BJJ Mental Models

This week, we're joined again by Rob Biernacki from Island Top Team and BJJConcepts.net.  Rob discusses how the initial conditions of a match can be chaotic or linear, and how this difference impacts the outcome of the match. Mental models discussed in this episode: Opening Salvos https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos/ Kuzushi https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/ Grips Dictate Position h...

This week, we're joined by Karel "The Silver Fox" Pravec!  Karel shares his strategies for sparring with younger opponents, and the importance of thinking long-term. Mental models discussed in this episode: Habits Over Results https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/ Incremental Learning https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/ Dictate the Pace https://bjjmentalmode...

This week we're joined by Chris and Melissa Haueter!  The Haueters are Jiu-Jitsu legends, with Chris being one of the first non-Brazilians to obtain a BJJ black belt.  Chris and Melissa share their experiences with getting older and aging gracefully in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Learn from Chris and Melissa Haueter online at Combat Base Club: https://combatbase.com/ Mental models discu...

This week, we're joined by British Open black belt champion and Two4 Martial Arts head coach Omied Khakshour!  Omied discusses "applying the 45," part of his conceptual framework for pressure passing. Check out Omied's guide here: Fundamentals of pressure – A guide to unlocking the guard and pinning https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OX_gosH8uMD8AojDt2zAT31FWr3ofK-F/view Mental m...

This week, we're joined by Whitney Bragagnolo from the Sports Ethics Examiner.  Whitney is a PhD researcher in sport ethics, and a longtime practitioner of BJJ.  Whitney discusses how the absence of a true BJJ governing body leads to ethical issues, and explains how BJJ could solve these problems. Referenced in the episode: Earn a black belt in building a safer & ethical gym https://www.i...

This week we're joined by Doug Lemov, the bestselling author of Teach Like a Champion and The Coach's Guide to Teaching.  Doug shares how education best practices like effortful retrieval, interleaving, and perception-action coupling can be applied to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Here's how you can check out Doug's work: The Coach's Guide to Teaching https://www.coachsguidetoteach...

This week, we're joined by Dr. Rob Gray from the Perception & Action Podcast!  Dr. Gray explains how the constraints-led approach to coaching can turbo-charge the skill development of yourself and your team.  A great and insightful episode for both students and coaches. Check out Dr. Gray on the Perception & Action Podcast: https://perceptionaction.com/ Mental models discussed in this...

This week we're joined again by Drew Weatherhead!  Drew breaks down one of the most powerful but most underloved series of positions in Jiu-Jitsu: the crucifix. Check out The Crucifix Bible, by Drew Weatherhead, on BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/the-crucifix-manual-by-drew-weatherhead Mental models discussed in this episode: 3 Joint Rule https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rul...

This week, Steve and Matt share their best practices for learning from BJJ instructionals.  There's more high-quality content than ever, so we tackle the problem of having too much good information to absorb. Mental models discussed in this episode: Idea Communism https://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/ Learning Modalities https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-modalities/ Concepts Over Tec...

In this special episode, Andrew Wiltse joins us to share his stance on the recent sexual abuse allegations in the BJJ community. Mentioned in this episode: Shut Up & Train: A 2020 survey of sexual harassment and assault in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13uam_vwd_0VJQ95Z64XREIK8wVoG7zIK The Call Is Coming From Inside The Gym, by Averi Clements https://...

This week, we're joined by Eliot Marshall.  Eliot is a UFC veteran, BJJ black belt, and co-owner of the Easton Training Center.   Eliot joins us to discuss the fighter's journey after retirement from competition, and how to build a sustainable business in the sport you love. Check out Eliot's podcast, The Gospel of Fire: https://gospeloffire.libsyn.com/ Eliot's book, also calle...

Priit Mihkelson is back!  This week, Priit explains his framework for Jiu-Jitsu, and how his defensive strategies integrate with more mainstream strategies. Topics discussed: Introduction to Priit's Defensive BJJ Crunches vs. twists How Priit's system was developed Defensive BJJ vs. Biernacki's theory of alignment What problem Defensive BJJ solves Quick introduction to the Defensive...

