Systematically Dismantling Octopus Guard & Other Low-Percentage Moves by Gordon Ryan

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What will You Learn?

Systematically Dismantling Octopus Guard & Other Low-Percentage Moves is Gordon Ryan’s blueprint for shutting down hype-driven positions and forcing your opponents back into reality.

Widely regarded as the greatest no-gi grappler of all time, Gordon Ryan has dominated the sport not just with physicality — but with a ruthlessly analytical mind. A longtime BJJ Fanatics best-seller and the most successful student of John Danaher, Gordon has built his legacy on understanding what actually works at the highest levels… and what doesn’t.

In this instructional, Gordon breaks down one of the most talked-about modern positions — the Octopus Guard — and shows you how to systematically dismantle it step by step. No guesswork. No scrambling. Just clear, layered problem-solving that eliminates the position at its roots.

But this series goes further.

Gordon also addresses a range of increasingly popular “low-percentage” techniques that are flooding competitions and social media. Instead of simply dismissing them, he shows you exactly why they fail — and how to counter them with tight mechanics, superior positioning, and intelligent pressure.

This is not about flashy counters.
This is about building a system that makes certain moves ineffective before they even begin.

If you want to:

• Shut down tricky guards without getting dragged into chaos

• Understand the strategic weaknesses in modern meta positions

• Develop the kind of technical clarity that wins at the highest level

This is your roadmap.

Gordon doesn’t just show techniques — he teaches you how to think.

• Learn Gordon Ryan’s step-by-step system for dismantling the Octopus Guard

• Understand why certain modern positions are “low percentage” — and how to expose their flaws

• Develop clean, high-level counters rooted in control and positional dominance

• Eliminate scrambling and uncertainty with layered problem-solving frameworks

• Study the analytical approach that has made Gordon the most dominant no-gi competitor in history

• Build confidence against trendy, social-media-driven techniques

• Strengthen your strategic understanding of what truly works at the elite level

• Upgrade your passing, control, and counter-attacking IQ

• Train smarter by focusing on efficiency over flash

What Exactly Do You Get?

Part 1

• Intro
• Listen To The Best, Dismiss The Rest
• Over Back Theory
• Battle Of The Knees (Top Position)
• Battle Of The Knees (Neutral/Bottom Position)
• Hips Between Knees
• Dilemma Games
• Position Threshold
• Shoulders Vs Hips
• Overview

Part 2

• Intro To Overback From Half Guard
• Countering Inside Wrist Grip/Overback
• Reach Back Crossface
• Passing Half Guard
• Countering A Secondary Underhook
• Countering A Leg Grab (Moron Move)
• Countering A Leg Grab Vs Kneeling Opponent
• Countering Their Hamstring Grab
• Turking A Leg
• Countering A Bridge - Body Position

Part 3

• Countering A Bridge With A Backtake
• Failed Backtake Move To Mount
• Opponent Returns Hips To Floor - Dominate Far Hip
• Elbow Cut
• Countering Opponent's Elbow Cut
• Recapturing The Bottom Knee
• Building Height To Far Hip Pin
• Cross Hip Pin
• Elbow Cut
• Combinations
• Opponent Heist To Knees/Take The Back

Part 4

• Intro To Butterfly Half Guard
• Controlling The Space Between The Knees
• Step Over/Cut Through
• Bait An Over Extension And Step Over
• Opponent Brings Knee Inside - Step Over/Cut Through
• Countering A Kosoto Hook

Part 5

• Intro To Overback From Side Control
• Control Elements (No Leg To Turk)
• Preventing The Overback
• Harder To Stop A Heist/Easier To Step Over Legs
• Easier To Elbow Cut/Harder To Get Knee To Far Hip (If Opponents Knee Is Inside)
• Backtracking Into Half Guard
• Flattening An Opponent Without A Turk
• Stepping Over Legs
• Opponent Brings Knee Inside/Elbow Cut
• Countering A Thigh Post
• Countering A Thigh Post To Elbow Cutback
• Countering A Heist
• Opponent Locks Inside Their Own Hamstring
• Overback Outro

Part 6

• Intro To Buggy Counters
• Low Percentage Move
• Mechanics Of The Buggy
• Head Position
• Pin The Hips
• Moving To North South
• Late Escape
• Nearside Buggy
• Head Position
• Short Elbow
• Leg Ride
• Put Them Belly Down
• Late Escapes

Part 7

• Intro To D'arce Escapes - Bonus
• Countering D'arce Peak Out
• Following Chest Placement
• Closed Guard/Back Take Escape
• Inside Wrist Or Elbow Wrap, And Wrist Pull
• Wrist Pull When Opponent Inverts
• Outro

Part 8

• Rolling - Fernando
• Rolling - Landon
• Rolling - Dominic
• Rolling - Fernando
• Rolling Commentary - Fernando
• Rolling Commentary - Landon
• Rolling Commentary - Dominic
• Rolling Commentary - Fernando