The 31 Best Gordon Ryan Instructionals (Black Belt Ranked Review)

The complete, classic guard passing system. A community favorite for years, built on an unstoppable tight, loose, and submission-based attack.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 10h 39m
• 📅 2019
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Guard Passing

What It’s About

This is the foundational passing system that made waves in the community. It teaches you how to force your opponent into a ‘trilemma’—where any defense they choose leads to their guard being passed or a submission. It’s a comprehensive encyclopedia of passing.

Why I Like It

• It provides a complete, cohesive strategy, not just a collection of moves.
• The concepts are timeless and form the basis for all modern passing styles.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who wants to build a truly systematic and dominant passing game from the ground up.

Avoid if: You’re looking for a few quick tricks instead of a deep system.

Pairs with: They Shall Not Pass (to understand passing from the defender’s perspective).

Cheaper alternative: Junny Ocasio — Connecting No-Gi Guard Passes

Build an impassable guard with the system universally recommended by the BJJ community. Stop getting your guard passed and become a nightmare for top players.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 3m
• 📅 2020
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Guard Retention

What It’s About

This isn’t just about escaping bad spots; it’s a proactive system of layered frames and movements to prevent the pass from ever starting. It’s considered the gold standard for defensive guard play and is packed with practical details for everyone.

Why I Like It

• It offers a universal framework that works against any passing style.
• The techniques are immediately applicable and provide huge value from day one.

My Recommendation

Best for: Literally every BJJ practitioner. If you have a guard, you need this.

Avoid if: You’ve never had your guard passed (and are therefore not human).

Pairs with: Pillars of Defense: Pin Escapes (for when retention fails).

Cheaper alternative: Lachlan Giles — Guard Retention Anthology (Bundle)

Turn the worst positions in Jiu-Jitsu into your opportunity to attack. This is the community’s top-rated system for escaping mount, side control, and other pins.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 7h 56m
• 📅 2022
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Escapes / Defense

What It’s About

Stop panicking on the bottom and start escaping with purpose. This instructional provides a complete framework for getting out of dominant pins, not just with escapes, but by transitioning directly into your own attacks. It’s designed for immediate, day-one impact.

Why I Like It

• It fundamentally changes your mindset from ‘surviving’ to ‘reversing’.
• The structure is incredibly clear, making it perfect for building confidence.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who feels stuck or powerless on the bottom, especially beginners.

Avoid if: You prefer to just tap and start over from the feet.

Pairs with: They Shall Not Pass (your first line of defense).

The next evolution of guard passing. Master modern high-step, toreando, and body lock refinements to complement and enhance the original system.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 7h 47m
• 📅 2021
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🎛️ Guard Passing

What It’s About

This is the ideal follow-up to the first Guard Passing instructional. It dives deep into the modern meta, focusing on dynamic passing styles that shut down today’s complex open guards. It’s less about the foundational theory and more about cutting-edge application.

Why I Like It

• It perfectly updates the original system with answers to modern guards.
• The focus on dynamic, movement-based passing is essential for no-gi.

My Recommendation

Best for: Students who have absorbed version 1.0 and want to add modern, high-level layers to their game.

Avoid if: You haven’t mastered the basics of passing yet.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Guard (1.0) (the essential foundation).

Cheaper alternative: Junny Ocasio — Connecting No-Gi Guard Passes

Often called the single best instructional on BJJ Fanatics. Build a deadly seated and butterfly guard with attacks that are immediately applicable.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 5m
• 📅 2019
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Open Guard / Attacks

What It’s About

This is the definitive guide to fighting from a seated position. It provides a complete system for sweeping and submitting opponents from butterfly guard and other seated positions, with an incredible amount of detail on grips, off-balancing, and creating dilemmas.

Why I Like It

• The level of detail is unmatched, solving common problems people face in seated guard.
• It’s pure, actionable offense that you can drill and use right away.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who wants to develop a dangerous open guard. A must-have for modern no-gi.

Avoid if: You are a committed closed guard or supine guard player only.

Pairs with: Open Guard (Supine) (for a complete open guard game).

Cheaper alternative: Junny Ocasio — Connecting No-Gi Guard Passes

Turn the mount position from a stalling point into a submission factory. Learn forced chains and reactions to finish anyone, even stubborn ‘stallers’.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 22m
• 📅 2020
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Top Control / Submissions

What It’s About

This instructional solves the common problem of getting to mount and not knowing how to finish. It teaches a system of control and submission chains that force your opponent to react, leading them down a path that ends in a tap. No more getting stuck or rolled over.

Why I Like It

• It provides a clear roadmap for what to do after you achieve the mount.
• The focus on forcing reactions is a game-changer for finishing fights.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who struggles to finish from the mount or wants to make their top game more lethal.

Avoid if: You rarely find yourself in the mount position.

Pairs with: Pillars of Defense: Pin Escapes (to understand the defender’s goals).

Cheaper alternative: Bernardo Faria — Mount Attack Encyclopedia

The classic guide to the most dominant position in grappling. Learn to control, maintain, and finish from the back with unparalleled detail.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 22m
• 📅 2019
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Back Attacks / Submissions

What It’s About

This is one of the original and most impactful instructionals from Gordon Ryan. It covers everything from securing the back position to troubleshooting common escapes and finishing with high-percentage submissions. It’s the blueprint for a professional back attack system.

Why I Like It

• The conceptual framework for back control is revolutionary.
• It’s a complete system, covering entries, control, and finishes in extreme detail.

My Recommendation

Best for: Everyone. The back is the ultimate goal, and this teaches you how to master it.

Avoid if: You have zero interest in submitting people.

Pairs with: Pillars of Defense: Back Escapes (to master both sides of the coin).

Cheaper alternative: Marcelo Garcia — The Complete Crucifix Back Attack System

The grand, unified theory of modern leg locking. A massive and systematic approach that the community values for its incredible depth.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 15m
• 📅 2023
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Leg Locks / Submissions

What It’s About

This is Gordon’s updated magnum opus on leg attacks. It integrates years of competitive experience into a systematic approach, covering everything from entries from every position to the finishing mechanics of all major leg locks. It’s designed to be the only leg lock instructional you’ll ever need.

Why I Like It

• The scope is enormous, connecting leg attacks to the rest of your game.
• It provides a safe and structured way to learn a complex part of Jiu-Jitsu.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone serious about adding modern leg attacks to their arsenal in a systematic way.

Avoid if: Your gym forbids leg locks or you prefer to focus only on upper body attacks.

Pairs with: Pillars of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes (for safety and understanding).

Achieve true mastery over a single submission. This clearly structured guide will make the armbar your most reliable finishing move from any position.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h
• 📅 2023
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Submissions

What It’s About

This instructional takes one of Jiu-Jitsu’s most fundamental submissions and elevates it to a complete system. You’ll learn entries, control details, and finishing mechanics for the armbar from every common position, turning it into a high-percentage threat.

Why I Like It

• The hyper-focus on a single submission allows for incredible depth.
• It connects a classic move to modern BJJ concepts and positions.

My Recommendation

Best for: Grapplers who want to specialize and develop a signature submission.

Avoid if: You’re looking for a broad overview of many different submissions.

Pairs with: Pillars of Defense: Upper Body Joint Lock Escapes (to understand the defensive side).

Cheaper alternative: Karel Pravec — Fundamental Armbar Mechanics

The newest evolution in guard passing, focusing on the trending ‘inside camping’ meta. Stay ahead of the curve with this cutting-edge system.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h
• 📅 2025
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🎛️ Guard Passing

What It’s About

This very new instructional dives into the modern strategy of ‘inside camping’—a pressure-based style of passing that occupies the inside space and shuts down the opponent’s guard before the pass even begins. It’s the answer to today’s flexible and dynamic guard players.

Why I Like It

• It’s on the cutting edge of the current competitive meta.
• It offers a strategic approach to passing that minimizes scrambles.

My Recommendation

Best for: Competitive grapplers and students looking for the most current passing strategies.

Avoid if: You’re still working on the fundamentals from SATG 1.0 and 2.0.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Guard (2.0) (for a complete modern passing game).

Cheaper alternative: Adam Wardziński — Polish Power Inside Passing

Complete your open guard game. Master attacks from your back, creating a powerful complement to the renowned Seated Guard system.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 33m
• 📅 2020
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Open Guard / Attacks

What It’s About

This instructional covers the other half of open guard: fighting effectively from your back. It details systems for guards like De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, and K-Guard, teaching you how to sweep and submit opponents when you can’t or don’t want to sit up.

Why I Like It

• It creates a complete open guard system when combined with the Seated instructional.
• It provides clear, systematic answers for when you get put on your back.

My Recommendation

Best for: Open guard players who want a dangerous game from every angle, seated or on their back.

Avoid if: You exclusively play butterfly guard or closed guard.

Pairs with: Open Guard (Seated) (to build a complete open guard).

Cheaper alternative: Giancarlo Bodoni — Forging the Guard: Wrestle Ups

Master one of the most powerful control hubs in grappling. This new system shows you how to turn the front headlock into a path to submissions and dominant positions.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2024
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Top Control / Submissions

What It’s About

This highly requested instructional focuses entirely on the front headlock. It’s a systematic guide to controlling, transitioning, and finishing from this versatile position, covering guillotines, anacondas, darces, and transitions to the back.

Why I Like It

• It fills a common gap in many grapplers’ games with incredible detail.
• The system provides clear offensive paths from a position you’ll often find yourself in.

My Recommendation

Best for: Wrestlers, scramblers, and anyone who wants to make their front headlock game lethal.

Avoid if: You avoid wrestling situations and prefer to play guard.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Guillotine (for a deep dive on the primary submission).

Cheaper alternative: Firas Zahabi — Guillotine Traps

Develop a guillotine that can finish anyone. This new set leverages Gordon’s reputation for having one of the best guillotines in the world.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2024
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Submissions

What It’s About

Go beyond just squeezing and learn the intricate system behind a truly high-percentage guillotine. This instructional covers every detail: grips, entries from various positions, finishing mechanics, and how to use the threat of the choke to advance your position.

Why I Like It

• It’s taught by a practitioner famous for this specific submission.
• It turns a ‘sometimes’ move into a reliable, systematic weapon.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who wants a go-to submission that works from both top and bottom.

Avoid if: You have short arms or simply don’t like front headlock chokes.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Front Headlock (to master the entire position).

Unlock one of the most powerful but underutilized positions in BJJ. Learn the best seatbelt-to-crucifix system available and add a new layer to your back attacks.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2024
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🎛️ Positional Attacks / Submissions

What It’s About

This instructional dives deep into the niche but devastatingly effective crucifix position. It covers entries, primarily from the seatbelt and turtle, how to maintain control, and how to finish with chokes and joint locks once you’re there.

Why I Like It

• It provides a complete system for a position that few people know how to defend.
• The explanations for transitioning from the back are praised as the best available.

My Recommendation

Best for: Back attack specialists who want to add another lethal dimension to their game.

Avoid if: You’re a beginner who needs to focus on more common positions first.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Back (as it builds directly on back control concepts).

Cheaper alternative: Darragh O’Conaill — Crucifix Encyclopedia

Transform your half guard from a defensive shell into an offensive weapon. A highly recommended instructional for building an impactful bottom game.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 3m
• 📅 2021
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Half Guard / Attacks

What It’s About

This set provides a complete system for attacking from the half guard position. It focuses on using underhooks, controlling distance, and creating offensive cycles that lead to sweeps, back takes, and submissions. It’s a different, more aggressive approach than many traditional half guard systems.

Why I Like It

• It’s a complete game plan from one of BJJ’s most common positions.
• The focus on offensive pressure from the bottom is incredibly effective.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who finds themselves in half guard often and wants to do more than just survive.

Avoid if: You prefer to play more dynamic, long-range open guards.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Guard: Body Lock Study (to understand the passer’s main threat).

Cheaper alternative: Craig Jones — The Z Guard Encyclopedia

Break down the turtle and turn your opponent’s defensive shell into your path to the back. A solid guide for connecting your offense to back takes.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2021
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Positional Attacks

What It’s About

This instructional provides a clear system for dismantling the turtle position. Instead of getting stuck and frustrated, you’ll learn how to use levers and kuzushi to break your opponent down, expose their back, and secure dominant control leading to submissions.