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium! If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the c...

This week, Steve and Matt discuss posts: one of the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu.  Posting, or connecting with the floor to create base, is a concept that's often not discussed in detail.  In this episode, we break down the mental models for posting. Mental models discussed in this episode: Core Mechanics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/ Force Vectors https://bjjmentalmodels.com/for...

Here's a freebie for all of you loyal listeners: the first 30 minutes of the BJJ Mental Models Gamplanning Series! The Gameplanning Series is the first full course we made for BJJ Mental Models Premium.  This 7-part series walks you through the process of building a Jiu-Jitsu gameplan using the mental models we talk about on the show.  Enjoy the first 30 minutes of this course, on us. To get...

This week we're joined by Rebecca "Beans" Hughes!  Rebecca is best known for her hit online BJJ coaching course, Camp Nebula.  In this episode, Rebecca shares her tips for building a thriving career in Jiu-Jitsu, even if you're not a black belt or world champion. Check out Rebecca's coaching at Camp Nebula: https://campnebula.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: I...

Note: this episode has been replaced.  Please listen to the audio for an important message. Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium! If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to...

This week we're joined by Matt Skaff!  Matt is a 10th Planet black belt who specializes in the anaconda choke.  The anaconda is powerful because it's not just a choke: it's a powerful positional system with a lot of submission options. Matt's key advice for the anaconda: Don't squeeze too early! Don't go deep too early: you don't want them to control your elbow....

This week, we're joined by Drew Weatherhead from Because Jitsu!  Drew shares his best practices for transmission of knowledge and efficient learning. Book referenced in this episode: Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374533557 Find Drew online at: Drew Weatherhead Jiu-Jitsu https://drewjitsuonline.com Because Jitsu https://www.instagram.com/because_...

This week we're joined by Phrost, the founder of Bullshido.  You probably know Bullshido as one of the internet's best resources for debunking fake martial arts, fake news, and other bullshit.  In this episode, Phrost shares his toolkit for inoculating yourself against bullshit. Phrost's advice: Enforce the burden of proof. Avoid dichotomous (black and white) thinking. Keep your ide...

This week, we're joined by Erin Herle!  Erin is a black belt under Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles, an elite competitor, and the founder of #submitthestigma, a mental health awareness organization for grapplers. Learn more about #submitthestigma here: https://www.submitthestigma.org/ This episode references the book Mindset, by Carol Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345472322 Men...

This week, Steve and Matt do a super detailed breakdown of wedges: a core mechanic of Jiu-Jitsu that's critical to offense.  Frames and wedges have a lot in common, but frames are primarily used for defense, whereas wedges are primarily used for offense.  If you liked our prior conversation on frames, you'll love this one on wedges. Mental models discussed in this episode: Core Mechanics...

This week, we're joined by newly minted black belt Margot Ciccarelli!  Margot leads us on one of our most interesting discussions ever: her philosophy of movement vocabulary.  Margot argues that we speak with our bodies, and that movement is a form of communication.  In this episode we talk about the vocabulary we use in Jiu-Jitsu: how we label, speak, and listen with movements we make.  Ment...

This week, we're joined by one of our most often requested guests: Sonny Brown!  Sonny, also known as "that other BJJ podcast guy," is working on a kesa gatame instructional.  He joins us to share core concepts on this underutilized position. We debunk common kesa gatame misconceptions: "They'll just take my back" "They'll just bridge me over" "The...

We've got a bonus episode for you this week!  Rob Biernacki joins us to introduce arm drag concepts from his new instructional. Learn about Rob Biernacki's arm drag concepts here: Rob Biernacki: The BJJ 2 on 1 Grip, with Advanced Details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-9tV6kU018 The Arm Drag and 2 on 1 Formula, with Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting https://www.grapplearts.com/the-arm-...