John Danaher - 47 FREE Instructional Videos

Multiple Positions Survival (Defense)

Title: Not All Self Defense Scenarios Are The Same

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: John Danaher explains that jiu-jitsu is a good self-defense method because of the varying degrees of intensity for which you can practice it.

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Side Control Survival (Defense)

Title: Frame Options With the Outside Arm

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Your options for framing with the outside arm include framing with your hand against their neck or you can get an underhook with the outside arm.

Full Mount Escapes

Title: How To Do The Perfect BJJ Mount Escape

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: This video meticulously breaks down every component of the knee-to-elbow escape and then delivers instructions for executing the perfect escape.

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Title: John Danaher's Lateral Kipping Escape

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: This video details the lateral kipping escape, which can be used to escape mount directly into a leg lock.

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Multiple Escapes

Title: The New Philosophy Of Jiu Jitsu Positional Escapes

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: This video highlights the utility of counterattacks from inferior positions. The traditional mentality of escaping positions is to escape from an inferior position to a neutral position and then to a dominant position. This new philosophy talks about the importance of a strong escape game and being able to use your opponent's attacks against them.

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Multiple Positions Escapes

Title: The Wrists As the First Layer of Defense

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: You can defend a lot of submission by knowing how to break their grip on your wrist.

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Title: The Best Jiu Jitsu Submission Escapes & How To Connect Escapes To Submissions

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: There is essentially no submission where a counter-offense isn't possible. When your opponent goes to submit you they will have to extend their body. If you can escape you might be able to find yourself in an advantageous position.

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Side Control Escapes

Title: How To Do The Perfect BJJ Side Control Escape by John Danaher (Framing)

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: This video gets very detailed and very granular about all of the specifics needed to escape a rock-solid side control.

Guard Retention

Title: Guard Retention 1st Skill by John Danaher

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary:  Danaher discusses the first fundamental skill of guard retention in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), which is movement. He emphasizes that mastering certain body movements is crucial for the successful application of techniques and concepts in BJJ. He introduces the concept of "scooting", which is the seated version of shrimping, a core movement in BJJ. Scooting is used to increase the distance between oneself and the opponent, making it easier to retain the guard. Danaher demonstrates how to perform scooting and emphasizes its importance in guard retention, especially when the opponent is trying to pass the guard. He suggests practicing this movement both solo and with a partner to master it.

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Title: How To Do Perfect Guard Retention In BJJ

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides a detailed explanation of guard retention in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes that guard retention is not just about physical flexibility but is a skill that can be learned with proper training. He outlines six fundamental requirements for a successful guard pass: breaking the connection, establishing a grip, creating an angle, closing distance, changing level, and controlling the opponent's head and shoulders. Danaher explains that as a defender, one needs to counter these steps at every stage. He demonstrates various techniques to maintain control, such as using forehand, forearm, and backhand frames, and scissoring the legs. He also highlights the importance of managing risks, especially when the opponent is close to passing the guard. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to retain guard effectively in BJJ.

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Title: Guard Retention Theory

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides an in-depth explanation of the theory and practice of guard retention in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He divides guard retention into two major areas: a general theory, which involves broad principles and concepts, and a specific theory, which involves identifying and neutralizing specific guard passes. Danaher emphasizes the importance of identifying the type of guard pass an opponent is using, understanding its strengths and weaknesses, and then neutralizing it at its weak points. He discusses seven major forms of guard passes that account for the majority of successful guard passes in competition. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively retain guard in Jiu-Jitsu.

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Open Guard Retention

Title: The Perfect Way To Understand The No Gi (Grappling) Open Guard

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher emphasizes the importance of guard retention, explaining that the ability to maintain and recover guard is crucial for successful guard play. He introduces the 'knowledge denial model', which outlines six elements an opponent must satisfy to pass guard: closing distance, establishing grips, forming an angle, level changing, exposing the torso, and pinning the head and shoulders to the mat. Danaher argues that denying even one of these elements can prevent a guard pass. He also discusses the importance of transitioning from defense to offense, particularly through leg attacks, which he asserts are always available regardless of the opponent's posture or tactics. The video is part of a series in which Danaher shares his coaching methodology and strategies for guard position.

