Two no-gi closed guard systems that turn overhooks and shoulder crunches into reliable sweeps and submissions.
The Bottom Line
You learn posture breaks, angle creation, and structured attacks from overhook and shoulder-crunch. The material helps shorter legs generate leverage, but it still scales to larger athletes. Expect concise coaching, quick reps, and clear re-guard options when your first attacks stall.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Closed-guard players, no-gi
Skip if: You only train gi
Tech focus: Overhook System, Shoulder Crunch, Kimura, Flower Sweep, Armbar, Hip Bump, Triangle
Biggest takeaway: Build two reliable no-gi systems
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
Ffion builds two no-gi closed guard systems anchored to the overhook and the shoulder-crunch. You get posture breaks, angles, and reliable attacks that suit shorter legs and lighter players.
Expect actionable timing cues rather than long theory, plus transitions back to guard if attacks stall. It is a practical blueprint for people who actually use closed guard.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Overhook System
- Shoulder Crunch
- Kimura
- Flower Sweep
- Armbar
- Hip Bump
- Triangle
- Williams Guard
- Posture Breaks
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 1 hour and 42 minutes
- Volumes: 4
- Released: 2024
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like how this course narrows closed guard to two plans, which makes your decisions fast and your finishes repeatable.
Why Ffion Davies?
Ffion Davies is an ADCC world champion and multi-time IBJJF world champion in gi and no-gi. A former Welsh national judo player, she blends balance and tight grips with clear pedagogy. FloGrappling tracks her elite results, and BJJ Heroes profiles her career. Her no-gi closed guard emphasizes posture control and angle creation with high-percentage follow-ups.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- A student said her closed guard course massively improved their game, especially with shorter legs.
- Techniques feel deceptively simple and leverage based, easier to implement for heavier bodies too.
- She has a knack for teaching fundamentals with small details that change outcomes.
- Overhook to Williams guard pathways helped newer players connect attacks.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- One commenter felt the focus was competition scoring over long-term control.
- Classics like the flower sweep can take months to click in live rounds.
- Triangles can be tricky on slim-necked partners without setup adjustments.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Closed Guard: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher – Deep fundamentals and overarching mechanics from a system builder. (Price: $197.00)
- The Black Hole: No-Gi Closed Guard by Henry Akins – Old-school invisible jiu-jitsu details for posture breaks and control. (Price: $279.00, 2024)
- Closed Guard Reintroduced by Adam Wardzinski – Modern closed guard routes with armbars and dynamic entries. (Price: $127.00, 6 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View No Gi Closed Guard by Ffion Davies on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
