Honestly, they're all excellent, at least the ones I've seen. Danaher's systematic organization and problem-solving approach is a cut above even good DVD's on the same technique area. I think my favorite is leglocks, and then probably the back attacks. I watched the Guard retention one and it was good but maybe could have been 4 discs instead of 8.
Pro tip: watch them at 1.5 speed!!!
He’s polarizing as Ryan Hall was with his sets. People made fun of his constant eye blinking, his arrogant mannerism and his habit to ad lib and use references that unless you know about boxing or certain bjj practitioners style you would be frustrated. But what did come across was his sincerity to explain what his concepts and insights into bjj and certain techniques is undisputed to me.
I rewatch his sets and it’s like a blue print of what is modern bjj in many ways. Gordon Ryan uses an open guard entry and to me, it’s very influenced by Hall’s insights. Danaher preaches the importance of grip fighting and so did Hall. Of course Marcelo Garcia is very focused on grip fighting. I think his x guard starts off with understanding grip fighting before he even covers x guard.
Lachlan has a different take where he tries to create an encyclopedia which can be a resource and not just some cool techniques about a subject.
Danaher is very specific about the do and donts. He teaches a system based only on high percentage techniques and is highly focused on principles where he hopes once you grasp those principles you can eventually create your own game and as he says repeatedly, you with his finger pointing at you can problem solve and figure things out for yourself.
Most instructors are not trained as teachers and some were as lower belts forced to teach or they have an innate ability to understand how to teach.
I do get frustrated with the slow pace but find I have difficulty watching Hall as well. I believe it has to do with the Internet which has trained us to want things short so we can be moved along to more clickbait.
It’s ironic Danaher has taken to social media readily but still mentions how a small notepad and pen to write his thoughts is still what he does.
I find Danaher instructionals ironically an easier actionable approach because it is a system that you can follow. Many on social media ranging from novice to higher belts are big fans and I can relate to that because it’s not the latest marketing hype.
Who would of thought Fundamental sets at very high cost would sell and have demand? Maybe he’s doing something right.
I think people expect secret mind blowing techniques which is ironic since so many bjj guys hate TMA.
I didn’t buy into the Ryan Hall hype but relented and was surprised at how good some of his sets were. His guard passing set even covers the far on the knees passing. His defensive guard wasn’t as good. But he was the one who introduced the layer of distance which so many reference or present as if it was their own.
On another note, anyone know about Aaron Milam?
