A no-gi closed-guard branch that creates easy angles, back takes and armbars.
The Bottom Line
Side scissor stops smashy pressure by shifting your hips and isolating an arm. You get clear setups, reactions and a study guide to revisit. It is best when combined with clamp guard.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: closed guard users
Skip if: you hate bottom guard
Tech focus: Side Scissor, Arm Drag, Back Takes, Juji Gatame
Biggest takeaway: Angles beat pressure.
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What You'll Learn
A closed-guard variation that creates angles, eliminates chest-to-chest pressure and opens easy back takes and juji gatame finishes. You learn to drag, knee-pull and heist without strength.
Side scissor pairs perfectly with clamp for people whose closed guard gets cracked by standing opponents.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Side Scissor
- Closed Guard
- Angles
- Arm Drag
- Back Takes
- Juji Gatame
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 6 hours and 1 minute
- Volumes: 5
- Released: 2024
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like this as a practical fix when opponents stand and pry your closed guard.
Why Brian Glick?
A Danaher black belt since 2006, Glick teaches posture control and angle creation that hold up for hobbyists. The side scissor course shows his strength: replace force with position. Judo principles show up in entries and kazushi without being judo-heavy.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- People really like his side scissor course and recommend it.
- In no-gi closed guard, transitioning to side scissor is a go-to.
- A review site scored it highly for clarity and structure.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- If you dislike closed guard, this will not excite you.
- Some want even more drilling guidance for reps.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Closed Guard: The Attacking System by Craig Jones – If you want a modern no-gi closed guard attack focus. (Price: $197.00)
- Closed Guard Domination by Bernardo Faria – For classic gi-friendly closed guard control and sweeps. (Price: $197.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Simplify the System: Side Scissor by Brian Glick on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
