Brian Glick has emerged as one of the most methodical and thoughtful instructors in the BJJ instructional space. With his “Under Pressure” series and other offerings, he brings a systematic approach to positions many grapplers struggle with. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down each of his major instructionals, help you decide which is right for your game, and explain why his teaching style has resonated with so many BJJ practitioners.
Under Pressure: Your Complete Brian Glick Collection
Before diving into the details, if you’re already convinced of Glick’s coaching ability and want to maximize value, check out the Under Pressure Bundle which combines three of his best instructionals at a significant discount.
Let’s analyze each instructional to see which might best suit your needs:
1. Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery and Attacking From Guard
Perfect for: Guard players looking to shore up defensive fundamentals while maintaining offensive capabilities
This cornerstone of Glick’s teaching philosophy revolutionizes how you think about guard retention. Rather than viewing guard as simply a collection of positions, Glick presents it as an integrated system of principles that work regardless of which specific guard you prefer.
What makes this instructional special is how Glick breaks down the mechanics of framing, movement, and connection that underpin all effective guards. He emphasizes that proper retention isn’t just about surviving—it’s about creating opportunities to attack even when your guard is being threatened.
Key concepts include:
- Frame maintenance and recovery when pressure is applied
- Creating and exploiting space through efficient movement
- Transitioning between guards without losing position
- Counterattacking during guard recovery sequences
My biggest takeaway was Glick’s emphasis on proactive guard retention rather than reactive scrambling. His technical details about weight distribution and connection points immediately improved my ability to maintain guard against aggressive passers.
Price: $197.00 Find it here: Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery and Attacking From Guard
2. Under Pressure: Half Butterfly Mastery
Perfect for: Grapplers who find themselves in half guard frequently and want a hybrid position with more attacking options
The half butterfly is one of those positions that many practitioners stumble into but few truly understand. Glick elevates this transitional position into a powerhouse of its own with remarkable detail.
What’s fascinating about this instructional is how Glick demonstrates the half butterfly as both a recovery tool and an attacking platform. His methodical approach shows how to create and maintain the position even against determined opponents trying to flatten you.
Key areas covered:
- Creating and maintaining the butterfly hook
- Sweeping mechanics that work against larger opponents
- Transitions to X-guard and single leg X
- Recovery sequences when your half butterfly gets compromised
I was particularly impressed with the seamless connection between defensive and offensive applications. Glick doesn’t treat these as separate aspects but shows how good defense creates attacking opportunities.
Price: $197.00 Find it here: Half Butterfly Mastery
3. Simplify The System: Half Guard Mastery
Perfect for: Half guard specialists or anyone wanting a complete bottom game based around a central position
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Half guard can feel overwhelming with its many variations and counters to counters. Glick’s genius in this instructional is taking this complexity and distilling it down to core principles that make the position more accessible.
What sets this apart from other half guard instructionals is Glick’s focus on decision-making frameworks rather than just techniques. He provides clear guidance on when to use which variation based on your opponent’s reactions.
The instructional covers:
- Knee shield fundamentals and common mistakes
- Deep half entries and sweeping mechanics
- Underhook battles and positional dominance
- Transitions between half guard variations
Having struggled with half guard myself, I found his approach refreshing. Rather than presenting dozens of techniques, he focuses on the underlying principles that make any half guard technique work.
Price: $197.00 Find it here: Simplify The System: Half Guard Mastery
4. Only Way Out: Dynamic Pin Escapes
Perfect for: Anyone who finds themselves stuck under side control, mount, or north-south too often
Every BJJ practitioner knows the despair of being pinned. Glick’s approach to escapes isn’t about magical techniques but about understanding the mechanics that make pins effective—and then systematically dismantling them.
The brilliance of this instructional is how Glick connects defensive escapes to offensive opportunities. You’re not just learning to survive; you’re learning to counter-attack from disadvantaged positions.
Major sections include:
- Frame construction and maintenance under pressure
- Creating and exploiting micro-spaces
- Timing-based escape sequences
- Transitioning from defense to offense
What resonated most with me was Glick’s emphasis on proactive escaping rather than waiting for your opponent to make a mistake. His technical details about where to place frames and how to create space changed my entire approach to being pinned.
