BJJ Mental Models

Latest Episodes:

Mini Ep. 39: Surface Area Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain the concept of surface area, or how much of your body is connected to your opponent when you apply force. You can create more pressure by applying maximal force through the smallest surface area. A classic example is the "shoulder of justice" side control crossface pin. We also discuss other benefits to minimizing surface area, and other types of pressure beyond the physics definition.
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/

Ep. 321: Submission Series: The Woj Lock, feat. Chris Wojcik Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

This week we're joined again by BJJ Mental Models sponsored athlete Chris Wojcik! In this episode, Chris breaks down the mechanics and meta relevance of his new signature move, the Woj Lock.
Follow Chris on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcik
Subscribe to Chris' newsletter, The Grappler's Diary:
https://thegrapplersdiary.substack.com/
Buy Chris' book of the same name on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4gc74Uh
Buy Woj Lock the World on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bit.ly/wojlock
Resources discussed in this episode:
Ep. 288: Open Guard Leg Entanglements, feat. Chris Wojcik
https://bjj.plus/288
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Breaking Mechanics
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/breaking-mechanics/
Limb Coiling
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/

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/

Mini Ep. 38: Ratchet Control Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain ratchet control, a mental model that fine-tunes rotational submissions, especially the kimura. Ratchet control occurs when you force their limb into an "L" shape and rotate it like an Allen/hex key.
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/

Ep. 320: The Language of Injury, feat. Scott Fritzinger Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

This week we're joined by Scott Fritzinger! Scott is a BJJ black belt under Dave Camarillo and is the head instructor at Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Academy Reno. In this episode, Scott discusses "the language of injury," or how our choice of words and delivery can change student behavior and influence the risk of injury in the gym.
Follow Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Academy Reno on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/guerrillajjreno
Train with Scott at Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Academy Reno:
https://www.renojiujitsu.com/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Labeling
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/labeling/
Controlled Breathing
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/
Habits Over Results
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
Probabilistic Thinking
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
Position Over Submission
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
Scientific Method
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/scientific-method/
Consistency
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
Keep it Playful
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/

Mini Ep. 37: Rotational Control Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain rotational control, a mental model that helps us better secure positions and complete submissions. Rotational control involves either preventing your opponent from rotating their torso, or allowing them to rotate so you can follow and improve your position. Achieving rotational control usually requires you to occupy their elbow-knee space along their torso, or restrict the movement of their far arm/leg so they can't spin.
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/

Ep. 319: 4 Pillars of Successful Gyms, feat. Eliot Marshall Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

This week we're joined again by Eliot Marshall! Eliot is a BJJ black belt, retired UFC fighter, and owner of Easton Training Center in Colorado. In this episode, Eliot explains the 4 elements that every successful Jiu-Jitsu gym needs to nail: sales, marketing, product, and culture.
Follow Eliot on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/firemarshall205
Train at Easton Training Center in Colorado:
https://eastonbjj.com/
Grow your BJJ gym with Easton Online:
https://www.easton.online/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Abundance Mindset
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/
Race to the Bottom
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/race-to-the-bottom/
Ulysses Contracts
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ulysses-contracts/
Survivorship Bias
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias/
Consistency
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/

Mini Ep. 36: Waypoints Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain waypoints, also known as "pitstops." Waypoints are positions of power where you are particularly well-trained, and feel comfortable that you can outgun your opponent due to experience and skill within the position. Waypoints aren't necessarily the common point-scoring positions, but can instead be "positions within positions" that occur along the way. Examples of common waypoints include the split squat, double unders, and topside quarter guard.
Before you listen to this episode, check out:
Mini Ep. 35: Tokui Waza
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16364687-mini-ep-35-tokui-waza
Mini Ep. 34: Zone of Genius
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16337686-mini-ep-34-zone-of-genius
Mini Ep. 33: Layers of Strategy
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16303959-mini-ep-33-layers-of-strategy
Mini Ep. 32: Funneling
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16266002-mini-ep-32-funneling
Mini Ep. 31: Asymmetric Warfare
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16225783-mini-ep-31-asymmetric-warfare
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/

Ep. 318: Still Not Nice, feat. Beatrice Jin Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

This week we're joined again by Beatrice Jin! Beatrice is a black belt competitor and coach from Kogaion Academy in Arlington, Virginia. In this episode, we continue our conversation from Beatrice's last visit about how to "stop being nice" when sparring. Topics include the essential concepts of assertiveness and aggressiveness in BJJ, the cultural influences that shape one’s approach to the sport, the significance of a competitive mindset, the necessity of pushing personal boundaries during training, and the importance of consent and managing expectations in training environments.
Follow Beatrice on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/berimbozo
Train with Beatrice at Kogaion Academy:
https://www.kogaionacademy.org/
Check out Beatrice's awesome merch @ Butt Scooter:
https://buttscooterjiujitsu.com/
Resources discussed in this episode:
BJJMM Ep. 284: Stop Being Nice, feat. Beatrice Jin
https://bjj.plus/284
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Defensive Thinking
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/
Position Over Submission
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
The Golden Rule
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/

Mini Ep. 35: Tokui Waza Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain tokui waza, a concept from Judo and traditional martial arts. Translating roughly to "favorited technique" or "special skill," tokui waza refers to the tendency of martial artists to develop and leverage a few techniques they're especially good at. Tokui waza is important to understand because it helps us break the misconception that the best in the world are good at everything. Much like the pro wrestlers, they develop "finishing moves," or tokui waza.
Before you listen to this episode, check out:
Mini Ep. 34: Zone of Genius
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16337686-mini-ep-34-zone-of-genius
Mini Ep. 33: Layers of Strategy
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16303959-mini-ep-33-layers-of-strategy
Mini Ep. 32: Funneling
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16266002-mini-ep-32-funneling
Mini Ep. 31: Asymmetric Warfare
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/16225783-mini-ep-31-asymmetric-warfare
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/

Ep. 317: Takedown Safety, feat. Max Schneider Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

This week we're joined by Max Schneider! Max is a BJJ black belt under Justin Flores, as well as a national Judo champion and Olympic alternate, 2x Illinois state wrestling champion, and former D1 wrestler. In this episode, Max explores the philosophy and techniques behind safe and effective takedown training. Topics include the importance of warmup and falling techniques, various types of breakfalls, the differences in approach between Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, adapting techniques to various body types, and integrating foot sweeps as low-risk takedown options.
Follow Max on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/onejudoka/
Subscribe to Max on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@onejudoka
Learn from Max on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/onejudoka
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Surface Area
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/
Incremental Learning
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
Win Conditions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
Committed Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
Return on Investment
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
Tokui Waza
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza/
Momentum
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/momentum/
Curse of Knowledge
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/
Opening Salvos
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos/
Head Position
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/head-position/
Ecological Dynamics
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/

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