Cradle of Filth by Neil Melanson
195 reviews · 4.98 / 5
Neil Melanson · Combo
The Shoulder Pin Guard System by Neil Melanson reviews, page 2
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.
97
Reviews
5.0 / 5
Average rating
0
1–2 star
98%
Verified buyers
Reviews 51–97
Great instructional as usual Neil rules.
Awesome guard to throw in your arsenal. Neil teaches his techniques even for a ***** to understand like me. Definitely a cool position to throw off your training partners.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🔥Amazing!
I have been using this guard, and it has contributed a lot to my game. I have bought multiple Neil instructionals and I have never felt more creative or adaptable.
great
great
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Great stuff
Rubber guard is pretty much impossible for me due to mobility and back issues but the shoulder pin gives me another option to win off my back. Real game changer for me.
Really useful stuff
I’m not really much good off my back and my main goal has always been to sweep or wrestle up and gain top position. That’s changed now thanks to this.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Great format and easy to
Great format and easy to implement
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Another classic
Excellent information much like any instructional Neil Melanson puts out. I’ve had great success with the move so far.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Shawn Williams should buy this DVD
Shawn Williams is pretty good at Shawn Williams guard (AKA Shoulder Pin guard). And I've personally always liked it as it helped me get out of bad situations and was a great defensive place to be. But the offense I had wasn't very good. The online videos of Shawn Williams demonstrating Shawn Williams are not bad. But my offense in Shawn Williams guard has vastly improved since learning all of Neil Melanson's techniques like the Neil Knot. So if you want to be good at Shawn Williams, I highly recommend you learn Shawn Williams from Neil Melanson. Not that Shawn Williams is bad at Shawn Williams, but I think Neil Melanson is better at Shawn Williams than Shawn Williams. Neil just shows so many options, paths and details than I've ever seen on this before. I hope you've enjoyed my review of Shawn Williams taught by someone who is not Shawn Williams.
Shoulder Pin - Floating Pin - Sean Williams Guard - Whatever you want to call it - Super Useful
I originally started studying this way of holding people in their guard when I first came across the Sean Williams Guard, then I believe I heard John Danaher call it a floating pin, whatever you call it, I specifically sought out another description of the position so I could try to make a real study of it for myself. Happily I came across Neil's material. I currently own like 4 videos by Neil. Couple things first Neil is funny & a very good instructor, it's very clear when you listen to him present that he knows what he's talking about and he's very good at explaining it, he's very pragmatic. What's useful about Neil's way of grappling is it's not traditional in the sense that most of us that practice BJJ are necessarily exposed to. What's useful about the way Neil does this guard is that it's so unorthodox compared to what most of us are used to. It puts us in the position where we have to think outside the Jiujitsu box. You can see a Catch influence because us BJJ have a bias towards returning to guard in certain situations whereas wrestlers and catch have the bias towards standing up. I would recommend by itself Neil's material. I also recommend you compare and contrast it to other similar guard positions. Make a real study of it. From what I can tell based on what I've reviewed of Neil's I would confidently recommend it to anyone. He knows what he's talking about and he's very practical.
Love it
Love Neil's instruction. Brings a different flavor to my game.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻This one's a must.
Pick this up, esp If you're heavy on no gi. Great system that'll get you some slick subs and on a highlight reel.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Effective and Useful Techniques
Effective and Useful Techniques! His instructional always help me strengthen my arsenal a lot!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Favorite
One of my favorite instructionals. These moves/subs are definitely worth keeping in your back pocket, to catch people out when with this unique quard play.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻FILTHY AS ****
Love it! An excellent trapping system
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Very Good
I love the shoulder pin guard system and Neil Melanson has a great way to teach you his guard!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻wonderful
Neil is one of the best out there... in this case he brings us a really interesting control system that will make you dangerous from position you have never imagined.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻As usual, top quality instruction
As usual, top quality instruction from Neil. A great guard for beginners, or the none athletic. I'd highly recommend purchasing this product
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻The shoulder pin guard system
The shoulder pin guard system is a very good instruction material. The submissions are awsome. Neil knot is easy to do but very efective.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻What a great addition to my game
What a great instructional, it is a step by step guide to make you dangerous from any position and because I am on the other side of 40, it is a great addition to my not so flexible frame! Neil makes is fun to learn new techniques and it will improve my game!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Great trapping system
This system has helped me out so much, especially because I’m not super flexible. Just a great system!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻J.C.
Very nice instructional. Well balanced between concept and application.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Awesome
One of the best ways to control someone from the bottom, after watching this I found I have so many more awesome transitions and submissions to go for.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Fantastic!
Neil is a fantastic instructor, he's covering the system very professionally. It became a part of my usual go-to's.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Awesome instructional
Neil is brutal :) Great stuff.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏼Worked this series in class
Worked this series in class and really wanted to learn more about it. Very powerful tool to have in the arsenal. Love the way Neil teaches.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Big help
Love this instructional. As a bigger body who lost a lot of flexibility from injury, this is a great alternative to rubber guard for me. Love the tightness produced from the shoulder pin. 10/10 will be checking out other videos by Neil Melanson!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻This instructional is the bees knees
Neil is my favorite instructor on BJJ Fanatics. After my first time watching the instructional I was able to use the Neil knot in a live roll. I highly recommend this for anyone trying to improve their game.
