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The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson reviews

The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson has 97 customer reviews in this archive, averaging 5.0 out of 5. 100% are five-star and 0 are one or two stars. Reviews run from October 30, 2020 to September 29, 2026. All of them are published below in full, unedited.

Who reviewed The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson

37 of these reviewers gave their belt rank when they submitted the review. BJJ Fanatics asks for rank, age and years training at the point of review, so this breakdown is self-reported by the customer.

Where to buy it

The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson is currently listed on the BJJ Fanatics storefront at $79.00 USD. View The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson on BJJ Fanatics

The reviews

• Bizarro Danaher

  Great unorthodox game

  Sean B.September 29, 2026Verified buyerPurple belt16 yrs training

• A very effective guard system, easily incorporated into anyone's game.

  Every technique I learned from the shoulder pin guard system worked effectively and made my overall game that much more dangerous. Just watch the videos, do as you are told and watch the magic unfold.

  julianAugust 24, 2026Purple belt16+ yrs training

• Shoulder pin

  Interesting concept. I think of it as “rubber guard” for the older set. As with most of his instructionals, not all moves are for me but I can always take several moves and incorporate them into my game.

  AnonymousMay 19, 2026Verified buyerBlack belt13-15 yrs training

• Creative and nasty

  Classic Neil - great stuff you won't get from anyone else.

  Ben S.May 5, 2026United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt4-6 yrs training

• The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson

  The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson is one of those instructionals that feels different from everything else out there—in a good way. His approach to guard is aggressive, control-based, and focused on tying up the upper body so you can attack with purpose. A lot of people in the community really like how it blends into other guard styles and doesn’t lock you into one rigid system. That said, this isn’t a typical “step-by-step system” like some of the Gordon Ryan instructionals. A common theme you’ll see from others is that Melanson gives you a ton of tools and concepts, but you’ll need to experiment and build what works for your body and game. What stood out: Very unique control-based guard—great for attacking and keeping people stuck. Doesn’t rely heavily on flexibility, but certain positions can favor longer limbs or specific body types. More “toolbox” than strict system, so expect to put in mat time to connect everything. Tons of creative attacks (especially triangles, armbars, and chokes) that most people won’t see coming. At 50, I appreciated that this isn’t about speed or athleticism—it’s about control and making people uncomfortable. But I’ll be honest: this is one you have to work through, not just watch once and suddenly start hitting everything. If you like experimenting and adding unique layers to your guard, this is a great pickup.

  Scott K.March 25, 2026United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt7-9 yrs training

• Back The Shoulder Pin Guard System course review

  Great course from coach Neil Melanson

  Kenny V.March 15, 2026United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt1-3 yrs training

• The Shoulder Pin Guard

  Neil's explanations are top notch. Hiighly recommend it. Can't wait to try it on the mat.

  JT T.October 15, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt1-3 yrs training

• shoulder pin guard system

  Very good instructional

  Matt E.October 7, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt4-6 yrs training

• Favorite Trap System

  When I was a blue belt, my professor told me to pick a trapping guard to add to my game. I chose this system and it has worked wonders for my overall game and led me to studying Neil's entire system.

  Benjamin M.September 8, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBrown belt7-9 yrs training

• Fantastic as always

  This shoulder pin system has been my go to from the closed guard. It's helped a lot to keep me from being flat while in the guard.

  Daniel M.August 31, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt4-6 yrs training

• Great instructional

  Another great instructional.

  Richard F.August 30, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlack belt16 yrs training

• Neil Melanson: Shoulder Pin Guard System

  Great instructional. It easy to watch and well taught: Neil knot is a slick move from shoulder pin.

  jeremy K.August 29, 2025United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt7-9 yrs training

• Excellent seminar

  Matt E.August 10, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt4-6 yrs training

• Great stuff

  Well thought out, great techniques. Much better to be doing these to your teammates than having them do them to you!

  Ben S.June 20, 2025United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt4-6 yrs training

• Another Classic!

  Another set full of absolute treasure from Neil. Everything Neil puts out is gold

  MARK W.June 4, 2025United KingdomVerified buyerBlack belt16 yrs training

• Unique Stuff

  Really great alternatives to the classic BJJ techniques that people are more used to defending.

  Ben S.May 29, 2025United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt4-6 yrs training

• The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson

  The shoulder pin guard system is a good high guard, similar to rubber guard but easier to achieve if you lack flexibility. Neil always does a great job breaking things down and with presentation. Excellent instructional!

  Daniel P.May 26, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt1-3 yrs training

• Explained

  Neil as always goes the extra few miles in covering his techniques. I have all of his vids . And that's a quality that Neil has in all of those instructionals. Neil is IMHO a coach you want in your corner.

  Katelyn A.May 17, 2025United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt7-9 yrs training

• shoulder pin

  one of the best and simple to follow instructional around.

  Corey B.April 9, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt1-3 yrs training

• great addition to my guard

  Neil mentions mixing it with rubber and it really been helping doing that and using traditionally rubber guard grips to setup more options for finishes

  Jesse V.April 4, 2025United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt4-6 yrs training

• Nice

  Nice stuff for an older guy with bad hips.

