A complete, BJJ-ready judo system that builds reliable stand-up and connects cleanly to ground control.
The Bottom Line
You learn how to grip, off-balance, and finish throws that land you safely in control. You also get judo-flavored ground chains that work in BJJ. It avoids fluff and follows a clear plan.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Gi or no-gi generalists
Skip if: You only drill wrestling
Tech focus: Grip Fighting, Osoto Gari, Uchi Mata
Biggest takeaway: Grip first, throw safely
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
A complete stand-up and newaza roadmap from the USA's most decorated judo coach and an Olympic silver medalist who is also a Danaher black belt. It teaches gripping, opposite-side battles, high-percentage throws, and judo-flavored ground sequences that land you safely into control. The tone is practical and system-first rather than a loose move dump.
If you want one course to make you confident starting on the feet in BJJ, this is the safest pick.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Grip Fighting
- Opposite Stance Attacks
- Uchi Mata
- Ouchi Gari
- Osoto Gari
- Sumi Gaeshi
- Turtle Attacks
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 2 hours and 29 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I rank this first because it covers the full pathway from first grip to control with minimal risk, which is exactly what most BJJ athletes need.
Why Jimmy Pedro & Travis Stevens?
Jimmy Pedro is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and US national team coach. Travis Stevens is an Olympic silver medalist and BJJ black belt under John Danaher. Together they are the most authoritative US duo for judo applied to BJJ.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Great set with lots of grip fighting and solid basics for BJJ stand-up.
- Comprehensive mix of throws and mat work that translates to rolling.
- Pedro and Stevens together give clear, competitive details you can drill.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Older production compared to newer releases.
- Some sequences feel judo-first; BJJ context is not always explicit.
- A few users wanted more no-gi specifics out of the box.
Smart Alternatives
- The Takedown Blueprint – Similar duo with a tighter focus on stand-up structure. (Price: $79.00, 3 vols)
- Mastering No Gi Takedowns – Best if you mostly compete or train no-gi. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
- American Judo System: The Ashi Waza Encyclopedia – Deep dive if you want dominant foot sweeps. (Price: $97.00, 5 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View The Judo Academy on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