Response from BJJ FanaticsCool! 😎A solid and interesting instructional
This instructional teaches the shoulder pin, which is where you use your arms and one leg to control the opponent’s shoulder and arm from a guard position, usually closed or half guard. Once the opponent has their shoulder pinned and they are controlled it provides the opportunity to apply a range of submissions. The submission techniques taught include triangle chokes, a very nasty choke (i.e., Neil’s Knot), shoulder locks, armbars, omaplata, kimura, hammerlock, Gogo clinch choke and King Pin neck lock. In addition, there is solid coverage of the shoulder pin itself and some other associated techniques. To see the complete list of techniques taught, please review the contents of the instructional. In this instructional Neil Melanson teaches in a relaxed manner with some banter with his uke. He explains and demonstrates techniques in a succinct and clear manner. Picture and sound quality are good as is the range of the single fixed camera. Neil Melanson moves so that you can see the techniques being performed from different angles. As is the norm, techniques are repeated several times. The available previews are consistent with the whole instructional. The instructional is 3 hours long and comprises 23 chapters. This is a solid and interesting instructional that I am pleased that I have purchased. I like having the opportunity to watch and learn from a range of instructors teaching BJJ techniques and after watching this instructional I immediately purchased a second Neil Melanson instructional. If you enjoy playing from the guard or having a good guard this instructional should help.
Response from BJJ FanaticsThanks for your review! 🤗I have several Training programs
I have several Training programs from Neil. I liked them all and use his concepts on the mats. Absolutely support such content! Thank you!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Essential for any rubber guard player
I know Neil is not a rubber guard player himself, but the principles he shows in this instructional will really help to take your rubber guard(or any other high/clinch based guard) to the next level. I always love revisiting this instructional when I feel like my closed guard game has stagnated. Neil's system is very applicable to mma as well as sport jiu jitsu. It's hard to get the best of both of those worlds. These moves are high percentage, control-based, and reliable. But it's not just about the individual techniques. He really goes deep into the principles, and not just the techniques, so you can apply what he is saying to your own game.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗Neil is a monster
Love all of Neil's grappling videos. Helps my evolution immensely..
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻The Shoulder Pin Guard
Through his shoulder pin guard system, Neil not only offers us strong and effective technique but more inportantly he helps bring to our realization how much roomis still left for exploration and discovery in the yet very unexplored realm of grappling. Neil Melanson's shoulder pin guard system should be a wake up call to all these jiu-jitsu instructors out there. Make it real, make it count.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Great Instructional
Coach Neil has this position down and then some. Not just techniques but the principles and processes that make them work. Great info
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Nothing but Respect for Neil
Nothing but Respect for Neil and his shoulder pin system. Can't wait to add some of this to my game to become a better Jiu-Jitsu guy. Jiu-Jitsu and Catch Wrestling make a perfect combination in becoming a mat warrior.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Brutal
Neil is brutal and hilarious!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Space killer
An upgrade of the williams guard! More complete! More effective! Game changing!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Great details
I love Neil Melanson's material. Great dvd. I look forward to a Combat Jiujitsu set with Neil Melanson.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Great material. I am applying
Great material. I am applying it already with success
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗🤙🏻Excellent! For bringing together concepts and their practical outcomes
A well arranged series with a lucid explanation by Neil. The principle concepts of the position and entry are explained first which I found to help me improve my effectiveness when adopting the ‘shoulder pin’. This naturally made the opportunity to land the submissions as shown by Neil all the more realistic.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Very useful system
Neil has a great method of teaching. He explains each technique in great detail and he is very funny while doing it. This system is great for old broken down people like me who may have bad hips, knees or groins. Neil has a unique style of guard game influenced by catch wrestling. I highly recommend this.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗Great insight, detail with a
Great insight, detail with a hint of wit and humor. Highly recommended
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻excellent dvd
great tutorial of shoulder/arm locks and chokes that basically start when you over hook your opponent in your guard. the advertising is correct, you don't need flexibility to practice these holds. a lot of information here, some i can use now and some i will grow into. P.S. Neil, i have seen an old dvd where mark hatmaker taught the "kingpin".
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Awesome as usual
Just like all of coach Neils stuff awesome easy to follow and great techniques
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Great intructional dvds!
Great intructional dvds!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Must buy
Fantastic instructional on the shoulder pin. You really can't go wrong when it comes to Neil's instructionals. I've been looking forward to this one for along time and must say it's been worth the wait. Neil explains the concepts of what makes the shoulder pin work and the various offence that can be implemeted from the position. Deff a must buy, just looking forward to his next release now.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻Excellent instructional
Lots of very high level detail from Neil. His teaching style is extremely technical yet fun to watch and engage with. If you want to develop a grappling style that works equally well in sport grappling as well as MMA or self defence then Neil is your man!
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻A Fine Product
I watched the instructional. The next evening I was able to pull an armbar from the bottom with ease. This has traditionally been difficult for me. I used two other submissions quite effectively that same evening and exhibited a superlative amount of control from bottom guard. I am a 10th Planet guy and find this compliments the Rubber Guard and I'm loving this mixed with Neil's K-Guard. His delivery reminds me of all my favorite military instructor's sick sense of humor. I tip my hat to you Neil.
Response from BJJ Fanatics🤗👍🏻
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