Craig Jones BJJ Instructional Videos (Free Techniques by Position)

Craig Jones describes a competition where he applied a kneebar on a Sambo fighter, causing significant injury to the fighter's knee. He hesitated to fully execute the move but ultimately did, resulting in a broken leg. After the injury, when he attempted to help the fighter up, the leg buckled, which he found disturbing upon reviewing the footage.

Craig Jones discusses leglock defense, focusing on hiding the heel in 50/50 positions and the importance of turning the right way to avoid heel hooks. He emphasizes the challenges of defending against attacks from the inside and the risks associated with reaping pressure, advising against turning into the opponent when in a reap to prevent injury. The video highlights effective defensive strategies and the evolving nature of leglock techniques in

Craig Jones demonstrates a toe hold technique he used to win at Quintet, emphasizing the importance of positioning the elbow deep and reinforcing the hold by pushing down with the palm. He suggests grabbing the top of the knee to better access the toes for an effective tap.

The video features Craig Jones demonstrating a technique to transition from a go-behind position into a kneebar by stepping between the opponent's legs and rolling through.

The video by Craig Jones demonstrates how to use a secondary foot assist to escape from an outside heel hook attack. He explains the technique of using the second foot to apply pressure against the opponent's elbow, creating a counter force that helps slip the heel. By running the foot along the opponent's back and finding the forearm, the practitioner can increase the likelihood of escaping the submission. Jones emphasizes that this

Craig Jones demonstrates the Outside Heel Hook Kneebar technique, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a tight grip on the heel and keeping the knees facing up to achieve effective leg extension.

Craig Jones demonstrates an outside heel hook kneebar technique, inspired by Husam's approach. He emphasizes maintaining a grip on the heel while executing a reap to expose the heel, keeping knees pointed up to prevent opponents from escaping. The technique involves crossing ankles and applying pressure to achieve a quick submission, highlighting the importance of body positioning throughout the process.

Craig Jones and Lachlan Giles demonstrate how to protect yourself from heel hooks and the correct way to roll out of them. They emphasize the importance of keeping the foot flat on the ground and tucked into the opponent's hips to prevent exposure. Rolling away from the heel hook is risky unless the knee line is clear. Instead, they recommend rolling towards the heel hook while using the other leg as an anchor to

Craig Jones demonstrates the Straight Foot Lock technique, emphasizing the grip placement below the Achilles and the importance of positioning the elbow and body to effectively apply pressure to the opponent's foot, ultimately leading to a submission.

In the video "Beat The Step Over" by Craig Jones, he discusses strategies to prevent an opponent from stepping over your outside leg in half guard. He emphasizes the importance of controlling the diagonal leg while beating the crossface. Jones suggests two techniques: using a butterfly hook to trap the opponent's leg and employing a kosoto hook from a knee shield position to prevent them from hiding their foot. Both

In the video "Beat The Step Over in BJJ," Craig Jones discusses strategies to prevent an opponent from stepping over your leg in half guard. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining leg control to avoid being taken to the back. Jones suggests using a butterfly hook to trap the opponent's leg if it is hidden, or a co-soda hook from a knee shield position if the leg is exposed. These

Craig Jones demonstrates a technique for executing an armbar from the Z-Half Guard position, focusing on grip and shoulder control. He emphasizes using a butterfly grip to pull the opponent's shoulder down, making it difficult for them to escape. After securing the grip, he instructs on how to maneuver the knee around the opponent's head and position the leg for the armbar, ensuring the shoulder remains loaded

Craig Jones discusses the benefits of a smaller, high-level Jiu-Jitsu training environment, emphasizing efficient grappling techniques. He demonstrates a cross grip defense against guard passing, focusing on blocking the cross face and maintaining a straight arm to gain leverage. The technique involves hooking the opponent's leg and applying pressure to control their weight, reinforcing the importance of positioning in grappling exchanges.

The video discusses the "Dog Bar," a knee bar technique demonstrated by Craig Jones, highlighting its application from a half guard top position and an over-under pass. It acknowledges Bernardo Faria's influence on the move and showcases the skill involved in executing it effectively.

