In this comprehensive review, I’ll rank all of Lucas Lepri’s available instructionals and break down what makes each one worth your time and money. Whether you’re struggling with guard passing or looking to refine your half guard, there’s something in Lepri’s catalog for you.
Want to skip ahead? Check out the Precision Guard Passing Bundle for the best overall value from Lepri’s instructional collection.
Lucas Lepri’s BJJ Instructionals: The Complete Ranking
1. The Science of Guard Passing
What It’s About: This is Lepri’s magnum opus when it comes to guard passing. As the name suggests, he breaks down guard passing not just as a collection of techniques but as a comprehensive system with underlying principles and concepts.
This instructional covers techniques against modern guards including Spider, Lasso, and Worm Guard, with an emphasis on precision and efficiency—hallmarks of Lepri’s style. What sets this apart from other guard passing instructionals is the methodical approach and attention to crucial details that often make the difference between successful and failed passes.
Key Strengths:
- Systematic approach to dismantling complex modern guards
- Emphasis on gripping strategies that neutralize your opponent’s control
- Precise weight distribution principles that make passes more efficient
- Troubleshooting common counters and roadblocks
My Experience: I was blown away by how much this instructional improved my guard passing. The principles Lepri teaches transcend specific techniques and have helped me develop a more adaptable passing game. His explanation of how to shut down an opponent’s guard before they can even establish it was a game-changer for me.
Who It’s For: This instructional is perfect for blue to black belts who want to develop a more systematic and effective guard passing approach. While beginners can certainly benefit from the concepts, they might get more immediate value from some of Lepri’s more focused instructionals.
Score: 9.8/10 – This is as close to perfect as BJJ instructionals get.
Check out The Science of Guard Passing on BJJ Fanatics
2. Precision Knee Cut Passes
What It’s About: The knee cut is arguably one of the most versatile and effective guard passes in jiu-jitsu, and Lepri takes this fundamental technique to another level. This instructional breaks down multiple variations of the knee cut pass with the precision that has made Lepri famous.
Key Strengths:
- Multiple entries into the knee cut position from different guards
- Precise details on weight distribution and hip positioning
- Counters to common defenses like the underhook and knee shield
- Seamless transitions to dominant positions after passing
My Experience: As someone who relies heavily on knee cut passes in my own game, this instructional refined my understanding and execution significantly. The subtle details Lepri shares—like where exactly to place pressure and how to angle your hips—made a noticeable difference in my success rate against tougher opponents.
Who It’s For: This is excellent for all skill levels. Beginners will develop a solid foundation for one of BJJ’s most important passes, while advanced practitioners will discover nuances that elevate their existing knee cut game.
Score: 9.5/10 – A focused masterclass on an essential technique.
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3. Precision Back Takes
What It’s About: Taking the back is often considered the holy grail of positional advancement in BJJ, and Lepri’s systematic approach makes this elusive position more accessible. This instructional covers entries to the back from various positions, securing control, and finishing with high-percentage submissions.
Key Strengths:
- Smooth transitions from common positions to the back
- Focus on maintaining control during transition phases
- Multiple gripping strategies that prevent escapes
- Submission sequences that capitalize on defensive reactions
My Experience: The instructional transformed how I approach back takes. Rather than seeing them as opportunistic moves, Lepri presents them as calculated progressions that can be systematically set up. His method of securing the position before hunting submissions has significantly increased my success rate with rear naked chokes.
Who It’s For: This is particularly valuable for competitors at all levels who want to add a reliable path to one of BJJ’s most dominant positions. The techniques work equally well in gi and no-gi contexts with minor adjustments.
Score: 9.3/10 – An exceptional resource for a high-value position.
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4. The Precise Half Guard
What It’s About: Unlike Lucas Leite’s Coyote Half Guard, Lepri approaches the half guard as both an offensive and defensive position. This instructional emphasizes control, sweeps, and transitions to more dominant positions, reflecting Lepri’s preference for advancing position rather than staying in guard.
Key Strengths:
- Strong defensive fundamentals to prevent passes
- Effective framing techniques that create space for sweeps
- Transition sequences to full guard recovery or single leg takedowns
- Integration with his passing systems for a complete game
My Experience: This instructional filled gaps in my half guard game that I didn’t even know existed. Lepri’s approach helped me transform my half guard from a position I’d get stuck in to one I actively seek in certain situations. The defensive details alone were worth the price of admission.
