Organize your bottom game with templates for defense and attack.
The Bottom Line
Instead of random moves, you get guard maps. The focus is retaining, recomposing, and then attacking through pre-planned chains. It suits white to brown belts who want clarity under pressure.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Structure-first learners
Skip if: You only train lapel guards
Tech focus: Guard Retention, Omoplata, S Guard, Half Guard, Guard Recovery
Biggest takeaway: Templates simplify choices under pressure.
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What You'll Learn
This is a framework-first bottom game. You learn how to re-guard, defend passes, and then flip the switch into sweeps or submissions using repeatable templates.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Guard Retention
- Omoplata
- S Guard
- Half Guard
- Standing Template
- Tie Up Template
- Guard Recovery
Format & Level
- Instructional style: Conceptual, System Based
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes
- Volumes: 2
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like how the half-guard template feeds both stand-ups and sweeps, so you can pick based on ruleset and opponent.
Why Erik Paulson?
Paulson often teaches by templates: defend first, then attack off the opponent’s reactions. His guard approach stresses posture breaking, frames, and chains to back exposure or leg entries. It is a clean structure for mixed rooms.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Hybrid CSW-BJJ approach makes sense to many grapplers.
- Template thinking helps beginners organize the bottom game.
- People value practical guard recovery more than fancy moves.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some prefer modern meta guards over hybrid templates.
- A few view catch influence as less applicable to gi rounds.
- Skeptics say parts may feel dated if you chase lapel guards.
Smart Alternatives
- Advanced Guard Systems by Neil Melanson – A catch-influenced guard that attacks and controls aggressively. (Price: $79.00)
- The Ground Marshal Guard by Neil Melanson – Structured pathways for back exposure and submissions from guard. (Price: $79.00)
Sources & References
Official listing: View Guard Templates For Attacking And Defending on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
