Jason Rau isn’t just another BJJ coach with a camera—he’s quickly becoming one of the most respected technical minds in modern jiu-jitsu. His instructionals combine precision, innovation, and remarkable clarity that can transform your game overnight. In this comprehensive review, I’ll break down each of his BJJ Fanatics offerings to help you decide which ones deserve your time and money.
Ready to elevate your BJJ game with some of the best technical instruction available today? Check out Jason Rau’s complete instructional collection on BJJ Fanatics and use our link for the best deals!
What Makes Jason Rau’s Instructionals Special?
Before diving into the specific instructionals, let’s talk about what sets Rau’s teaching style apart:
- Technical precision – Every detail matters, and Rau never skips the small adjustments that make techniques work
- Systematic approach – His instructionals build comprehensive systems rather than isolated techniques
- Modern innovation – Rau teaches cutting-edge approaches that reflect current competitive meta
- Practical application – Everything is pressure-tested and competition-ready
Now, let’s explore each instructional in detail!
Understanding The Reap: Jason Rau’s Leg Lock Masterpiece
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If you’ve ever been confused about the infamous “reap” position (or been DQ’d for accidentally entering it), this instructional is absolutely essential. Rau demystifies this powerful position across multiple volumes, providing a crystal-clear breakdown of a technique that’s often surrounded by confusion and misinformation.
What’s Covered:
- Fundamentals of leg positioning and control
- Multiple grip variations for enhanced control
- Advanced finishing mechanics for knee bars and heel hooks
- Defensive techniques and counters
Redditors consistently praise this instructional for “opening up new submission opportunities” and helping refine leg lock transitions. One user mentioned that this single instructional transformed their understanding of leg entanglements practically overnight.
My take? This is an absolute must-have if you’re serious about leg locks and want to understand exactly how the reap works in both sport BJJ and submission grappling contexts. The technical clarity alone makes it worth every penny.
Guard Passing Brilliance: The Rau System
Jason Rau offers not just one but four distinct guard passing instructionals, each focusing on different aspects of this crucial skill. Let’s break them down:
1. Dynamic Headquarters Passing
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This is Rau’s systematic approach to passing from the headquarters position—a dominant control point from which you can launch multiple passing attacks. The beauty of this instructional is how it teaches you to chain together knee cuts, leg drags, and back step passes into a seamless flow that leaves your opponent constantly defending.
Across multiple volumes, Rau covers:
- Core concepts of the headquarters position
- Transitions between different passes
- Counter strategies against defensive reactions
- Innovative gripping approaches
Reddit users highlight how this “dynamic” approach immediately improved their passing efficiency. I’ve personally found that the headquarters position has become the cornerstone of my passing game since studying this material.
2. Outside Passing
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When your opponent extends their legs, the outside passing game becomes crucial. This instructional details precise footwork, varied gripping strategies (including C-grips and V-grips), and methods to counter extended leg defenses.
The multi-volume structure walks you through:
- General concepts and principles
- Securing dominant position
- North-South transitions
- Handling defensive counters
This instructional has been praised on Reddit for how quickly it translates to better mat performance. The techniques are immediately applicable, and Rau’s emphasis on pressure and timing makes a noticeable difference from day one.
3. Modern Split Squat Passing
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The split squat passing position is a game-changer, and Rau’s 5-part instructional breaks it down to its fundamental components. This approach simplifies what can be a complex passing style, making it accessible even to those who haven’t used it before.
Key elements covered include:
- Proper body positioning and weight distribution
- Effective use of scoop grips
- Transitions into dominant passing positions
- Countering common defensive responses
Grapplers on Reddit have called this instructional “revolutionary” for its clear step-by-step approach. Having incorporated these techniques into my own game, I can confirm that the split squat passing system offers a tremendous advantage against both gi and no-gi opponents.
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4. Half Guard Passing
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Half guard is perhaps the most common guard you’ll encounter in BJJ, making this instructional particularly valuable. Across three substantial volumes (roughly 90-120 minutes total), Rau covers everything from basic control points to advanced passing sequences.
The instructional addresses:
- Head and arm control fundamentals
- Underhook battle strategies
- Effective passing sequences against common variants
- Countering defensive reactions
Reddit users consistently praise this instructional for its depth and clarity. Many have noted that the step-by-step breakdown of control points and passing sequences has completely transformed their approach to half guard. For me, the underhook battle strategies alone were worth the price of admission—they’ve made my half guard passing significantly more efficient.
