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Game changers?
6 year(s) ago • 7623 views • 40 replies
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
What's something that, at any belt level, made so much sense that it significantly changed how you think about or teach an aspect of BJJ?
Christian's white belt fundamentals video, the head over butt concept specifically, changed how I teach guard passing for sure.
https://youtu.be/vOznf6T9B8I
Christian's white belt fundamentals video, the head over butt concept specifically, changed how I teach guard passing for sure.
https://youtu.be/vOznf6T9B8I
GFBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
"Small muscles to hold, big muscles to move"
(V.Koulikov)
If I had to pick one, but there are so many ^^
Bait, trap, create triggers
Make the opponent play your game
Anticipation is the first line of defense
Give your opponent the opportunity to make mistakes
Give them dilemmas, not problems to solve (Danaher)
Develop your own adaptable problem-solving algorithms (R.Biernarcki)
Escaping is not enough (Tonon)
Think in odds
Sequences and systems are better than individual submissions
Develop complementary moves
Switch before the point of no-return
Switch sides to force an overcommit
Disrupt the opponent’s head
What’s their way out?
What do they want?
Avoid submission tunnel-vision
You can only get as good as your training partners
Be the partner you wish you had
Make yourself vulnerable in training
Mindless practice makes permanent
Mindful practice makes perfect
Small muscles to hold, big muscles to move (V.Koulikov)
Weighted and unweighted
Keep the pressure when switching grips
Redirect and collapse their frames
Feel their base
Eliminate the slack
Placeholder System (R.Hall)
Rubber Band effect (Rener)
Baby hooks (Keenan)
Recognize Triggers, “affordance”, patterns.
Best option from the energy given to you.
Fluid Momentum > Position > Submission (Karel Pravec)
Attack with a back-up plan (Karel Prance)
Learn Something from your opponent with every grip and move (Rener)
(V.Koulikov)
If I had to pick one, but there are so many ^^
Bait, trap, create triggers
Make the opponent play your game
Anticipation is the first line of defense
Give your opponent the opportunity to make mistakes
Give them dilemmas, not problems to solve (Danaher)
Develop your own adaptable problem-solving algorithms (R.Biernarcki)
Escaping is not enough (Tonon)
Think in odds
Sequences and systems are better than individual submissions
Develop complementary moves
Switch before the point of no-return
Switch sides to force an overcommit
Disrupt the opponent’s head
What’s their way out?
What do they want?
Avoid submission tunnel-vision
You can only get as good as your training partners
Be the partner you wish you had
Make yourself vulnerable in training
Mindless practice makes permanent
Mindful practice makes perfect
Small muscles to hold, big muscles to move (V.Koulikov)
Weighted and unweighted
Keep the pressure when switching grips
Redirect and collapse their frames
Feel their base
Eliminate the slack
Placeholder System (R.Hall)
Rubber Band effect (Rener)
Baby hooks (Keenan)
Recognize Triggers, “affordance”, patterns.
Best option from the energy given to you.
Fluid Momentum > Position > Submission (Karel Pravec)
Attack with a back-up plan (Karel Prance)
Learn Something from your opponent with every grip and move (Rener)
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Thanks Gerald!
Have you got a link for "Small muscles to hold, big muscles to move"
(V.Koulikov)?
Those are all important concepts, but it's not easy to parse a list that big.
Let's go the 'less is more' route... what if you had to recommend only 1 or 2?
Have you got a link for "Small muscles to hold, big muscles to move"
(V.Koulikov)?
Those are all important concepts, but it's not easy to parse a list that big.
Let's go the 'less is more' route... what if you had to recommend only 1 or 2?
Edited 6 year(s) ago
![Slideyfoot [jun]](userimg/5e25cf311adfd.jpg){kind=small}
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
If I had to pick one thing, probably when a guy who often used to visit my club (he trains at another local gym) told me that one of his training partners never let go of the kimura grip one he had it. I started doing that, then a few years down the line, the kimura was BY FAR my highest percentage submission. I now base my whole game around getting the kimura grip from north south.
