A clamp-first guard system that tames pressure and turns posture breaks into submissions.
The Bottom Line
You build a reliable clamp and use it to kill posture and steer reactions. The game branches into armdrags, guillotines, triangles and armbars with clear cues. If your closed guard keeps getting pried open, this gives you proactive control.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: smaller or older players
Skip if: you dislike closed guard
Tech focus: Clamp Guard, Shoulder Crunch, Arm Drag, Triangle, Armbar
Biggest takeaway: Control posture before attacking.
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What You'll Learn
This is Glick’s clamp-centered bottom game: retain, recover and attack without relying on speed. You build inside position, break posture and chain armdrags, guillotines, triangles and armbars.
It is a practical answer for older or smaller grapplers who get smashed when closed guard stalls.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Clamp Guard
- Closed Guard
- Shoulder Crunch
- Arm Drag
- Guillotine
- Triangle
- Armbar
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 5 hours and 13 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I see the clamp as an on-ramp that converts retention into immediate offense for hobbyists.
Why Brian Glick?
Brian Glick earned black belt from John Danaher and Renzo Gracie in 2006 and cross-trains judo with Shintaro Higashi. His clamp, shoulder-crunch and side scissor work emphasize frames, angles and posture-breaking. He is known for making Danaher-style systems digestible for busy adults. His YouTube videos mirror this and give free tune-ups.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Glick changed my life with his clamp guard instructional.
- Helped me finally have options from closed guard instead of stalling.
- Side scissor and clamp series are strong closed guard resources.
- Teaches Danaher style ideas in a quicker, approachable way.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some never got the clamp to click for them.
- A few want even tighter editing for faster rewatching.
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Smart Alternatives
- Closed Guard: High Percentage Submissions by Bernardo Faria – If you want simple gi-friendly finishes from closed guard. (Price: $79.00)
- They Shall Not Pass: Guard Retention by Lachlan Giles – For a broader retention-first framework to pair with clamp attacks. (Price: $197.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Under Pressure: Retention, Recovery and Attacking From Guard by Brian Glick on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