Who It’s For: Best suited for blue belts and above who already have some familiarity with half guard basics and want to refine their approach. The instructional assumes a certain level of fundamental knowledge.
Score: 9.0/10 – A solid resource for a commonly encountered position.
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5. Precise Side Control & Knee On Belly Attacks
What It’s About: This instructional focuses on maximizing two of the most dominant top positions in BJJ. Lepri breaks down how to maintain control while setting up high-percentage submissions and transitions from both side control and knee-on-belly.
Key Strengths:
- Pressure distribution techniques that neutralize common escapes
- Submission chains that capitalize on defensive reactions
- Seamless transitions between positions to maintain control
- Details on gripping strategies that enhance control and attack options
My Experience: The instructional significantly improved my ability to maintain control in side positions. Lepri’s emphasis on proper weight distribution and subtle adjustments to counter escape attempts has made my side control much more suffocating for training partners. The submission sequences flow naturally from the control principles.
Who It’s For: Best for blue belts and above who have the basics down but struggle to convert side control positions into submissions. The concepts require some foundational knowledge to implement effectively.
Score: 8.8/10 – Excellent content for dominant positions many struggle to capitalize on.
Check out Precise Side Control & Knee On Belly Attacks
6. The Sit Up Guard
What It’s About: The sit-up guard (sometimes called the shin-to-shin guard) is a versatile position that creates opportunities for sweeps, submissions, and leg entanglements. Lepri provides a systematic approach to this dynamic guard, showing how it can be used to regain control against aggressive passers.
Key Strengths:
- Effective against standing and kneeling opponents
- Seamless transitions to single leg takedowns and X-guard variations
- Defensive strategies against common passing attempts
- Strong gripping sequences that maintain control during transitions
My Experience: This instructional filled an important gap in my guard arsenal. The sit-up guard has become my go-to option when opponents start to pass my butterfly guard, providing reliable recovery options and offensive opportunities. Lepri’s precise teaching style made the techniques immediately applicable.
Who It’s For: Particularly valuable for smaller practitioners or those who face larger, pressure-oriented opponents. It’s accessible to all skill levels but provides the most value to those who already have some guard fundamentals.
Score: 8.7/10 – A specialized but highly effective addition to your guard game.
Buy The Sit Up Guard on BJJ Fanatics
7. Precise Half Guard Passing
What It’s About: Half guard is one of the most commonly played guards in BJJ, making effective passing strategies essential. This instructional focuses specifically on dismantling various half guard variations, from traditional to deep half to Z-guard.
Key Strengths:
- Systematic approach to neutralizing different half guard variations
- Counter strategies against common sweeps and submissions
- Pressure distribution techniques that shut down mobility
- Seamless transitions to side control and mount
My Experience: Given how frequently I encounter half guard in rolling, this instructional provided immediate practical value. Lepri’s methodical breakdown of how to shut down each variation of half guard has made me much more confident in passing situations that used to give me trouble.
Who It’s For: Essential for anyone who struggles against crafty half guard players. The concepts work at all levels but will be most quickly implemented by those with some passing experience already.
Score: 8.7/10 – Highly practical content for a commonly encountered challenge.
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8. Precision Side Control and Knee on Belly Escapes
What It’s About: The flip side of Lepri’s attacking instructional, this one focuses on defensive strategies from inferior positions. It provides systematic escapes from side control and knee-on-belly, emphasizing proper framing, timing, and transitional awareness.
Key Strengths:
- Fundamental framing techniques that create space
- Progressive escape sequences that build on defensive reactions
- Proactive approaches to prevent submission setups
- Guard recovery techniques from compromised positions
My Experience: As someone who has spent plenty of time under side control, this instructional provided practical solutions to common problems. Lepri’s escape system is particularly effective because it accounts for the pressure and control that high-level practitioners apply, not just theoretical scenarios.
Who It’s For: Essential for white and blue belts who frequently find themselves stuck in bottom positions, but also valuable for more advanced practitioners looking to shore up defensive weaknesses.
Score: 8.6/10 – Critical knowledge for a universal challenge in BJJ.
