How to Counter Jiu Jitsu — FREE Techniques & Videos
Learning how to counter jiu jitsu means shutting down common attacks, flipping bad spots, and turning defense into submissions. Below, you’ll find a curated collection of free videos and breakdowns on counters to guard passes, leg locks, sweeps, chokes, and back takes—gi and no‑gi. Compare approaches from instructors and systems like Danaher, Lachlan Giles, Priit Mihkelson, Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones, and “defensive jiu jitsu” frameworks. Watch escapes, reversals, frame-based defenses, grip fights, knee-cut and toreando counters, leg entanglement defenses, and back escape systems side‑by‑side to see what fits your game. Browse quickly, test details on the mat, and keep scrolling to refine reactions, build layered defenses, and turn opponent pressure into your momentum. Read the full Counters category guide.
Counters from Standing (2 Videos)
Defending & Countering The Kick by Beneil Dariush
$97.00 • BJJ Fanatics
In this instructional video, BJJ Black Belt and UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush teaches techniques on how to effectively counter low, mid, and head kicks. He provides advice on recognizing your opponent's movements, as well as returning fire with smart combinations of kicks and punches to catch your opponent off guard. Dariush also demonstrates techniques on how to properly check kicks, reducing their impact and how to scoop and catch kicks, enabling powerful defensive and counter strategies.
Counters from Guard Generic (4 Videos)
Sloppy Seconds: Countering The Outside Passer by Eoghan O' Flanagan
$97.00 • BJJ Fanatics
This video features world-class champion and ADCC trials winner, Eoghan O'Flanagan teaching techniques on how to counter outside guard pass attempts. It provides an in-depth explanation and demonstration on implementing counter strategies to neutralize outside guard passes and frustrate the opponent's attack. The instruction is designed to expand the defensive skills within the viewer's BJJ toolkit. This tutorial is part of Eoghan O'Flanagan's exclusive training program aiming to elevate the viewer's grappling game to a higher level.
Counters from Half Guard (2 Videos)
Half Domination Counters by Tom DeBlass
$127.00 • BJJ Fanatics
In this video, BJJ legend Tom DeBlass teaches Half Domination Counters to improve your half guard game both from top and bottom positions. DeBlass shares strategies to dismantle techniques from his renowned Half Domination series. The tutorial covers how to shut down the opponent's underhook, defend your legs, maintain your knee shield, along with other crucial concepts and positioning tips. It also includes high-percentage passes to break through elite level half guards and establish dominance when on top.
Counters from Standing — Leg Control (3 Videos)
Counter Attacks Off Takedowns by Josh Cisneros
$79.00 • BJJ Fanatics
In this video, BJJ black belt Josh Cisneros teaches effective countering techniques for takedown attempts. He shares his expertise, providing tactics not only to defend against takedowns but also to capitalize on them. Whether for competition or personal skill improvement, these strategies can be integrated to transform one's approach to countering takedown attempts.
Counters from Front Headlock (2 Videos)
Sting Like a Bee: Counter Wrestling Mastery by J'Den Cox
$97.00 • BJJ Fanatics
The video features J'Den Cox, a world-class wrestler demonstrating advanced counter wrestling techniques. He provides in-depth instruction on utilizing the front headlock position to disrupt an opponent's tactics and score. He also gives valuable tips on reading the opponent's movement to predict and successfully counter their next actions. Through this video, viewers learn to employ strategic angles in their wrestling practice.
Counters from Standing — Transitional States (1 Videos)
Creative Counter Wrestling Tricks by David McFadden
$79.00 • BJJ Fanatics
David McFadden, a decorated NCAA wrestler, instructs on counter wrestling techniques and defensive tactics. This video breaks down fundamental counters and scramble secrets of defensive wrestling. McFadden's lessons focus on strategies for stopping an opponent's attacks and subsequently transitioning to an offensive position for scoring. The tutorial covers how to intelligently respond to common takedown attempts in wrestling while also delivering key strategies applied in defensive wrestling.
Counters from Leg Entanglement (2 Instructionals)
Fighting Back From Leg locks by Nicky Ryan
$149.00 • BJJ Fanatics
The video is a tutorial by world-class black belt competitor, Nicky Ryan. He teaches viewers how to counter leg locks and transition into dominant control positions, with a focus on turning any leg lock into a back take. Ryan details how to operate from typical leg locking positions such as the cross ashi and the 50/50. The video also explains how to counter popular positions like the K guard and straight ashi. Overall, this instructional video helps in enhancing defense tactics against lower body attacks.