Leg Lock Systems: Rau’s Submission Arsenal
Beyond his passing expertise, Jason Rau offers three exceptional leg lock instructionals that can elevate your submission game:
1. Dynamic Cross Ashi
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This 3-part masterclass focuses on developing a robust system around the Cross Ashi position—one of the most powerful leg entanglements in modern BJJ. What makes this instructional special is how Rau connects this position to a complete submission system rather than treating it as an isolated technique.
The instructional covers:
- Single and double leg control mechanics
- Finishing maneuvers, including heel hook variations
- Grip variations leading to leg lock opportunities
- Defensive responses and how to counter them
Redditors frequently mention how this instructional “brought a new perspective” to their leg attack game. The technical precision in Rau’s explanations has helped many elevate their understanding of transitions from cross ashi into leg locks.
2. Dynamic Ankle Locks
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While many grapplers rush toward more advanced leg locks, mastering the fundamental ankle lock remains crucial. This instructional focuses on perfecting this submission—which is legal at almost every competition level—while also showing how it connects to more advanced leg attacks.
The content includes:
- Basic setups and entries
- Advanced finishing mechanics
- Counters to common defenses
- Transitions to other leg lock positions
Reddit users commend this instructional for its “game-changing” insights and practical drills. I’ve found that Rau’s clear breakdown of ankle lock mechanics has led to immediate improvements in my submission success rate—even against experienced opponents who “know” the defense.
3. Understanding The K-Guard
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While technically a guard position, the K-Guard is primarily a staging ground for leg attacks, making it an essential part of any leg lock system. Rau’s instructional provides an in-depth breakdown of this versatile position across three concise volumes.
Key topics include:
- Fundamental positioning and control
- Countering passing attempts
- Offensive strategies from both standing and kneeling positions
- Transitions to submission opportunities
On Reddit, this instructional is highlighted for its thorough and methodical approach. Users report that Rau’s explanation helped them troubleshoot defensive issues and expand their open guard arsenal with effective K-guard attacks.
Modern Guard Systems: The Complete Package
To round out his instructional collection, Rau offers a cutting-edge take on one of BJJ’s most established guards:
Modern No-Gi De La Riva
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The De La Riva guard has been a BJJ staple for decades, but Rau’s instructional brings it firmly into the modern no-gi era. Across multiple volumes, he explains how to maintain and attack from this position without the gi grips that traditionally define it.
The instructional covers:
- Grip transitions specific to no-gi
- Effective angles for control
- Troubleshooting common passing attempts
- Offensive sequences and submission setups
Reddit feedback on this instructional has been overwhelmingly positive. Many users mention that it significantly improved their guard retention and offensive options while offering valuable tips for countering modern passing systems.
My Final Verdict: The Best Jason Rau Instructionals
After spending countless hours studying these instructionals and applying them on the mat, here’s my ranking of Rau’s top offerings:
For Beginners and Intermediate Grapplers:
- Half Guard Passing – Addresses the most common guard you’ll face with exceptional clarity
- Dynamic Ankle Locks – Teaches a fundamental submission that’s legal at all levels
- Dynamic Headquarters Passing – Provides a systematic approach to passing that’s easy to implement
For Advanced Grapplers:
- Understanding The Reap – Essential knowledge for any serious leg locker
- Dynamic Cross Ashi – Takes your leg lock game to the next level
- Modern Split Squat Passing – Provides a modern approach to shutting down open guards
Best Value for Money:
The Half Guard Passing instructional offers the most comprehensive content (90-120 minutes) with immediately applicable techniques that will improve your game regardless of your current level.
Who Are Jason Rau’s Instructionals For?
While each instructional targets slightly different skill levels, Rau’s teaching style makes his content accessible to a wide range of practitioners:
- Beginners will benefit most from Half Guard Passing and Dynamic Headquarters Passing
- Intermediate grapplers will get immediate value from Dynamic Ankle Locks and Modern No-Gi De La Riva
- Advanced practitioners will appreciate the technical depth in Understanding The Reap and Dynamic Cross Ashi
What makes Rau’s instructionals special is how they grow with you—what initially seems like a straightforward technique reveals deeper layers as your understanding improves.
The Bottom Line
Jason Rau’s instructional library represents some of the best technical BJJ content available today. His clear teaching style, systematic approach, and focus on practical application make these instructionals worth every penny for serious grapplers.
My personal recommendation? Start with either Half Guard Passing or Dynamic Headquarters Passing to get a feel for Rau’s teaching style, then branch out based on your specific interests and needs.
Check out Jason Rau’s complete instructional collection on BJJ Fanatics and use our link for the best deals!
And if you’re a fan of high-level instruction, don’t miss our breakdown of the best Craig Jones instructionals that will take your game to the next level!