Closed Guard Passing

Title: How to Open Closed Guard

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: A short demonstrating how to open the closed guard by John Danaher.

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Title: How To Perfect Your Guard Passing No Gi

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: He emphasizes the importance of diversifying attacks, not just focusing on leg locks but also on guard passing to attack the upper body. He discusses four scenarios for guard passing: closed guard, seated situations, supine situations, and half guard. He highlights the importance of controlling the head and hips in half guard passing, as it's the only form of passing where you control the head before you pass. He also explains the different grips used in body lock passing, and how to transition between them based on the situation. Danaher's approach to guard passing is about creating pressure and transitioning between different methods to achieve a successful pass.

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Title: Wrist Controls To Triangles

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides a detailed explanation of how to transition from wrist controls to triangles in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of securing the opponent's wrist using the bicep, which he refers to as 'feeding the wrist'. He then explains how to transition from this position to a triangle by pushing the opponent's wrist into their sternum, placing one leg over the opponent's shoulder, and using the other foot on the opponent's hip to gain height. He also discusses the importance of controlling the opponent's posture and securing a good initial bite on the triangle entry. He concludes by demonstrating how to lock up the figure of four to secure the triangle choke. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively transition from wrist controls to triangles in Jiu-Jitsu.

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Guard Passing

Title: 5 Tips To Pass ANY Guard

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: John Danaher sharing his insights on how to effectively pass any guard in Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes five key principles: maintaining posture and balance, breaking connections, managing distance, gaining advantage within a neutral position, and transitioning from controlling the hips to the head. He elaborates on each principle with detailed explanations and demonstrations, such as the importance of keeping your chest higher than your hips, breaking your opponent's points of connection, using distance as a weapon, and seeking a mechanical or tactical advantage in a neutral position. He concludes by stressing the importance of completely shutting down your opponent's hips before transitioning to controlling the head.

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Half Guard Passing

Title: How To Do The Perfect Jiu Jitsu Half Guard Passing

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: The first concept that is highlighted about passing half guard is to control the head first and pass the guard/hips second. After that, the video gets into the half-guard pass. This starts in half guard and you flatten your opponent out by moving your hips. You will also get a cross-face. From this point, you use your arm or elbow to push your leg into a three-quarter mount. While maintaining pressure move your top leg over and around you to get to a position where you are leaning on your side. Keep the cross-face to hold your opponent down and then push your opponent's leg to free your leg. This will allow you to move into side control.

Ashi Garami Submissions

Title: John Danaher Leg Lock Instructional

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides a detailed tutorial on how to execute a powerful leg lock series from the cross ashi garami and inside sankaku positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of controlling both of the opponent's legs and creating a dilemma between a break on the secondary leg and a more severe break on the primary leg. He demonstrates how to transition from an achilles lock on the secondary leg to an inside heel hook on the primary leg, using the opponent's reaction to the initial threat. He also discusses the importance of grip placement, directionality of force, and transitioning between different ashi garami positions to maximize breaking pressure. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively use leg locks in Jiu-Jitsu.

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Back Mount Submissions

Title: How To Perform The Perfect Rear Naked Choke

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: The perfect rear-naked choke begins by controlling your opponent so that they can't turn into you. From there you will have to deal with them pushing their chin to their chest. Once you get your first hand around their neck you want to hide it behind the shoulder. Your second hand will then slide behind your opponent's neck in a way so that they can't intercept it.

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Closed Guard Submissions

Title: How To Build The Perfect BJJ Closed Guard Game by John Danaher

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: John Danaher is a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) coach and instructor known for his systematic approach to teaching BJJ. In this guide, we'll explore his insights on building the perfect BJJ closed guard game.

