Gordon Ryan is widely considered the most excellent no-gi grappler of all time. His instructionals on BJJ Fanatics aren’t just popular—they’ve become essential resources for students serious about building a modern, systematic game. But with over a dozen top-quality BJJ instructionals to choose from, the big question is:
Where do you start?
In this guide, we’ll break down Gordon Ryan’s top instructionals, rank them from beginner to advanced, and help you choose the right one for your skill level and goals.
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Who Should Learn from Gordon Ryan?
Gordon Ryan teaches with extreme precision, and his instructionals are dense, detailed, and systematic. These are not highlight-reel techniques. They’re built for:
- Grapplers who want to understand why techniques work
- Students who enjoy long-form learning
- Those interested in positional dominance and pressure-based systems
His content is ideal for intermediate and advanced students, but beginners can benefit if they follow an innovative progression.
Gordon Ryan Instructionals Ranked
Here’s our curated list, ordered from beginner-friendly to advanced systems.
1. Systematically Attacking the Guard
Best for: Beginners and intermediate players looking to build top pressure fundamentals
Overview:
This is the best starting point for anyone new to Gordon’s material. It introduces key concepts like inside positioning, distance control, and knee-cut passing. Gordon walks through his passing framework in a structured, digestible way.
- Clear language and pacing
- Step-by-step positional goals
- Builds understanding of how to advance through the guard
2. The System: Closed Guard
Best for: Beginners with some basic knowledge of guard
Overview:
Closed guard is a fundamental position, and this course shows how Gordon attacks with armbars, triangles, and back takes using angle creation and wrist control.
- Easy to apply for white and blue belts
- High-percentage moves without needing flexibility
- Introduction to systematic gripping and posture control
3. Systematically Attacking from Mount
Best for: Intermediate students
Overview:
Mount is one of Gordon’s most dominant positions, and here he breaks down how to isolate arms, apply chest-to-chest pressure, and finish with high-efficiency submissions.
- Clear explanations of upper-body control
- Helps build confidence in mount
4. Systematically Attacking the Back
Best for: Intermediate to advanced grapplers
Overview:
This is one of the most praised instructionals in all of BJJ. Gordon goes deep into back control, emphasizing diagonal control, hand fighting, and submission finishes.
- Focus on control before submission
- Redundancy built into every system
- Techniques used successfully in competition
5. Passing the Half Guard
Best for: Intermediate players who face seated guards often
Overview:
Modern no-gi games revolve around seated guards, and this series teaches how to shut them down with pressure and knee wedge mechanics.
- Very specific positional details
- Excellent for developing a pressure passing game
- Requires more experience to apply effectively
6. The System: Leg Locks
Best for: Advanced students
Overview:
This infamous system helped Gordon—and the Danaher Death Squad—dominate ADCC. It covers inside sankaku, ashi garami, leg entanglements, and breaking mechanics.
Note: Not beginner-friendly. Requires a solid foundation in positional understanding and leg lock safety.
Final Thoughts: Where to Start
If you’re new to Gordon Ryan’s material, Systematically Attacking the Guard is the best entry point. From there, work your way through closed guard, mount, and back control before diving into advanced leg locks and anti-wrestling systems.
Recommendations:
- Beginner: Systematically Attacking the Guard, Closed Guard
- Intermediate: Mount, Back Control, Half Butterfly/Z Guard Passing
- Advanced: Leg Lock System, Open Guard Retention, Counter Wrestling
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