BJJ Mental Models

Cal McDonald, a BJJ black belt and expert in children's education, discusses innovative teaching practices for kids. He emphasizes strategies like chunking information to ease cognitive load, the benefits of interleaving techniques, and the importance of hands-on learning. McDonald shares insights on fostering resilience and confidence through Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting how martial arts can teach essential life skills. The conversation also explores the impactful role of parents in training and the deep connections formed during shared experiences.

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Jon Thomas, the legendary black belt and BJJ instructor.  Steve, Matt, and Jon have a spirited discussion about the best way to integrate new techniques into your game.  We also discuss the limitations of principles and how being dogmatic about them can hinder your development.Jon suggests four ways to integrate new techniques:ask your coachwatch an instructionalwatch competition videocreativityMental models discussed in this episode:Beginner's Mindhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/Investing in Losshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/Self-Competitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/Train With Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/Interleavinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/interleaving/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/Do What Workshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/The Map Is Not the Territoryhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

This week, Steve and Matt break down the differences between single and double lever control.  In general, single lever control affords more damage, whereas double lever control affords more control.Learn more about this mental model here:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/Mental models discussed in this episode:Single vs. Double Lever Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/Rotational Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/rotational-control/Position Over Submissionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/Double Troublehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-trouble/Economy of Motionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/Win Conditionshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/Mask Your Intentionshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

This week, Steve is once again joined by Rob Biernacki from Island Top Team.  If you follow Rob, you know how passionate he is about respecting expertise and calling out impostors.  We live in a world where identifying expertise is harder - and more important - than ever.  In this episode, we give you the tools to do so.When assessing an expert, beware these red flags:Does the expert speak with 100% certainty at all times?Does the expert avoid disclosing the limits of their knowledge?Does the expert try to win arguments with quantity instead of quality? (the Gish gallop)Does your expert cherry-pick facts to support their position, while disregarding evidence to the contrary?Is the expert unwilling to entertain criticism?Does the expert speak in overly simple, black-or-white terms?Does the expert rely solely on their title or rank to justify their opinion?Does the expert speak on matters outside of their area of expertise?Are there no "quality gatekeepers," such as publishers or fact-checkers, to ensure the expert is correct?Do the majority of other experts speak poorly of this expert?Has this expert conflated experience with expertise?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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

This week, Steve and Matt talk about seated guards!  Seated guards are a great way to track and harass your opponent from the bottom.  In this episode, you'll also learn why supine guard is sometimes referred to as Ali-Inoki position - which is a much more dignified nickname than how seated guard is referred to as "buttscooting."Mental models discussed in this episode:Inside Channel Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Grips Dictate Positionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/Kuzushihttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/Mirrored Stanceshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/mirrored-stances/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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

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/⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta