Gordon Ryan’s updated passing system shows the 'real way' to beat modern guards with high-step movement, pressure, and live breakdowns.
The Bottom Line
You get a complete passing system built around outside, mid, and tight-range connections. Gordon shows how to chain high-step passing with body lock entries and leg pummeling, then reinforces it with rolling commentary. You will not get gi-specific grips, but you will learn concepts you can translate with minor adjustments.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Ambitious passers
Skip if: You need gi grips
Tech focus: High Step, Body Lock, Toreando, Knee Slice, Leg Drag, Tight Waist, Flanking
Biggest takeaway: Pass in connected ranges
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What You'll Learn
This is Gordon’s updated no-gi passing blueprint centered on high-step movement, flanking, and pressure connections. It replaces loose move dumps with a clean range-based system.
If you want one course that makes your passing dangerous fast, start here and add body lock or half guard modules later.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- High Step
- Toreando
- Knee Slice
- Body Lock Entries
- Tight Waist
- Leg Pummeling
- Leg Drag
- Headquarters
- Flanking
- Back Takes
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 51 hours and 45 minutes
- Volumes: 8
- Released: 2022
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I saw the biggest passing gains by drilling one range per week and only adding the next range once entries felt automatic.
Why Gordon Ryan?
Gordon Ryan is a multi-time ADCC champion and widely regarded as the greatest no-gi grappler of his era. He is a black belt under Garry Tonon and John Danaher. His passing and pinning systems dominated ADCC 2019 and 2022, and he won the 2024 ADCC superfight. BJJ Heroes tracks his rise and technical versatility. Expect systematic teaching with heavy emphasis on decision rules and dilemmas.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- High-step and flanking ideas feel fresh and effective against stubborn guards.
- Details are deep but unified by a clear, repeatable passing system.
- Rolling footage with commentary helps the concepts stick on the mats.
- Works in gi with simple grip tweaks and angle changes.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Very long runtime; navigation can feel overwhelming without a study plan.
- Some call earlier passing material outdated next to newer meta.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- New Wave Jiu Jitsu: No Gi Guard Passing – Theory-heavy option from Ryan’s coach with strong body lock coverage. (Price: $197.00, 2021)
- The Science of Guard Passing – Gi-first blueprint; translates well to no-gi with minor tweaks. (Price: $79.00, 2019)
- Guard Retention Anthology (Bundle) – Pair with this for a full pass-vs-retain study plan. (Price: $247.00, 16 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Systematically Attacking The Guard 2.0 on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.