BJJ Mental Models

For our 300th episode, there's only one guest that'll do: James "300" Foster!  James is a 3x black belt masters world champion, 4th degree black belt under Giva Santana, and the head coach at Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  In this episode, James shares how teachers who are also active competitors can balance those two priorities, and even synergize them. Follow James on Instagram...

In this week's mini-episode we discuss air choke mechanics!   Air chokes involve cutting off your opponent's ability to breathe by either compressing their trachea ("windpipe") or covering their mouth.  Air chokes often don't act as quickly as blood chokes, but there are ways to speed them up by triggering the gag reflex.  We also talk about why air chokes are legitimate t...

This week we're joined again by Adam Medlock!  Adam is a Braulio Estima black belt and a lead educator from the UK.  In this episode, Adam discusses the challenges of student assessment, or how Jiu-Jitsu coaches can measure student progress and the effectiveness of the curriculum.  Key points include the introduction of the TLA cycle (Teaching, Learning, and Assessment) and the concept of cum...

In this week's mini-episode we discuss blood choke mechanics!   This is the concept behind all chokes we'd classify as "carotid restraints," where compression on the carotid arteries cuts off blood flow to the brain.  We'll discuss the simple "triangle around the head" concept that helps tighten all blood chokes including rear naked chokes, collar chokes, triangl...

This week we're joined by Mandy Schneider!  Mandy is a BJJ Mental Models sponsored athlete competing at purple belt out of SOUL FIGHTERS Martial Arts in Allen, Texas.  Mandy just underwent surgery for chronic bursitis in her elbow, and in this week's episode, Mandy shares her experience working around injury in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include the challenges of training through injuries, distin...

In this week's mini-episode we discuss dominant angles!   The concept of dominant angles is more complicated than "being behind or beside your opponent."  It's more about positioning your body relative to theirs such that their arms, legs, and other weapons can't come into play. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freein...

This week we're joined again by David Figueroa-Martinez!  David is a black belt, instructor, and writer training out of Gracie La Mesa in California.  In this episode, David discusses one of the most difficult — but sometimes essential — decisions that many grapplers will face during their journey: the decision to leave their gym. Follow David on social: https://www.instagram.com/dfm.2099 htt...

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss countergripping!   There are three ways to counter a grip: breaking the grip (stripping their fingers), inverting the grip (pummeling to make the grip our own), or changing the angle (which can render the grip useless). In general, breaking the grip is the least efficient option, changing the angle is the most efficient, and inverting the grip is in bet...

This week we're joined by Tom "TP" Grant!  Tom Grant, also known by the writer's handle TP Grant, is a BJJ black belt under Issac Riggs and an MMA/BJJ writer best known for his work at Bloody Elbow and Bleacher Report.  In this episode, Tom discusses the importance of adapting on the fly.  Techniques are rarely executed exactly as taught; they're usually improvised. Read H...

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss one of Steve's favorite mental models: grips dictate position!   As the name implies, whoever wins the grip fight in Jiu-Jitsu often dictates the position.  Focus on winning the grip fight before attempting to advance position or secure a submission. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro...

This week we're joined by Sebastian Brosche!  Sebastian is a BJJ black belt, the founder of the legendary platform Yoga for BJJ.  In this episode, we discuss knowledge organization, effective teaching strategies, curriculum development, standardization, instructor education, and the future of Jiu-Jitsu education. Follow Sebastian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogaforbjj Join Yoga fo...

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing the anatomic hierarchy!   The anatomic hierarchy is a simple but powerful mental model that organizes our body into six major tools, from strongest to weakest: our torso, our two legs, our two arms, and our head.  The anatomic hierarchy teaches us that when attacking, we should use as many of our weapons as possible, especially the stronger o...

This week we're joined by Kiaya Jackson!  Kiaya is the founder of SoPro Collective and a Jiu-Jitsu competitor representing Brandon Mccaghren from 10th Planet Decatur.  In this episode, Kiaya explains her unconventional journey into a Jiu-Jitsu career, and shares her playbook for making a living in the sport beyond the usual athlete and coach career paths. Follow Kiaya on Instagram: https://ww...

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing posts, the last of the six core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu!  Posts occur when you use an extremity of your body to connect with and base off a platform like the floor.  Posts are important for maintaining your own base and creating opportunities to attack your opponent.  This is the sixth in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on...

This week we're joined by Charles Harriott!  Charles is a BJJ black belt, professional seminar instructor, and content creator.  In this episode, Charles introduces a mental model he calls "the 3-fold view of Jiu-Jitsu."  We discuss the three lenses through which Charles views Jiu-Jitsu and how these different perspectives work together to help him better understand the art. Follow...

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing hooks, the main mechanic behind techniques like butterfly guard.  Hooks are a tracking mechanic used to follow your opponent and create opportunities to off-balance them.  This is the fifth in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps, hooks, and posts. Further study...

This week we're joined by Jesse Walker!  Jesse is a black belt under Chris Haueter and is the head coach at Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, Kentucky.  In this episode, Jesse introduces the paradox of control: a concept teaching us that in order to attack in Jiu-Jitsu, you must sometimes sacrifice control for movement. Follow Jesse and Rough Hands BJJ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rou...

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing clamps, the mechanic where you use your limbs to create a closed circuit around your opponent's body.  Think closed guard or seatbelt.  This is the fourth in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps, hooks, and posts. Further study: Mini Ep. 6: Frames https://p...

This week we're joined by Ben Van Doren!  Ben is a Lucas Lepri black belt and the head instructor at Deep Blue Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Caledonia, Michigan.  In this episode, Ben draws on his experience as a manager and BJJ gym owner to discuss difficult coaching conversations.  This conversation is a great playbook for Jiu-Jisu leaders of all sorts, and how they can productively navigate the d...

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing wedges, and we don't mean pizza!  We break down the two types of wedges in Jiu-Jitsu: blocking wedges (used for immobilizing your opponent) and prying wedges (used for breaking open your opponent's defenses).  This is the third in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers,...

This week we're joined by Jeff Serafin!  Jeff is the head instructor at Serafin BJJ, a partner at Gym 1801, and a black belt under Jack McVicker and Megaton Dias.  In this episode, Jeff advocates for fostering a healthy gym culture and reducing dogma in Jiu-Jitsu.  Topics include: identifying and avoiding toxic gym cultures, ego management in training, and strategies for pairing students to e...

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing levers!   Levers are force multipliers and the source of leverage in Jiu-Jitsu.  In this episode, we talk about the levers of the human body, turning frames into levers, and when levers are less important.  This is the second in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, cla...

This week we're joined again by Lyzz "Daemonette" Mitrovic!  Lyzz is a multi-time black belt masters world champion and a longtime member of the BJJ Mental Models Premium community.  Lyzz will be competing at ADCC this year after earning her entry via victory at ADCC West Coast Trials.  In this episode, Lyzz shares what high-level competition camps look like, how to best utilize you...

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing frames!   You probably know what a frame is, but I'm guessing you haven't walked through the concept as in-depth as we'll do here today!  Let's talk about how we define a "frame," when we want to use frames, what makes frames useful, and when frames become a liability.  This is the first in a six-part series of m...

This week we're joined again by Chris Wojcik!  Chris is a black belt under Jeff Serafin and the author of The Grappler's Diary.  In this episode, Chris discusses open guard leg entanglement strategies under different rulesets. Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcik https://www.instagram.com/thegrapplersdiary Subscribe to The Grappler's Diary: https://thegr...