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Standing2Ground: Upper Body Takedowns by John Danaher — ByteByU

Standing2Ground: Upper Body Takedowns by John Danaher

Bridge the gap — use upper body takedowns to bring the fight to the ground on your terms.

See why upper body takedowns offer unique advantages in submission grappling, and the highest percentage techniques for success in taking down talented opposition
Join Professor Danaher for special studies into some of his preferred upper body techniques, including the cow catcher, uki waza, sumi gaeshi, and more
Work with some of the best takedowns from control positions like underhooks, overhooks, pinch headlocks, and more
John Danaher is one of the world’s greatest grappling coaches, with championship students like Gordon Ryan, Georges St. Pierre, Garry Tonon, and more learning these systems from him at Team New Wave
Professor Danaher goes through specific takedowns that benefit older, less athletic grapplers so that any level of student can benefit from this instruction
Know more. Win more.

Buy Now: $197 $24

Course Content

Volume 1

10 Lessons

Introduction

0:00 - 4:30

Upper Body Takedown Concepts - The Central Problem of Takedowns in Jiu Jitsu

4:30 - 14:52

Advantages of Upper Body Takedowns

14:52 - 19:32

Disadvantages of Upper Body Takedowns

19:32 - 25:44

Minimum Athletic Requirements to Perform the Moves in This Video

25:44 - 31:16

Entering Into Upper Body Grips: The 3 Main Methods - The Legs as a Gateway to the Upper Body

31:16 - 33:39

Defending a Shot

33:39 - 35:22

Upper Body Grip Fighting

35:22 - 40:56

The First Great Training Method to Develop Upper Body Skills: Pummelling

40:56 - 50:49

The Second Great Training Method to Develop Upper Body Skills: Hip Jousting

50:49 +

Volume 2

10 Lessons

Special Study: The Cow Catcher - Mechanics

0:00 - 13:01

Two Approaches to the Cow Catcher: One Chin Strap First / Two Tight Waist First

13:01 - 18:20

Go Behind Setups to the Cow Catcher

18:20 - 24:19

Reactions Based Off Elbow Position

24:19 - 26:57

The Perfect Compliment to the Cow Catcher: The Roll Through

26:57 - 33:47

Opponent’s 2nd Line of Defense to Cow Catcher: Standing Up - Yoko Sumi Gaeshi

33:47 - 41:53

Ouchi Gari

41:53 - 48:04

A Great Setup For the Cow Catcher: Stopping a Shot

48:04 - 55:26

An Alternative Way of Entering the Cow Catcher: Waist First / Chin Strap Second

55:26 - 1:03:08

Drilling Scene Featuring Placido Santos

1:03:08 +

Volume 3

7 Lessons

Special Study: Uki Waza - Arm Drag and Hip Variation

0:00 - 11:40

Special Note on Arm Drag and Hip Variation

11:40 - 14:28

2 on 1 Opponent Headlocks

14:28 - 18:27

Front Headlock Uki Waza

18:27 - 22:32

Overhook Uki Waza: The Lateral Drop

22:32 - 34:11

My Favorite Setup Overhook Uki Waza (Lateral Drop)

34:11 - 37:03

2 on 1 Uki Waza For the Strongest Lateral Drop

37:03 +

Volume 4

11 Lessons

Special Study: Sumi Gaeshi - Whizzer and Wrist Vs Single Leg

0:00 - 10:40

Lat and Wrist Vs Single Leg

10:40 - 15:07

Chest Wrap Sumi Gaeshi Vs Double Leg

15:07 - 21:05

Butterfly Sumi Gaeshi Vs Double Leg

21:05 - 25:17

Sumi Gaeshi Vs High Crotch

25:17 - 29:27

Yoko Sumi Gaeshi on the Mat

29:27 - 34:12

2 on 1 Yoko Sumi Gaeshi

34:12 - 39:03

Arm Drag Sumi Gaeshi

39:03 - 44:09

Special Study: Ude Gaeshi - Mechanics

44:09 - 50:28

Application

50:28 - 54:38

Setups & Mistakes To Avoid

54:38 +

Volume 5

13 Lessons

Throwing From the Overhook - Uki Goshi (Half Hip Throw)

0:00 - 6:17

Tai Otoshi

6:17 - 9:21

One Handed Tai Otoshi

9:21 - 11:57

Uchi Mata

11:57 - 22:01

Harai Goshi

22:01 - 25:48

Uki Waza

25:48 - 30:23

Kosoto Gake

30:23 - 36:25

Throwing From the Over/Under Tie Up - Uke Goshi

36:25 - 42:33

Single Knee Drop Variation

42:33 - 46:42

Double Knee Drop Variation

46:42 - 50:28

Uki Waza

50:28 - 56:45

Ouchi Gari (Inside Trip)