  Joel L.March 26, 2025United StatesVerified buyer7-9 yrs training

• Excellent

  Very cool stuff on this nifty version of the guard.

  Joel L.March 19, 2025United StatesVerified buyer7-9 yrs training

• Works great

  Fits well into my game, especially with long legs.

  Travis G.March 7, 2025AustraliaVerified buyerBlue belt4-6 yrs training

• Great trapping guard

  Another great instructional from Neil. Lots of important control details.

  MARK W.February 10, 2025United KingdomVerified buyerBlack belt16 yrs training

• A powerful position

  Another great clearly explained instructional. His name a seal of quality

  MARK W.February 8, 2025United KingdomVerified buyerBlack belt16 yrs training

• Neil being Neil

  well thought out , I love the sequences and philosophy

  Adam N.January 31, 2025United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt4-6 yrs training

• Very very good

  Neil Melanson for me is always the great man to learn grappling from and he always will be.

  Cemalettin G.January 30, 2025TurkeyVerified buyerBlue belt4-6 yrs training

• Excellent, as usual

  Great, just like everything else from Melanson.

  Ben S.January 7, 2025United StatesVerified buyerPurple belt4-6 yrs training

• Shoulder pin

  Completely opened my mind to half guard…

  James L.December 31, 2024United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt1-3 yrs training

• Good Stuff

  As usual good stuff from Neil.

  Mark H.December 29, 2024CanadaVerified buyerWhite belt1-3 yrs training

• Shoulder pin guard

  This is an awesome guard. It is a lot like rubber guard in that it is a very secure, dominant position you can get to with lots of submissions from the position. It is my favorite guard at the moment.

  Daniel N.December 28, 2024United StatesVerified buyerWhite belt1-3 yrs training

• shoulder pin

  awesome

  Matt K.December 2, 2024CanadaVerified buyerBrown belt16 yrs training

• Neil is a master

  Neil has a really unique perspective that is second to none. Neil’s guard system is probably one of the best in the game especially for self defense and mma when you can’t rely on the gi.

  Stanley B.November 20, 2024United StatesVerified buyerBlue belt16 yrs training

• Shoulder on system

  Always good stuff. Not all are applicable to my game or movement ability - but some are. Can always take 3-4 solid moves.

  AnonymousNovember 14, 2024United StatesVerified buyerBlack belt

• good

  good

  Yooseong P.November 3, 2024United StatesVerified buyerWhite belt1-3 yrs training

• Love Neil!

  Great DVD!

  Anthony P.October 19, 2024United StatesVerified buyerBrown belt16 yrs training

• Shoulder Pin System

  Good for MMA

  Jeff G.September 2, 2024United StatesVerified buyerBlack belt13-15 yrs training

• Adds to my clamp guard game

  Neil has some funny moments and is very detailed on how to get into his shoulder pin system. These details have helped my clamp guard game as well. There are many variations of submissions that you can do in shoulder pin guard that you can't from clamp guard so both guards supplement one another well.

  Cadman C.August 18, 2024CanadaVerified buyerWhite belt1-3 yrs training

• Awesome stuff

  I’ve got most of the stuff that he puts of and he never disappoints. This one is no different, full of really valuable stuff that I can’t wait to add to my game.

  Danny B.April 20, 2024United KingdomPurple belt13-15 yrs training

• TOP Knotch tool

  As always, neil delivers a great instructional. Full of concepts you don't typically see. Even if you can't set up or do a quarter of the stuff he lays out, the general concept and options from it can make you feel much safer but more dangerous in guard

  Zachary B.January 31, 2024USVerified buyer

• Fantastic Detail

  Neil is super detailed but not dry- engaging and easy to understand.

  James D.January 3, 2024USVerified buyer

• Great

  Nice instructionals.

  JordyDecember 28, 2023BEVerified buyer

• Really useful stuff

  My lack of flexibility and ongoing back issues sadly mean that rubber guard techniques have been and seemingly will always be beyond my grasp. This guard system is amazing it essentially does the same thing as rubber guard but without the need for flexibility.

  Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗

  dannyNovember 19, 2023USVerified buyer

• great system

  easier on the knees than rubber guard but just as sticky

  Response from BJJ Fanatics👏🏼👏🏼

  Stephen S.November 19, 2023USVerified buyer

• Top-notch

  A cool and unique position which cause your training partners to reflection. If you don't know this stuff it is hard to get out of these positions.

  Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗

  Andreas S.November 5, 2023DEVerified buyer

• THE BEST

  This instructional covers the topic of WILLIAMS GUARD from top to bottom. Great buy!

  Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗

  Jeremy W.October 29, 2023USVerified buyer

• Amazing

  Neil’s the filthy master! Love this guard so much. So unique and people just don’t know how to deal with it. Gold

  Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗

  JoshuaOctober 27, 2023USVerified buyer

• Good

  Very good. Great explanations.

  Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗

  Joel L.October 13, 2023USVerified buyer

• awesome

  this puts so many things into perspective for me now

  Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗

  Max M.October 8, 2023USVerified buyer

• Neil:fire:

  :muscle:👍�

  Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗

  DmSeptember 15, 2023USVerified buyer

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