"Michael Jen's Ultimate Guard Passing 1 DVD series gets my coveted 5 fingers rating. This is a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 fingers for the absolute best essential videos, and 1 finger for Junsado Ground Combat , which I actually bought years ago but threw away in revulsion.
UGP1 comes on 2 DVDs. DVD 1 has a running length of approximately 90 minutes and covers posture, breaking open the guard from the knees, the chest hug pass, and the leg on shoulder pass. DVD 2 has a running length of approximately 45 minutes and covers breaking open the guard from standing, leg on shoulder pass for open guard, passing from standing and grabbing the legs(bullfighting type passes), and has a few clips of guard passing in live sparring with Joe Moreira. Pretty much all of DVD 1 is applicable to gi or no-gi, while pretty much all of DVD 2 is suitable for gi only.
UGP1 is exactly what an instructional should be, with an ideal format and pace. There aren't that many moves, but all the major basics are covered. The average move gets 5-10 minutes of explanation with no time wasted on anything repetitive. How is this possible? For just about every single move, Jen explains:
Principles: he doesn't just show specific techniques, but also explains common principles that can be applied to many techniques. He also explains and demonstrates WHY these principles hold true. He never makes any assertion like "lean this way" or "put your hand here" without demonstrating why. This is very important. Many instructors will tell you "always do this" or "never do that", but they don't explain why. It is crucial for your understanding of jiu-jitsu to know WHY you do things. He also explains WHEN each pass is appropriate."
- Andrew Yao
"I've trained under a few blackbelts, browns, purples and none of them has ever covered the "details" that Jen covers. I have been using his videos (all of them) for a couple of years and still watch them. Every time I watch them I learn something new.
Since ordering UGP I have blown through guards that have given me trouble in the past. I have not been armbared, triangled, choked or swept. I will continue to use these techniques and just get better and better. I have other guard passing videos from "big name" competitors that I don't need anymore."
- Whiskey9
"Mike Jen's tapes are the best Guard pass tapes out there."
- Neckcranku
"The best guard passing tapes are
Mike Jen's Ultimate Guard Passing set."
- Nowhereman22000
"The Jen pin escapes is one of my first bjj video purchases and still one of my favorites."
- mentalmidget