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Title: How To Do The Perfect Triangle Choke Even If You Have Short Legs

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides a detailed tutorial on how to execute a triangle choke effectively, even if you have shorter legs. He emphasizes the importance of body positioning and angle, rather than leg length, in executing a successful triangle choke. He demonstrates how to control the opponent's posture, get off-line to an angle, and eliminate the opponent's shoulder from the lock of the triangle. He also explains how to lock the figure of four and the importance of pointing the knee inwards towards the crotch to create a tight strangulation. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively execute a triangle choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, regardless of leg length.

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Full Mount Submissions

Title: Learn How To Do The Perfect Jiu Jitsu Mount Attack

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides a comprehensive guide on how to execute a perfect mount attack in Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of creating panic reactions in the opponent by attacking their breathing, which he argues is a more effective strategy in submission grappling where striking is not allowed. He explains the four-step process to achieve this: establishing an underhook, gaining head control, lifting the opponent's head off the floor, and transitioning to a high mount. He also discusses the importance of maintaining a high mount to shut down the opponent's main avenues of escape and to suffocate them, leading to panic reactions that make it easier to submit them. The video is a detailed exploration of the strategies and techniques that can be used to effectively control and submit an opponent from the mount position in Jiu-Jitsu.

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Title: How To Do The Perfect Armbar

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: To get the armbar, you are going to need to get your opponent's elbows away from their body. John accomplishes this by getting a cross face and then using the opposite hand as an underhook that walks up, which should separate the arm. Once your get the elbow to the centerline above your opponent's head, you will hug the head and slide up to s-mount. Holding the arms you will then bring the leg by their head over their head. You can do this by hunching over and bringing your ear to your opponent's thigh. Once you sit back John goes into critical details of how to break the arms and apply the armbar.

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Half Guard Submissions

Title: The High Elbow Guillotine by John Danaher

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: He emphasizes the importance of maintaining distance between the opponent's shoulder and your chest, as well as the positioning of the head and hands. He explains that the head should move from one shoulder to the other, and the hands should be positioned between the opponent's shoulder and neck. He demonstrates how to achieve the high elbow position by moving the head and maintaining distance. He also discusses the importance of preventing the opponent from covering your elbow, which can be achieved by pulling the elbow back. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively execute a high elbow guillotine in Jiu-Jitsu.

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Multiple Positions Submissions

Title: 3 Most Important Jiu Jitsu Strangles (Chokes)

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Three most important strangles are: sliding collar strangle, cross collar strangle, ezekial strangle.

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North-South Submissions

Title: North/South Strangle - Finishing With 2 Hands

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides a detailed tutorial on how to execute a North/South strangle using two hands in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of starting off chest to chest, turning the hip slightly down, and walking across the center line while going down the body. He demonstrates how to lock the hands, use them to push the body away from the opponent, and shift towards the center line. He also explains how to bring the shoulder down onto the esophagus to complete the strangle. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively execute a North/South strangle in Jiu-Jitsu.

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Side Control Submissions

Title: Perfect Attack From Side Control

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Side control offers huge advantageous in mobility copared to the other positions. When you can generate movement you can generate submissions. For side control you want to fight your opponent at the elbows. To get the nearside elbow move away from the elbow so you can steal the inside position. To get the outside elbow use the ten finger method. Once you get inside both elbows there are many attacks that you can go for. 

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Title: How To Do The Perfect Kimura From Side Control

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: John Danaher delivers exceptional wisdom into the secrets of finishing the kimura from side control. Among many things, he talks about the importance of having a pushing and a pulling hand and using the pulling hand to create tension on the shoulder. Watch the video for crucial tips.

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Turtle Submissions

Title: Clock Strangle - Strangle Without Hooks

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: The clock strangle starts from turtle and allows you to get a strangle without getting hooks in.

