A clear no-gi starter kit that stays useful as you progress.
The Bottom Line
You learn essential no-gi movements, positional aims, and core passes. Real sparring clips show application, which helps retention. If you want one no-gi primer, this is a safe pick.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: New no-gi learners
Skip if: You want niche depth
Tech focus: Pin Escapes, Guard Passing, Closed Guard, Takedowns, Submissions
Biggest takeaway: Confident no-gi fundamentals
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
A beginner-friendly no-gi primer that starts with essential movements, grips, and escapes, then scales into live examples and more advanced sequences. It aims to make taking off the gi less confusing.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Pin Escapes
- Guard Passing
- Closed Guard
- Takedowns
- Submissions
- Grip Fighting
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Technique Collection
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Volumes: 3
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I see no-gi beginners improve when they pair core escapes and stand-ups with one reliable passing route.
Why Roy Dean?
Roy Dean is a veteran educator with cross-discipline black belts who communicates no-gi fundamentals with clarity. His production layers examples and commentary to build understanding beyond rote moves.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Consistently praised as a strong no-gi intro with clear production.
- Grows with you; remains relevant beyond the first months.
- Often recommended as a first no-gi instructional for white belts.
- Good price-to-value compared to big-name catalogs.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some content feels advanced for absolute beginners.
- A few users prefer targeted deep dives instead of broad primers.
- Older release aesthetics and meta references show their age.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Countering Jiu Jitsu: A Beginners Guide – Adds defensive options to your no-gi base. (Price: $99.00, 2022)
- Pass Any Guard: The Principles of Passing – Concepts to progress your passing game. (Price: $99.00, 2 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View No Gi Essentials on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.

