Tapped In: A JiuJitsu Podcast

In this episode, I dive into the nuance of "letting people work" on the mats and why it’s a fundamental tool for both student development and my own technical growth. I share my philosophy on rolling with lower belts, explaining how I move in accordance with their speed and strength to create a productive environment for us both. I also reflect on a pivotal moment from my time as a blue belt when a black belt "fed" me a submission—a lesson in ego, confidence, and the eventual reality check that comes with the journey.

1. 0:00 – Intro: What "Letting People Work" Actually Means
2. 1:18 – The Goal: Making the Round Enjoyable for Both Parties
3. 2:30 – Rolling with Day One White Belts: Focusing on the Basics
4. 3:50 – Feeding Mistakes: Teaching Through Controlled Scenarios
5. 6:10 – The Lion Cub Analogy: Encouraging Good Habits
6. 8:14 – Using Just Enough Strength: The 130lb Rule
7. 11:00 – The 4/2 Rule: Managing the Round Clock
8. 12:45 – When "Kicking and Telling" Leads to a Reality Check
9. 15:30 – Final Thoughts & Community Resources

1. The 4/2 Rule: Spend the first 4 minutes of a 6-minute round letting your partner play and find their game; use the final 2 minutes to impose your own "A-game" and technique.
2. Technical Over Tactical: Use only the amount of strength necessary to complete a move. If you have to "blast through" a partner with 60lbs on them, your technique isn't as clean as you think it is.
3. Protect the Confidence: Higher belts should act as "coaches through movement," allowing lower belts to find small successes to keep them coming back to the mats.

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 DFM Coaching Substack Blog

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

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In this episode, we dive deep into the Turtle Position—a spot that’s often controversial in the BJJ community. While not technically a guard, David explains how top-tier competitors like Eduard Telles have turned it into an offensive powerhouse. We break down the strategic advantages of turtling up to prevent guard-pass points, the common pitfalls that lead to back-takes and chokes, and specific "Tapped In" tactics for recovering guard or launching your own attacks from the bottom.

1. 00:00 Is Turtle a Guard? Defining the Position
2. 00:44 Influencers of the Game: Eduard Telles & BJJ Fanatics
3. 02:00 Strategic Turtle: Denying Points in Competition
4. 03:40 Offensive vs. Defensive Turtle: Managing Transitions
5. 06:14 Protecting the Ribcage: Elbow-to-Knee Connections
6. 07:30 Common Mistakes: Wide Knees and Losing Base
7. 08:42 Case Study: "Marco’s" Offensive Turtle & The Kimura Trap
8. 10:55 Attacking the Turtle: Hip-to-Hip Pressure & The Clock Choke
9. 12:20 David’s Go-To: The Kimura Counter-Attack
10. 13:48 Final Tips: Patience and Disengaging

1. Deny the Points: Turtling up before a pass is solidified is a vital tactical shield to stop your opponent from scoring 3 points in competition.
2. Seal the Leaks: Success depends on closing the space between your elbows and your ribcage; if you leave a gap, you're inviting hooks and seatbelts.
3. Patience is a Weapon: Don't rush to escape. Keeping a wide base and staying tight prevents you from being pulled onto your hip and exposed.

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 DFM Coaching Substack Blog

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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I’ve spent 14 years in the BJJ world, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your reputation is far more important than your rank. In this episode, I explain why the "big small city" of the Jiu-Jitsu community means that your actions on the mat follow you everywhere. I share personal stories about how my own reputation has opened doors for me—even from people I didn't realize were watching me years ago—and how a bad reputation can silently close doors you didn't even know existed. Whether you're a white belt or a black belt, I want to help you understand that your character is your ultimate brand.

1. [00:00] Reputation vs. Skill: Why Your Character Always Wins.
2. [02:30] The "Big Small City": Understanding the Interconnectedness of BJJ.
3. [05:15] Impact of Behavior: How You Make People Feel Matters More Than Your Tap.
4. [09:00] Lessons from a Reckless Black Belt: A Story of Lost Trust.
5. [13:45] Opening Doors: How Positive Reputation Leads to New Opportunities.
6. [19:30] The Blue Belt Connection: A Door That Opened a Decade Later.
7. [23:00] Stewardship of Your Name: Acting Like Your Own Best Brand.

1. The Mat is a Mirror: Your BJJ community is smaller than you think. How you treat your training partners today determines who will welcome you into their gym tomorrow.
2. Character Over Rank: Your skill may be noticed, but your character will be remembered. A reputation for being a safe, kind, and technical partner will earn you more opportunities than any medal ever could.
3. Long-Term Legacy: Think of yourself as a business. Every roll and every interaction is an investment in your personal brand that can pay dividends (or cost you dearly) years down the line.

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 DFM Coaching Substack Blog

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this episode, I challenge the common belief that you need to train at a world-renowned "super gym" to get high-quality Jiu-Jitsu instruction. Drawing from my own experiences in San Diego, I explain why a solid, consistent guide—even a purple or brown belt—is often more valuable than a big-name facility for the average practitioner. I dive into why "soft skills" like emotional intelligence and personal investment are the real hallmarks of a great coach and how an environment that encourages safe exploration can transform your game.