Why I Like It

• It solves a common problem area where many grapplers get stuck.
• It links perfectly with a strong back attack game.

My Recommendation

Best for: Grapplers who want to complete their offensive chains and never get stalled by the turtle.

Avoid if: You’re still focused on more fundamental positions like guard passing.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Back (the ultimate goal from turtle).

Cheaper alternative: Marcelo Garcia — The MG Back Attack System 2.0

The definitive, exhaustive guide to the most powerful pressure pass in no-gi. A deep dive for dedicated guard passers.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 10h 42m
• 📅 2020
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🎛️ Guard Passing

What It’s About

This is an incredibly deep, specialist study of the body lock pass. Clocking in at over 10 hours, it covers every conceivable detail, entry, and counter to make your body lock unstoppable against half guard, butterfly guard, and more.

Why I Like It

• The level of detail is truly encyclopedic; nothing is left out.
• It teaches you how to master a single, high-percentage passing style.

My Recommendation

Best for: Serious competitors and guard passers who want to specialize in a pressure-based game.

Avoid if: You are a beginner or prefer movement-based passing.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Guard (1.0) (to understand where the body lock fits in a larger system).

Cheaper alternative: Giancarlo Bodoni — Chest To Chest Half Guard Passing

Build a strong foundation of defensive principles to survive and escape the most common chokes in Jiu-Jitsu. A crucial but often overlooked skillset.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2022
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Escapes / Defense

What It’s About

This instructional focuses on the essential skill of defending strangles like the rear naked choke, guillotines, and triangles. It teaches principles of posture, alignment, and hand fighting to give you the time and technique needed to escape safely.

Why I Like It

• It addresses a high-urgency topic with systematic, repeatable methods.
• Learning how to stay safe builds confidence to try more offensive techniques.

My Recommendation

Best for: All practitioners, especially those who feel they tap too quickly to chokes.

Avoid if: You’ve already mastered pin escapes and want to focus on offense.

Pairs with: Pillars of Defense: Pin Escapes (to build a complete defensive game).

Cheaper alternative: Chris Paines — How to Defend Against Everyone

The logical companion to Gordon’s famous back attack system. Learn how to systematically dismantle your opponent’s back control and get back to safety.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 1m
• 📅 2020
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Escapes / Defense

What It’s About

Don’t just survive the back—escape it. This instructional provides a step-by-step process for defeating grips, escaping the body triangle, and turning the tables on your opponent from the worst position in grappling. It is the flip side to his back attack instructional.

Why I Like It

• It provides a clear hierarchy of what to defend and in what order.
• Understanding the escapes makes your own back attacks much stronger.

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone who wants a complete understanding of back control, from both offense and defense.

Avoid if: You’re a beginner who rarely has their back taken.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Back (to master both sides of the position).

Cheaper alternative: Craig Jones — Don’t Be Finished (Submission & Position Escapes)

A quality, systematic approach to escaping armbars, kimuras, and other upper body joint locks. A key piece of a well-rounded defensive game.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2022
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Escapes / Defense

What It’s About

This instructional is your guide to staying safe from upper body submissions. It focuses on early prevention and late-stage escapes for the most common joint locks, teaching you the concepts to keep your arms safe and turn defense into offense.

Why I Like It

• It provides a structured way to think about defending submissions, not just reacting.
• The material is crucial for long-term health and safety on the mats.

My Recommendation

Best for: Practitioners who find themselves getting caught in armbars and kimuras frequently.

Avoid if: You feel pin and strangle escapes are a more urgent priority for your game.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Arm Bar (to understand the attacker’s goals).

Cheaper alternative: Neil Melanson — The Filthy Kimura

The hyped 2024 release that brings Gordon’s systematic approach to the stand-up game. Learn structure, strategy, and BJJ-specific wrestling.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2024
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Takedowns / Wrestling

What It’s About

This instructional focuses on upper body takedowns tailored specifically for Jiu-Jitsu, where the threat of the guard pull and submissions changes the game. It covers clinch work, throws, and strategies to win the fight on the feet and land in a dominant position.

