A complete review of Gordon Ryan’s seated guard and butterfly guard system – the instructional BJJ World called “perhaps his best work to date.” Shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi, ashi garami entries, and grip fighting systems across 8 volumes.
Last updated: March 2026
Systematically Attacking From Open Guard: Seated Position
Gordon Ryan’s complete seated guard and butterfly guard system. The shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi alone makes this worth studying.
- ⏰ ~16 hours
- 📅 Released July 2020
- 🎯 Gordon Ryan
- 🥋 No-gi
- 🏆 8 volumes (6 technical + 2 rolling)
Product Details
| Full Title | Systematically Attacking From Open Guard Seated Position by Gordon Ryan |
| Instructor | Gordon Ryan |
| Runtime | ~16 hours across 8 volumes |
| Volumes | 8 (6 technical + 2 rolling/commentary) |
| Release Date | July 2020 |
| Price | $197 retail ($349 list price, frequently discounted during BJJ Fanatics sales) |
| Format | No-gi |
| Demo Partner | Natalia Santoro |
| Where to Buy | BJJ Fanatics |
What This Instructional Covers
This is one half of Gordon Ryan’s complete open guard system (the other half being the Supine Position instructional). It covers everything about fighting from a seated position: butterfly guard, ashi garami entries, grip fighting, sweeps against standing and kneeling opponents, arm drags, Russian ties, and submission chains from the pinch headlock position.
Ryan breaks many of the “rules” of seated guard that have been taken for granted. His chapter “The Importance of Concave Shoulders” alone redefines how you think about posture from the bottom. Rather than sitting up tall with a straight back (the traditional approach), Ryan argues for a rounded, concave shoulder position that creates better frames and sweep mechanics.
The signature technique is the shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi. It’s an off-balancing sweep that works against both standing and kneeling opponents, and it chains into leg lock entries, back takes, and top position. ADCC competitors have adopted this technique directly from this instructional, and Gordon used it extensively in his own competition runs.
Volume-by-Volume Breakdown
Volume 1: Intro and Mechanics
Covers the foundations of seated guard: positioning, distance management, and the core postural concept of concave shoulders. Gordon walks through ashi garami entries from various stances, kouchi entries with 2-on-1 grip placement, and shin-to-shin techniques. The standout chapter is “The Importance of Concave Shoulders,” which BJJ World flagged as their favorite in this volume. This single concept reframes how you hold your upper body in seated guard.
Volume 2: Gripping for Attacks
A complete grip fighting system: collar ties, ankle picks, grip configurations for offense, and how to enter attacks from distance. Gordon covers Imanari Roll variations, staggered stance counters, De Ashi Harai (foot sweep) adaptations for no-gi, back takes from seated guard, and ashi garami transitions. BJJ World highlighted “Entering Shin-To-Shin From Distance” as the standout chapter here. The key insight is how Ryan uses grip fighting not just to control, but to create immediate attack opportunities.
Volume 3: Dealing With Kneeling Opponents
Focuses on what to do when your opponent kneels to neutralize your seated guard. Gordon teaches push-pull dynamics, sumi gaeshi as the primary off-balancing weapon, sticky hooks applications, and kuzushi (off-balancing) creation techniques. The “Sad Truth” chapter addresses common misconceptions about what actually works against a low-posture kneeling opponent. This volume is where the sumi gaeshi system really comes together.
Volume 4: Arm Drags and Russian Ties
Upper body control from the bottom. Covers 2-on-1 grip sweeping options, Hiza Guruma setups, back takes via arm drag, Kata Gatame (arm triangle) to back transitions, and over-under variations. The arm drag sequences chain naturally from the grip fighting covered in Volume 2, so the system builds on itself. Multiple paths to the back from each starting grip.
Volume 5: Attack Combinations
The system integration volume. Gordon introduces the pinch headlock as “position zero” – the central hub that connects all the attacks. Covers multidirectional attack principles, Russian tie and double-under applications, bodylock pass counters with overhooks, collar tie to guillotine entries, and Yoko Sumi Gaeshi techniques. BJJ World picked “Countering Body Locks With Multidirectional Sumi Gaeshis” as their favorite chapter in this volume. This is where isolated techniques become a flowing system.
