Handfighting for BJJ by Jake Herbert

Check Out a Free Sample:

What Will You Learn?

Unlock the under‑used but powerful world of standing control with Handfighting for BJJ by Jake Herbert—an elite‑level program built to help grapplers seize the initiative from the very first hand tie. Whether you’re a BJJ practitioner looking to dominate takedown entries, a wrestler transitioning to submission grappling, or a competitor aiming to dictate the pace and structure of a match, this course gives you the tools to become the first mover.

In this system, Jake draws on his high‑level folkstyle and freestyle wrestling background (including U.S. National Team and Olympian credentials) to translate hand‑fighting concepts into the context of Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu. You’ll learn how to win first contact, control the tie battle, impose your agenda, and convert hand‑fighting advantages into takedowns, guard passes, top control or submission setups.

From basic grip‑control fundamentals to advanced tie‑break chains and reaction attacks—this course gives you a methodical framework and drill‑rich curriculum designed to make you the “grab‑artist” in standing exchanges. If you’ve ever felt that your entries, posture, or stand‑up transitions lack structure or momentum, Handfighting for BJJ will give you the missing link.

Key Benefits & Bullet Points

What you’ll gain:

• Win the first contact battle – Learn how to shut down your opponent’s preferred grips, establish dominant hand‑ties, and force them to fight your agenda.

• Footwork, positioning & tempo – Develop the movement, timing and spatial awareness to control the tie‑up phase, create angles, and destabilize your opponent before the takedown begins.

• Tie‑breaking systems & transitions – Move from stalls into offense: break unwanted grips, chain from neutral to dominant ties, and set up entries with intent.

• High‑percentage entries from hand‑fighting – Convert your hand‑tie dominance into takedown opportunities (shots, trips, off‑balance attacks) and seamless transitions into ground grappling.

• Stand‑up to ground flow for BJJ – Bridge the gap between your standing battles and your ground game: hand‑fighting isn’t just for takedowns—it’s for setting the pace, dictating control, and dictating the script of the match.

• Drill‑centric system for retention and repetition – Structured drills and patterned training build muscle memory and positional confidence so you can execute under pressure.

• Adaptable for gi, no‑gi and hybrid grappling – The hand‑fighting fundamentals apply broadly, whether you’re gripping lapels, sleeves, or working from underhooks/overhooks in no‑gi.

• Mindset of the high‑level wrestler‑grappler – Tap into the mental model of someone who’s been in elite stand‑up battles and understands how to impose his will from the start.

Why This Course Stands Out

• Instructor credentials: Jake Herbert’s background as an elite wrestler gives the course a hard‑wired understanding of tie‑ups, control and tactical posture—offering insights many grapplers don’t typically access.

• The gap‑bridge: Many BJJ courses focus on ground positions and submissions; this course zeroes in on the phase before the shot—the hand‑tie battle that determines whether your takedowns or guard passes even get started.

• Functional and systematic: Rather than show a handful of “moves,” you receive a structured system—grip entry, control, chain attack, conversion—that you can train repetitively and integrate into your overall game.

• Training‑rich: Emphasis on drills, partner work and live application means you can move from watching to executing with clarity.

• Broad applicability: Even if you don’t shoot high‑level takedowns, controlling stand‑up ties gives you bigger margin when you transition to ground grappling—especially in BJJ when posture, grips and set‑ups matter.

Ideal For

• BJJ practitioners (gi or no‑gi) who feel the “standing/entry” phase is weak or inconsistent.

• Wrestlers or practitioners of other grappling arts who want to integrate their stand‑up control into BJJ‑style transitions.

• Competitors aiming to improve their takedown success, guard pass initiations or start the roll on your terms instead of reacting.

• Coaches who want a workable framework for teaching students how to dominate the tie‑up phase rather than just reacting to it.

• Anyone who wants to move beyond “grip fighting chaos” and instead bring order, structure and offense to the hand‑fighting game.

What Exactly Do You Get?

Part 1

• Intro
• Introduction to Handfighting  Introduction to Handfighting on Your Feet
• The 4 Control Ties on Your Feet
• The 5 Theories to Handfighting

Part 2

• 5 Theories to Handfighting  Theory #1  Splitting the Man in Half
• Theory #2  Thumb to Chin
• Theory #3  Where the Head Goes the Body Follows
• Theory #4  Space for Defense and No Space for Offense ( Steven Hawkings )
• Theory #5  Control and Small Movements  Inch Your Way to Success

Part 3

• The Collar Tie  Making Contact Engagements
• Control Tie #1  The Collar Tie  Earn it and Control it
• Control Tie #1  The Collar Tie  Clear it
• Short Necks or Take it to a 2 on 1
• Quick Options to Attack
  

Part 4

• The 2 on 1 Tie  Control Tie #2  2 on 1 AKA Russian Tie  Earn it and Control it
• Control Tie #2  2 on 1 AKA Russian Tie  Escape and Defend
• Attacking Options from 2 on 1
• Attacking Options from Clearing or Countering the 2 on 1

Part 5

• The Underhook  Control Tie #3  Underhook  Earn it and Control it
• Control Tie #3  Underhook  Clear it
• Control Tie #3  Underhook  Attack Options
• Control Tie #3  Underhook  Clearing and ReAttacking

Part 6

• The Front Headlock  Control Tie #4  Front Headlock  Earn it and Control it
• Control Tie #4  Front Headlock  Clear and Escape
• Attacking from Front Headlock
• ReAttacks from Front Headlock

Part 7

• Combining Everything  Put the 4 Ties Together  The Handfighting Dance
• Moving and Control from Each Position
• Handfighting Drills
• Greco Games for Points
• Offense/Defense & Offense/Offense
• Easy in Hard Out/Hard in Easy Out
• Mental Approach
• Outro