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New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Open Guard The two Foundations Of Guard Play by John Danaher — ByteByU

New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Open Guard The two Foundations Of Guard Play by John Danaher

Discover the twin pillars of open guard and build your New Wave foundation.
Foundations of BJJ cover
  • Develop the ability to create pressure from open guard and attack with modern strategy and technique from Professor John Danaher!
  • Professor Danaher breaks down the main elements of his student’s guard success, including insights around leg locking that set their style apart from the rest of the field
  • Learn the secret to a dynamic open guard as Professor Danaher explains his dynamic energy theory
  • Use the knowledge/denial model of guard retention to hold your open guard under attack and start launching your own offense
  • Enter the legs and begin finding consistent pathways to victory by focusing on lower body no-gi techniques
  • John Danaher is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach of champion athletes like Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Craig Jones, and Georges St. Pierre
Buy Now: $197 $24

Course Content

Volume 1

9 Lessons
Introduction
0:00 - 8:52
Understanding New Wave Guard Play: 3 Key Insights
8:52 - 14:07
Connection & Grip – The First Action From Guard is Grip
14:07 - 40:33
Four Limbed Gripping
40:33 - 44:40
Inside & Outside Position/Control
44:40 - 52:59
2 On 1 Gripping
52:59 - 1:14:14
The Theory of Handles
1:14:14 - 1:25:02
Gripping Tempo
1:25:02 - 1:33:01
Gripping With Direction
1:33:01 +

Volume 2

11 Lessons
The Secret to Successful Guard Play: Dynamic Energy Theory
0:00 - 5:33
The Law of Shoulders & Hips (Push Pull Dynamic Knees)
5:33 - 14:11
The Law of Heel & Toes (Push Pull Dynamic Standing)
14:11 - 21:53
The Law of Head Under/Head Over (Under Over Dynamic)
21:53 - 7:54
The First Skill of Guard Play: Retention
7:54 - 11:37
The Knowledge/Denial Model of Guard Retention
11:37 - 13:53
The Six Elements of Guard Passing – Distance
13:53 - 16:10
Grip
16:10 - 18:09
Angle
18:09 - 43:46
Level
43:46 - 45:57
Penetration & Pin
45:57 +

Volume 3

14 Lessons
3 Critical Elements of Guard Retention – The Theory of Demarcation
0:00 - 10:52
Essential Body Movements For Guard Retention
10:52 - 12:30
Foot Pummeling
12:30 - 17:15
Crossovers
17:15 - 19:59
High Leg
19:59 - 2:26
The Inverted Spin
2:26 - 8:14
The Scissor and Sit
8:14 - 13:44
The Pendulum
13:44 - 44:00
Scissor and Roll
44:00 - 50:51
Shrimping
50:51 - 55:18
Reverse Shrimping
55:18 - 57:40
Scooting
57:40 - 1:01:02
Framing
1:01:02 - 1:20:02
Framing High & Low / The Law of Feet & Hips
1:20:02 +

Volume 4

4 Lessons
Applications – Mobility Based Passes
0:00 - 7:39
Pressure Based Passes: Stack, Body Lock & Knee Cut Passing
7:39 - 13:13
Going Beyond the Knowledge/Denial: A Maximizing Theory of Guard Retention
13:13 - 20:27
The Golden Rule of Counter Offense from Guard Retention & Putting It All Together
20:27 +

Volume 5

5 Lessons
The Second Skill of Guard Play: Constant Threat Theory
0:00 - 4:57
The One Target Your Opponent Can Never Hide From
4:57 - 14:03
Direct Attacks on the Legs From Guard – 2 on 1 Ankle Entries
14:03 - 15:51
Partial Inversions From Distance
15:51 - 50:44
Shin to Shin Entry
50:44 +

Volume 6

5 Lessons
Single Leg Entry
0:00 - 2:30
Double Leg Entry
2:30 - 8:59
Reverse Double Leg Entry
8:59 - 15:48
Irimi Ashi Cross Catch
15:48 - 49:00
Cross Catch to Hip Pin
49:00 +

Volume 7

8 Lessons
X-Guard Triple Attack
0:00 - 17:21
X-Guard Momentum Entry
17:21 - 2:58
Leg Entries From Reverse De La Riva
2:58 - 15:06
Leg Entries From Reverse De La Riva Part 2
15:06 - 43:10
Leg Entries From Reverse De La Riva Part 3
43:10 - 48:45
Leg Entries From Reverse De La Riva Part 4
48:45 - 56:54
Leg Entries vs Split Squat (HQ)
56:54 - 1:10:34
Leg Entries vs Split Squat (HQ) Part 2 & 3
1:10:34 +

Volume 8

5 Lessons
De La Riva Entries
0:00 - 8:59
De La Riva Entries Part 2
8:59 - 15:27
Closed Guard Entries
15:27 - 30:36
Closed Guard Entries Part 2
30:36 - 40:54
Putting It All Together
40:54 +

What Will You Learn?

???? New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Open Guard – The Two Foundations of Guard Play
A structured and sophisticated exploration of the two essential principles underpinning effective open guard: distance management and frame dominance.

???? Course Overview

John Danaher drills down into the heart of open guard by spotlighting its foundational pillars. Instead of offering a grab-bag of techniques, this program establishes the essential mechanics that enable every sweep, attack, and transition. You'll develop a mindset that ensures your open guard is resilient, threatening, and structurally sound from the ground up.

???? What You’ll Learn

  • Foundation 1: Distance Control
    Managing distance using leg hooks, shin barriers, and foot placement
    Using body leverage and angles to maintain space without compromising posture
    Dynamic responses to passing attempts using controlled shrink and space creation
  • Foundation 2: Frame Dominance
    Optimal frames for collar, sleeve, knee shield, and C-Frame configurations
    Frame resets and pressure use to stop passes and set up sweeps or submissions
    Maintaining structural integrity while transitioning into attacks
  • Applying the Foundations
    Integrating distance and frame into live flow drills
    Entry responses to cross-pass, shin-shield, and stack-pass attempts
    Building habits to reset guard and launch attacks under passive or dynamic passing
  • Flow Integration & Partner Drills
    Flow sequences that revolve around the two foundations
    Drill setups to ingrain instinctive foot-and-hand structure under movement
    Partner and situational sparring designed to test your understanding under resistance

???? Who This Course Is For

Ideal for grapplers who want to build open guard from the ground up, starting with foundational principles; seek a system-based understanding rather than a collection of techniques; train both gi and no-gi under pressure; appreciate custody of control through structure, not strength.

✅ Key Benefits

  • Foundation-First Approach
    Creates a guard built on repeatable and reliable core mechanics.
  • Long-Term Learning
    Designed for progressive development, from basic to advanced application.
  • Flow & Drill Compatibility
    Instinctive mechanics you can train, test, and purify over time.
  • Resilience Under Pressure
    Guard that won’t easily crumble, even against aggressive passing or taller, stronger opponents.
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