Another thing I've found very useful was Christians "head over butt". Although I took the concept differently, as for me it's basically "don't look at your partner when passing." That's helped a lot with my posture for passing, though it does mean I seem insane because I never look at people when I'm trying to pass. :P
For example, the below pics. One of my students (Lisa, she does a great job of running the Artemis BJJ womens class) made a comic out of some photos another student (@wanderingmishap) took watching me spar with my good friend Seymour Yang at a GrappleThon a couple of years ago ;) -
Another thing I've found very useful was Christians "head over butt". Although I took the concept differently, as for me it's basically "don't look at your partner when passing." That's helped a lot with my posture for passing, though it does mean I seem insane because I never look at people when I'm trying to pass. :P
For example, the below pics. One of my students (Lisa, she does a great job of running the Artemis BJJ womens class) made a comic out of some photos another student (@wanderingmishap) took watching me spar with my good friend Seymour Yang at a GrappleThon a couple of years ago ;) -
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Can and his kimura... :)
In regards of kimura defence - mine went up when I realized that "Kimura is a double edged sword." :)
(Kimura grip always works both ways and in many situations defence starts with trying to create angles that would allow you to create pressures similar to doing a kimura.)
(Kimura grip always works both ways and in many situations defence starts with trying to create angles that would allow you to create pressures similar to doing a kimura.)
CMBlack beltVerifiedScotland
6 year(s) ago
Having Dan Reid explain the difference between a choke and a strangle at a recent seminar. This gave me a lot more intent in my attacks. I feel like I moved from being unconsciously competent to consciously competent. Sad that it took until brown belt to properly learn this but glad I have.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Having Dan Reid explain the difference between a choke and a strangle at a recent seminar. This gave me a lot more intent in my attacks. I feel like I moved from being unconsciously competent to consciously competent. Sad that it took until brown belt to properly learn this but glad I have.
How'd he explain it?
(there are puns in there talking about strangles and being unconsciously competent :D )
(there are puns in there talking about strangles and being unconsciously competent :D )
FFBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'll name a few things that completely changed my jiu-jitsu in the last three years. They are in the chronological order I received them. The chronological order of when/how I started to understand them would be a more messy and multi-layered thing.
- A long conversation with Kit Dale about concepts and concept based learning
- Octavio Couto explaining body alignment and angles
- Priit Mihkelson explaining the grilled chicken
- Priit Mihkelson explaining late defences
- Octavio Couto explaining the concept of hanging
I'll also name a few things that I still don't consider personal game changers but that keep giving me food for thoughts to the point but maybe down the road I'll consider game changers:
- Jorgen Matsi class on wrestling
- Chris Paines everything
- Wim Deputter pressure passing ideas
- A long conversation with Kit Dale about concepts and concept based learning
- Octavio Couto explaining body alignment and angles
- Priit Mihkelson explaining the grilled chicken
- Priit Mihkelson explaining late defences
- Octavio Couto explaining the concept of hanging
I'll also name a few things that I still don't consider personal game changers but that keep giving me food for thoughts to the point but maybe down the road I'll consider game changers:
- Jorgen Matsi class on wrestling
- Chris Paines everything
- Wim Deputter pressure passing ideas
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Jorgen Matsi class on wrestling - Chris Paines everything - Wim Deputter pressure passing ideas
Jorgen's wrestling video was excellent. Lots to think about there.
Chris' short videos 'complete lack of technique' were really engaging and I love how he explains concepts
I've seen Wim recommended a few times now, I will have to look into his stuff
I just thought of Charles Harriot's 'choke theory' video I watched not that long ago. It helped improve my understanding so so many chokes tha tI do and decrease the effort I need to finish them :)
Chris' short videos 'complete lack of technique' were really engaging and I love how he explains concepts
I've seen Wim recommended a few times now, I will have to look into his stuff
I just thought of Charles Harriot's 'choke theory' video I watched not that long ago. It helped improve my understanding so so many chokes tha tI do and decrease the effort I need to finish them :)
Edited 6 year(s) ago
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Jorgen's wrestling video was excellent. Lots to think about there. Chris' short videos 'complete lack of technique' were really engaging and I love how he explains concepts I've seen Wim recommended a few times now, I will have to look into his stuff I just thought of Charles Harriot's 'choke theory' video I watched not that long ago. It helped improve my understanding so so many chokes tha tI do and decrease the effort I need to finish them :)
Charles' choke class was great, I especially like how it basically means you can choke somebody gently, even when they are tightly tucking their chin. As opposed to what I really hate, which is people who upon encountering RNC defence will go "I'll just crush their face instead, it's their fault if they don't tap."
