Craig Jones used the Z guard to submit Joao Costa via Choi bar at ADCC 2022 – the 2nd fastest submission in ADCC history. Filip Zanki at BJJ World gave this instructional a perfect 10/10. If you want to build a Z guard that works against the best grapplers on the planet, this is where you start.
I picked up Make Z Guard Great Again after watching ADCC 2022, where the knee shield half guard was dominant across the entire tournament. As a brown belt who has played knee shield since white belt, I still learned techniques I had never seen before. This review covers what Craig teaches across all 6 volumes, how it performed at ADCC, honest weaknesses, and how it compares to Lachlan Giles and Craig’s own older Z Guard Encyclopedia.
Make Z Guard Great Again
by Craig Jones
My Review Summary
I picked this up because ADCC 2022 proved the knee shield was the hardest guard to pass at the highest level. Almost nobody could get through it. As a brown belt who has played knee shield since white belt, I expected to know most of the material. I was wrong.
The guard passing section (Volume 2) was the biggest surprise. Craig shows exactly how people pass his Z guard – the hip switch, the weave, the Jason Rau pass, the Kit Dale pass – and then shows how to counter each one. I had the same experience with his Mexican Ground Karate Escapes: the best part of the instructional is the thing you didn’t buy it for.
What I Liked Most
- Guard passing section (Vol 2): Craig ranks the common Z guard passes from weakest to strongest and gives counters for each. The weave pass is the one he admits he has no clean counter for – that honesty is valuable.
- Choi bar details (Vol 4): I thought I knew this move, but Craig’s “right-right-right” principle (attack the right arm, pull to your right hip, with your right shoulder) was new. Jacob Couch hit this at No-Gi Worlds and now I understand how.
- Ankle triangle setups (Vol 3): Gordon Ryan hits this at WNO regularly, but Craig’s setup from Z guard was new to me.
- Dual-purpose instruction: You learn to play the guard AND pass it. Reviewers consistently highlight this as unusually valuable.
What Could Be Better
- Craig gets carried away in the leg lock section (Vol 5) and gives a mini-instructional on counter back takes that goes beyond Z guard scope.
- The kimura section (Vol 3) didn’t add much for me. The arm bar transitions from kimura were excellent, but the kimura itself is covered better elsewhere.
- Craig’s humor and casual naming (Yoko Ono triangle, Pendejo Guard) keeps things entertaining but can make it harder to Google techniques later.
Volume-by-Volume Breakdown
Here is what Craig covers across all 6 volumes (~5 hours total), based on the BJJ World review by Filip Zanki and my own notes from studying the material.
Fundamentals
~30 minZ guard positioning nuances, defensive retention tactics, and dynamic approaches. Craig covers both the low Z guard (pinched knees, tight hip control) and the high knee shield (knee near upper chest/shoulder), and when to switch between them.
- Low Z guard positioning and hip control
- High knee shield placement
- Kuzushi (off-balancing): kick, John Wayne lever, underhook sweep
- Guard retention fundamentals
Passing the Z Guard
~60 minThe dual-purpose section that teaches both sides of the position. Craig ranks each pass from weakest to strongest and provides counter strategies for each.
- Hip switch pass – only works vs beginners if you keep elbow frames
- Headquarters (HQ) – retreat move; counter with shotgun armbar
- Lachlan Giles rugby tackle – counter with “the switch” from wrestling
- Jason Rau pass (shallow underhook) – no clean counter, teaches not to overextend
- Kit Dale pass (low hip grip) – jack up their arm into armpit, attack triangles
- Leg weave pass – Craig’s “best pass,” blocks all leg entries; no-gi detail with elbow post
Submission Attacks
~40 minCraig’s submission arsenal from knee shield, including several signature moves with his creative naming.