Why I Like It

• It applies a conceptual, systematic approach to the chaos of stand-up grappling.
• It’s designed for BJJ practitioners, not pure wrestlers.

My Recommendation

Best for: Any grappler who wants to build a confident and effective stand-up game.

Avoid if: You are a dedicated guard puller with no interest in takedowns.

Pairs with: Lower Body Takedowns (for a complete stand-up system).

Cheaper alternative: Darryl Christian — Bodylock System

The ideal starting point for the ‘Scrimmage’ series. Understand the core concepts of stand-up grappling before diving into specific techniques.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2024
• 🎯 Beginner
• 🎛️ Takedowns / Wrestling

What It’s About

This set is viewed by many as the introductory volume to the larger takedown system. It lays the conceptual groundwork: stance, motion, basic pummeling, and the overall strategy of BJJ wrestling. It’s less about a high volume of moves and more about the fundamental principles.

Why I Like It

• It provides a much-needed conceptual foundation for stand-up grappling.
• It’s a perfect, non-intimidating entry point into wrestling for BJJ.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners or anyone who feels completely lost on their feet.

Avoid if: You already have a solid wrestling or judo background.

Pairs with: Upper Body Takedowns (the next logical step).

Cheaper alternative: Kenta Iwamoto — Samurai Foot Sweeps & Leg Trips

Complete your stand-up game with a systematic approach to single legs, double legs, and other lower body attacks, adapted for BJJ.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2024
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Takedowns / Wrestling

What It’s About

This instructional is the other half of Gordon’s stand-up system, focusing on lower body attacks. It details how to set up and finish shots while navigating the specific dangers of Jiu-Jitsu, like guillotine counters and guard pulls.

Why I Like It

• It provides a complete takedown system when combined with the Upper Body volume.
• It addresses BJJ-specific problems that pure wrestling instructionals ignore.

My Recommendation

Best for: Grapplers who want a comprehensive stand-up game covering both clinch work and shooting.

Avoid if: You prefer to focus only on throws and upper body control.

Pairs with: Upper Body Takedowns (for a complete stand-up system).

Cheaper alternative: Adam Wheeler — Fundamental Folkstyle Wrestling

Navigate the dangers of modern leg locks with confidence. A good but specialist set for defending and countering lower body submissions.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2023
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🎛️ Escapes / Defense

What It’s About

This is the defensive guide to the modern leg lock game. It teaches the principles of positioning and pressure needed to stay safe from heel hooks and other attacks, and importantly, how to turn your opponent’s attack into your own counter-submission.

Why I Like It

• It provides essential knowledge for anyone training in the modern no-gi meta.
• The focus on countering, not just escaping, is a powerful concept.

My Recommendation

Best for: No-gi competitors and anyone who frequently trains with skilled leg lockers.

Avoid if: You are a beginner or train primarily in a gym where leg locks are rare.

Pairs with: Systematically Attacking The Legs (to understand the offensive side).

Cheaper alternative: Giancarlo Bodoni — Leg Lock Defense: Survive & Escape

Niche but powerful ‘defense to offense’ bridges. Learn how to turn your opponent’s leg attacks into your own passes and back takes.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2023
• 🎯 Advanced
• 🎛️ Transitions / Defense

What It’s About

These specialist instructionals are all about transitions. They teach you how to use the specific dynamics of a leg lock exchange to bypass the guard and move directly to a dominant position like a pass or the back. It’s about exploiting your opponent’s offensive commitment.

Why I Like It

• They teach a high-level concept of turning defense directly into powerful offense.
• This is the kind of material that separates advanced players from the rest.

My Recommendation

Best for: Advanced competitors who are already comfortable in leg lock exchanges.

Avoid if: You are still learning the basics of leg lock defense.

Pairs with: Leg Lock Escapes & Counter Locks (the foundational defensive skills).

Cheaper alternative: Kade & Tye Ruotolo — The Leg Pin Passing System

A solid starting point for the most traditional guard position. While the community often prefers his open guard sets, this is a quality guide to closed guard.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 8h 15m
• 📅 2019
• 🎯 Beginner to Intermediate
• 🎛️ Closed Guard / Attacks

What It’s About

This instructional provides a complete system for making your closed guard a dangerous offensive position. It covers posture control, breaking down your opponent, and chaining together sweeps and submissions like armbars, triangles, and omoplatas.

