These days, there are many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructional videos that can be found in digital form. It’s fair to say that since the birth of Digitsu and BJJFanatics, BJJ videos have became incredibly popular. However, what many people don’t know is that some of the greatest instructional videos are actually in physical form. This is from a previous era before digital videos were as popular.
The result of this is that some of these DVDs are often overlooked in the modern era. From the likes of Fernando Terere to Cobrinha, it’s fair to say that some of these videos are taught by some of the best to ever do it.
With this said, you’d be foolish to dismiss physical video, and you may just learn a thing or two from these sets. Another benefit of buying physical products is that they’re also available for life. You don’t have to worry about losing a password or running out of phone battery whilst watching. In some ways, you could argue that physical DVDs are actually more practical because of this. Even if you are a big fan of digital format, then you can still supplement your collection with some of these instructionals.
Table of Contents
New Game Jiu Jitsu by Marcelo Garcia
Marcelo Garcia is known for modernizing BJJ, and this is what is shown in this DVD. From his iconic front headlock guillotines, to his X-Guard and butterfly positions, this is a blueprint on how to mimic his game. It was also filmed after winning ADCC three times, which solidified his status as one of the greatest ever.
Please note, this is a no gi set which is quite appropriate considering that is what he’s best known for. Even years later, his style can still be considered as timeless which is a testament to his technique and career.
Cobrinha BJJ 7 Volume Set by Cobrinha
This is a mammoth DVD set and has 3 discs, so you know that no stone has been unturned. As it happens, it’s also taught by the legendary Cobrinha. Real name Ruebens Charles, Cobrinha shows you through a guard masterclass and uses some of his favorite positions. This includes closed, butterfly, half, spider, and inverted guards.
As a result, you can gain a very comprehensive understanding of some of the most important and fundamental guards from this set alone. This clocks in at nearly 3 hours and 40 minutes, so there’s a lot to learn.
The Triangle by Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall probably has one of the best triangle chokes ever, so where better to start than this DVD? Even if you’re years-deep into training BJJ, then you can still learn plenty from the wizard. As Hall has also competed MMA in the UFC, you know his techniques are tested for self defense too.
Here he shows various set ups, such as getting the triangle from a hip-bump sweep, and also how to finish them more efficiently. Whilst many people can get by at being ok at triangles, very few are truly good at them. This is what Hall tries to teach you, and improve your entries and finishes with the triangle in the process.
Rigan Machado BJJ by Rigan Machado
Rigan Machado is one of the legendary Machado brothers and comes with the reputation to match. Here, the DVD set is divided into 6 different sections. These sections include leglocks, chokes, half guar, and no gi.
Not only this but this DVD is incredibly long, and is almost 6 hours in length. Even though the Machado’s are now considered old in BJJ, these techniques are fundamentally sound. Simply put, without the Machado’s, the BJJ landscape of today would look drastically different. With this said, these moves are timeless.
Timeless Jiu Jitsu by Fernando Terere
With 9 DVDs, this is a literal library of techniques by Fernando Terere and is solely in the gi. Here, Terere begins standing and shows his best takedown techniques. This is the man who arguably had the best takedowns in BJJ during his prime. He also shows various ground moves from passing the guard, to playing the guard…all of this is done in true Terere fashion which includes a lot of torreando passing and gi grips.
In short, you can literally create and mimic an entire game from this DVD alone. It’s not a bad game to copy either, as Terere became a world champion by these methods and did it in style too. If you’ve ever wondered what his ‘Favela Jiu Jitsu’ is about, then this DVD will show you.
BJJ Solo: The Ultimate BJJ Workout Program by Various
Whilst navigating through BJJ, it’s ideal to do a bit of solo training on the side. Whilst this isn’t imperative, it is important. Here, there’s three DVDs that go from beginner through to advanced. The idea is to be able to workout at home, whilst also learning key movements to help improve your BJJ.
These moves include the likes of shrimps, technical standups, and granby rolls. For beginners, learning these movements is crucial. However, even for veteran practitioners, they’re also massively important and as the saying goes…drillers make killers.