Price: $197.00 Find it here: Only Way Out: Dynamic Pin Escapes
5. Under Pressure: Leg Entanglements
Perfect for: Modern guard players wanting to integrate leg attacks or pressure passers looking to control the legs
In an era where leg locks have become essential knowledge, Glick provides a thoughtful approach to leg entanglements that goes beyond submissions to include positional control and transitions.
What distinguishes this from other leg lock instructionals is Glick’s focus on integrating leg entanglements with traditional BJJ. Rather than treating them as a separate game, he shows how they complement passing and guard retention.
Key concepts covered:
- Entries from various guards to leg entanglements
- Kuzushi (balance breaking) strategies specific to legs
- Transitioning between different leg entanglement positions
- Using leg entanglements to enhance guard passing
I particularly appreciated how Glick addresses the defensive aspects of leg entanglements—not just how to attack, but how to maintain control when your opponent defends correctly.
Price: $197.00 Find it here: Under Pressure: Leg Entanglements
6. Under Pressure Bundle
Perfect for: Serious students looking for an integrated system or those wanting maximum value
This comprehensive bundle combines three of Glick’s core instructionals at a significant discount. Rather than presenting isolated techniques, the bundle creates a cohesive system where each instructional complements the others.
The true value here is seeing how Glick’s philosophy connects across different positions, creating a systematic approach to BJJ that improves your entire game rather than just individual techniques.
The bundle includes:
- Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery and Attacking From Guard
- Under Pressure: Half Butterfly Mastery
- Under Pressure: Leg Entanglements
If you’re serious about improving your game and appreciate Glick’s teaching style, this bundle offers the best value and the most complete picture of his approach.
Price: $597.00 (saving $194 compared to buying individually) Find it here: Under Pressure Bundle
Which Brian Glick Instructional Is Right For You?
For Beginners (0-2 years experience):
- Start with: Only Way Out: Dynamic Pin Escapes – As a beginner, you’ll spend significant time on the bottom, making escape mechanics essential knowledge.
- Then consider: Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery and Attacking From Guard – Once you can escape bad positions, learning to prevent them through effective guard retention is your next priority.
For Intermediate Practitioners (2-5 years):
- Start with: Simplify The System: Half Guard Mastery – At this stage, developing a reliable “home base” position is crucial, and half guard offers versatility for both offense and defense.
- Then add: Under Pressure: Half Butterfly Mastery – This builds perfectly on half guard fundamentals, adding dynamic options.
For Advanced Practitioners (5+ years):
- Consider: Under Pressure: Leg Entanglements – At this level, integrating modern leg attack systems with your existing game provides new attacking dimensions.
- Or go all-in with: The Under Pressure Bundle – See how all pieces fit together in Glick’s comprehensive system.
Why Brian Glick’s Teaching Style Stands Out
What makes Glick’s instructionals particularly effective is his teaching methodology:
- Principle-Based Approach: Rather than teaching isolated techniques, Glick emphasizes underlying principles that can be applied across positions.
- Systematic Organization: Each instructional builds logically, with concepts introduced early reappearing in more advanced applications later.
- Pressure Testing: Glick addresses common objections and counters, showing how techniques work against resistance.
- Conceptual Clarity: Complex positions are broken down into digestible components with clear explanations of weight distribution, frames, and connection points.
Final Verdict: Are Brian Glick’s Instructionals Worth It?
Having studied numerous BJJ instructionals, I can confidently say that Glick’s offerings provide exceptional value. His systematic approach, attention to detail, and emphasis on principles rather than just techniques create resources you’ll return to repeatedly as your understanding deepens.
If your budget allows for just one instructional, choose based on your current needs—escapes if you’re getting smashed, guard retention if you’re losing position too easily, or half guard if you need a reliable bottom game.
For those committed to long-term improvement, the Under Pressure Bundle offers the most comprehensive view of Glick’s integrated system and the best value for your investment.
Looking for more comprehensive instructional reviews? Check out my breakdown of Craig Jones’ best instructionals for another top-tier teacher with a different stylistic approach.
