Two of the best octopus guard instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, compared head to head. Adam Wardzinski built the position. Craig Jones modernized it for no-gi. Here’s which one fits your game.
Last updated: March 2026
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Wardzinski – Octopus Guard Engineering | Craig Jones – Octopus Guard 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| BJJ World Rating | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Volumes | 5 parts (~2.5 hours total) | 4 volumes |
| Released | Mid-2024 | January 2026 |
| Format | No-Gi (works in Gi too) | No-Gi focused |
| Primary Entry | Half guard | Seated guard, knee shield, failed shots |
| Core Attacks | Back takes, sweeps (dogfight, butterfly, overhead) | Darce chokes, buggy chokes, back takes, leg entries, crucifix |
| Teaching Style | Systematic, methodical progression | Precise, to-the-point, zero filler |
| Best For | Half guard players wanting a complete octopus system | No-gi grapplers facing standing passers |
| Unique Selling Point | THE octopus guard specialist + 2024 IBJJF Worlds winner | Modern submission chain (Darce + buggy + crucifix) |
| Reviewer | Ognen Dzabirski (BJJ World) | Ognen Dzabirski (BJJ World) |
What Is Octopus Guard?
Octopus guard is a bottom position where you wrap your arms and legs around your opponent like an octopus, creating strong attachment from underneath. The position typically starts from half guard: you underhook deep, lock your hands behind the opponent’s back, and use that connection to sweep, take the back, or transition to other attacks.
Adam Wardzinski popularized the position at the highest levels of gi competition, winning multiple IBJJF titles with it. Craig Jones adapted octopus guard for no-gi grappling, adding submission chains and entries from seated guard. Both versions share the same principle: attach to your opponent so tightly that any movement they make creates an opportunity for you.
Octopus Guard Engineering by Adam Wardzinski
Wardzinski’s instructional is the definitive octopus guard system. Five parts, roughly 2.5 hours total, covering everything from foundational entries to top-position octopus applications. This is the system that won the 2024 IBJJF Worlds.
Volume-by-Volume Breakdown
| Volume | Focus | Key Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Intro | Foundations | Main entries to octopus guard, crossface management techniques |
| Part 2 – Back Exposure | Back attacks | Back attack methods from guard, common pass defense counters |
| Part 3 – Sweeps & Attacks | Sweeps | Sideways sweeps, dogfight transitions, butterfly sweep variations |
| Part 4 – More Sweeps and Back Takes | Advanced combinations | Overhead sweeps, turtle applications, combined back take sequences |
| Part 5 – Top Octopus and Closed Guard | Advanced applications | Closed guard octopus, headquarters position, top position mechanics |
Why It’s Rated 9/10
Ognen Dzabirski of BJJ World gave this a 9/10, calling it a forward-looking investment. Wardzinski’s 2024 IBJJF Worlds victory gave the instructional immediate credibility: this system works at the absolute highest level of gi competition. The crossface management section in Part 1 is particularly valuable because dealing with crossface pressure is the biggest challenge when setting up octopus from half guard.
“The Octopus Guard will make you a nuisance on the mats, both in sparring and open tournaments.”
Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (9/10)Strengths
- Most comprehensive octopus guard system available
- Crossface management solves the #1 problem with the position
- Works in both gi and no-gi
- IBJJF Worlds-proven at the highest level
- Part 5 covers top-position octopus (unique content)
Weaknesses
- Primarily half-guard based – limited entries from other positions
- No submission chains (Darce, buggy choke) like Craig Jones offers
- Shorter runtime (~2.5 hours) means less depth per topic than longer instructionals
Octopus Guard 2.0 by Craig Jones
Craig’s second take on octopus guard is a complete system built around a connection-control model. Instead of scrambling, you stick to your opponent, tilt them, and redirect their movement until they give you a back take, leg entanglement, or path to top position. Four volumes covering entries, top game, submissions, and turtle attacks.
Volume-by-Volume Breakdown
| Volume | Focus | Key Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Vol 1 – Cleaner Entries | Entries | Seated guard entries, knee shield entries, failed shot positioning |
| Vol 2 – Getting on Top | Tilting and control | Attachment mechanics, redirecting standing opponents, Darce counters |
| Vol 3 – Darces & Buggy Chokes | Submissions | Multiple Darce variations, buggy choke combos, Ghost Escape to Darce |
| Vol 4 – Turtle, Legs & Crucifix | Advanced attacks | Turtle offense from octopus, leg entries, crucifix mini-system |
Why It’s Rated 8.5/10
Ognen Dzabirski of BJJ World rated this 8.5/10, highlighting the realistic entry points, energy-efficient scaling, and multiple finishing routes. The connection-focused control model is the key innovation: rather than fighting for a specific sweep or submission, you maintain attachment and funnel your opponent into giving up their back, legs, or top position.
Dzabirski praised the “realistic, round-applicable entry points” and the “connection-focused control model” that reduces chaos. He also noted the system’s “energy-efficient scaling for age/size differences.”
Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (8.5/10)Context: This Is an Upgrade
Craig’s original octopus guard instructional, “The Reach Around AKA Octopus Guard,” was a 3-volume mini-course (1 hour 24 minutes) released in October 2022. It covered kosoto sweeps, butterfly sweeps, front headlocks, and the buggy choke. Octopus Guard 2.0 is a full rebuild with cleaner entries, the connection-control framework, and significantly more submission options including the crucifix system.
