BJJ Mental Models

This week, we're joined by Brandon Reed! Brandon is a three-time NAIA national champion wrestler from Louisville, Kentucky, who now trains jiu-jitsu full-time in Guelph, Ontario. In this episode, Brandon explains hand fighting for jiu-jitsu standup: how to get past your opponent's head, hands, and hips while protecting your own. Topics include: your default stance and the down block hand, feints and distance management, "positive" versus "negative" wrestling, fighting for inside ties, and play wrestling to build timing.

Learn wrestling for jiu-jitsu from Brandon at WrestleJitsu Club:
https://www.wrestlejitsu.club

Get Dominate the Hand Fight:
https://www.wrestlejitsu.club/dominate

Follow Brandon on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/brandonreed001

Subscribe to Brandon on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@brandonreed3x


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance
  
  
• Opening Salvos
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses
  
  
• Mask Your Intentions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions
  
  
• Tokui Waza
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza
  
  
• Keep It Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Head Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/head-position
  
  
• Windows of Opportunity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position
  
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this mini-episode, we explain confirmation bias: the human tendency to favor information that supports our existing beliefs, and discard information that doesn't.

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


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

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

This week, we're joined by Jeff Serafin! Jeff runs Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu out of Gym 1801 in Evanston, Illinois, and has been training jiu-jitsu for almost 30 years. In this episode, Jeff talks about the fragmentation of the jiu-jitsu community, and what coaches and students can do to bring it back together. Topics include: gi versus no-gi tribalism, ecological versus traditional training, gatekeeping, and cross-training.

Train at Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (inside Gym 1801) in Evanston, IL:
https://serafinjiujitsu.com

Follow Jeff on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/serafinbjj

Follow Gym 1801 on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/gym.1801


Resources discussed in this episode:

Mini Ep. 120: Ecological Dynamics, by Steve Kwan:
https://bjj.plus/mini120


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small
  
  
• Certainty Heuristic
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-heuristic
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind
  
  
• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting
  
  
• Silver Bullet Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/silver-bullet-fallacy
  
  
• Survivorship Bias
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias
  
  
• Rapoport's Rules
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/rapoports-rules
  
  
• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention
  
  
  

⬆️ 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

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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 mini-episode, we explain visualization: the science behind it, its limitations, the difference between general and technique visualization, and how it applies to jiu-jitsu.

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


⬆️ 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

This week, we're joined by Hillary VanOrnum! Hillary is a third-degree black belt who runs Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in Portland, Oregon with her husband, and she just won her first Masters World Championship at black belt. In this episode, Hillary explains the difference between instructing and coaching, and how she uses questions to help students work out answers for themselves. Topics include: relating jiu-jitsu to sports students already know, building on each student's favorite techniques, letting go of control as a gym owner, turning Instagram clips into homework, and coaching students who only train twice a week.

Train at Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in Portland, OR:
https://unicornjiujitsu.com

Get private lessons, online coaching, or coach mentorship with Hillary:
https://unicornjiujitsu.com/page/PrivateLessons

Follow Hillary on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/unicorn_jiujitsu

Follow Unicorn Jiu Jitsu on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/unicornjiujitsupdx

Follow the Gathering of the Unicorns women's camp on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/gathering_of_the_unicorns


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Transfer of Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-learning
  
  
• Tokui Waza
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza
  
  
• Growth from Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop
  
  
• Effortful Retrieval
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval
  
  
• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety
  
  
  

⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain perception-action coupling: a sports science concept explaining how practice should give athletes the same cues they'd face in a real match.

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


⬆️ 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

This week, we're joined by Nelson Puentes! Nelson co-founded Inverted Gear and runs Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Nelson explains his Super Mario theory of jiu-jitsu: a good game teaches you how to play it by raising the difficulty one step at a time, and a good jiu-jitsu class works the same way. Topics include: game design, resource management, coaching without instructions, defensive jiu-jitsu, and intrinsic motivation.

Buy Inverted Gear apparel:
https://invertedgear.com

Train at Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, PA:
https://invertedgearacademy.com

Follow Nelson on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/invertedgearnelson


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Zone of Proximal Development
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-proximal-development
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Self-Organization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization
  
  
• Gamification
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification
  
  
• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions
  
  
• Defense Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox
  
  
• Keep It Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful
  
  
• Perception-Action Coupling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling
  
  
• Continuum of Motivation
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation
  
  
• Process Over Outcomes
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/process-over-outcomes
  
  
  

⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain deliberate practice: a training method intended to improve performance by addressing your weaknesses and breaking through plateaus.

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


⬆️ 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

This week, we're joined by Rob Cole! Rob has been training martial arts for over 35 years, 25 of them focused on grappling, and he coaches at Ascension Athletics in Connecticut, where he runs his practice through the ecological dynamics framework. In this episode, Rob explains the intention-led approach, where you give students a goal to work toward instead of specific things to focus on. Topics include: a plain-language primer on ecological dynamics, intention versus attention, win conditions as a driver of behavior, grip fighting as a warm-up, teaching leglocks without fear.

Follow Rob on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/liquid_rob

Train with Rob at Ascension Athletics:
https://ascensionathleticsct.com


Resources discussed in this episode:

The Constraints-Led Approach, by Ian Renshaw, Keith Davids, Daniel Newcombe and Will Roberts:
https://routledge.com/9781138104075

Ecological Dynamics in Sport Coaching, by Steve M. Smith:
https://routledge.com/9781032869223

Ep. 144: The Constraints-Led Approach, feat. Dr. Rob Gray:
https://bjj.plus/144

Ep. 330: The Student's Guide to Eco, feat. Noah Shaffner & Greg Souders:
https://bjj.plus/330


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention
  
  
• Ecological Psychology
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology
  
  
• Self-Organization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Perception-Action Coupling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions
  
  
• Deliberate Practice
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practice
  
  
• Growth from Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort
  
  
• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency
  
  
  

⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain differential learning: a training approach used in sports proposing that motor skills are learned by varying how the movement is executed rather than trying to get it identical every time.

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


⬆️ 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