BJJ Mental Models

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Robert Degle!  We have a deep conversation around the win conditions of our sport, how they influence our behavior, and why it's important to understand WHY we train Jiu-Jitsu.

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Flow
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/flow/
  
  
• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  

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/

This week, we're joined by defensive strategist Priit Mihkelson!  Much to Matt's chagrin, Steve and Priit espouse the benefits of turtle and why it's an underappreciated position.  Priit shares some great philosophy on how shoring up your defense can give you the confidence to be more effective in your offense.

Priit's tips for turtle:

• Keep your head on the mat
• Use the boxer shoulder, or "Stephen Hawking" (head tilt)
• Keep your elbows on your hips
• Don't put your elbows on the mat
• Protect your neck with your wrists.

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Inversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inversion/
  
  
• Tipping Points
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tipping-points/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  

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/

This week, Seb Lavoie joins us again for a second dive into the conflict mindset.  Seb shares his wealth of experience to discuss frequently asked conflict-related questions, such as situational awareness, home invasion preparation.  Seb also shares some incredible stories from his career in the field.

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  
• Prevention Over Cure
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Controlled Breathing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/
  
  
• Meditative Drilling (AKA Technique Visualization)
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/meditative-drilling/
  
  

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/

This week on the podcast, we're joined once again by Sergeant Major Seb Lavoie.  Seb shares his expertise on the mindset required to manage conflict.  We also discuss a dozen hypotheticals about getting into a scuffle while waiting in line at the bank teller.

Seb references two books in this episode:

• On Combat, by Dave Grossman
• On Killing, by Dave Grossman

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Habits Over Results
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
  
  
• Meditative Drilling (Technique Visualization)
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/meditative-drilling/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  
• Defensive Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/
  
  

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/

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Olympian and Judo legend Travis Stevens.  Travis shares how he developed the kind of champion's mindset required to succeed at the highest levels.

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Levels of Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/levels-of-competition/
  
  
• Habits Over Results
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Defensive Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/
  
  
• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
  
  
• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting/
  
  
• Kaizen
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
  
  
  

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/

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Cal McDonald to discuss best practices for educating kids.  In addition to being a black belt under Rob Biernacki, Cal is a specialist in creating educational frameworks for children.  Cal shares his knowledge on the topic in a wonderful conversation with implications well beyond teaching children.  This is one of our favorite conversations ever on the podcast.

Learning strategies discussed:

• Effortful Retrieval: Make them work to pull concepts back out of their memories.
  
  
• Chunking: Manage their cognitive load.
  
  
• Interleaving: Shake it up to force them to recall techniques.
  
  
• Varied Practice: The partner provides variable levels of resistance.
  
  
• Elaboration: Connect things to what they already know.
  
  
• Modeling: Demonstrate flawless technique because they will mirror you.
  
  

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Spaced Repetition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/spaced-repetition/
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Critical Control Points
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/critical-control-points/
  
  
• Transfer of Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-learning/
  
  
• Interleaving
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/interleaving/
  
  
• Growth From Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  
• Alignment Over Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/
  
  
  

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/

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:

1. ask your coach
2. watch an instructional
3. watch competition video
4. creativity
   
   

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Beginner's Mind
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  
• Interleaving
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/interleaving/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• The Map Is Not the Territory
  https://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/

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 Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/
  
  
• Rotational Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/rotational-control/
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  
• Double Trouble
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-trouble/
  
  
• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Mask Your Intentions
  https://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/

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/

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 Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/
  
  
• Mirrored Stances
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mirrored-stances/
  
  
• Minimize Attack Vectors
  https://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/