Bridge your grips to kuzushi so throws and passes come easy.
The Bottom Line
You will learn which grip to take first, how to deny their power hand, and how to snap them off-balance in BJJ pacing. The lefty vs righty templates remove guesswork. Expect to pair this with live drilling to make your favorite throws hit more often.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Intermediate gi players
Skip if: You avoid standup
Tech focus: Kuzushi, Grip Sequences, Lefty Vs Righty, Collar Grip, Sleeve Grip, Grip Breaks, Entry Setups
Biggest takeaway: Off-balance as the second step.
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What You'll Learn
This is Travis Stevens going deeper on gripping into off-balances. It explains lefty vs righty decision-making, grip sequences, and where to go after each break.
If you already know a couple of throws, this shows how to arrive there safely in BJJ.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Kuzushi
- Grip Sequences
- Lefty Vs Righty
- Collar Grip
- Sleeve Grip
- Grip Breaks
- Entry Setups
- Footwork
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 7 hours and 49 minutes
- Volumes: 8
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I hit more takedowns when I planned the off-balance before the grip, not after it.
Why Travis Stevens?
Travis Stevens is a rare dual black belt with Olympic pedigree and BJJ coaching experience. His standup teaching stays BJJ-aware, focusing on hand dominance, angles, and tempo. Expect a structured path into your preferred throws, not IJF rule gaming. The eight-part layout makes it easy to digest across several weeks. He teaches like a coach preparing a room, not a highlight artist.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Best presentation on gripping and kuzushi I have watched; it is about how to get to throws.
- Great for BJJ gi context, not just IJF tactics.
- Clear decision tree for lefty vs righty matchups.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- You still need a coach to perfect throw mechanics.
- Longer runtime and eight parts can feel dense.
- Not ideal for pure no-gi rooms.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Scientific Gripping Systems For Jiu Jitsu – Simpler, faster start for gripping rules. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
- Japanese Judo Grip Fighting Secrets by Satoshi Ishii – Olympic-level grip discipline and drill focus. (Price: $99.00, 3 vols)
- Judo Gripping Systems For BJJ by Fernando Yamasaki – Budget option for core gi gripping. (Price: $47.00, 3 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Ultimate Takedown Series Volume 1: Gripping & Kuzushi on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
