In this week's mini-episode, we explain body tethering!  When you clamp onto your opponent as you would via closed guard or a triangle choke, make sure that YOU control THEIR body's alignment, not the other way around.  If they...

This week we're joined again by Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth from Apex MMA in Covington, Georgia!  In this episode, Josh discusses "social contracts" in Jiu-Jitsu and how to break them.  Social contracts are the unwritten rules we abide ...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain the concept of redundancies, or how to ensure you have backup options if your plan fails.  There are two ways to create redundancies in your technique: by using multiple points of control, and...

This week we're joined by a panel: Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth from Apex MMA and Jesse Walker from Rough Hands BJJ!  In this episode, Josh and Jesse recap lessons learned from our most recent BJJ Mental Models camp in Georgia, and share best...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain the concept of placeholders.  Think of positional advancement like climbing a ladder: one rung at a time, and never let go of both rungs at once!  Don't abandon a point of control until y...

This week we're joined by Marc Ste-Marie!  Marc is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the father of IBJJF "Queen" Brianna Ste-Marie.  In this episode, Marc explains the concept of "technique zero," or how we can teach Jiu-Jitsu quic...

In this week's mini-episode we explain the concept of surface area, or how much of your body is connected to your opponent when you apply force.  You can create more pressure by applying maximal force through the smallest surface ar...

This week we're joined again by BJJ Mental Models sponsored athlete Chris Wojcik! In this episode, Chris breaks down the mechanics and meta relevance of his new signature move, the Woj Lock.Follow Chris on Instagram:

In this week's mini-episode we explain ratchet control, a mental model that fine-tunes rotational submissions, especially the kimura.  Ratchet control occurs when you force their limb into an "L" shape and rotate it like an Allen/he...

This week we're joined by Scott Fritzinger!  Scott is a BJJ black belt under Dave Camarillo and is the head instructor at Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Academy Reno.  In this episode, Scott discusses "the language of injury," or how our choice ...

In this week's mini-episode we explain rotational control, a mental model that helps us better secure positions and complete submissions.  Rotational control involves either preventing your opponent from rotating their torso,...

This week we're joined again by Eliot Marshall!  Eliot is a BJJ black belt, retired UFC fighter, and owner of Easton Training Center in Colorado.  In this episode, Eliot explains the 4 elements that every successful Jiu-Jitsu gym need...

In this week's mini-episode we explain waypoints, also known as "pitstops."  Waypoints are positions of power where you are particularly well-trained, and feel comfortable that you can outgun your opponent due to experience and skil...

This week we're joined again by Beatrice Jin!  Beatrice is a black belt competitor and coach from Kogaion Academy in Arlington, Virginia.  In this episode, we continue our conversation from Beatrice's last visit about how to "stop bei...

In this week's mini-episode we explain tokui waza, a concept from Judo and traditional martial arts.  Translating roughly to "favorited technique" or "special skill," tokui waza refers to the tendency of martial artists to develop a...

This week we're joined by Max Schneider!  Max is a BJJ black belt under Justin Flores, as well as a national Judo champion and Olympic alternate, 2x Illinois state wrestling champion, and former D1 wrestler. In this episode, Max explores t...

In this week's mini-episode we explain the so-called "zone of genius:" a concept that encourages us to spend our time in the areas where we're most passionate and talented.  This has implications for Jiu-Jitsu strategy: We should bu...

This week we're joined again by Jake Luigi from Less Impressed More Involved and Outlier DB!  In this episode, Jake discusses a problem we can all relate to: content overload in BJJ.  Jake shares great advice on choosing what to study...

In this week's mini-episode we explain the layers of strategy: every good plan needs a solid foundation and a flexible perimeter.  This concept applies to all manner of strategies, both on and off the mats.Befo...

This week we're joined again by Defensive BJJ coach and BJJMM fan-favorite guest Priit Mihkelson!  In this episode, Priit discusses the importance of angles when defending from inferior positions.  Priit explains concepts for finding ...

In this week's mini-episode we explain funneling, a key concept for building Jiu-Jitsu strategies.  The idea is to build "funnels," or pathways to where we have an unfair/asymmetric advantage.  A good gameplan uses funnels to "...

This week we're joined by Ken Postnikoff!  Ken is the black belt head coach at Confluence Jiu Jitsu and a longtime member of the BJJMM community.  In this episode, Ken introduces the concept of "reluctant leadership," or how to be the...

In this week's mini-episode we explain asymmetric warfare (or asymmetric advantages, if you want to be less dramatic).  Asymmetric warfare means looking for unfair advantages: places where we are strong and our opponent is weak.&nbs...

This week we're joined by Fiona Geisinger!  Fiona is the founder of Athletic Arts and is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt training out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  In this episode, Fiona explains second-level coaching, and how athlet...

In this week's mini-episode we explain predictable responses.  This mental model teaches us that each technique has a series of common reactions, and knowing these reactions allows you to anticipate and "mind read" your opponent.&nb...