BJJ Mental Models

This week, Steve and Matt talk about gi-based open guards!  There are a lot of variations, including spider guard, collar and sleeve, and worm guard.  The sheer number of grip configurations can be overwhelming.  Rather than trying to memorize each variation, we suggest thinking in a concept-based approach.  In this episode, we discuss how.Mental models discussed in this episode:Direct vs. Proxy Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control/Grips Dictate Positionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/Inside Channel Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/Phases of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Critical Control Pointshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/critical-control-points/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Dive into the intricate world of butterfly guard, a versatile technique ideal for both gi and no-gi grappling. Learn the importance of inside channel control and how mastering this position can create offensive opportunities against larger opponents. The hosts blend humor with insightful training tips on timing and adapting techniques to different body types. Plus, discover the balance between drilling and sparring in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is an exploration of strategy, control, and the art of evolving your game.

This week, X gon' give it to ya!  Steve and Matt discuss X guard and its variants.  X guard, while an advanced position and difficult to enter, is an incredibly powerful position that's especially effective against larger opponents.There are three primary types of X guard:X guard - best used when you're right underneath your opponentSingle leg X guard - best used when controlling the far leg is a challengeReverse X guard - best used when your opponent is leaning forward.Mental models discussed in this episode:Committed Techniqueshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/Myopiahttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/Center of Gravityhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/Double Troublehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-trouble/Technique Chaininghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/Kuzushihttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/Dominant Angleshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/Inside Channel Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/Limb Coilinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

It's time for another series!  This week, Steve and Matt begin our new five-part Open Guard Series with a concept-based breakdown of the de la Riva guard and reverse de la Riva guard.Mental models discussed in this episode:Types of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/Body Tetheringhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/Committed Techniqueshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/Critical Control Pointshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/critical-control-points/Dictating the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictating-the-pace/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week, Steve and Matt discuss the concept of the third place.  It's a sociological concept coined by Ray Oldenburg, who argues that we have three important places in our life:The first place: your homeThe second place: your workThe third place: the anchor to your community.The third place is where we blow off steam, get away from the demands of the first two places, and build relationships.  For most of us, our third place is Jiu-Jitsu.You can read more about the third place here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_placeIMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

The most important - and also hardest - part of every journey is the first step.  If you can't bring yourself to take the first step, you deny yourself the most important growth opportunities in life.  This week, Steve and Matt talk about the psychology of the first step, and how to overcome the natural fear of starting a new initiative.  And more importantly, we also talk about Final Fantasy VII Remake.Mental models discussed in this episode:Mindfulnesshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/Return on Investmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/Investing in Losshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/Defensive Thinkinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/Emotional Contagionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/emotional-contagion/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week, Steve and Matt discuss tipping points: the concept that, once you have sufficient leverage or momentum, your desired outcome can no longer be denied.We've all experienced tipping points, whether it be on the mats or off.In Jiu-Jitsu, tipping points occur when your opponent gains so much leverage that you cannot realistically fight off their attack anymore, and your only recourse is to change your tactics.In real life, tipping points occur when an idea, product, or movement gains sufficient momentum that its growth becomes exponential.Good strategies involve creating tipping points for yourself, and pivoting should your opponent create a tipping point against you.Reading list for this episode:The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwellhttps://www.gladwellbooks.com/titles/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point/9780316316965/The Four Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferrisshttps://fourhourworkweek.com/Mental models discussed in this episode:Tipping Pointshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/tipping-points/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/Habits Over Resultshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/Return on Investmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/Self-Competitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

What is "the best way" to teach a Jiu-Jitsu class?  Is there even an answer to that question?  This week, Steve and Matt discuss common BJJ teaching methodologies such as concepts-based, toughness-based, and sequence-based.Mental models discussed in this episode:Train With Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/Making Smaller Circleshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/making-smaller-circles/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week Steve and Matt discuss the concept of surface area, and why it's important to expose as little of your body's surface area as possible.  This strategy is sometimes referred to by the Danaher Death Squad as blading.When you're on top, minimizing surface area makes it much harder for your opponent to block your guard passes.When you're on bottom, minimizing surface area makes it much harder for your opponent to stabilize an offensive position.Mental models discussed in this episode:Surface Areahttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/Leading Edgeshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/leading-edges/Force Vectorshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-vectors/Dominant Angleshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/Elbow-Knee Connectionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/Minimize Attack Vectorshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/minimize-attack-vectors/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week Steve is joined by Rory van Vliet, an Island Top Team black belt under Rob Biernacki, to discuss online education.  Rory is the co-instructor of the BJJ Concepts online academy, the operator behind the RVV BJJ YouTube channel, and the creator of the Guard Retention Formula instructional series alongside Stephan Kesting.  Rory is uniquely qualified to discuss the topic of online education, so if you've ever wanted to share your knowledge with the world, this episode is for you.Mental models discussed in this episode:Growth Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/Beginner's Mindhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/Kaizenhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/IMPORTANT: BJJ Mental Models needs your help.In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future for Steve and Matt is uncertain.  Our gyms are closed, our income is impacted, and we need your help in order to continue providing free content.  We've started a Patreon where you can support BJJ Mental Models.  Please help us keep the lights on so we can keep your game sharp during this once-in-a-century crisis.  Link here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/