When it comes to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, few names command as much respect as Roger Gracie. The 10-time IBJJF World Champion has built his legendary career on flawless fundamentals, relentless pressure, and a deceptively simple game that’s proven devastatingly effective at the highest levels. In this comprehensive review, I’ll break down Roger’s complete instructional library on BJJ Fanatics, examining what makes his teaching approach so effective and why investing in his content might be the smartest move for your BJJ development.
Check out Roger Gracie’s instructionals on BJJ Fanatics here
What Makes Roger Gracie’s Instructionals Special?
Before diving into specific instructionals, it’s worth understanding what makes Roger’s teaching approach unique. Unlike instructors who showcase hundreds of techniques, Roger focuses on perfecting a small set of high-percentage moves that work against anyone, regardless of size or skill level.
Roger’s philosophy is refreshingly straightforward. This “less is more” approach defines all his instructionals. He doesn’t teach 50 guard passes—he teaches the fundamental concepts behind successful pressure passing and a handful of techniques he’s used to dominate world-class competitors.
Roger Gracie’s Complete Instructional Library
1. The Roger Gracie Mount System
Buy The Roger Gracie Mount System here
If you’ve ever watched Roger compete, you know the mount is his signature position. Once he establishes mount, the submission is virtually inevitable. This instructional breaks down everything that makes his mount control and attacks so effective.
What’s It About?
This approximately 90-minute instructional focuses on:
- Mount control principles that prevent escapes
- Proper weight distribution techniques
- Creating and exploiting openings
- Setting up his iconic cross-collar choke
- Transitioning between attacks when opponents defend
Key Details & Takeaways
The magic of this instructional is in the subtle details. Roger shows exactly how to:
- Position your knees to maximize control
- Apply targeted pressure that forces defensive mistakes
- Create the perfect collar grip sequence for his famous choke
- Maintain balance while attacking
What impressed me most was how Roger addresses common mount problems—opponents shrimping, bridging, or attempting elbow escapes—with methodical, pressure-based solutions rather than complicated techniques.
Who This Instructional Is For
This is essential viewing for anyone looking to improve their top game, especially gi players. While advanced practitioners will appreciate the refined details, the concepts are accessible enough for white and blue belts to implement immediately.
2. Roger Gracie Guard Passing System
Buy The Roger Gracie Guard Passing System here
In a BJJ world dominated by berimbolo and leg drag variations, Roger’s pressure passing system offers a refreshing alternative—one that doesn’t require exceptional athleticism or flexibility.
What’s It About?
This instructional (approximately 60-75 minutes) covers:
- The fundamental concepts of pressure passing
- Dealing with modern open guard variations
- Methodical approaches to passing half guard
- How to overcome the knee shield position
- Maintaining control throughout the passing sequence
Key Details & Takeaways
What makes this instructional special is how Roger creates a systematic approach to passing that emphasizes control at every step. Rather than rushing to pass, he shows how to:
- Shut down your opponent’s guard recovery options
- Use pressure to force predictable reactions
- Create passing opportunities through patient positioning
I’ve personally found his half guard passing section particularly valuable. His method of dealing with the knee shield transformed my approach to this common position, allowing me to pass guards that had previously given me trouble.
Who This Instructional Is For
This instructional is perfect for anyone tired of guard passing failures. It’s especially valuable for older grapplers or those who prefer technical solutions over athletic ones. The concepts work for practitioners of all levels, but you’ll get the most benefit if you’re at least a motivated blue belt.
3. The Roger Gracie Side Control System
Buy The Roger Gracie Side Control System here
Side control is often a transitional position in modern BJJ, but Roger transforms it into a submission threat in its own right. This instructional shows you how to make side control just as dangerous as mount.
What’s It About?
In roughly 60-90 minutes of content, Roger covers:
- Essential control concepts that prevent escapes
- Strategic weight distribution for maximum pressure
- Creating and exploiting submission opportunities
- Kimura grip attacks and setups
- Transitioning to mount or taking the back
Key Details & Takeaways
Roger’s approach to side control focuses on:
- Proper shoulder pressure techniques that immobilize opponents
- How to use your hips effectively to maintain control
- Creating systematic attacks that flow between positions
- Anticipating and preventing common escape attempts
What separates this instructional from others is Roger’s emphasis on making side control a miserable experience for your opponent. He doesn’t just teach you how to hold the position—he shows you how to use it as a platform for devastating control and submissions.
Who This Instructional Is For
This instructional is ideal for both competitors and everyday practitioners who want to develop a more dominant top game. The techniques are accessible to all levels, but intermediate grapplers will likely get the most immediate benefit.
4. The Roger Gracie Closed Guard System
Buy The Roger Gracie Closed Guard System here
In an era where many consider closed guard obsolete at high levels, Roger proves them wrong. His closed guard system has submitted some of the best grapplers in the world with devastatingly simple but refined techniques.
What’s It About?