- Kimura with thumbs grip variation
- Arm bar from kimura – different foot positioning for dynamic threat switching
- Belly-down arm bar – choi bar to shotgun armbar (Jacob Couch hit this at No-Gi Worlds)
- Achilles triangle and ankle triangle setups
- Yoko Ono triangle – Craig’s creative name for a triangle entry from Z guard
- Baiting the triangle – weakening knee shield to invite forward pressure
- Omoplata and arm bar from omoplata roll-through
Advanced Attacks
~60 minThe Choi bar section alone is worth the price. Craig used this exact technique to submit Joao Costa at ADCC 2022.
- Choi bar (inverted armbar / ude gatame) – two variations: loose hip grip and tight control
- “Right-right-right” principle: attack right arm, pull to right hip, with right shoulder
- Additional triangle attacks
- Omoplatas from Z guard
- Transitions to ashi garami leg locks
Leg Locks and K-Guard
~60 minZ guard’s connection to modern leg locking, with K-guard described as “Z guard’s next-door neighbor and best friend.”
- K-guard integration and transitions
- Cross ashi entries from Z guard
- Backside heel hooks and outside heel hooks
- Sweeps-first, leg-locks-second methodology
- Floating Z transitions – “fun and revealing something very new”
- Single X entry to saddle (Craig’s career-defining attack)
Exit Strategies
~40 minWhat to do when opponents disengage – kneeling, standing, or transitioning away from your Z guard.
- Dealing with kneeling opponents
- Dealing with standing opponents
- Three key transition battles
- Whizzer techniques from Z guard
- Reinforced half guard positioning
- Transitions to De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva
- Pendejo Guard transitions (named after Craig’s sparring partner)
ADCC 2022: Z Guard in Competition
Craig Jones’ Z guard is not a theoretical system. He used it to earn silver at ADCC 2022 (-99kg), defeating Nicholas Meregali in the semifinals before losing the final to Kaynan Duarte.
The Choi Bar on Joao Costa
The highlight was Craig’s match against Joao Costa. Craig set up the Choi bar directly from low knee-shield half guard (Z guard). Costa attempted a weave pass and reached for a crossface. Craig capitalized by securing a fully locked reverse armbar. Costa tried to escape by pulling his arm away, which caused his elbow to dislocate. It was the 2nd fastest submission in ADCC history.
According to BJJEE, the correct defense against the Choi bar is to roll your thumb out and change the angle. Pulling the arm away (as Costa did) is the worst possible response. You can learn both variations of the Choi bar setup in Volume 4 of this instructional.
Knee Shield Dominance at ADCC 2022
Beyond Craig’s matches, ADCC 2022 proved the knee shield was effective across the entire tournament. Many competitors relied on it, and almost nobody could pass it consistently. If you watched those matches and wanted to develop that kind of guard, this is the instructional to get.
Craig’s ADCC Track Record
- ADCC 2017: Submitted Leandro Lo (5x Black Belt World Champion) via heel hook. Bronze medal.
- ADCC 2019: Silver medal at 88kg.
- ADCC 2022: Silver medal at -99kg. Choi bar on Costa, beat Meregali.
Craig trained under Lachlan Giles at Absolute MMA in Melbourne before co-founding B-Team with Nicky Ryan. The Z guard has been central to his competition game for years, and this instructional represents his most refined take on the position.
What the Community Says
“No doubt this is one of the best DVD instructionals I’ve seen this year. It is really easy to follow, it covers everything in great order and connects things easily.”
Filip Zanki, BJJ World (10/10 rating)“I don’t think anybody on this earth knows more about z guard and knee shield than Craig Jones.”
Filip Zanki, BJJ World“This is one of the rare BJJ instructionals that literally everybody can use.”
Filip Zanki, BJJ World“I love this instructional. As someone who already plays knee shield half guard a lot, I still learned so many new things. Craig is obviously super experienced in this position.”
Filip Zanki, BJJ WorldFilip Zanki also reviewed Craig’s older Z Guard Encyclopedia and noted it would “raise your submission game to new heights.” The newer Make Z Guard Great Again builds on and supersedes that earlier release with updated techniques and deeper Z guard coverage.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Dual-purpose: teaches both how to play Z guard AND how to pass it. You improve on both sides of the position.
