A complete standing system that teaches you what to do, why it works, and how to finish safely for BJJ.
The Bottom Line
You will learn a principled approach to hand fighting, entries, and finishes that fit BJJ rules. You will practice singles, doubles, body locks, and foot sweeps. You will not get a quick move dump or MMA-only tactics.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Systems learners
Skip if: Hate long sets
Tech focus: Hand Fighting, Single Leg, Body Lock
Biggest takeaway: Principles then tactics
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
Danaher builds a full standing framework for Jiu Jitsu. He explains how rule sets change risk reward, then shows how to hand fight, enter, and finish safely.
You get principles first, then deep dives on singles, doubles, body locks, ankle and knee picks, and ashi waza. It is long, but organized as a system.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Hand Fighting
- Double Leg
- Single Leg
- Ankle Pick
- Knee Pick
- Body Lock
- Foot Sweeps
- Snap Down
- Ouchi Gari
- Kouchi Gari
Format & Level
- Instructional style: Conceptual, System Based
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 13 hours and 32 minutes
- Volumes: 10
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I value this most for the decision rules that stop common BJJ standup errors before they happen.
Why John Danaher?
Danaher is a renowned coach behind champions like Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon. He is known for detailed, concept-first instruction and structured systems.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Praised for a coherent feet-to-floor framework tailored to BJJ, not pure judo or wrestling.
- Many report instant improvement in grip fighting and entries after watching.
- Compared favorably to other sets for depth and structure, despite the length.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some dislike John demonstrating rather than athletes and find delivery verbose.
- Price is high versus alternatives and bundles.
- A few wanted more live examples of techniques under pressure.
Smart Alternatives
- Shoot to Kill: Wrestle, Scramble, Submit – More scramble focused wrestling for grappling with aggressive chaining.
- The Takedown Blueprint – Gi focused throws, simple paths for BJJ players to start standing. (Price: $79.00, 3 vols)
- Mastering No Gi Takedowns – Direct no gi adaptation of core judo throws and clinch work. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View Standing2Ground: Takedowns and Standing Skills for Jiu Jitsu on BJJ Fanatics
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