Strengths
- Modern no-gi optimization with multiple entry points
- Darce + buggy choke + crucifix submission chains are unique
- Ghost Escape to Darce combo is a high-percentage finishing sequence
- Explicit counter-pressure troubleshooting included
- Works especially well against standing guard passers
Weaknesses
- Requires foundational guard competence before you start
- System-dependent: demands significant mat time to build the timing
- No-gi focused; adapting to gi requires work on your end
- Fewer sweep options compared to Wardzinski’s version
Head-to-Head: Teaching Style, Content, and Applicability
Core Philosophy
Wardzinski’s approach is traditional octopus guard built off half guard. You underhook deep, manage the crossface, and work sweeps and back takes through systematic sequences. The emphasis is on positional dominance: get the attachment, then methodically work to the back or on top.
Craig’s approach is a connection-guard model. You stick to your opponent, tilt and redirect them, and let their reactions determine whether you take the back, enter leg entanglements, or come on top. It’s a funnel system rather than a position system.
Entry Points
Wardzinski enters primarily from half guard. If you play a lot of half guard, his entries will integrate naturally into your existing game. Craig enters from seated guard, knee shield, and failed shot recoveries. His entries are built for no-gi situations where your opponent is standing over you trying to pass.
Submissions vs. Sweeps
Wardzinski’s system is sweep-heavy: dogfight transitions, butterfly sweeps, overhead sweeps, with back takes as the primary finishing path. Craig’s system includes all of that plus dedicated submission chains from octopus guard. Volume 3 is entirely dedicated to Darce chokes (multiple grips), buggy chokes, and the Ghost Escape to Darce combo. Volume 4 adds a crucifix mini-system. If you want more finishing options from the position, Craig’s version delivers.
Competition Proof
Wardzinski won the 2024 IBJJF Worlds in gi using octopus guard. That is the highest possible validation for a competition technique. Craig’s octopus guard has been tested in no-gi competition at the highest levels through B-Team and CJI events. Both have real competition proof, but in different rulesets.
The Gordon Ryan Factor
You can’t discuss Octopus Guard 2.0 in 2026 without mentioning the Gordon Ryan controversy. Here’s what happened:
Does Gordon’s Counter-Instructional Invalidate Octopus Guard?
No. Gordon called octopus guard techniques “unrealistic positioning” with “directional errors in weight distribution,” but Wardzinski won IBJJF Worlds with this exact position. Gordon’s counter-instructional is valuable for understanding how top-level passers will try to shut down octopus guard, which actually makes both Wardzinski’s and Craig’s instructionals more useful: you need to know what your opponent is trying to do.
The controversy drove significantly more attention and sales to Craig’s instructional. Craig’s response was characteristically brief: he pointed out that Gordon’s critique skipped from point 2 to point 4 in his numbered caption.
Who Should Buy Which One?
Buy Wardzinski’s Version If You…
- Play half guard as your primary guard
- Train both gi and no-gi
- Want the most systematic, structured approach
- Prioritize sweeps and back takes over submissions from guard
- Compete in IBJJF tournaments
- Want to learn from the original octopus guard specialist
Buy Craig Jones’ Version If You…
- Play primarily no-gi
- Face a lot of standing guard passers
- Want submission chains (Darce, buggy choke, crucifix) from the position
- Like precise, efficient teaching with zero filler
- Already have foundational guard skills
- Train for ADCC, sub-only, or CJI-style rulesets
Buy Both If You…
Want the complete octopus guard picture. Wardzinski gives you the sweeps and systematic entries from half guard. Craig gives you the submission chains and entries against standing passers. They complement each other well because they approach the same position from different starting points and with different finishing objectives.
FAQ – Octopus Guard Instructionals
Which octopus guard instructional is better: Wardzinski or Craig Jones?
Both are excellent but serve different games. Wardzinski’s Octopus Guard Engineering (BJJ World 9/10) is better for half guard players who want sweeps and back takes, and it works in both gi and no-gi. Craig Jones’ Octopus Guard 2.0 (BJJ World 8.5/10) is better for no-gi grapplers who want submission chains (Darce, buggy choke, crucifix) and entries against standing passers.
Is octopus guard effective at high-level competition?
Yes. Adam Wardzinski won the 2024 IBJJF Worlds using octopus guard from half guard. Craig Jones has used octopus guard concepts in no-gi competition at the highest level. Gordon Ryan released a counter-instructional in 2026, which shows how seriously top competitors take the position.
What belt level do you need for these instructionals?
Both instructionals are aimed at intermediate to advanced grapplers. You should have solid half guard fundamentals and understand basic guard concepts before starting either system. Craig Jones’ version has a slightly higher prerequisite level because it assumes foundational guard competence and includes leg lock entries.
Does Gordon Ryan’s counter-instructional make octopus guard obsolete?
No. Gordon’s Systematically Dismantling Octopus Guard covers how to shut down the position from the top, but Wardzinski won IBJJF Worlds with octopus guard after Gordon’s criticism began. Understanding Gordon’s counters actually makes octopus guard stronger because you learn what top-level passers will attempt.
What’s the difference between Craig Jones’ original Octopus Guard and 2.0?
The original (The Reach Around AKA Octopus Guard, released October 2022) was a 3-volume mini-course at 1 hour 24 minutes. It covered basic kosoto sweeps, butterfly sweeps, and the buggy choke. Octopus Guard 2.0 (January 2026) is a complete rebuild with 4 full volumes, cleaner entries, a connection-control framework, multiple Darce variations, and a full crucifix mini-system.
Can I use octopus guard in gi training?
Wardzinski’s version works well in both gi and no-gi. He won IBJJF Worlds (gi) with it. Craig Jones’ Octopus Guard 2.0 is specifically designed for no-gi and requires adaptation for gi training. If you primarily train in the gi, Wardzinski’s instructional is the better choice.
Ready to Add Octopus Guard to Your Game?
Two world-class systems, two different approaches. Wardzinski’s half-guard sweeps and back takes, or Craig Jones’ no-gi submission chains. Pick the one that fits your game, or get both for the complete picture.