BJJ Mental Models

This mini-episode dives into the 'race to the bottom' in pricing, critical for Jiu-Jitsu businesses. It explores how app stores have distorted price expectations and created unsustainable financial models. Competitive pressures can lead to a downward spiral of undervalued services. The discussion highlights the importance of profit over sheer sales volume and advises against accepting low-paying clients to preserve value. Advocating for fair compensation in the sport ensures a viable career path for professionals.

Kenny Kim, a fourth-degree black belt and founder of MatMade, dives into building community through jiu-jitsu. He shares insights on the importance of authentic engagement over technical skill and how storytelling can inspire connections. Kenny discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and emphasizes consistency in content creation. He highlights jiu-jitsu as a 'third place' for belonging and explains the unique social diversity fostered by the sport. Get ready for practical tips on nurturing strong bonds and creating a supportive environment!

Dive into the world of control in grappling! Discover how torso control, through clamps and hooks, offers positional dominance, while lever control uses limbs for mechanical advantage. Learn the balance between force and control, with single-lever techniques providing power and multi-lever approaches enhancing stability. The triangle choke exemplifies how focusing on multiple levers can dictate an opponent's posture. Plus, understand why larger grapplers might prefer multi-lever strategies. A tactical breakdown of leverage awaits!

Karel Pravec, a 50-degree black belt under Henzo Gracie and the founder of Silver Fox BJJ, dives into the underrated omoplata submission. He highlights its effectiveness as both a sweep and control position, especially against larger opponents. Karel discusses setup fundamentals like breaking posture and focusing on elbow attacks, while exploring the nuances of parallel and perpendicular omoplatas. He also shares strategies for anticipating opponent reactions and countering common escapes, giving insights that can elevate your Jiu-Jitsu game.

The latest discussion highlights the concept of the last mile problem, explaining why it becomes tougher to achieve goals as you near the finish line. Factors like complexity can create obstacles due to uniqueness in approaches. Complacency, illustrated through the tortoise and hare fable, shows how easing off can derail progress. The importance of consistency over time is emphasized with real-life examples of persistence leading to breakthroughs. Lastly, they delve into how confidence can sometimes hinder success, making self-sabotage a real concern.

Stephan Kesting, an experienced jiu-jitsu coach and creator of the acclaimed "The Kimura Roadmap," dives deep into the nuances of the Kimura. He discusses its historical significance and modern applications, emphasizing it as a positional system rather than just a submission. Topics include leveraging biomechanics, strategic use in competition, and the differences in entry methods. Kesting shares insights on the mechanics of finishing and even offers unique variations like the 'fat old lazy man' Kimura, making this a must-listen for grapplers looking to elevate their game.

Explore the four types of guards in Jiu-Jitsu: hook, clamp, frame, and hybrid. Each category has its unique purpose and application. Hook-based guards like butterfly and shin-to offer specific advantages, while clamp-based guards focus on control, with closed guard as a prime example. Frame-based guards, such as knee shield, help maintain distance from opponents. Lastly, hybrid guards like De La Riva encourage the blending of techniques for greater effectiveness. Understanding these classifications can enhance your guard game.

This week features Josh McKinney, a Jiu-Jitsu coach and competitor known for his insights on training. He shares how to structure the ideal competition camp, balancing offense and defense days. Josh discusses the importance of choosing the right training partners and knowing when to decline risky rolls. He emphasizes the value of training frequency, tapering, and even provides a six-week tactical plan. Non-competitors can benefit too by applying performance strategies, showcasing the versatility of Jiu-Jitsu training for all.

This mini-episode dives into the intriguing concept of the knee line, an imaginary line that connects your knees and groin to form a triangle. This triangle is essential for effectively trapping or controlling your opponent's movements. Listeners learn how to keep opponents' targets within this triangle while freeing their own body parts from it. Real-life training examples, like maintaining control in closed guard, bring the concept to life. The discussion wraps up with practical tips for applying these strategies in dynamic scenarios.

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.