Why I Like It

• It applies modern systematic thinking to a classic, fundamental position.
• It’s a great foundational tool, especially for beginners.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners who need a solid foundation, or anyone looking to sharpen their closed guard fundamentals.

Avoid if: You primarily play no-gi and want to focus on open guards.

Pairs with: Open Guard (Seated) (to develop a modern guard game).

Cheaper alternative: Clark Gracie — Automatic Omoplata System

A nice, free bonus release showcasing Gordon’s approach to the Gi. Too short to be a full system, but a great taste of his teaching style. Availability varies.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 39m
• 📅 2019
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Guard Passing (Gi)

What It’s About

This was a short, free instructional showcasing a few of Gordon Ryan’s favorite high-percentage passes for the Gi. It focuses on concepts like the knee slice and headquarters position.

Why I Like It

• It’s free! And it provides valuable insight into how a primarily no-gi athlete thinks about the Gi.
• You can’t beat the price (free).

My Recommendation

Best for: Anyone curious to see Gordon Ryan teach in the Gi.

Avoid if: You’re looking for a comprehensive, systematic instructional.

A deep analysis of one of the most dominant performances in ADCC history. More of a strategic study than a systematic instructional.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 3h 4m
• 📅 2022
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🎛️ Competition Analysis

What It’s About

In this unique instructional, Gordon Ryan breaks down his entire 2022 ADCC run match by match. He explains his strategies, the techniques he used, and why he made certain decisions in real-time. It’s a look inside the mind of a top competitor.

Why I Like It

• It offers unparalleled insight into high-level strategy and fight IQ.
• It’s a fantastic watch for competition prep and understanding the meta.

My Recommendation

Best for: Aspiring competitors and BJJ ‘nerds’ who love strategy and analysis.

Avoid if: You want a structured lesson plan with drills.

Valuable for dedicated students of the game. Analyze Gordon’s earlier ADCC championships to see the evolution of his style and strategy.

Quick Facts

• 📅 2020
• 🎯 Intermediate to Advanced
• 🎛️ Competition Analysis

What It’s About

Similar to the 2022 breakdown, these instructionals offer a play-by-play analysis of Gordon’s dominant performances at the 2019 and 2017 ADCC World Championships. They are a fascinating look at how his game has developed over time.

Why I Like It

• They provide a historical perspective on the evolution of the no-gi meta.
• Watching the progression across years offers unique strategic lessons.

My Recommendation

Best for: Serious competitors and fans who want to understand the strategic side of BJJ.

Avoid if: You need a step-by-step guide to learning techniques.

A non-technical deep dive into the championship mindset. A low priority for most, but potentially valuable for serious competitors.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 2h 45m
• 📅 2022
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Mindset / Philosophy

What It’s About

This is not a BJJ instructional. It’s a lecture series where Gordon Ryan discusses his philosophy on training, competition, goal setting, and what it takes to develop a high-performance mindset. It’s about the mental game, not the physical one.

Why I Like It

• It offers a rare look into the psychology of a dominant champion.
• The lessons on discipline and focus can be applied outside of BJJ.

My Recommendation

Best for: Highly dedicated competitors struggling with the mental aspects of the sport.

Avoid if: You are looking for techniques to improve your skills on the mat.

A non-technical guide to strength and conditioning for BJJ. Outside the scope of BJJ skills, but useful for those focused on physical preparation.

Quick Facts

• 🕓 3h 46m
• 📅 2019
• 🎯 All levels
• 🎛️ Strength & Conditioning

What It’s About

This is Gordon Ryan’s program for building strength and muscle specifically for the demands of grappling. It covers his lifting philosophy, exercise selection, and how he structures his workouts around his BJJ training. This is a fitness instructional, not a technique one.

Why I Like It

• It provides a clear strength training template from a top-level athlete.
• It addresses the specific needs and challenges of a grappler’s schedule.

My Recommendation

Best for: Grapplers who want to start a serious strength program but don’t know where to begin.

Avoid if: You are looking for Jiu-Jitsu techniques.