Craig Jones discusses a technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to avoid being squashed during entries, emphasizing the importance of using a reaping leg to extend an opponent's weight away. He highlights that maintaining proper positioning, with the head under the hips, is crucial, and warns against pulling the opponent in, which can lead to being crushed. The technique allows for better control and movement in grappling situations

Craig Jones demonstrates a technique for escaping a Kimura from half guard by using his knee to strip the opponent's grip and transitioning to a cross position.

Craig Jones demonstrates an escape from the top half guard position by using his knee to break the opponent's grip on his arm. He emphasizes the importance of positioning the knee on the opponent's elbow to strip the grip and secure a cross face. By maintaining control and using his shoulder to create space, he transitions to a passing sequence.

The video by Craig Jones explains a technique called the "Top Lockdown Turk," which involves using two legs to control an opponent's bottom leg in a half guard position. The focus is on preventing knee retraction by locking the legs and applying hip pressure. Jones emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong position to stabilize before addressing the upper body. He also discusses transitioning to a half butterfly guard and how to

Craig Jones conducts a two-day seminar at Bangtao BJJ, focusing on the octopus guard technique on the first day, with plans to cover pinning on the second day. He emphasizes the importance of adapting traditional Jiu-Jitsu concepts to improve reversals from bad positions. The seminar attracts many eager participants, highlighting Jones's reputation as a skilled instructor and innovator in the sport.

The video features Craig Jones demonstrating an octopus guard reversal technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, accompanied by music.

Craig Jones demonstrates his favorite octopus guard sweep in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, starting from Zguard. He explains the steps: grabbing the opponent's wrist, kicking through to octopus guard, clearing the crossface, and transitioning from elbow to hand while maintaining structure. He emphasizes the importance of a strong grip and concludes with a lift and dunk motion.

Craig Jones introduces the "Reach Around" technique, also known as the Octopus Guard, which he and his training partner JB have extensively practiced. The instructional focuses on a hip bump sweep from a kosoto hook position, emphasizing the importance of creating threats to set up counters. Jones explains how to block the opponent's posting arm to successfully execute the sweep, demonstrating the mechanics and strategies involved in transitioning between

The video by Craig Jones discusses techniques for transitioning from an elbow position to front headlock attacks in grappling, emphasizing creativity and adaptability in executing moves like seated guillotines and anacondas.

The video by Craig Jones discusses various techniques and creative options for executing front head attacks in grappling. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability as training partners become more familiar with these positions. Key points include standing up when opponents back away, transitioning grips, and exploring different attack variations like the seated cutter and anaconda. Jones encourages creativity in these positions to keep opponents guessing and to enhance training effectiveness.

The video features Craig Jones discussing the most accessible guard in Jiu Jitsu, emphasizing techniques and strategies that make it easy for practitioners to implement. The content is likely instructional, focusing on practical applications and insights for improving guard play in Jiu Jitsu.

In the video, Craig Jones demonstrates techniques for baiting an opponent into Z guard. He emphasizes the importance of taking the inside hook and maintaining tight control to limit the opponent's movement. Jones explains the transition to a reverse de la Riva hook, highlighting the need to create space using the top leg and arms. He also discusses the positioning of the instep and the importance of maintaining frames while executing

In the video "Baiting Opponent Into Z Guard," Craig Jones discusses strategies for effectively engaging opponents in the Z guard position. He emphasizes the importance of positioning oneself on the opponent's weak side, typically their left, to exploit their discomfort. Jones demonstrates techniques to maintain control and prevent the opponent from advancing, including using hooks and keeping the knee inside to defend against counters. The goal is to

In the video, Craig Jones demonstrates a grappling technique from the Z-Guard position, focusing on countering a cross face. He explains the importance of foot positioning to control the opponent's movement and details a method to secure an arm and transition into an armbar. The technique involves using a Gable grip and manipulating the opponent's body to create openings for submission.