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Title: Entries Into Rear Triangle Back Position

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: The turtle position can be used as an entry to the rear triangle. John Danaher gives a detailed explanation of this entry and how to finish the submission.

Takedown Basics

Title: How To Do The Perfect Jiu Jitsu Takedowns

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: John Danaher discusses principles for effective takedowns.

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Standing Takedowns

Title: What's wrong with BJJ Takedowns?

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: In the video, renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) coach John Danaher discusses three main issues with the current state of the standing game in BJJ. Firstly, there's a motivational problem, as many practitioners don't see the necessity to learn takedowns. Secondly, he criticizes the coaching methods, where takedowns are often taught in isolation or techniques from other martial arts are added without considering the different rules and objectives. Lastly, he highlights the training problem, where there's a disproportionate focus on ground training compared to standing training. He emphasizes the need for strategic selection of techniques, more standing training, and motivating students to learn takedowns.

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Title: The Easiest Jiu Jitsu No Gi Takedowns

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher explains the fundamentals of executing successful takedowns in No Gi Jiu Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of working from dominant positions, such as the standing rear body lock and short offense positions, rather than neutral positions. He argues that takedowns are easier and safer from these dominant positions, as they reduce the risk of counter-attacks. Danaher also highlights the importance of understanding the scoring criteria in Jiu Jitsu, which often involves maintaining a position with one hip and one shoulder on the floor for three seconds. He suggests that the rear mount position is the most effective for scoring and submission, and encourages practitioners to view takedowns as the opening move, with the rear mount as the closing move.

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Title: The Complete Skills For The Jiu Jitsu Standing Game

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher discusses the historical weaknesses in Jiu Jitsu, particularly leglocks and the standing game, and how the sport has evolved to address these. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the standing game as a complete part of the sport, rather than just learning a few random takedowns. The video covers preliminary skills, front takedowns, back takedowns, and unique skills to Jiu Jitsu, such as mat returns and guard pulling. Danaher also discusses the importance of countering takedowns and the potential for scoring with takedown counters. He concludes by highlighting the need for Jiu Jitsu athletes to learn standing submissions, pulling opponents directly into a submission hold from a standing position.

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Title: Introducing Feet To The Floor: John Danaher's System of Bringing an Opponent To The Ground in BJJ

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: The series aims to address the often overlooked standing skills in BJJ, covering a wide range of techniques beyond just takedowns. Danaher emphasizes the importance of understanding front and rear takedowns, effective guard pulling, countering takedowns, and pulling an opponent into a submission hold from a standing position. He envisions a future where BJJ practitioners have a mature standing game, making guard pulling a tactical choice rather than a necessity. The video also highlights the evolution of leg locks in BJJ, which went from being a weakness to a strength, and Danaher expresses optimism that the same can happen with standing skills.

Closed Guard Fundamentals

Title: John Danaher Explains Closed Guard Fundamentals

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: He emphasizes that the closed guard is not just a neutral position, but can be advantageous if used correctly. He discusses the importance of controlling distance, having the tactical initiative, and the concept of higher hips. He also addresses the common concerns about the vulnerability to leg attacks and the perceived requirement of long legs for effective closed guard. Danaher explains that every battle from the closed guard is essentially a battle over posture, and the goal is to break the opponent's posture and move from neutral to dominant positions. He also provides strategies to enter the closed guard from an open guard situation. The video is a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively utilizing the closed guard in BJJ.

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Half Guard Fundamentals

Title: How To Build The Perfect Half Guard Game For No Gi

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: In the video titled "How To Build The Perfect Half Guard Game For No Gi by John Danaher", Danaher provides a detailed explanation of how to develop an effective half guard game in No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He discusses the concept of the 'essential contradiction' in half guard, where the position can be advantageous for both the top and bottom player depending on the positioning of the outside shoulder and hip. He emphasizes the importance of keeping the outside shoulder and hip off the mat to maintain control and create opportunities for attacks. He also introduces the concept of mixed strategy between Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling for No-Gi sweeps, where transient grips are used to off-balance the opponent and then wrestling takedowns are used to complete the sweep. He demonstrates these principles through various techniques, including the knee lever sweep and leg lock attacks. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively use the half guard in No-Gi BJJ.

