Master The Move: The Shoulder Crunch Series by John Danaher

Check Out a Free Sample:

What will You Learn?

Learn The Shoulder Crunch System That John Danaher’s Elite Students Use To Break Through Modern No-Gi Guards & Control Opponents Like Never Before

John Danaher — widely considered the most influential mind in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — returns with a comprehensive instructional focused entirely on one of the most underutilized yet highly effective positions in No-Gi: The Shoulder Crunch.

This position has become a staple in the arsenal of Danaher’s most successful students, including Gordon Ryan and Giancarlo Bodoni, for its ability to shut down modern pressure passing, neutralize resistance, and launch devastating attacks. Whether you’re aiming to submit, sweep, take the back, or enter the legs, the shoulder crunch gives you options and dilemmas that your opponents will struggle to solve.

Danaher breaks down every layer of the position in his signature step-by-step style, teaching you how to gain control, stay safe, and build toward dominant finishes — all while placing your opponent under relentless pressure.

What You’ll Learn:

• How the shoulder crunch neutralizes smash passes, knee cuts, and modern pressure-based passing

• Key mechanics for securing, maintaining, and advancing from the shoulder crunch position

• Seamless transitions to submissions, including armlocks, triangles, and guillotines

• Sweeps and reversals that force your opponent to choose between bad and worse

• Entries into powerful lower body attacks directly from shoulder crunch grips

• Back takes and control strategies used by Danaher’s elite students at the highest levels

• How to turn the shoulder crunch into a dilemma machine that traps even experienced opponents

Why This Series is a Must-Have:

✅ Learn from BJJ’s most respected coach, John Danaher
✅ Systematize your guard game around a control-based position with endless options
✅ Dominate No-Gi matches with one of the most versatile and high-percentage positions in modern grappling
✅ Study the same techniques used by champions like Gordon Ryan and Giancarlo Bodoni
✅ Perfect for both competitors and hobbyists looking to level up control, submissions, and tactical decision-making

This isn’t just another instructional — it’s a complete system designed by the greatest mind in jiu-jitsu to help you Master the Move and control the pace of any No-Gi exchange.

What Exactly do You Get?

Part 1

• Introduction
• Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi: Order Of Operations - From Seated Position, Establish A Grip That Allows You To Get Your Opponent's Hand To The Floor And Gain An Underhook

Part 2

• Key Details Of Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi - High Elbow Shoulder To Shoulder
• The Single Biggest Mistake That People Make With The Shoulder Crunch Grip
• Removing The Posts
• Forward Shift At An Angle To Prevent Pull Outs

Part 3

• Shifting Your Opponent Off The Centerline
• How To Push On Your Opponent's Leg
• The Crucial Use Of The Feet In Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi
• Switching Side To Side

Part 4

• Troubleshooting Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi - The Single Biggest Weak Point Of The Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi And How To Overcome It
• Question: If The Pinch Headlock Is So Strong, Why Don't We Just Stay With That As Our Sweeping Grip
• A 3rd Grip Related To The Shoulder Crunch: The High Lock
• The Theory Of Closed Grips From Guard Position
• The First Step Of The Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi Series: Getting The Hand To The Floor
• The 2 Stage Method Of Getting The Hand To The Floor

Part 5

• The 2 Most Common Defenses To Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi And How To Overcome Them - 1. The Elbow Slip
• 2. The Rock Back - Opponent Rocks Back On Knees - Triangle
• Ude Gatame (Straight Arm Lock)
• Juji Gatame
• Hiza Guruma

Part 6

• Opponent On Posted Leg Or Standing - Ashi Garami To Outside Heel Hook
• Ashi Garami To Kani Basami
• Ashi Garami To Sweep Into Heel Hooks
• Ankle Pick Cross Ashi

Part 7

• The Pinch Headlock Series - Hiza Guruma When Your Opponent Is On 2 Knees
• Elbow On The Floor Pinch Headlock Sumi Gaeshi
• Hand On The Floor Classic Sumi Gaeshi
• Ude Gatame From Pinch Headlock
• Pinch Headlock To Tight Waist Series

Part 8

• The High Lock Series - Sumi Gaeshi From High Lock
• High Lock Into Standing Body Lock
• Putting It All Together