In the video "Dealing with the Rau," Craig Jones discusses strategies for managing pressure from an opponent in a grappling position. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining awareness and balance when framing against an opponent, advising against excessive pushing that could lead to losing control. Instead, he suggests using underhooks and adjusting pressure based on the opponent's movements, encouraging practitioners to be proactive rather than reactive to create opportunities

Craig Jones discusses transitioning from z guard to other guard positions when facing a standing opponent. He emphasizes the importance of controlling the opponent's leg to prevent them from easily passing. By combining reverse de la riva and knee shield, he demonstrates how to maintain effective control and dictate the flow of the match. Jones also touches on using z guard to set up other guards, like regular de la riva,

Craig Jones demonstrates the Arm Across Guard Armbar technique from close guard, focusing on positioning and movement to secure the armpit for the submission.

Craig Jones demonstrates the Dog Bar BJJ move, starting from an over-under position, where he scoops the ankle and transitions to attack the knee.

The video demonstrates a technique called the "Smash Pass" by Craig Jones, focusing on transitioning from a base passing position to executing a knee cut. It involves faking a smash to elicit a reaction, then guiding the knee while using an underhook and adjusting the hips to position the top leg above the bottom leg for effective control.

Craig Jones demonstrates a technique called the Crab Hook, focusing on defending against a choking hand while using a frame and positioning to secure a bottom hook and control the opponent.

Craig Jones demonstrates how to finish a mandible rear naked choke when the opponent tucks their chin, making it difficult to achieve a clean strangle. He explains the mechanics of applying downward pressure and positioning the elbows correctly to effectively choke the carotid arteries, even with the chin tucked. Jones emphasizes the importance of steady pressure rather than aggressive squeezing to achieve the submission, noting that in training, opponents may

Craig Jones demonstrates the technique of using an outside hook in a rear body lock scenario, explaining how to effectively transition from a front-facing body lock to a position that allows for a successful drag down using the outside hook. He emphasizes the importance of knee positioning and tension to maintain control and apply pressure on the opponent, ultimately leading to a favorable position.

The video by Craig Jones discusses techniques for executing an arm triangle choke and transitioning to an Ezekiel choke when the arm triangle fails. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining pressure and positioning to prevent the opponent from escaping, particularly by keeping their shoulder on the ground. If the opponent bridges away, the technique shifts to using the Ezekiel choke by aligning the secondary arm with the spine and pushing the opponent's head

The video discusses Craig Jones' "Power Ride" philosophy for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), highlighting his innovative techniques for pinning and control. It reflects on his journey as a grappler, his influences, and how he developed his style, particularly after facing challenges with opponents countering his leg lock game. The video aims to explore the implementation of Jones' concepts into viewers' own B

In the video "Inside Position" by Craig Jones, the instructor discusses the use of different grips in grappling, particularly the reinforced grip versus the inside elbow grip. He emphasizes that while the reinforced grip offers more options, including knee bars, the inside grip can still be effective for creating space and transitioning to leg attacks. Jones encourages creativity in using grips and highlights the importance of adapting techniques based on the

In the video "Triangle Escape - Legs Over" by Craig Jones, he demonstrates a technique for escaping a triangle choke by crossing the legs in front of the opponent and using flexibility to create space for leg attacks. He explains that this method can be effective even for beginners and emphasizes the importance of adjusting the escape based on individual flexibility. The technique involves either sitting down or standing up to throw the legs over

In "Triangle Escape 1," Craig Jones demonstrates how to escape a triangle choke by crossing his legs in front of his opponent's body, making it difficult for the opponent to finish the triangle. This position allows him to push himself out and potentially attack the opponent's legs.

The video demonstrates techniques for executing a triangle escape in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing flexibility and positioning.

In the video, Craig Jones demonstrates a body lock foot post technique, focusing on securing a single hand grip and using a butterfly hook to manipulate an opponent's leg. He emphasizes maintaining pressure and control while walking over the hook to achieve a dominant position.

Craig Jones demonstrates a variation of the body lock pass in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on transitioning grips and using a deep hip grip for stability. He explains how to manage an opponent's butterfly hook by framing against the hip and securing the ankle, allowing for effective movement and control. The technique emphasizes adaptability to keep opponents guessing and mitigate risks, particularly against flexible opponents.