How to defeat bigger, stronger opponents by Stephan Kesting
Stephan Kesting is known as a popular figure in BJJ who teaches a wide array of subjects. This particular DVD is focused entirely on no gi, which is typically where smaller opponent’s struggle. The point of this DVD is to be able to not just survive against giants, but to thrive. From guard retention and weight distribution on the bottom, to efficient submissions and passing, it has it all.
This also features Emily Kwok, who is a notoriously tough grappler and smaller woman. If she’s telling you what to do here, then you know it works as she’s lived it as a smaller, weaker grappler and has made a system to suit her and other smaller practitioners.
Gracie Jiu Jitsu street defense by Rorion and Rener Gracie
We should also mention that this DVD is made by the descendants of a certain Helio Gracie, who is credited as the founder of BJJ. With this said, it doesn’t get much better than that. With regards to the actual DVD, this shows the typical self defense aspects that are commonly associated with Rorion and Rener Gracie.
Now doing their popular combatives courses, this DVD dips into that area of the martial art, and unlike many on this list, is less about the sports aspect as a result. Because of this, you won’t see much taught about points, but you will see how to defend from the ground and fight smart. Arguably, this sort of stuff is lost in modern BJJ which is a shame, as that’s where its roots come from.
Jiu Jitsu Revolution by Saulo Ribeiro
This is a three part DVD pack that includes gi and no gi. Saulo is one half of the Ribeiro brothers who are iconic and are best known for having the ridiculously tough guards to pass. For instance, Xande Ribeiro’s guard hasn’t been passed in over 10 years of competition which says it all. Like Terere’s set, this DVD course is designed to guide you through every part of the Ribeiro game plan.
This includes takedowns, guard playing, passing and is shot in both gi and no gi sections. In many ways, this DVD is as rounded as they come and you could argue that the Ribeiro’s are some of the most under rated BJJ practitioners ever.
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Allstars by Various
Back in the day, this DVD was released by the cream of the 10th Planet crop. It features Denny Prokopos, Sean Bollinger, and Scottie Epstein. These were literally the first black belts under Eddie Bravo, so they understand his system inside out and offer their own take on his branch of Jiu Jitsu.
As you can expect, this series is shot completely in no gi and also has all of the main 10th Planet moves that you can imagine. The likes of the lockdown and rubber guard are all featured, as well as a huge number of submissions. For those who enjoy the 10th Planet system, this DVD is ideal and has multiple teachers which makes it quite unique.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt Requirements 2.0 by Roy Dean
Roy Dean is well known for his philosophical, and articulate teaching style. Here, he guides beginners on what to expect to achieve their first promotion, to blue belt. For many people, the blue belt represents the first step in their Jiu Jitsu journey. With this in mind, Dean literally has an entire DVD dedicated to your progression as a newbie.
Not only this but Dean also has an even bigger DVD that is based on the progression from white belt all the way to black. Here, he shows a blueprint of certain moves, techniques and feelings that are all needed to be developed as you go through the rankings. This DVD is perfect for white belts.
Jiu-jitsu Seminar by Kurt Osiander and Sean Roberts
This DVD is focused on triangles and omoplatas, which Osiander is quite well known for. In short, if you’re after a seminar experience from your living room then this may be something to consider. Interestingly, it also comes with a 13 rating which means you’re also in store for some classic Kurt Osiander. But what did you expect? This is the least politically correct man in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after all!
The Defensive Guard by Ryan Hall
This is yet again another classic DVD by Ryan Hall. As the title suggests, this one based on guard retention and the defensive aspects of playing the guard. Too often, BJJ practitioners neglect this crucial area of their guard and suffer as a result.
Basically, Hall shows us distance management and how to play the guard on your own terms. After watching this, your transitions and understanding of when to time attacking and defending from inside the guard should improve massively.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Renzo Gracie and Craig Kukuk
Released back in 2002, this is an oldschool DVD that still holds up well today. Here, Renzo and Craig Kukuk show you through the basics that can be used from white belt through to black belt levels. This includes takedowns, defenses and escapes, chokes and joint locks.
Due to the age, it also has a self defense feel. This is certainly not a bad thing, as Renzo was known for having a good MMA career so he certainly knows what he’s talking about.
