it’s very polished and user-friendly for a long study session or for picking specific parts to watch.
Community Reception: Very high among submission enthusiasts. On forums, many grapplers rank this as one of the best single-submission instructionals available. One Reddit user comparing armbar instructionals said: “Gordon Ryan’s Systematically Attacking the Armbar is a fantastic instructional… breaking every variety of defensive grip, and includes rolling footage… everything he does in the instructional against live resistance.” This encapsulates why the community values it – it’s thorough and proven. People have reported that after studying this, they started finishing armbars that they previously struggled with, because they finally understood how to negate their opponent’s escape attempts. It’s often recommended alongside John Danaher’s armbar series, with some preferring Danaher for conceptual overview but many preferring Gordon for actionable detail and a more concise delivery. In summary, the community sees Systematically Attacking The Arm Bar as a must-have for armbar lovers and a highly effective resource for upping your submission success. It comfortably secures its spot among Gordon’s best-reviewed works.

6. Systematically Attacking The Kimura – Kimura Trap System

Purchase: Systematically Attacking The Kimura by Gordon Ryan – BJJ Fanatics
Content & Depth: In this instructional, Gordon presents the Kimura not just as a submission, but as a multi-purpose tool – a submission hold, a control position, and a transition mechanism (the famous “Kimura trap”). The course (approximately 8 hours) is packed with techniques: traditional kimura from guard, kimura from top side control, reverse kimura grips, using kimura to take the back, to sweep, and to transition into armbars or triangles. Gordon emphasizes the two functions of the kimura (breaking posture vs. separating the arm) and shows how to apply them in various contexts. He also covers defenses and counters – for example, if an opponent links hands to defend the kimura, Gordon demonstrates how to switch to an armbar or a back take. The depth is notable in that he covers kimuras from almost every position: closed guard, half guard bottom (the infamous “hip bump to kimura” sequence), north-south, turtle (rolling kimura trap), and even during leg lock exchanges. Throughout, he provides the step-by-step details to control the opponent using the figure-four grip. The set even includes some narrated rolling segments where Gordon executes kimura-based attacks and escapes in sparring. While perhaps not as sprawling as the guard or armbar series, it’s a very comprehensive kimura system – enough to take someone from basic understanding to a truly advanced kimura game.
Practicality: The kimura grip is one of the most powerful and versatile tools in grappling, and this course shows why. Students who have watched it note that Gordon’s system helped them see kimura opportunities everywhere and link them into other attacks. For example, after this instructional you might start using kimuras to sweep from half guard or to transition into a triangle choke when the kimura itself doesn’t finish – higher-level concepts that significantly improve your attack percentage. One Reddit discussion mentioned that Gordon’s kimura instructional taught them to use the kimura as more than just a submission – it became a position to dominate and create offense from multiple angles. The techniques are absolutely applicable in live rolling; the kimura trap sequences in particular have become very popular in no-gi grappling and MMA, and here you get one of the leading experts’ take on it. If you put in drills for these moves, you’ll find kimura entries appearing in your rolls that you never noticed before. It’s practical for gi and no-gi alike (though Gordon is demonstrating no-gi, kimura mechanics are the same with the gi). This course is especially useful for those who struggle to finish kimuras – it gives you alternate pathways and details to secure the tap or to progress your position when someone resists.
Target Audience: Appropriate for intermediate level and up. Beginners can certainly watch and pick up fundamental kimura tips (Gordon does cover basics like proper grip and hip position), but the instructional really shines for grapplers who already attempt kimuras and want to refine them. If you’re a BJJ player who knows the kimura but hasn’t turned it into a reliable weapon, this is aimed at you. Advanced players will appreciate the more innovative sections (like countering the “posture up” defense or using kimuras in wrestling scrambles). Notably, those who have studied John Danaher’s Kimura Enter The System will find Gordon’s approach a bit more streamlined and focused on immediate application – one Redditor noted Danaher delves deeply into theory, whereas Gordon “dives DEEP into the kimura and shows you how to use it as more than a submission but a position“. So for the audience that wants a clear system to implement, Gordon’s style may be preferable. Overall, any grappler blue belt and above who wants a dangerous kimura/back-take game will benefit greatly from this course.
Production Value: High. This instructional was produced with the same level of clarity as Gordon’s other recent sets. Chapters are organized by position (e.g. “Kimura from Closed Guard,” “Kimura from Top Half Guard,” “Rolling Kimura from Turtle,” etc.), making it easy to navigate. The videography captures crucial details like the position of Gordon’s legs and the opponent’s shoulder – important for kimura technique. Audio is crisp; Gordon’s explanations are precise and he reiterates key points (like controlling the elbow, adjusting the grip for leverage) so the viewer doesn’t miss them. It also includes situational examples – for instance, showing a live scenario of an opponent defending a kimura and Gordon adjusting to finish, which solidifies the learning. Some viewers comment that Gordon’s delivery can be dry, but most appreciate that it’s straight to the point with no fluff. The production also features on-screen text summarizing certain principles (e.g. “two functions of the kimura: control & submission” which appears as he discusses it), reinforcing the concepts. In sum, it’s professionally done and easy to follow, aligning with the high standard of BJJ Fanatics’ best releases.
Community Reception: Generally very positive, though slightly less hyped than some of his other titles (perhaps because the kimura has also been extensively covered by others like Danaher and Lachlan Giles). That said, many in the community who purchased it found it elevated their kimura game significantly. Grapplers on Reddit often mention that after studying Gordon’s kimura system, they began to understand the “kimura trap” sequence on a deeper level – turning failed kimuras into back takes or armbar follow-ups, which is a game-changer. There have been debates on Reddit about Danaher’s vs Gordon’s kimura instructionals; a common sentiment is that Danaher provides the conceptual foundation, while Gordon’s Systematically Attacking The Kimura provides a more actionable step-by-step system. Both are seen as excellent, but Gordon’s appeals to those who want a quicker path to execution. The reception also notes that Gordon’s kimura details complement his other courses (for example, this kimura system ties into the armbar and back attack systems). Overall, the community regards this instructional as a top-tier resource for kimura enthusiasts – comprehensive, technically sharp, and effective. It might not be the very first pick for those new to Gordon’s material, but it is highly recommended for rounding out your submission knowledge once you’ve tackled the essentials of guard and back.