Craig Jones demonstrates body lock passing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the importance of closing the gap between the ear and shoulder to prevent opponents from sitting up or framing. He explains the technique of sitting on his own butt to effectively step over the opponent's knee, overcoming challenges in maintaining pressure and positioning.

Craig Jones demonstrates a variation of the hip bump sweep from closed guard, focusing on entering the front senkaku position. Instead of the traditional sweep, he uses a collar tie to make his opponent post a hand on the floor, allowing for a transition to the front senkaku. This technique is effective against opponents who are high in posture and not actively engaging. The key steps include using the collar

Craig Jones demonstrates a hip bump entry from closed guard, focusing on a simple yet effective technique against opponents who are high and inactive. He emphasizes using a collar tie and lifting the hips to create a bump, aiming for a front S-mount position rather than a sweep. Depending on the opponent's reaction, he either secures the front S-mount or adjusts his legs to maintain control.

The video features Craig Jones demonstrating a sweep from the headquarters position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, accompanied by music.

Craig Jones demonstrates the leg weave pass to knee ride in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the importance of securing a strong hook and flaring the knee to control the opponent's movement and transition to dominant positions.

In the video "Smash Pass by Craig Jones," Craig Jones demonstrates a technique for executing a smash pass in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He explains the importance of faking a movement to elicit a reaction from the opponent, which allows for effective transitions into leg locks. Jones emphasizes controlling the opponent's hips and positioning his legs strategically to maintain pressure and limit their movement. He provides detailed instructions on

Craig Jones discusses finishing techniques from the 50-50 guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the importance of positioning and mechanics. He explains that to effectively finish a heel hook, practitioners should avoid being flat on their back, as this allows opponents to defend more easily. Instead, he recommends finishing on one side to apply pressure and leverage effectively. Jones highlights the similarities in breaking mechanics between the

Craig Jones discusses the Back Side 50/50 position in grappling, emphasizing its effectiveness against opponents who resist giving up bottom position. He explains that this position works best when the opponent is uncomfortable on the bottom and may attempt to escape by ripping their leg out, which can expose their heel. Jones highlights the importance of backstepping as a strategic move to maintain control, especially against well-rounded grap

Craig Jones demonstrates a grip technique to defend against heel hooks and leg attacks from the 50-50 position in no-gi grappling. He emphasizes the importance of a tight waist grip on the opponent's far hip to neutralize attacks and safely transition back to standing. This grip prevents the opponent from applying knee bar pressure or exposing the heel, allowing for effective escapes and passing opportunities.

Craig Jones demonstrates the far side underhook pin, explaining its effectiveness even from side control. He emphasizes isolating the far side underhook and combining it with a cross face for powerful pins. The technique involves pulling the underhook towards you and placing your shoulder on the ground above it to immobilize the opponent, making it difficult for them to escape, regardless of size differences.

Craig Jones demonstrates a single leg escape technique, emphasizing the importance of bridging, positioning hands, and using body movement to effectively escape from a hold.

Craig Jones demonstrates a single leg escape from side control, emphasizing the importance of creating space and using an underhook to avoid being mounted. He explains the technique of bridging to push the opponent away, securing a single leg position, and maintaining control to prevent the opponent from advancing. The key steps include framing on the hips, pummeling for position, and transitioning to a scramble to regain control.

The video by Craig Jones explains that the ultimate goal when an opponent is against the fence is to lock hands in a "double X" position, referred to as a "lock double." This position makes it easy to take the opponent down, as it is difficult for them to defend against the takedown once the hands are locked. The emphasis is on achieving this locked position for effective control and tak

Craig Jones explains the concept of "wrestling up" in grappling, emphasizing that it is ineffective against a wall or cage. He illustrates how positioning and leverage can prevent an opponent from successfully wrestling up when pressed against a barrier, contrasting it with open space where such techniques are more viable.

Craig Jones analyzes the ninja choke technique used by Leon Edwards against Kobe Covington at UFC 296, highlighting how Edwards effectively uses his arm grip to control Covington's posture and secure the submission.