This comprehensive 2.5-3 hour instructional covers:
- Closed guard control principles
- Breaking posture effectively
- Setting up his signature cross-collar choke
- High-percentage sweeps
- Transitions to back control
- Dealing with defensive opponents
Key Details & Takeaways
What makes Roger’s closed guard special is his systematic approach to breaking down opponents. He shows:
- How to create and maintain dominant grips
- Breaking posture through proper hip usage
- Timing submissions with opponent reactions
- Creating submission chains and follow-ups
The section on cross-collar chokes is worth the price alone. Roger’s attention to detail on what appears to be a “basic” technique reveals why his version works when others fail. The precision of his grip placement, body positioning, and finish mechanics is remarkable.
Who This Instructional Is For
This instructional is essential for gi practitioners of all levels. Beginners will develop a strong foundation in closed guard fundamentals, while advanced grapplers will discover the refined details that make Roger’s seemingly simple techniques so devastatingly effective.
5. The Roger Gracie Turtle Attack System
Buy The Roger Gracie Turtle Attack System here
The turtle position presents unique challenges, and Roger’s approach to attacking it is characteristically methodical and pressure-based. This instructional fills an important gap in many practitioners’ games.
What’s It About?
In this approximately 2-hour instructional, Roger breaks down:
- Establishing initial control against the turtle
- Breaking down defensive posture
- Securing back control
- Attacking with the clock choke
- Utilizing the crucifix position
- Applying the reverse omoplata
Key Details & Takeaways
Roger’s turtle attack system emphasizes:
- Patient, methodical approaches over explosive movements
- Creating and exploiting defensive reactions
- Maintaining control throughout transition stages
- Combining pressure and timing for successful back takes
What stands out in this instructional is Roger’s ability to dismantle even the most defensive turtle positions without relying on athleticism or complex techniques. His approach works regardless of your physical attributes or your opponent’s defensive skills.
Who This Instructional Is For
This instructional is particularly valuable for competitors who regularly encounter defensive opponents who turtle to prevent guard passes or escape bad positions. It’s suitable for blue belts and above who already have a basic understanding of BJJ fundamentals.
6. The Roger Gracie Guard System Bundle
Buy The Roger Gracie Guard System Bundle here
This comprehensive bundle combines Roger’s Closed Guard System with his Half Guard System, creating a complete bottom game resource based on his competition-proven techniques.
What’s It About?
This extensive bundle includes:
- Complete closed guard system (as described above)
- Half guard fundamentals and control
- Sweeps from both positions
- Submission setups and finishes
- Transitions between guard variations
- Dealing with common passing attempts
Key Details & Takeaways
What makes this bundle particularly valuable is how it integrates Roger’s approach to different guard positions into a cohesive system. You learn how to:
- Maintain control regardless of guard variation
- Transition smoothly between positions
- Apply consistent principles across different scenarios
- Create and exploit opportunities from both guards
For serious students of BJJ, this bundle offers the most comprehensive insight into Roger’s bottom game approach, allowing you to develop a systematic guard that works against all levels of opposition.
Who This Instructional Is For
This bundle is perfect for dedicated practitioners who want to develop a fundamentals-based yet highly effective guard game. While the investment is higher, the integrated approach provides exceptional value for anyone serious about improving their bottom game.
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My Overall Assessment of Roger Gracie’s Instructional Library
After studying all of Roger’s instructionals, a few things become clear:
The Strengths
- Timeless Fundamentals: Roger teaches techniques that have worked for decades and will continue to work regardless of BJJ trends.
- Pressure-Based Approach: His systems emphasize control and methodical progression rather than speed or athleticism, making them accessible to practitioners of all physical abilities.
- Competition-Proven: Everything Roger teaches has been tested and proven at the highest levels of competition.
- Attention to Detail: What appear to be “basic” techniques are elevated through Roger’s precise explanations of grips, weight distribution, and timing.
- Systematic Teaching: Rather than random techniques, Roger presents cohesive systems where each technique complements the others.
Potential Drawbacks
- Gi-Focused: Most of Roger’s instructionals focus heavily on gi techniques, with limited application to no-gi or modern submission grappling.
- Production Quality: Compared to some newer instructionals, the production quality can feel slightly dated, though the content quality more than compensates.
- Pace: Some may find Roger’s methodical teaching style slower than other instructors. This is actually a benefit for absorbing details, but requires patience.
Final Verdict: Are Roger Gracie’s Instructionals Worth It?
Absolutely. In a BJJ world often obsessed with the newest, flashiest techniques, Roger’s instructionals offer something far more valuable—proven fundamentals refined to the highest level of effectiveness.
If I had to recommend just one, the Mount System stands out as the most essential, showcasing the position Roger used to dominate world champions. However, each instructional offers exceptional value depending on which area of your game needs the most improvement.
These instructionals won’t transform your game overnight—they require dedication to fundamental principles rather than quick fixes. But for practitioners willing to put in the work, Roger’s teaching provides a blueprint for BJJ success based on control, pressure, and technical precision rather than attributes or trendy techniques.
Check out all of Roger Gracie’s instructionals here
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