7. Systematically Attacking The Crucifix – The Underutilized Trap

Purchase: Systematically Attacking The Crucifix by Gordon Ryan – BJJ Fanatics
Content & Depth: The crucifix position is a powerful but often under-taught position – and here Gordon fills that gap. In roughly 4–5 hours of material, he teaches how to enter the crucifix from various positions (turtle attacks, sprawling on a single leg, from the back, and even from mount via gift-wrap turnovers) and then how to systematically finish. He covers both mounted crucifix (opponent flat on belly) and rear crucifix (dangling off the side/back), detailing chokes (like one-arm rear naked chokes), armlocks, and transitions between them. Notably, Gordon breaks down multiple crucifix scenarios: the classic back crucifix, the front-headlock crucifix (when you trap an arm while front headlocking), and even the “belly-up” crucifix. Each scenario gets attention on control mechanics – how to isolate the far arm with your legs, how to prevent the trapped arm from escaping, etc. The depth is solid for a niche topic: by the end, you understand entries, maintenance, and submissions from crucifix, effectively a mini-system within your back attack arsenal. While shorter than his other systems, it doesn’t feel lacking – if anything, it’s compact and focused. As one BJJ Fanatics blurb puts it, “there are various ways to get to the crucifix and multiple crucifix positions… Gordon breaks them all down”. For grapplers interested in dominating from behind an opponent, this is a wealth of info on an often-neglected position.
Practicality: The crucifix can be a game-ending position – once you have an opponent’s arm and neck trapped, it’s usually a matter of time until a choke or armbar lands. This instructional makes the crucifix achievable by showing step-by-step entries. Many users were able to implement the turtle entries (e.g. from a seatbelt, threading your leg to trap an arm) in sparring soon after watching. It adds a dangerous attack to your back control game: if someone tucks their chin to avoid a choke, the crucifix arm-trap gives you another pathway. Practicality-wise, it’s especially useful for no-gi and MMA, where opponents often turtle – Gordon’s techniques to spin to the crucifix or flip them into a crucifix are directly applicable. That said, some of the setups require timing and finesse (for example, securing a crucifix on a defending turtle can be tricky against a resisting partner without practice). But once you do get the position, the finishing sequences Gordon teaches (like transitioning between choking and arm locking the isolated arm) are high percentage. Practitioners who integrated this material report catching training partners by surprise with crucifix attacks that were previously not in their repertoire. If you’ve never played crucifix before, this gives you a very practical introduction and system to start doing so.
Target Audience: Intermediate level and above, particularly those who already have a decent back attack or turtle attack game. Beginners might find the crucifix a bit advanced since it’s not a fundamental position – it doesn’t occur as often as say, closed guard or mount. However, if a beginner is curious, Gordon does explain the basics from the ground up (like the difference between chest-

FAQ

How does Gordon Ryan teach?

In detail. Gordon Ryan gives more details than anyone else, because he knows more than anyone else. He lets you know that too. He always says things like “so-called high level black belts always do this wrong, so I’ll show how you should do it instead”. And his intructionals are long, because he has so much information to share.

Also read: The 7 Best BJJ Instructors: Choose wisely who to learn from

Which are the best Gordon Ryan instructionals?

As a general rule of thumb, his new instructionals are the best. Gordon Ryan keeps getting better at teaching, so his newer dvd’s are generally the best. And the production quality also keeps getting better (there was a big jump in 2021 when BJJ Fanatics switched to their new recording studio).

Also read: The Essential Guide to BJJ Instructionals in 2023

FAQ

Are any Gordon Ryan instructionals free?

Unfortunately Gordon Ryan doesn’t offer any free BJJ instructionals – he’s got to think about his net worth!

Fortunately, some other instructors do offer free instructionals. Including John Danaher and Craig Jones. You can read about them in the article below (scroll down to the last section). But keep in mind that free BJJ instructionals are always much smaller in scope than paid ones.

Also read: BJJ Fanatics Review: Top 10 Best BJJ Fanatics Instructionals

Systematically attacking the guard VS Attacking the guard 2.0

Systematically attacking the guard is an older instructional, and it’s much broader. It covers passing basics such as passing closed guard, knee shield half guard, de la riva, and so forth. Attacking the guard 2.0 is a deep dive on Gordon’s most used passes now, Toreando’s and high steps. I recommend you start with 1.0, and get 2.0 afterwards.

Gordon Ryan vs John Danaher instructionals

Gordon Ryan and John Danaher teach similar things on their instructionals, but Gordon Ryan goes into much more detail. Some people say that John Danaher is like getting a bachelor degree and Gordon Ryan is like doing a PhD. I generally like Gordon Ryan better than John Danaher, but it’s a matter of taste.

Also read: Danaher instructionals Guide: Best, what order, Free & More

Gordon Ryan half guard vs Lachlan Giles half guard instructional

Gordon Ryan’s half guard instructional is great, but I think Lachlan’s is even better. Lachlan covers more half guard positions, most notably a flattened out half guard. Gordon Ryan only covers offensive half guard positions: deep half, half butterfly and knee shield half guard.

Also read: Top 5 Best Half Guard Instructionals You’ll ever Watch