BJJ Mental Models – Details, episodes & analysis

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss how the torso and levers become points of control. With torso control, we clamp or hook onto our opponent's torso so we can hold them in position or rotate around them. With lever control, we use our opponent's arms, legs, and/or head to create leverage. Attacking a single lever usually affords more force, whereas attacking multiple levers simultaneously usually affords more control.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

This week, we're joined again by "Silver Fox" Karel Pravec! In this episode, Karel explores one of Jiu-Jitsu's most underrated submissions: the omoplata. Karel explains why the omoplata is so effective as both a sweep and control position, how to chain between parallel and perpendicular omoplatas, and why it excels against bigger opponents.

Follow Karel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/silverfoxbjj

Get Karel's instructionals on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/karel-pravec

Train with Karel at Silver Fox BJJ in New Jersey:
https://silverfoxbjj.com

Learn online with Karel on the Silver Fox BJJ app:
https://silverfoxbjjglobal.com


Resources discussed in this episode:

Omoplata Attacks
https://youtu.be/9cRPcxZXIKo

Omoplata Set Up & Finishing Details
https://youtu.be/1nTYmH6NmP0

Understanding The Split Guard
https://youtu.be/gWtdq9txY_g

Omoplata to MangleDome
https://youtu.be/lumzFvUtRMM


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Technique Chaining
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment
  
  
• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking
  
  
• Dominant Angles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles
  
  
• Core Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics
  
  
• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss center of gravity: your body's "tipping point" of balance. Your center of gravity is around 56% of the way up your body (around your pelvis) when standing upright, but moves as your body moves. Understanding your center of gravity is key to preventing it from being used against you. With practice, your center of gravity can even be a weapon.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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.  In many ways, knowing a technique's predictable responses can be just as important as knowing the technique itself.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

This week we're joined by Kelsey Carter!  Kelsey is a newly minted black belt from Precision Jiu Jitsu Academy in Sacramento.  In this episode, Kelsey discusses the physics and mechanics underlying Jiu-Jitsu techniques, emphasizing the importance of fulcrums, weight distribution, and angles during sweeps and submissions. Kelsey provides insights into adapting techniques for different body types and teaching empowering strategies, particularly for women in the sport. The episode also delves into advanced concepts such as energy conservation, the dynamics of bottom position, and the science behind effective movements.

Follow Kelsey on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kels.jitsu


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Core Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/
  
  
• Breaking Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/breaking-mechanics/
  
  
• Surface Area
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/
  
  
• The Map Is Not the Territory
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
  
  
• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/
  
  
• Dominant Angles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/
  
  
• Shifting Platforms
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/
  
  
• Center of Gravity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/
  
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

In this week's mini-episode we explain alignment over position.  This is a refinement on the classic "position over submission" concept using Rob Biernacki's alignment framework.  It teaches us that having good alignment (base, posture, and structure) is more important than having any particular position.

Before you listen to this episode, check out:

BJJMM Mini Ep. 1: Base
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15022850-mini-ep-1-base

BJJMM Mini Ep. 2: Posture
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15078064-mini-ep-2-posture

BJJMM Mini Ep. 3: Structure
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15121901-mini-ep-3-structure

BJJMM Mini Ep. 4: Alignment
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15154544-mini-ep-4-alignment

BJJMM Mini Ep. 5: The Alignment Scorecard
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15202951-mini-ep-5-the-alignment-scorecard

BJJMM Mini Ep. 28: Position Over Submission
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16103640-mini-ep-28-position-over-submission

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

This week we're joined again by Chris "The Villain" Paines!  In this episode, Chris explains the two "dials" that coaches and students can use to modulate their training: complexity and intensity.

Follow Chris on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chrisvillainbjj

Subscribe to Chris' YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisPainesBJJ

Buy Chris' instructionals on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_chris-paines

Check out InTheory BJJ on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/intheorybjj


Resources discussed in this episode:

How to Defend Everything with Chris Paines — YouTube
https://youtu.be/BWitv9AKoNU

Ep. 155: Concepts Over Techniques, feat. Chris Paines
https://bjj.plus/155

Terry Tate: Office Linebacker
https://youtu.be/RzToNo7A-94


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Gamification
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification/
  
  
• Respect Reople, Not Positions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  
• Inversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inversion/
  
  
• External Cues
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/external-cues/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Goodhart's Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law/
  
  
• Survivorship Bias
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias/
  
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

In this week's mini-episode we explain one of the most commonly discussed mental models in Jiu-Jitsu: position over submission.  This concept teaches us that it's often better to maintain position than risk losing it by hunting for submissions.  This episode explains the reasoning behind "position over submission," as well as the exceptions.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

This week we're joined by Aldo Vergel de Dios!  Aldo is the black belt head coach at Motion Jiu-Jitsu in Metro Manila, Philippines.  In this episode, Aldo discusses a problem relevant to students and coaches alike: how to integrate conceptual Jiu-Jitsu thinking with on-the-ground practice.

Follow Aldo on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/aldojitsu

Train with Aldo at Motion Jiu-Jitsu:
https://www.motionjiujitsu.com/


Resources discussed in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 162: The Language of Coaching, feat. Nick Winkelman
https://bjj.plus/162


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach/
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
  
  
• Invariants
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Self-Organization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization/
  
  
• Phases of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/
  
  
• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/
  
  
• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/
  
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

In this week's mini-episode we discuss two important and related concepts: inside channel control and outside channel control.  Inside channel control refers to taking the inside route around your opponent's weapons, such as going under or between their legs as you'd do with X guard.  Outside channel control refers to taking the outside route around your opponent's weapons, such as outside hook / de la Riva guard, closed guard, and matrix back takes.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/