A first-principles map of guard retention with deliberate drills.
The Bottom Line
This course emphasizes why retention works before how. You learn to control distance and inside position, then rebuild guard with reliable sequences and drills. Expect a slow, methodical style that rewards repetition.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Principle-first learners
Skip if: You hate slow pacing
Tech focus: Guard Retention, Head Control, Knee Elbow Connection, Hip Escape, Granby, Leg Pummeling, Reguard
Biggest takeaway: Distance and inside position rule.
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What You'll Learn
Danaher’s fundamentals lens clarifies priorities: distance, inside position, and connection for rebuilding guard under pressure. Lessons are heavily conceptual with precise drills, ideal if you want theory that generalizes. The pacing is slow by design and rewards note-taking. If you value first-principles and structured practice, this set pays off.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Guard Retention
- Head Control
- Knee Elbow Connection
- Hip Escape
- Granby
- Leg Pummeling
- Reguard
Format & Level
- Instructional style: Conceptual, System Based, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 8 hours and 4 minutes
- Volumes: 8
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I use this to pressure-test my retention rules before adding tactics.
Why John Danaher?
John Danaher is head coach at New Wave, widely regarded for systematic BJJ pedagogy. His Go Further Faster series codifies fundamentals for broad transfer and safe progression. Expect granular principles, layered drills, and careful terminology.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Clear principles that transfer across positions.
- Widely recommended as a fundamentals baseline.
- Drills make abstract ideas actionable.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Pricey compared to shorter sets.
- Verbose pacing; not for those wanting quick tips.
- Less specific gi grip detail than gi purists expect.
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Smart Alternatives
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes – Go Further Faster – Pairs well because failed retention becomes pin escapes. (Price: $197.00)
- Guard Retention Anthology Bundle – Alternative model with extensive through-the-legs coverage. (Price: $247.00, 16 vols)
- Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery & Attacking From Guard – Practical clamp framework against heavy pressure. (Price: $197.00, 4 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Guard Retention: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