1. Prioritize Connection Over Pedigree: For most practitioners, a coach who knows your name and your specific game is more effective than a world champion who rarely sees you on the mats.
2. The "Lab Rat" Strategy: Growth happens when you feel safe enough to fail; seek an environment where you can try new techniques without fear of belittlement from your instructor.
3. Soft Skills Matter: A great coach isn't just a technician; they are a mentor with the emotional intelligence to manage different personalities and keep students motivated.

1. 00:00 – Introduction: The Myth of the Perfect Training Room
2. 01:05 – The Legend of San Diego Jiu-Jitsu & Small Gym Success
3. 02:30 – Hobbyists vs. Pros: Why Your Goals Dictate Your Gym Choice
4. 04:15 – The Power of the Purple Belt Coach: Passion Over Pedigree
5. 06:50 – Beyond Technique: The Critical Importance of Soft Skills and Mentorship
6. 09:10 – Creating a "Lab Rat" Environment: The Freedom to Fail
7. 12:20 – Final Thoughts: Consistency and Trust are the Real Superpowers
8. 14:35 – Outro & How to Join the DFM Coaching Community

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 DFM Coaching Substack Blog

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this installment of our Positional Playbook series, I dive deep into the strategic advantages of the North-South position. I share why this became a cornerstone of my game as a white belt and how it offers a unique solution to opponents with exceptionally "tricky" guards. You'll learn my specific techniques for creating suffocating pressure, the subtle "soft skill" adjustments that force an audible grunt from your opponent, and the diverse submission matrix available from this dominant spot—from the Kimura and North-South choke to the back take.

1. Negate the Guard: Use the North-South position to completely bypass the legs and knees of flexible opponents, preventing them from reguarding or framing effectively.
2. Weight Distribution is Key: To maximize pressure, get off your knees and drive your weight through your ribcage into your opponent's near-side shoulder.
3. The "Armpit Wedge": Deeply wedging your forearm into the opponent's armpit and pulling it toward you can isolate the limb and create an opening for a variety of Kimura-based submissions.

1. 00:00 – Introduction: Why I Love the North-South Position
2. 01:10 – Origins: Discovering the North-South via the Kimura
3. 02:00 – Defining the Position: Hips-to-Head Alignment
4. 02:55 – Strategic Advantage: Bypassing "Tricky" Guards
5. 04:30 – Submission Matrix: Chokes, Strangles, and Arm Attacks
6. 06:05 – Mastering the Pressure: Getting Off Your Knees
7. 07:45 – The Art of the "Punishment" Weight: Forcing the Audible Grunt
8. 09:40 – Establishing the Kimura Grip: The Armpit Wedge
9. 12:00 – Secondary Attacks: Bread Cutter, Scissor Choke, and Lapel Control
10. 14:50 – Refining the North-South Choke: Hand Placement and Squeezing
11. 17:15 – Transitioning to the Back: Baiting the Turtle
12. 19:00 – Common Pitfalls: Rushing and Improper Weight Placement
13. 21:30 – Outro: Join the DFM Coaching Community

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 DFM Coaching Substack Blog

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this candid episode, I pull back the curtain on the realities of being a Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Beyond teaching techniques and coaching rounds, I explore the "invisible hours" and emotional labor that define the role. I share personal stories of technical slip-ups, the necessity of continuous self-evaluation, and the heavy responsibility of managing the diverse emotional landscapes of students. Whether you are a student looking to appreciate your coach or a rising colored belt with aspirations to lead, this episode provides a deep look at what it truly means to serve the mats.

1. Beyond the Technique: Being an instructor is a role of service that involves significant emotional labor and constant self-evaluation to ensure students are learning effectively.
2. Managing Human Dynamics: A successful gym relies on the instructor’s ability to read and adapt to different student personalities, past traumas, and individual learning paces.
3. Preventing Instructor Burnout: To stay "on" for your students, you must build a structure that allows you to occasionally step back and be a student yourself to recharge and stay passionate.

1. 00:00 – Introduction: The Place of Service and Invisible Hours
2. 02:15 – The Instructor’s Burden: Emotional Labor and Self-Evaluation
3. 04:30 – Owning Mistakes: Correcting the "No-Brainer" Details You Missed
4. 06:50 – The Challenge of Competing While Running a Program
5. 09:15 – Reading the Room: Studying Student Habits and Safety
6. 11:40 – The "Bicycle" Metaphor: When to Lead and When to Let Go
7. 14:20 – Beyond the Mat: Dealing with Student Trauma and Insecurities
8. 17:05 – Navigating Gym Politics and External Criticism
9. 19:30 – Survival Tactics: Balancing Teaching with Your Own Training
10. 22:10 – Advice for Future Instructors: Start Developing Empathy Now
11. 24:45 – Outro: Join the DFM Free School Community

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 DFM Coaching Substack Blog

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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Lets talk about the benefits of being the Uke in class. There are some major benefits and uncomfortable moments.

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 www.ChokePointChronicles.com

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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These are the dirtiest moves in Jiu-Jitsu. One of which, I find incredibly vile and disgusting. I unfortunately have been the victim of it. Let's chat.

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 www.ChokePointChronicles.com

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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Let's talk about the "skeleton key" of JiuJitsu that allows practitioners the ability to transition, attack, defend, restrain and sweep all in one.

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 www.ChokePointChronicles.com

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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In this episode I explore my thoughts surrounding the phrase, "It's not who's best, but who's left” and why It’s governed so much of what drives me as an athlete.

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 www.ChokePointChronicles.com

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

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