Mastering Wrestling Defenses & Counter Attacks by Bo Nickal
$47.00 • BJJ Fanatics
The video lesson is instructed by Bo Nickal, a wrestling expert. He educates on how to counter leg attacks effectively with innovative and efficient wrestling strategies. Bo shares his preferred techniques of defending major leg attacks, including fundamental and advanced counter holds. The instructional video aims to equip the trainee with the ability to wrestle with confidence, applying modern techniques for scrambling and defense.
Counters from Mount (2 Videos)
Counters from Octopus Guard (2 Videos)
Counters from Open Guard (2 Videos)
Counters from Various (2 Instructionals)
Killer Counter Attacks by Jake Mackenzie
$79.00 • BJJ Fanatics
This instructional video, led by renowned black belt Jake Mackenzie, focuses on various ways to counter fighters' attacks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with reversals and escapes. It outlines tactics to turn an opponent's attacks into opportunities, leading to sweeps and submissions. The three-volume collection aims to give learners the upper hand, helping them to anticipate and stay one step ahead in their combat game.
Counters From Everywhere by Frederico Silva
$39.50 • BJJ Fanatics
The video is led by instructor Frederico Silva, a black belt under Lucas Lepri. It is an instructional video that provides detailed insights into various counter techniques from different positions. These techniques include a range of tactics to counter common Jiu-Jitsu moves, such as dealing with single leg attacks, using loop chokes and flying triangles, or avoiding back takes with creative foot locks and knee bars. Silva's approach is all about making opponents second guess their moves.
Counters from Other (11 Videos)
Countering Jiu Jitsu: A Beginners Guide by Roy Dean
$99.00 • BJJ Fanatics
The video is a beginner's guide by Roy Dean on how to counter in Jiu Jitsu specifically focusing on takedown defense. He explains how to counter double underhooks into an advantageous position and demonstrates techniques such as the angled sprawl, head and arm block. Furthermore, he covers how to reverse attempts at a hip bump or other throws into a takedown of your own. He also teaches how to catch an opponent into submission moves like the arm lock when they try to pull guard.
Dynamic Defense: Turning Opponents Attacks Into Position, Points, and Pins by Sammy Sasso
$79.00 • BJJ Fanatics
This video features Sammy Sasso, an NCAA successful wrestler, teaching techniques on dynamic defense, which consists in countering various attacks and seamlessly transitioning to offense. The ultimate aim of this defense strategy is turning potential threats into scoring opportunities or even pins. The video offers digital access to a comprehensive step-by-step guide to this defensive technique through instructional videos and a playbook.
No-Mo-Platas - Baiting & Countering Triangles & Omoplatas by Adam Mazin
$79.00 • BJJ Fanatics
The video is an instructional piece by Adam Mazin, a seasoned practitioner, who demonstrates and explains how to bait and counter triangles and omoplatas. He details the techniques so you can remain ahead on the mat. The video emphasizes the importance of baiting submissions to dictate the pacing of a match. The instructional content will enhance both your offense and defense strategies.
Countering with Crab Ride by Anthony Budion
$79.00 • BJJ Fanatics
In this video, BJJ black belt Anthony Budion presents a comprehensive guide on how to efficiently utilize the crab ride counter technique. The video series combines traditional BJJ techniques with dynamic principles of the 10th Planet system. Budion teaches how to counter attacks using the crab ride and demonstrates its application in various scenarios, from competition to gym training. The video provides a systematic approach to effectively dominate positions, sweeps, and submissions with the crab ride.
Blackout Grappling Counter Cradles by David Petrone
$79.00 • BJJ Fanatics
In this video, David Petrone from Blackout Grappling demonstrates how to use the cradle as a counter to leg locks, sweeps, and scrambles. He teaches viewers how to weaponize the cradle not just for control, but as a direct counter. He explains how a wrestler transitioning to BJJ or a jiu-jitsu athlete can use his strategies to transform defense into domination and shut down tricky guard players and leg lockers. He breaks down exactly how to integrate cradle mechanics into your game.