Volume 6: Advanced Submissions and System Integration
The capstone volume that ties everything together. Covers collar tie to triangle and armbar progressions, leg lock setups and entries, berimbolos in no-gi, guard retention and pass prevention, and how the seated guard connects to other positions. The “Breaking The Rules” chapter (another BJJ World favorite) explains where and why Gordon departs from traditional seated guard wisdom. This volume makes the whole system click.
Volumes 7 and 8: Rolling and Commentary
Live rolling demonstrations with detailed commentary against multiple training partners. Gordon narrates his decision-making in real time, showing how the techniques from volumes 1-6 chain together against resisting opponents. These volumes bridge the gap between drilling and live application.
What Makes This Instructional Stand Out
- The shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi. This single technique is worth the price of admission. Gordon breaks it down from every angle and shows how it chains into sweeps, leg locks, and back takes. It works against both standing and kneeling opponents, making it one of the most versatile techniques in the system.
- Concave shoulders concept. Gordon’s postural theory for seated guard is genuinely novel. Instead of sitting up tall (the traditional advice), he demonstrates why rounded shoulders create better frames, more powerful sweeps, and harder-to-pass guard positions. This one concept changes how you think about the position.
- Nearly 16 hours of content. One of the most comprehensive guard instructionals ever released. Six full technical volumes plus two rolling volumes with live commentary. Nothing is rushed or glossed over.
- Attacks against both standing and kneeling opponents. Most seated guard instructionals focus on one or the other. Gordon dedicates specific volumes to each scenario with different strategies and techniques for both.
- System integration through the pinch headlock. Volume 5 introduces “position zero” – a central hub that connects arm drags, sumi gaeshi variations, guillotines, and leg entries. This framework turns individual techniques into a connected game.
- Natalia Santoro as demo partner. BJJ World specifically praised the demonstration quality. Clear, well-paced technique demonstrations with a responsive partner.
What Reviewers Say
“[This instructional] will usher a new era of the seated guard into Jiu-Jitsu.”
BJJ World review (described it as “perhaps his best work to date”)“King Ryan does not simply execute Danaher’s teachings but modifies things and tries to take them further, at his own pace.”
BJJ World review“The shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi alone is worth the price.”
BJJMore reviewJoshua Richards (JoshRichBJJ) praised the shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi specifically, noting he used it successfully against higher belt opponents after studying this instructional (BJJEE article).
Production quality: BJJ World praised the pristine camera work and sound quality. The production values are high throughout all 8 volumes.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What’s Great
- Shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi is a unique, high-percentage technique rarely taught elsewhere at this depth
- Concave shoulders concept genuinely changes how you think about seated guard posture
- Nearly 16 hours of content – one of the most comprehensive guard instructionals ever made
- Covers both standing and kneeling opponents with dedicated strategies for each
- Pinch headlock as “position zero” connects the entire system into a flowing game
- Integrates butterfly guard, leg locks, wrestling, and submissions into one coherent system
- ADCC-proven – Gordon used this system extensively in high-level competition
What’s Weak
- Nearly 16 hours is an enormous time investment. Can take weeks or months to work through systematically.
- Assumes familiarity with leg locks and ashi garami. If you don’t know what inside sankaku or outside ashi are, you’ll miss many of the follow-up attacks.
- $197 retail price ($349 list) is steep. Community consensus recommends waiting for a BJJ Fanatics sale where it drops 40-50%.
- Less structured than John Danaher’s more linear instructional approach. Gordon jumps between concepts more freely.
- Only covers the seated half of open guard. You need the Supine Position instructional separately for the complete system.
- Advanced no-gi content. Gi-only practitioners and beginners will find much of this inapplicable to their training.
