BJJ Mental Models Ep. 359: Old Bastard Closed Guard, feat. Mike Mahaffey & Jesse Walker
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Oct 13, 2025 Join Mike Mahaffey, the mind behind Old Bastard BJJ, and Jesse Walker, head instructor at Rough Hands BJJ, as they delve into closed-guard strategies tailored for older or less athletic practitioners. They explore the principles of the 'old bastard' style, emphasizing fundamentals over athleticism. Mike reveals the three tenets of this approach and discusses shifting from reliance on leg squeezes to hip-driven control. Jesse shares insights on the importance of adapting techniques to different body types, making jiu-jitsu accessible for everyone.
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Never Give Up Your Base
- Never willingly give up your positional base; don't concede ground to your opponent by choice.
- Keep progress in positional hierarchy and avoid motions that force you to lose base.
Make Them Carry Your Weight
- Make opponents carry your weight to wear them out and negate athletic advantages.
- Use weight distribution and hip positioning to create base from the bottom and control posture.
Less Grips, More Hips
- Rely more on hip engagement and connection than on pure grip or leg strength when playing closed guard.
- Use hips to control posture and manage space instead of squeezing with muscular strength.