Kill posture from guard with overhooks and the Neil Knot, then finish safely.
The Bottom Line
You will learn a simple, flexible posture-breaking framework. You will connect to triangles and omoplatas efficiently. You will not depend on rubber-guard flexibility or lapels.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Budget-minded learners
Skip if: You avoid closed guard
Tech focus: Shoulder Pin, Neil Knot, Triangle
Biggest takeaway: Overhooks break posture
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
A budget four-volume course on overhook-based posture killing with the signature Neil Knot. It connects to triangles, omoplatas, and hammerlocks without needing extreme flexibility.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Shoulder Pin
- Neil Knot
- Triangle
- Omoplata
- Armbar
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: Beginner
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 2 hours and 42 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I saw posture fights tilt quickly once the shoulder pin locked in.
Why Neil Melanson?
Longtime coach with Hayastan roots; Melanson emphasizes control mechanics over athleticism.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Neil Knot and shoulder-pin setups work well without much flexibility.
- Pairs nicely with existing closed-guard games.
- Great low-cost intro to Melanson-style control.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Guard-focused sets get mixed reviews for structure.
- Requires repetitions to keep chains smooth live.
- Less appeal if you prefer open guard movement games.
Smart Alternatives
- The Irish Collar – Bigger curriculum for collar-based control and triangles. (Price: $127.00, 6 vols)
- The Science of Filthy Triangles – Adds finishing density to shoulder-pin funnels. (Price: $127.00, 8 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View The Shoulder Pin Guard System on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