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy this instructional if you…
- Play butterfly guard or any seated guard variation in no-gi
- Want a complete system that connects sweeps, leg entries, back takes, and submissions from one position
- Already understand basic leg lock positions (ashi garami, inside sankaku) and want offensive entries
- Compete in ADCC, sub-only, or no-gi rulesets
- Want to learn the shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi and pinch headlock systems
- Are a blue belt or above with no-gi experience who wants to build a serious bottom game
Skip this instructional if you…
- Are brand new to BJJ and still learning basic guard mechanics
- Have no familiarity with leg lock positions – learn those first with Danaher’s Enter The System: Leg Locks
- Exclusively train in the gi (this is entirely no-gi)
- Prefer shorter, more focused instructionals – try Marcelo Garcia’s butterfly guard sets for a more approachable starting point
- Want supine/De La Riva based open guard – you need Gordon’s Supine Position instructional for that
- Are on a tight budget and can’t wait for a sale
Related Gordon Ryan Instructionals
This instructional is part of Gordon Ryan’s broader Systematically Attacking series. Here’s how it connects:
FAQ – Systematically Attacking From Open Guard: Seated
Is this instructional good for beginners?
It depends on the beginner. If you have some no-gi experience and understand basic guard concepts, you can start learning the seated guard framework from Volume 1. However, the ashi garami entries and leg lock transitions throughout the instructional assume you already know what those positions are. Complete beginners should build foundational guard skills first.
How does this compare to Marcelo Garcia’s butterfly guard instructionals?
Marcelo Garcia is the original butterfly guard master – 4x ADCC Champion with incredible technique against bigger opponents. His approach is more pure butterfly guard with fewer systematic connections to leg locks. Gordon’s seated guard system integrates butterfly guard into a broader framework that includes ashi garami entries, back takes, and submissions from the pinch headlock. Marcelo is more beginner-friendly; Gordon is more comprehensive and modern.
Do I need the Supine Position instructional too?
Not necessarily, but they’re designed as companion pieces. The Seated Position covers fighting when you’re sitting up (butterfly guard, seated guard). The Supine Position covers fighting from your back (De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, K-guard). Together they form Gordon’s complete open guard system. You can study the Seated instructional standalone and get massive value, but the Supine set fills in the gaps for when you get forced onto your back.
How long is this instructional?
Nearly 16 hours across 8 volumes. The first 6 volumes cover techniques (seated mechanics, grip fighting, kneeling opponents, arm drags, attack combinations, and advanced submissions). Volumes 7 and 8 are live rolling with commentary, showing how everything connects against resisting opponents.
Is this worth the price?
At full retail ($197), it’s a significant investment. BJJ World described it as perhaps Gordon’s best work to date, which is high praise given the size of his catalog. The shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi alone has become a staple technique for ADCC competitors. If you play seated or butterfly guard in no-gi, the return on investment is strong. That said, BJJ Fanatics runs frequent sales (40-50% off), so waiting for a deal is the smart move unless you need it immediately.
What is the shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi?
It’s Gordon Ryan’s signature sweep from seated guard. You use a concave shoulder posture to load your opponent’s weight, then execute a sumi gaeshi (corner reversal throw) that lands you on top or into a leg lock entry. It works against both standing and kneeling opponents, which makes it extremely versatile. Joshua Richards (JoshRichBJJ) specifically credited this technique for helping him succeed against higher belt opponents.
Does this work for gi training?
This instructional is designed entirely for no-gi. The grip fighting systems, sweeps, and transitions all assume no-gi body mechanics (collar ties, wrist control, underhooks rather than lapel and sleeve grips). Some conceptual ideas translate to gi (the concave shoulders concept, the pinch headlock framework), but the specific techniques are no-gi. For gi-focused open guard work, consider Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology or Marcelo Garcia’s gi-specific butterfly material.
Ready to Build a Complete Seated Guard?
Gordon Ryan’s seated guard system across 8 volumes and nearly 16 hours of technique. The shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi, pinch headlock framework, and attacks against both standing and kneeling opponents.
Check Price on BJJ Fanatics