BJJ Mental Models

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
  
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com


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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

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

In this week's mini-episode, we introduce the last mile problem, which explains why it gets harder to achieve our goals as we near the end (or "last mile"). The last mile problem is commonly caused by complexity, complacency, consistency, or confidence.

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

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

This week, we're joined by Stephan Kesting! In this episode, Stephan teaches the Kimura as both a submission and a positional system: its ancient origins, key positional variations, and how it functions as a control framework rather than just a finishing move. Topics include finishing mechanics, leverage physics, the "fat old lazy man" Kimura, and Kesting’s new instructional, The Kimura Roadmap.

Follow Stephan Kesting on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/stephan_kesting

Learn online with Stephan at Grapplearts:
https://grapplearts.com


Resources discussed in this episode:

The Kimura Roadmap, by Stephan Kesting
https://grapplearts.com/kimura

The Near Side Kimura, A Forgotten Position
https://youtu.be/62oLRT_Sar4

The Lazy, Old, Fat Man Kimura
https://youtu.be/29JtQffs-yA

Submission as Position, feat. Rob Biernacki
https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/products/submission-as-position-feat-rob-biernacki

The Phil Davis Kimura, AKA the "Phil-Mura"
https://youtu.be/LuM13SpQIho


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission
  
  
• Terminal Positions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/terminal-positions
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses
  
  
• Dilemma
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dilemma
  
  
• 3 Joint Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule
  
  
• Ratchet Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ratchet-control
  
  
• Torque
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/torque
  
  
• Core Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics
  
  
  

⬆️ 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 introduce the four types of guard: hook, clamp, frame, and hybrid. Every guard in Jiu-Jitsu can be classified into one of these types.

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

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

This week, we're joined again by Josh McKinney! In this episode, Josh explains how to structure the perfect Jiu-Jitsu competition camp. Topics include: offense vs. defense days, performance days, intensity vs. recovery, overtraining, saying no to unsafe rolls, and advice for non-competitors.

Follow Josh McKinney on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thejoshmckinney

Train with Josh at HeadNod HQ in Granite City, IL:
https://headnodhq.com

Check out Josh on the I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu Show:
https://youtube.com/@isuckatjiujitsu

Get Josh's ebook, The Competitor's Journey:
https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp

Join BJJMM Premium and get direct online coaching from Josh:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/coaching


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Deliberate Practice
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practice
  
  
• Defense Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox
  
  
• Plus, Minus, Equals
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/plus-minus-equals
  
  
• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room
  
  
• Training Handicaps
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/training-handicaps
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity
  
  
• Stress and Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery
  
  
• Parkinson's Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/parkinsons-law
  
  
• Planning Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/planning-paradox
  
  
• Last Mile Problem
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/last-mile-problem
  
  
  

⬆️ 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 the concept of the knee line: an imaginary line connecting your two knees. When the two points of this line combine with your groin, these three points create a triangle. That triangle is the basis for how we use our legs to clamp or wedge our opponent in place.

To clamp or wedge their body part in place with your knees, it should be inside your knee+knee+groin triangle. To prevent them from doing the same to you, your body part should be outside their knee+knee+groin triangle.

 
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 Mike Mahaffey (Old Bastard BJJ) and Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ)! Mike and Jesse explain the "old bastard" style of closed guard: a way to play the position without relying on strength, speed, or athleticism.

Follow Mike Mahaffey:
https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj
https://threads.com/@oldbastardbjj

Follow Jesse Walker:
https://instagram.com/roughhandsbjj

Train with Jesse Walker at Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, KY:
https://roughhandsbjj.com/


Resources discussed in this episode:

100 men vs. 1 gorilla: Jesse Walker on CNN
https://redd.it/1kdahgj

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 191: Old Bastard Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Mike Mahaffey
https://bjj.plus/191

Old Bastard Jiu-Jitsu audio course from BJJMM
https://bjj.plus/oldbastardbjj


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment
  
  
• Types of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/
  
  
• Body Tethering
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Kinetic Chains
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/
  
  
• Paradox of Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/paradox-of-control/
  
  
• Knee Line
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/knee-line/
  
  
• Pattern Interrupts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/pattern-interrupts/
  
  
• Placeholders
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/placeholders/
  
  
  

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 the curse of knowledge: a cognitive bias explaining why it's hard for experts to relate to beginners.

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 episode, Rob Biernacki confronts a growing trend of competitors refusing to tap and taking serious injuries at low-level tournaments. Rob argues that reckless "tough-guy" behavior, poor finishing mechanics, and bad coaching culture are fueling unnecessary damage for hobbyists. Rob calls for smarter, safer training values, reminding athletes that protecting longevity matters more than risking ligaments for a $5 medal.

Follow Rob on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam

Train with Rob at Island Top Team in Nanaimo, BC, Canada:
https://islandtopteam.com/

Learn from Rob online at BJJ Concepts:
https://bjjconcepts.net/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Defend With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defend-with-purpose/
  
  
• Constant and Variable Tension
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constant-and-variable-tension/
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/
  
  
  

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/