- Battle-tested at ADCC 2022: the Choi bar on Joao Costa was the 2nd fastest sub in ADCC history, set up directly from Z guard.
- K-guard integration: Volume 5 connects Z guard to K-guard, showing how these neighboring positions feed into each other.
- Sweeps-first methodology: Craig teaches sweeps before leg locks, building a complete game rather than just hunting for heel hooks.
- All-level accessibility: Filip Zanki called it “one of the rare BJJ instructionals that literally everybody can use.”
- Engaging delivery: Craig’s humor keeps your attention through 5+ hours without sacrificing depth.
Weaknesses
- Overlap with Z Guard Encyclopedia: if you own Craig’s earlier release, you’ll encounter repeated material. MZGGA is the updated version, but not 100% new content.
- Dense for absolute beginners: easier to absorb with basic half guard understanding. Pair with Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology for foundational work.
- No-gi focused: gi players will need to adapt concepts for lapel grips. Craig doesn’t cover gi-specific adjustments.
- Z guard positional weakness not discussed: a higher knee shield is vulnerable to ashi garami entries, swinging entries to outside ashi, kneebars, and toeholds. Craig doesn’t cover these vulnerabilities in depth.
- Less structured than Lachlan Giles: Craig’s coaching is conversational and funny, but Lachlan Giles’ layered-learning progressions may suit more systematic learners.
- Price: $197 retail while Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology is $79 for 10 hours. Craig goes deeper on Z guard specifically, but the price-per-hour difference is significant.
Who Should Buy This / Who Should Skip
Buy This If:
- You want to build a Z guard / knee shield game from scratch – Craig covers fundamentals through advanced
- You already play knee shield and want refined details that even experienced practitioners miss
- You want to learn how to PASS Z guard too – Volume 2 teaches both sides
- You watched ADCC 2022 and want the same guard that dominated the tournament
- You play K-guard or leg locks and want to connect Z guard entries into your game
- You appreciate humor in instruction – Craig makes 5 hours of material fly by
Skip This If:
- You have zero half guard experience – get some basics first (roll with knee shield for a month, or start with Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology for the full system)
- You train exclusively in the gi and want gi-specific grip strategies
- You already own the Z Guard Encyclopedia and don’t want to pay for some overlapping material
- You prefer hyper-structured, methodical teaching (Lachlan Giles’ style will be a better fit)
- Budget is tight – Lachlan Giles covers Z guard within a broader system for $79 (10 hours). Less Z guard depth, but more overall half guard coverage per dollar.
How It Compares to Other Half Guard Instructionals
| Instructional | Runtime | Price | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make Z Guard Great Again – Craig Jones | ~5 hrs (6 vols) | $197 | Pure Z guard / knee shield depth | Z guard mastery specifically |
| Half Guard Anthology – Lachlan Giles | ~10 hrs (8 vols) | $79 | Complete half guard ecosystem | Full half guard system at great value |
| Z Guard Encyclopedia – Craig Jones | 3 discs | Varies | Z guard + RDLR + DLR integration | Broader scope (superseded by MZGGA) |
| Lockdown Blueprint – Tom DeBlass | ~4 hrs (4 vols) | Varies | Lockdown half guard (gi-oriented) | Gi-focused lockdown specialists |
vs. Craig Jones’ Z Guard Encyclopedia
Make Z Guard Great Again supersedes Craig’s earlier Z Guard Encyclopedia (3 discs). The Encyclopedia was broader, covering Reverse De La Riva, De La Riva, and berimbolo alongside Z guard. Make Z Guard Great Again is a deeper, more focused dive into pure knee shield/Z guard with techniques Craig refined after ADCC 2022. If you own the Encyclopedia, there will be overlap, but MZGGA is the updated, recommended version.
vs. Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology ($79, 10 hours, 8 volumes)
Lachlan Giles is Craig’s coach at Absolute MMA in Melbourne. His Half Guard Anthology covers the entire half guard ecosystem: knee shield, underhook half, dogfight, reverse half, sit-up guard, and more, all tied together as a system. Nearly double the runtime at less than half the price. Lachlan’s teaching style is more structured with clear overviews and systematic progression, though some find it drier compared to Craig’s humor.