Craig Jones demonstrates a takedown technique from a standing rear body lock position, involving moving between the opponent's legs and lifting them.

Craig Jones demonstrates a standing rear body lock takedown technique, inspired by Zakara's move against Henzo Gracie. He explains the importance of quickly transitioning grip positions to prevent the opponent from countering. By moving around and then stepping in front while lifting the opponent's hips, the opponent instinctively posts their hands down, allowing for an effective takedown.

Craig Jones discusses a technique for executing a kneebar from the turtle position, emphasizing the importance of timing and momentum. He explains that when an opponent attempts to go behind, they often step between the legs, creating an opportunity to roll through and capitalize on their movement. Jones encourages practice in realistic scenarios, highlighting that this technique is particularly effective against opponents who are trying to take the back or improve their

In the video, Craig Jones discusses the advantages of using wrestling techniques, particularly the ability to stand up, to counter Jiu-Jitsu strategies. He emphasizes how skills from wrestling, like the power half and hip sit, can disrupt an opponent's posture and control, making them effective in both MMA and grappling contexts. Jones illustrates these concepts with demonstrations, highlighting the importance of adaptability in grappling situations

The video by Craig Jones discusses using a claw grip combined with a spiral ride for superior control in jiu-jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of staying behind the arms to prevent opponents from reversing positions and highlights the advantages of open hands over locked ones to avoid being trapped. The technique focuses on manipulating the opponent's spine and structure to limit their movement and enhance control, particularly by lifting their leg to reduce

Craig Jones demonstrates safe training principles in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the importance of control during armbar techniques. He explains that a successful armbar doesn't require full extension if the opponent is moving; instead, the break occurs when they stop. Jones encourages practicing escapes with a focus on maintaining control without risking injury, highlighting that training partners should prioritize safety and communication.

In the video "Creating Movement" by Craig Jones, he discusses the details of an armbar setup, emphasizing the importance of bringing feet together for improved mobility and follow-up options. He explains how this adjustment allows for better control and the ability to create different angles for submissions, especially when facing strong opponents. By not being locked down and instead moving around the opponent's body, practitioners can effectively transition to

Craig Jones analyzes Islam Makhachev's D'arce choke technique, emphasizing the importance of proper positioning and tightening the choke as it is applied.

Craig Jones demonstrates an impressive escape technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the importance of positioning and hip movement to successfully evade a submission.

In the video, Craig Jones discusses his strategy for executing a guillotine choke against Kyle Bame. He emphasizes the importance of setting up the shot by exploiting Bame's tendency to rely on strength from the bottom. Jones aims to fatigue Bame by keeping him in a "gray area" during scrambles rather than fully committing to passing, which would allow Bame to relax and defend effectively.

The video by Craig Jones explains the importance of the chin strap in executing guillotine submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A chin strap involves securing the opponent's chin with the palm of your hand, which is crucial for controlling their head and preventing them from escaping. Jones emphasizes the need to retract your elbow and turn the opponent's head to maintain control and avoid being countered. Mastery of

Craig Jones teaches a technique for finishing an arm triangle in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, explaining why traditional methods often fail. He highlights that when the opponent steps off, their weight shifts, allowing for escapes. Jones demonstrates how to maintain control by keeping weight on the opponent and adjusting body positioning to prevent escapes. He encourages practice of these concepts to improve effectiveness in applying the arm triangle.

Craig Jones demonstrates a triangle choke setup from the mount position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining control and using body weight effectively to secure the position. By using a fist on the opponent's neck and under the armpit, he creates leverage to lift the opponent and transition into the triangle choke. Jones highlights the need for proper positioning and grip to prevent the opponent from escaping

The video "Single Hand Dirty Foot" by Craig Jones demonstrates a drill using one hand for grappling techniques, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control and creating angles while minimizing direct contact. Jones explains how to use one hand to manipulate an opponent's movements, practice grips, and maintain pressure, all while adapting to resistance. The focus is on developing skills to frustrate the opponent and enhance control in grappling

Craig Jones demonstrates the Far Side Underhook Pin technique, emphasizing a shallow underhook grip and positioning the shoulder on the ground to control the opponent.

