Best Free BJJ Instructionals and YouTube Channels for Beginners
Looking for the best free BJJ instructionals? Some of the top YouTube channels for beginners include Chewjitsu, Grapplearts, Roy Dean, and BJJ Fanatics. These channels offer high-quality techniques, fundamentals, and structured learning — completely free.
Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be intimidating — physically, mentally, and even financially. Between gym fees, gear, and paid instructionals, many beginners look for ways to improve without spending more money.
The good news is that there is a huge amount of high-quality free BJJ content available online. The key is knowing which channels actually teach useful fundamentals and not just random techniques.
This guide covers the best free BJJ instructionals and YouTube channels for beginners, so you can build a strong foundation and improve faster.
Best Free BJJ Instructionals (Quick Answer)
- Best overall: Chewjitsu
- Best structured learning: Grapplearts
- Best traditional approach: Roy Dean
- Best advanced concepts (free clips): BJJ Fanatics
- Best raw practical techniques: Kurt Osiander
If you are serious about improving faster, you should also combine free content with structured systems. See our best BJJ instructionals guide for more complete learning options.
1. Chewjitsu (Nick Albin)
Channel: Chewjitsu on YouTube
Why It’s Great:
Nick “Chewy” Albin is one of the most beginner-friendly BJJ instructors online. His content goes beyond techniques and helps new students understand how to train, think, and improve.
- Beginner Q&A and mindset advice
- Clear breakdowns of fundamentals
- Escapes, sweeps, and positional basics
- Consistent uploads
Best For: Beginners who want both technique and guidance on training.
2. Stephan Kesting (Grapplearts)
Channel: Grapplearts on YouTube
Why It’s Great:
Stephan Kesting offers one of the most structured free BJJ learning paths online. His content is calm, clear, and designed to help beginners build fundamentals step by step.
- Structured playlists (BJJ basics, self-defense, fundamentals)
- Free guides and training resources
- Concept-based teaching
Best For: Beginners who want structured, step-by-step learning.
3. Roy Dean Academy
Channel: Roy Dean on YouTube
Why It’s Great:
Roy Dean focuses on clean technique and traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His videos are well-produced and easy to follow, especially for visual learners.
- Belt requirement videos
- Clear demonstrations
- Strong focus on fundamentals
Best For: Students who prefer a traditional and structured style.
4. BJJ Fanatics (Free Clips)
Channel: BJJ Fanatics on YouTube
Why It’s Great:
This channel provides free clips from world-class instructors like John Danaher and Gordon Ryan. While not full instructionals, the insights are extremely valuable.
- High-level concepts
- Short, focused technique clips
- Exposure to elite-level coaching
Best For: Beginners who want to see high-level concepts early.
5. Kurt Osiander – Move of the Week
Channel: Kurt Osiander on YouTube
Why It’s Great:
Kurt’s teaching style is simple, direct, and practical. The production is basic, but the techniques are effective and easy to apply.
- Real-world techniques
- Strong focus on fundamentals
- No unnecessary complexity
Best For: Beginners who want simple, effective techniques.
Are Free BJJ Instructionals Enough?
Free BJJ instructionals can be very effective, but only if used correctly.
They are best used to:
- Reinforce what you learn in class
- Review techniques at your own pace
- Explore different instructors
However, free content is often unstructured. That is why many practitioners eventually move to more complete systems. If you want to go deeper, check our full BJJ instructional guide.
How to Learn from YouTube BJJ Videos
The biggest mistake beginners make is watching too many random techniques.
Instead:
- Focus on one position (guard, side control, mount)
- Follow a playlist, not random videos
- Practice what you watch in training
- Repeat the same techniques until they work
Structured learning always beats random learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free BJJ instructionals?
The best free BJJ instructionals come from YouTube channels like Chewjitsu, Grapplearts, and BJJ Fanatics. These provide high-quality techniques and concepts for beginners.
Can you learn BJJ from YouTube?
You can learn a lot from YouTube, but it should be combined with live training. Videos work best as a supplement, not a replacement.
Which BJJ YouTube channel is best for beginners?
Chewjitsu and Grapplearts are two of the best channels for beginners because they focus on fundamentals and structured learning.
Are free BJJ instructionals worth it?
Yes, they are worth it for beginners. They allow you to improve without extra cost and help reinforce what you learn in class.
What should beginners focus on in BJJ?
Beginners should focus on escapes, positioning, and basic submissions rather than advanced techniques.
Final Thoughts
Free BJJ instructionals are one of the best tools available for beginners. If you use them correctly, they can help you improve faster and build a strong foundation.
The key is to stay focused, follow structured content, and apply what you learn during training.