The verdict: these two are complementary, not competing. If you want Z guard mastery specifically, get Craig’s instructional. If you want the full half guard picture with troubleshooting and alternate paths, get Lachlan’s. If you can afford both, start with Craig for Z guard depth and add Lachlan for breadth.
vs. Tom DeBlass’ Lockdown Blueprint
The Lockdown Blueprint is a different position entirely. The lockdown uses a figure-four on the opponent’s leg for restrictive positional control, while Z guard/knee shield is more dynamic and offensive. DeBlass is primarily gi-oriented and more old-school. Only relevant if you specifically want lockdown half guard.
Related Instructionals
- Z Guard Encyclopedia by Craig Jones – Craig’s earlier, broader Z guard set (covers RDLR and DLR too). Superseded by MZGGA but still useful if you want the wider scope.
- The Half Guard Anthology by Lachlan Giles – The full half guard system from Craig’s coach. $79 for 10 hours. Best value on this list.
- The Down Under Bottom Game Bundle by Craig Jones – Over 10 hours covering Z guard and comprehensive bottom game. Includes Make Z Guard Great Again plus additional content.
- The Lockdown Blueprint by Tom DeBlass – Lockdown half guard fundamentals for gi players. Different position from Z guard.
Also read: Top 10 Best Craig Jones Instructionals | Best Half Guard Instructionals for BJJ
FAQ – Make Z Guard Great Again
Is Make Z Guard Great Again good for beginners?
Yes, but with a caveat. Filip Zanki at BJJ World called it ‘one of the rare BJJ instructionals that literally everybody can use,’ from white belt to black belt. However, the material is easier to absorb if you already have basic half guard understanding. If you’re brand new to half guard, consider starting with Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology for the fundamentals, then coming back to Craig for Z guard depth.
Make Z Guard Great Again vs Z Guard Encyclopedia – which should I buy?
Make Z Guard Great Again supersedes the older Z Guard Encyclopedia. The Encyclopedia was broader (covering Reverse De La Riva, De La Riva, and berimbolo alongside Z guard), while Make Z Guard Great Again is a deeper, more focused dive into pure knee shield/Z guard with techniques Craig refined through ADCC 2022. If you can only buy one, get Make Z Guard Great Again.
What is a choi bar in BJJ?
The choi bar is an inverted armbar (also called ude gatame in judo). Craig Jones has two variations: one for when the opponent has a loose hip grip, and one for tight control. He used the choi bar to submit Joao Costa at ADCC 2022 from low knee-shield half guard (Z guard), making it the 2nd fastest submission in ADCC history. The correct defense is to roll your thumb out and change the angle – pulling the arm away (as Costa did) risks elbow dislocation.
How long is Make Z Guard Great Again?
Approximately 5 hours across 6 volumes. Volume 1 (fundamentals) is ~30 minutes, Volume 2 (passing) is ~60 minutes, Volume 3 (submissions) is ~40 minutes, Volume 4 (advanced attacks) is ~60 minutes, Volume 5 (leg locks/K-guard) is ~60 minutes, and Volume 6 (exit strategies) is ~40 minutes.
Z guard vs knee shield – what’s the difference?
Z guard is a specific variation of the knee shield half guard where your knees are pinched together with your shin angled across the opponent’s torso. Knee shield is the broader category that includes both the low Z guard (pinched knees, tight hip control) and the high knee shield (knee near the opponent’s upper chest or shoulder). Craig covers both positions in this instructional and teaches when to switch between them.
Does Craig Jones’ Z guard work in gi?
The core concepts (knee placement, hip control, submission mechanics) transfer to gi. However, the instructional is primarily no-gi focused and Craig doesn’t cover gi-specific grip adaptations like lapel grips. Gi players can absolutely use the positional concepts but will need to figure out grip translations themselves.