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Title: How To Build The Perfect Half Guard Game

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: John Danaher, a renowned BJJ coach, explains the paradox of the half guard position, which can be both a top passing position and a bottom sweeping position, depending on who controls the bottom athlete's head and shoulders. He emphasizes the importance of controlling distance, protecting the head and shoulders, and understanding the opponent's center of gravity. Danaher also introduces the concept of quadrant theory, which involves identifying and controlling the opponent's bases of support to execute successful sweeps. He demonstrates various techniques, including the back roll sweep, and explains the importance of action-reaction dynamics in BJJ. The video is a valuable resource for athletes looking to enhance their half guard game, regardless of their speed or physical attributes.

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Multiple Positions Fundamentals

Title: The Importance Of BJJ Fundamentals by John Danaher

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher and Bernardo Faria discuss the importance of understanding and mastering the fundamentals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). They emphasize that fundamentals are not just a phase to pass through but the bedrock of the entire game. The video highlights the importance of continual refinement of fundamental skills throughout one's BJJ journey. They also discuss the concept of 'fundamental' moves, explaining that these are moves that have broad applicability across all levels of practitioners, regardless of their body type or weight category. The video includes a detailed demonstration of the scissor sweep, explaining how it embodies key principles of BJJ, such as grip, balance disruption, and weight distribution. They also discuss the importance of combining fundamental techniques to enhance effectiveness.

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Title: What Are The Most Important Skills Needed For A BJJ Blue Belt

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: John Danaher discusses the most important skills needed for a BJJ blue belt. He emphasizes that there's no set criteria or specific moves that guarantee a blue belt, but there are certain skills that should be developed. The first and most crucial skill is the ability to escape from someone of similar training experience. He demonstrates the elbow escape from side and mount positions as key techniques. The second skill is the ability to be effective from both top and bottom positions, for which he demonstrates the hook sweep. The third skill is the ability to pass the opponent's guard, for which he demonstrates the knee slice guard pass. Lastly, he emphasizes the importance of having an effective offense, demonstrating a strangle from the back using the opponent's jacket. He concludes by stating that these skills, while not exhaustive, are fundamental to the progression from white belt to blue belt in BJJ.

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Open Guard Fundamentals

Title: Understanding The Open Guard In BJJ

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: Danaher provides an in-depth explanation of the open guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes that the open guard is not a single position but a complex system with numerous variations and sub-variations. However, he argues that the complexity can be managed by understanding a few fundamental principles. One of these principles is the concept of double directionality, which involves applying two forces in opposite directions at the same time to create a rotational torque on the opponent. He demonstrates this principle through various techniques, including the hook sweep, scissor sweep, and arm trap sweep. He also discusses the importance of grip strategy and creating a line of tension through the opponent's body. The video is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively use the open guard in BJJ.

Title: The 3 Most Important Jiu Jitsu Techniques For A BJJ White Belt

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: 1. Knee to elbow escape bottom mount. 2. Knee to elbow side control. Back mount escape.

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Title: Go Further Faster: BJJ Fundamentals (Gi)

Teacher: John Danaher

Summary: The video titled "Go Further Faster: BJJ Fundamentals (Gi) by John Danaher" features Danaher explaining his approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training. He emphasizes that fundamentals are not just a set of moves, but also include the movements that underlie the moves and the concepts that connect them. He divides the skills of the sport into three areas: standing position, ground position bottom, and ground position top, each with five fundamental skills. He also discusses the importance of having a strong foundation in these fundamentals, as any weakness in them can limit a practitioner's potential. He concludes by expressing his belief that individuals can significantly reinvent their physical skills within a five-year span.