The video by Craig Jones discusses techniques for executing a height scramble in grappling, focusing on using the Coast Auto hook to create opportunities for sweeps and transitions. He emphasizes the importance of reacting to the opponent's movements, utilizing hip bumps, and maintaining pressure to capitalize on openings. The strategies include shooting for doubles, taking the back, and navigating leg entanglements based on the opponent's positioning and

The video by Craig Jones explains the jiu-jitsu move "De Ashi Harai," a sweeping technique used to counter opponents who attempt to escape to the edge of the mat. Jones emphasizes the importance of mirroring the opponent's stance to effectively execute the sweep when their foot comes off the ground. He illustrates this with an example from a match between Gordon Ryan and Patrick Gaudio, highlighting how

The video features Craig Jones, Bernardo Faria, and John Danaher discussing three essential submissions for BJJ black belts. They emphasize the importance of having a comprehensive approach to attacking various parts of an opponent's body. Craig demonstrates a straight ankle lock, explaining the technique and positioning for effective application, particularly against larger opponents. The focus is on creating a curve in the toes to apply pressure, enhancing the

The video features Craig Jones demonstrating a technique for taking the back in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) from a standing position using a "crab ride" method. He explains the grips and movements involved, emphasizing the importance of positioning and foot placement to secure the opponent's back effectively. The technique involves using a shallow hook with the right foot and deep grips on the opponent's legs, followed

Craig Jones demonstrates an entry from underhook De La Riva to single leg X, explaining its applications for various positions like Ashi Garami and heel hooks. He emphasizes the importance of shifting weight, pummeling deep, and maintaining control of the opponent's leg. The technique allows for sweeps and submissions, particularly in IBJJF competitions, highlighting the versatility of the single leg X position for

In the video "Knee Ride" by Craig Jones, the focus is on the knee ride position in grappling, discussing its application and strategies. Jones explains how to effectively use knee ride to transition into leg riding styles, emphasizing the importance of weight distribution to limit the opponent's ability to invert. He outlines two approaches: forcing the opponent to commit in one direction or reacting to their movements, such

Craig Jones discusses the north-south choke as an effective pinning tool in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes its utility when opponents resist being pinned, particularly in seated positions. The north-south position serves both as a submission and a strong pin, making it advantageous against wrestlers who are reluctant to accept bottom position. Jones highlights the importance of mastering this technique for its dual threat in grappling

In the video "Omoplata Opens To Legs," Craig Jones discusses how the omoplata position can be used to transition into leg attacks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of understanding various techniques, even if practitioners are not yet ready to drill them. Jones explains that upper body threats, like the omoplata, can create openings for leg attacks by forcing opponents into positions that

Craig Jones demonstrates a key principle for executing a double leg takedown, emphasizing the importance of positioning. When shooting for a takedown, it's crucial to ensure that your lower half is on the opposite side of your opponent's head to prevent submission threats like a guillotine. By lifting your opponent's legs and placing them on the opposite side of your body, you minimize their ability to finish

Craig Jones demonstrates a judo throw, emphasizing the importance of controlling the opponent's second arm and breaking their posture to execute the technique effectively.

The video discusses a wrestling technique where a sprawl can be used strategically to counter an opponent's shot. Craig Jones explains how adjusting the angle of the sprawl can prevent the opponent from upgrading their position, potentially leading to a front headlock. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics of these positions, especially for MMA fighters who are more accustomed to them than traditional jiu-jitsu practitioners. The

Craig Jones explains the technique for securing a chin strap in grappling, emphasizing the importance of turning the head and retracting the elbow to maintain control and prevent the opponent from escaping.

In the video "3 Tips For Every BJJ White Belt," Craig Jones shares insights for beginners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He emphasizes the importance of seeking information from various resources, especially when high-level instruction isn't available locally. Jones recounts his own journey, noting that he trained infrequently and had to catch up after receiving his purple belt. He highlights the significance of consistency in