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9. Precision Collar and Sleeve Guard Passing
What It’s About: The collar and sleeve guard is a staple in modern competition BJJ. This instructional addresses specific strategies to neutralize and pass this technically demanding guard, focusing on grip breaks, pressure, and systematic advancement.
Key Strengths:
- Effective grip breaking sequences that neutralize control
- Pressure distribution that prevents common sweeps and submissions
- Passing options that account for different defensive reactions
- Integration with broader passing systems
My Experience: Against technical guard players, the details in this instructional made a noticeable difference. Lepri’s methodical approach to breaking down a complex guard position translated to immediate improvements in my passing success against collar and sleeve players at my gym.
Who It’s For: Most valuable for competitors and those who regularly train with sport BJJ practitioners. The techniques address modern competition meta and require some baseline passing knowledge to implement effectively.
Score: 8.5/10 – Specialized content that solves a specific, common challenge.
Check out Precision Collar and Sleeve Guard Passing
10. Precision Lapel Guard Escapes
What It’s About: Modern lapel-based guards (worm guard, squid guard, etc.) can be particularly frustrating to deal with. This instructional offers specific strategies to escape these entanglements and counter the control they provide.
Key Strengths:
- Systematic grip breaking approaches for various lapel controls
- Posture and positioning details that prevent entanglement
- Counter-attacking opportunities during transitions
- Preventative strategies to avoid getting caught in the first place
My Experience: As lapel guards have become more prevalent, this instructional has provided practical solutions to positions that once seemed inescapable. The preventative strategies were particularly valuable, helping me shut down lapel guards before they’re fully established.
Who It’s For: Most beneficial for competitors and those who train at competition-focused academies where modern lapel guards are common. It’s moderately advanced content that assumes familiarity with the guard positions being countered.
Score: 8.3/10 – Specialized but increasingly essential knowledge.
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11. Precision Guard Passing Bundle
What It’s About: This bundle combines multiple Lepri guard passing instructionals into a comprehensive package, offering significant value for those looking to develop a complete passing game. It includes strategies for various guards from basic to advanced.
Key Strengths:
- Comprehensive coverage of different guard types
- Consistent conceptual framework across instructionals
- Progressive learning path from fundamental to advanced techniques
- Substantial cost savings compared to individual purchases
My Experience: For those serious about developing Lepri’s systematic passing approach, this bundle provides exceptional value. The consistent methodology across different guard types helps develop an integrated passing game rather than isolated techniques for specific situations.
Who It’s For: Ideal for dedicated practitioners at blue belt and above who want to make a significant investment in their passing game. The comprehensive nature makes it appropriate for both competitors and recreational practitioners.
Score: 9.6/10 – Exceptional value for serious students of BJJ.
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Honorable Mention: Comparison to Lucas Leite’s Coyote Half Guard
While not by Lepri, Lucas Leite’s Coyote Half Guard instructionals deserve mention as they complement Lepri’s half guard material nicely. Leite’s approach is more specialized and offensively oriented, while Lepri’s tends to be more positionally focused.
The Coyote Half Guard instructional focuses on a specific half guard variation that emphasizes the underhook, knee torque, and back-taking opportunities. It’s available in both gi and no-gi versions.
Final Verdict: Which Lucas Lepri Instructional Should You Buy?
For Beginners (White to Early Blue Belt):
- Precision Knee Cut Passes – Focuses on a fundamental technique with wide applicability
- Precision Side Control and Knee on Belly Escapes – Essential defensive knowledge
For Intermediate Practitioners (Late Blue to Purple Belt):
- The Science of Guard Passing – Comprehensive system that elevates your entire passing game
- The Precise Half Guard – Versatile position that blends offense and defense
For Advanced Practitioners (Brown and Black Belt):
- Precision Guard Passing Bundle – Complete system to refine your passing game
- Precision Back Takes – High-level details for a dominant position
Best Overall Value:
The Precision Guard Passing Bundle offers the most comprehensive coverage of Lepri’s methodology and provides significant savings compared to purchasing individual instructionals.
Don’t miss out on transforming your BJJ game with world-class instruction from one of the sport’s most technical masters. Get Lucas Lepri’s instructionals on BJJ Fanatics today!
If you enjoyed this breakdown of Lucas Lepri’s instructionals, you might also want to check out my detailed review of the best Craig Jones instructionals to add some cutting-edge leg lock and no-gi techniques to your arsenal.
