A comprehensive, system-first blueprint to survive, escape, and counter modern leg locks.
The Bottom Line
If you want one map for not getting tapped in ashi and 50/50, this is it. You learn early prevention, late-stage survival, and structured exits that flow to offense. It is long and detailed, so plan to take notes and work through it in phases.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Blue belt and up
Skip if: Hate long courses
Tech focus: Heel Slip, Knee Line Clearance, 50/50 Escape, Cross Ashi Escape, Leg Pummeling, Counter Attacks, Rebuild To Stand
Biggest takeaway: Escape, then win position.
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What You'll Learn
This is Gordon Ryan's leg lock defense centerpiece. It organizes defense from early prevention through late-stage heel slips, then adds counters so you can exit danger on your terms.
You get positional frameworks for ashi variations and 50/50 plus rolling breakdowns that connect the ideas to real exchanges.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Heel Slip
- Knee Line Clearance
- Leg Pummeling
- Cross Ashi Escape
- 50/50 Escape
- Hand Fighting
- Guard Recovery
- Counter Attacks
- Inversion Defense
- Rebuild To Stand
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Footage Breakdown
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 6 hours and 17 minutes
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I got the most from breaking it into mini-cycles: identify entanglement, protect the heel, clear the knee line, then convert to passing or stand-ups.
Why Gordon Ryan?
Gordon Ryan is an ADCC absolute champion and one of the most successful no-gi competitors ever. He teaches with a system-first approach and emphasizes predictable decision trees. His Pillars of Defense series focuses on surviving, escaping, and countering submissions. The leg lock volume addresses ashi variations, 50/50, hand fighting, and knee-line control. Ryan often includes narrated rolling to connect techniques to real timing. Expect precise language, layered options, and clear priorities. Plan to pause and rewatch; there is a lot here.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- One of the best leg lock instructionals with months of study value.
- Huge amount of concepts and technique from prevention to escapes and counters.
- Great price-per-minute when on sale; deep library feel.
- Covers disengaging, repummeling, and building to knees or passing after escapes.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Can overwhelm newer students due to length and detail density.
- Heel slip coverage feels brief to some who want more drilling cues.
- Less of a single conceptual framework, more step-by-step modules.
Smart Alternatives
- Pillars of Defense: Leg Locks to Guard Passing – Adds passing chains off your defenses. (Price: $349.00, 8 vols)
- Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape – Shorter and very structured alternative. (Price: $197.00, 8 vols)
- Get Off My Legs Gringo – Concept-first heel hook defense focus. (Price: $197.00, 6 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View The Pillars of Defense: Leg Lock Escapes and Counter Locks on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