56:45 - 1:02:04

Step Around Kosoto Gake & Calf-to-Calf Variation

1:02:04 +

Volume 6

13 Lessons

Double Overhooks - Understanding Double Overhooks

0:00 - 5:07

Ouchi Gari (Inside Trip)

5:07 - 10:00

Step Around Kosoto Gake

10:00 - 14:53

Calf to Calf Kosoto Gake (Outside Trip)

14:53 - 20:55

Uki Waza Lateral Drop

20:55 - 24:21

Double Underhooks - Understanding Double Underhooks

24:21 - 33:16

Step Around Kosoto Gake (Outside Trip)

33:16 - 39:33

Calf to Calf Kosoto Gake (Outside Trip)

39:33 - 53:08

Back Bend Takedown

53:08 - 56:03

Ken Ken Uchi Mata

56:03 - 1:02:19

Uki Goshi (Hip Throw) & High Lock Variations

1:02:19 - 1:05:44

Sasae Foot Sweep

1:05:44 +

Volume 7

11 Lessons

Throwing From an Underhook - Uki Goshi

0:00 - 6:45

Ogoshi (Full Hip Throw)

6:45 - 11:26

Tai Otoshi

11:26 - 17:14

Uchi Mata

17:14 - 22:59

Kouchi Trip (Small Inside Trip)

22:59 - 30:26

Placido Asks a Question

30:26 - 44:36

Pinch Headlock - Uki Goshi

44:36 - 53:49

Kosoto and Kouchi From Pinch Headlock

53:49 - 57:03

Reverse Lat Grip - Osoto Gari

57:03 - 1:08:05

Harai Goshi

1:08:05 - 1:12:26

Special Topic: Georges St. Pierre Hybrid Throw

1:12:26 +

Volume 8

7 Lessons

Upper Body Takedowns for Older/Less Athletic Athletes - Challenges & Solutions

0:00 - 4:20

Tai Otoshi From Arm Drag and Lat Grip

4:20 - 8:46

The Uki Goshi Hustle

8:46 - 11:41

Arm Drag and Hip Kouchi Trip

11:41 - 13:55

The Lateral Drop Uki Waza

13:55 - 20:11

Uki Goshi (Half Hip Throw)

20:11 - 23:45

Kouchi Trip

23:45 +

What Will You Learn?

???? Standing2Ground: Upper-Body Takedowns
A systematic, high-level takedown program focused on upper-body entries and transitions, designed specifically for jiu-jitsu grapplers in gi and no-gi settings.

???? Course Overview

"Standing2Ground: Upper-Body Takedowns" elevates the art of takedowns by teaching grapplers—and especially BJJ practitioners—to dominate the stand-up game using upper-body control and takedown mechanics rather than wrestling-only strategies. Across multiple volumes, John Danaher provides a layered curriculum of grips, entries, throws, and finishes tailored to lifter-safe, jiu-jitsu contexts.

???? What You’ll Learn

Grips & Positioning Foundation
Offensive grip strategies: collar-and-sleeve, overhooks, lapel grips, and wrist control; managing distance and posture to set up takedowns without sacrificing safety.
Upper-Body Entry Systems
Arm drags, snap-downs, clinch work to create openings; techniques for collar tie entries and cross-collar foot sweeps in both gi and no-gi.
Throw and Sweep Variations
High-level throws: uchi-mata, morote seoi-nage, adapted for BJJ; sweeps blending throw mechanics with guard transitions.
Transitioning to Control
Landing with operational control: top-side grip, chest pressure, undercontrol; maintaining posture to prevent guard recovery.
Live Situational Sparring
Practice entries, takedowns, and transitions under increasing intensity with live coaching and drilling combinations.

???? Who Should Train With It

Ideal for grapplers who want to improve stand-up entries with jiu-jitsu–friendly takedowns, prefer upper-body control over explosive wrestling finishes, and seek seamless integration into guard-passing or top-control systems—whether training gi or no-gi.

✅ Key Benefits

Systematic Approach - Develops takedowns through grip, entry, buffer, throw, and finish—each built to support the next.
Safe Efficiency - Techniques suitable for training & competition, minimizing injury risk while maximizing control.
Translational Application - Integrates smoothly with standard jiu-jitsu sequences.
Technical Depth with Context - Includes real-time practice sequences and pressure drills for mat-ready execution.