An elite-level seated open guard with live breakdowns and detailed no-gi entries.
The Bottom Line
You get a complete seated game with drills and live context. The price is steep but the content is sharp. Best for advanced no-gi students.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Advanced no-gi
Skip if: On a tight budget
Tech focus: Shoulder Crunch, Double Kouchi, Ashi Garami
Biggest takeaway: Create early pressure
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What You'll Learn
Gordon isolates the seated side of open guard with shoulder-crunch sumi gaeshi, double kouchi, shin-to-shin, and ashi entries. There is live sparring and breakdown footage. The detail level is high and integrates well with New Wave concepts. Price has been a recurring complaint. It is strongest for advanced no-gi players.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Seated Guard
- Shoulder Crunch
- Sumi Gaeshi
- Double Kouchi
- Shin To Shin
- Ashi Garami
- Arm Drags
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Footage Breakdown
- Skill level: Advanced
- Format: No-Gi
- Volumes: 8
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I ranked this behind budget-friendly options because the price dampens broad community reception despite strong content.
Why Gordon Ryan?
Gordon Ryan is a 3x ADCC champion and dominant no-gi competitor, recognized for systematic instruction and live application.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Live sparring breakdowns show how to apply it
- Shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi works immediately
- Pairs well with Danaher open guard theory
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Very expensive compared to peers
- Volume load is overwhelming for some
- Less gi relevance for sleeve players
Smart Alternatives
- New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Open Guard The Two Foundations – Cheaper, theory-forward companion for seated and supine. (Price: $197.00, 8 vols)
- The No Gi Open Guard Bundle – Comparable depth, better value when discounted. (Price: $249.00)
- They Shall Not Pass (Guard Retention) – Pairs retention with seated attacks. (Price: $349.00)
Sources & References
Official listing: View Systematically Attacking From Open Guard: Seated Position on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
