Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Jozef Chen recently shared his thoughts on some of the most valuable instructional content available to grapplers, highlighting three standout programs that have significantly influenced his development on the mats.
Chen’s first recommendation might surprise many in the BJJ community. He points to John Danaher‘s “Go Further Faster” instructional, specifically focusing on half guard passing and dynamic pins.
“I think this is the most underrated instructional because I’ve never heard anyone talk about it and it’s probably my top three favorite instructionals,”
Chen explained. Despite its apparent obscurity in mainstream discussions, Chen credits this program with fundamentally shaping his approach to guard passing.
“A lot of like my passing has come from there,” – Chen admitted in interview.
he noted, emphasizing how the content has become integral to his game.
The second instructional that earned Chen’s endorsement comes from Gordon Ryan, focusing on seated guard techniques. While acknowledging that this particular program receives appropriate recognition within the community, Chen found it particularly valuable during a specific phase of his training journey.
“This one was a great instructional for me just because he talked a lot about like his attacks and for me especially at the time my whole game was seated guard,”
he shared. The timing proved perfect for Chen’s development as the content aligned precisely with his primary playing style at that period. His dedication to absorbing the material was evident in his viewing habits:
“I basically I watched that like three times.”
For his third selection, Chen deliberated between two options before settling on Craig Jones‘ “Power Ride” instructional. Though he also considered Jones’ “Just Stand Up” program, Chen ultimately leaned toward the former.
“I’d lean a little bit more towards the power ride just because that one was pretty like it really…”
he began, though his explanation trailed off, suggesting the impact of the instructional spoke for itself.
These recommendations offer insight into Chen’s training philosophy and highlight how different instructional content can serve various purposes in a grappler’s development. From discovering hidden gems that transform fundamental aspects of one’s game to finding perfectly timed resources that complement existing skills, Chen’s selections demonstrate the diverse ways quality instruction can accelerate progress in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
His choices also underscore an important aspect of learning in the sport: sometimes the most transformative content isn’t necessarily the most talked-about or popular within the community. Chen’s enthusiasm for Danaher’s relatively unknown instructional serves as a reminder that valuable knowledge can be found in unexpected places for those willing to explore beyond the mainstream recommendations.
