A practical nogi bottom roadmap for closed, knee shield, and X-guard that turns defense into sweeps and submissions.
The Bottom Line
JT covers the core bottom positions you will actually use under pressure. The entries and follow-ups are simple enough to drill and robust enough to survive resistance. Pair it with his Top Game to have a complete, unified approach.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: All-levels bottom players
Skip if: You want leg-lock meta
Tech focus: Closed Guard, Triangle, Omoplata, Single Leg X, X Guard, Knee Shield, Hook Sweep
Biggest takeaway: Bottom chains that actually score.
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What You'll Learn
This series gives you a coherent bottom roadmap: closed guard attacks, knee shield underhook chains, and modern single-leg X and X-guard entries. You learn when to chase triangles, omoplatas, or come up for sweeps.
It is fundamentals done right for nogi, with enough depth to serve blues and purples who want a sturdy base game.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Closed Guard
- Triangle
- Omoplata
- Guillotine
- Single Leg X
- X Guard
- Hook Sweep
- Knee Shield
- Back Take
- Reverse Arm Drag
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 3 hours and 41 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like how the knee-shield underhook series funnels to either back takes or easy stand-ups without overcomplication.
Why JT Torres?
JT is an ADCC and IBJJF champion with a reputation for clean fundamentals and relentless pace. His bottom approach leans on posture breaks, underhooks, and X-guard for reliable reversals. Expect simple steps that work under pressure, not flashy tricks.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- One of the best all-round nogi picks for basics.
- Paired with Top Game, it builds a complete plan.
- Extremely good; a favorite set for building guard.
- Clear and concise teaching style praised.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- If you only want leg lock systems, look elsewhere.
- Fans of super conceptual teaching might prefer other instructors.
- As always, better when bought on sale.
- Total beginners may benefit more from mat time first.
Smart Alternatives
- Half Guard Anthology by Lachlan Giles – Deep dive if half guard is your home.
- Open Guard Concepts by Marcelo Garcia – Classic open-guard ideas to complement this set.
Sources & References
Official listing: View No Gi Fundamentals Bottom Game by JT Torres on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
