Forca Method is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Lachlan Giles. They are featured here for educational and editorial purposes. Information is compiled from public sources including FloGrappling, BJJ Fanatics, Tapology, and official competition records.
Who They Are
Lachlan Giles is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt out of Melbourne, Australia, known for his deep understanding of leg locks, guard retention, and methodical approach to grappling. He leads Absolute MMA’s jiu jitsu program and holds a PhD in physiotherapy, which bleeds into his analytical style on the mat. Giles made a name outside Australia with standout performances at international tournaments, especially the 2019 ADCC, where – at 77kg – he submitted much bigger names in the open weight division. He’s also become a trusted coach and instructional creator for competitors wanting to dig into the details—not just the moves—behind high-level jiu jitsu.
Why They Matter
Lachlan Giles isn’t just another technician or ‘leg lock guy.’ He changed how people think about attacking the lower body and exposed major gaps in even top-level black belts’ defenses. His heel hook run at ADCC – taking the legs of Mahamed Aly, Kaynan Duarte, and Patrick Gaudio – wasn’t a fluke. It was the result of precise setups, risk management, and refusing to play the classic “big guy, small guy” game.
He made it clear that size doesn’t stop you from breaking down world champions with smart, layered attacks. Giles also built a reputation as one of the most clear, brutally honest instructors for Brazilian jiu jitsu athletes who want real results, not highlight reels. His systems get tested by hard rounds at Absolute, not just by theory.
Style And Strengths
Giles keeps his jiu jitsu simple, but every little movement is calculated. His main strengths are:
- Leg lock entries and defense: Giles doesn’t just shoot for random ashi garami setups. He attacks off back takes, guard retention, and late-stage scrambles—even when he’s getting smashed. His transitions between inside sankaku, 50/50, and cross ashi aren’t flashy, but they’re hard to stop if you’re tired or making micro-errors.
- Guard retention: Giles is hard to flatten out or pin down. He layers his frames, uses the knee shield with purpose, and is always looking to off-balance rather than just stall. His retention is the kind that frustrates even larger, athletic grapplers because he forces you to work for every inch.
- Breaking mechanics: Watch his matches or instructionals—his finishes aren’t from brute force. He exposes the heel, separates the knees, and finishes with clean, technical pressure, not muscling through sticky spots.
- Detail-oriented coaching: Giles’s breakdowns are notorious. If you want the “why” behind a technique, he’s the guy. This matters for athletes who don’t want vague catchphrases but want to fix what’s failing in their rounds.
He’s a good example of a competitor who maximizes efficiency and finds small edges. If you saw his run at ADCC, you know he can out-grapple much heavier, explosive athletes using structure and timing over athleticism.
What Grapplers Can Learn
If you’re grinding through tough sessions, Giles’s approach is something to steal from:
- Develop an actual system: Don’t just know random leg locks or guards—build layers, transitions, and contingencies. Giles’s leg lock system is a blueprint: every escape leads to another threat.
- Drill guard retention, not just passing: Most people gas out trying to force passes or scramble madly once their guard opens. Giles shows you how small frames, hip movement, and off-balancing can actually regain guard or create attacks even when your grips are dead.
- Don’t ignore finishing details: There’s a difference between “knowing” a heel hook and finishing it against a sweaty, redlining opponent. Study how Giles attacks the heel, uses one arm to hide his intentions, and adjusts his breaking pressure without burning out his own grip.
- Embrace being “the small guy”: Giles doesn’t use size as an excuse. He finds ways to win scrambles, slow down heavy topside pressure, and force bigger athletes to play his game. This is something any non-superheavy competitor should be watching.
Unlike many modern Brazilian jiu jitsu guys, Giles doesn’t hype untested techniques. He’s blunt about what works and what’s nonsense. If you’re tired of getting flattened or countered every time you attack legs, his breakdowns will spot the holes.
Final Takeaway
Lachlan Giles isn’t an Instagram highlight guy. His jiu jitsu looks simple until you try to pass his guard or escape his inside sankaku. For serious Brazilian jiu jitsu athletes, Giles sets the standard for having a true, pressure-tested system—one that holds up under hard rounds, bad positions, and against athletes with every physical advantage.
If you want to stop getting shut down or dumped on your back by bigger, stronger opponents, his approach is worth your time. Giles proves that precise technique, layered attacks, and refusing to skip the details is what shifts matches, not just athleticism or grit. Ignore his methods if you want, but your next tournament bracket probably won’t.
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