A structured solo curriculum that builds the movement base your jiu-jitsu relies on.
The Bottom Line
This four-volume set organizes essential movements into short, repeatable sessions. You practice escapes, guard retention basics, footwork, and top posture without a partner. It will not replace sparring, but it keeps you progressing when mats or partners are unavailable.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Injured, traveling, or limited mat time
Skip if: You can always spar daily
Tech focus: Shrimping, Bridging, Hip Heist, Stance And Motion, Sprawl, Footwork Drills, Solo Drills
Biggest takeaway: Movement quality compounds everything else.
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What You'll Learn
Danaher released a four-part solo curriculum during lockdown that organizes movement skills for guard retention, escapes, and top stability. You drill bridges, shrimps, heists, footwork, stance and motion, sprawls, and spine work.
It is ideal when you cannot train live, for warm-ups, or to sharpen mechanics between classes without a partner.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Shrimping
- Bridging
- Hip Heist
- Stance And Motion
- Sprawl
- Footwork Drills
- Solo Drills
- Guard Retention Basics
Format & Level
- Instructional style: Drill Heavy, Conceptual
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Volumes: 4
- Released: 2020
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I got the most value by scheduling 15-minute movement blocks before regular classes.
Why John Danaher?
John Danaher is a Renzo Gracie black belt based in Austin. He coached numerous ADCC champions and UFC contenders. He is known for systematic instruction that breaks positions into principles and sequences. His Go Further Faster and Enter the System series shaped modern no-gi strategy. Danaher emphasizes movement quality and safety while building complete systems that scale from beginners to elite competitors.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Veteran posters called it a decent collection that reinforces his guard retention ideas.
- Frequently recommended when people ask for solo drills during injury or lockdown.
- Praised for clear structure and belt-friendly progressions.
- Shared widely in free-instructionals threads as a must-add to your library.
- Users reported better escapes after consistent bridges and shrimps practice.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some said solo drills cannot replace live training and sparring.
- A few felt partner drilling beats solo work for most skills.
- Occasional comments called line-drill style training boring or low value.
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Smart Alternatives
- Guard Retention: Go Further Faster – Partner-based system that the solo work supports. (Price: $197.00)
- The Fastest Way: To Develop An Unpassable Guard (No-Gi) – Next step when you can train with a partner. (Price: $197.00, 8 vols)
- Open Guard: Go Further Faster – Applies the movement base to open guard strategy. (Price: $197.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Self Mastery: Solo BJJ Training Drills on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