Thanks to Charles, now in that situation there is a lovely, pain-free, friendly option to choke them instead. :D
Thanks to Charles, now in that situation there is a lovely, pain-free, friendly option to choke them instead. :D
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Lol not sure how "pain free" it is.
After the first time I RNC someone with their chin down they don't try that defence again ;)
After the first time I RNC someone with their chin down they don't try that defence again ;)
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Lol not sure how 'pain free' it is. After the first time I RNC someone with their chin down they don't try that defence again ;)
That's exactly what I meant: crushing their face when they tuck their chin is the pain option I really hate. In a comp, sure, but I don't like the line of thinking that goes "well, if I hurt you lots, you wont do that again, it's your own fault." I don't like causing pain. ;)
Hence why Charles' option, which squeezes the sides of the neck even they tuck their chin, is much better for me. No pain involved. :D
This vid, in case anybody is wondering what we're talking about: https://www.youtube.com/w[...]Cccsy-I96E
Hence why Charles' option, which squeezes the sides of the neck even they tuck their chin, is much better for me. No pain involved. :D
This vid, in case anybody is wondering what we're talking about: https://www.youtube.com/w[...]Cccsy-I96E
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
People loving concepts - check out my Science of Strangles as well :) https://youtu.be/rcBRd_nc3F0
I must say I was stoked by one of the videos by Kit Dale & Nic Gregoriades where they hyped "concept-based-learning" but when I watched what they put forth was rather disappointed as it was still just some isolated ideas and metaphors (e.g. "not shooting both barrels" with both legs when defending open guard). Granted, this was quite a few years ago.
I must say I was stoked by one of the videos by Kit Dale & Nic Gregoriades where they hyped "concept-based-learning" but when I watched what they put forth was rather disappointed as it was still just some isolated ideas and metaphors (e.g. "not shooting both barrels" with both legs when defending open guard). Granted, this was quite a few years ago.
FFBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I must say I was stoked by one of the videos by Kit Dale & Nic Gregoriades where they hyped 'concept-based-learning' but when I watched what they put forth was rather disappointed
Same. I bought that video with great hopes and I was disappointed. Years after when I met Kit , he told me that he had the same feelings about that video :D
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
People loving concepts - check out my Science of Strangles as well :) https://youtu.be/rcBRd_nc3F0 I must say I was stoked by one of the videos by Kit Dale & Nic Gregoriades where they hyped 'concept-based-learning' but when I watched what they put forth was rather disappointed as it was still just some isolated ideas and metaphors (e.g. 'not shooting both barrels' with both legs when defending open guard). Granted, this was quite a few years ago.
Agreed. Though I think it's also really tough to effectively teach concepts on video. A lot of people claim to do it, but I can't think of anybody who has released an instructional that teaches concepts I've been able to use. It may not be as exciting as the mythical 'concept' that unlocks BJJ, but old school "here's a technique, this is how you do it, here are some more details" is still the best way to teach on a video, IMO.
Possibly because it's hard to learn a concept without being able to immediately apply it? E.g., I've gotten plenty out of some of Christian's classes, which are heavy on concepts, but that was with lots of drilling during the class. I'm not sure I would have benefitted so much if I'd seen the same class purely on video, rather than in person.
Of course, it does depend on both the student as well as the instructor. I know there are some teachers that other people get a lot out of, but their teaching style doesn't seem to mesh with my learning style.
Possibly because it's hard to learn a concept without being able to immediately apply it? E.g., I've gotten plenty out of some of Christian's classes, which are heavy on concepts, but that was with lots of drilling during the class. I'm not sure I would have benefitted so much if I'd seen the same class purely on video, rather than in person.
Of course, it does depend on both the student as well as the instructor. I know there are some teachers that other people get a lot out of, but their teaching style doesn't seem to mesh with my learning style.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Rob Biernaki (and BJJ Mental Model's guys the Kwan brothers) are doing things right imo. I might not agree on everything but this really is CONCEPTS they are talking about.
FFBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
check out my Science of Strangles as well :) https://youtu.be/rcBRd_nc3F0
Love that rush guard!
And particularly liked the arm triangle explanation.
Also nice to see I'm not lonely in pushing the head sideways while applying a triangle choke. It's one of those things that feel like common knowledge, than you still get strange looks when you say it.
And particularly liked the arm triangle explanation.
Also nice to see I'm not lonely in pushing the head sideways while applying a triangle choke. It's one of those things that feel like common knowledge, than you still get strange looks when you say it.
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
People loving concepts - check out my Science of Strangles as well :) https://youtu.be/rcBRd_nc3F0 I must say I was stoked by one of the videos by Kit Dale & Nic Gregoriades where they hyped 'concept-based-learning' but when I watched what they put forth was rather disappointed as it was still just some isolated ideas and metaphors (e.g. 'not shooting both barrels' with both legs when defending open guard). Granted, this was quite a few years ago.
Thanks for the link. Was an interesting watch for sure :)
DBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
What's something that, at any belt level, made so much sense that it significantly changed how you think about or teach an aspect of BJJ? Christian's white belt fundamentals video, the head over butt concept specifically, changed how I teach guard passing for sure. https://youtu.be/vOznf6T9B8I
Good video! Apart from the shorts :)
Should be mentioned that the leg lock game changed concept one though. It is a fundamental concept no doubt, but yeah, leg lockers messing shit up.
Should be mentioned that the leg lock game changed concept one though. It is a fundamental concept no doubt, but yeah, leg lockers messing shit up.
DCBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
What makes a position a position?...
Gravity and how its affecting you at the time.
*Mount is guard
*Side control bottom is side control top
*Scarfhold is a wierd headlock etc.
This simplified Jiu Jitsu, if you know a guard pass you have a mount escape, if you can get to knee-ride from side control you can probably get guard recovery. (with some minor modification).
Getting comfortable before you do anything, this leads to better decisions for a start but most of the time better execution.
I suppose thes are seperate but I always explain them together, makes white belts eyes go wide and jaws drop. Which is exactly what happened when white belt me heard the first one and blue belt me started sitting on a submission set ups to guarantee it and decided to see if I could chill in safe places before escaping. Frustrats people to no end.
Gravity and how its affecting you at the time.
*Mount is guard
*Side control bottom is side control top
*Scarfhold is a wierd headlock etc.
This simplified Jiu Jitsu, if you know a guard pass you have a mount escape, if you can get to knee-ride from side control you can probably get guard recovery. (with some minor modification).
Getting comfortable before you do anything, this leads to better decisions for a start but most of the time better execution.
I suppose thes are seperate but I always explain them together, makes white belts eyes go wide and jaws drop. Which is exactly what happened when white belt me heard the first one and blue belt me started sitting on a submission set ups to guarantee it and decided to see if I could chill in safe places before escaping. Frustrats people to no end.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Getting to your elbow when on the bottom. Also when someone told my that my opponents push is my pull and that his pull is my push. Changed everything
DBBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Reilly Bodycomb at a seminar - "there's no such thing as a no gi guard sweep" - fundamentally it's just not possible to force someone to the ground in no gi if you're willing to abandon your pass and force the engagement to standing. At best/worst they'll be chasing a takedown, but then you're in the standing game where you're comfortable (pre-supposes a high degree of comfort wrestling, the first couple of hours were spent on single legs and defense thereof).
Vlad Koulikov at every seminar I've been to of his - "open the door at the handle, not the hinges" - where most people mess up grips for submissions or escapes is that they grab by the joint that moves rather than the end of the lever. For example, hold to finish an armbar by the hand/wrist, not down on the forearm by the elbow.
Vlad Koulikov at every seminar I've been to of his - "open the door at the handle, not the hinges" - where most people mess up grips for submissions or escapes is that they grab by the joint that moves rather than the end of the lever. For example, hold to finish an armbar by the hand/wrist, not down on the forearm by the elbow.
GFBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Thanks Gerald! Have you got a link for 'Small muscles to hold, big muscles to move' (V.Koulikov)? Those are all important concepts, but it's not easy to parse a list that big. Let's go the 'less is more' route... what if you had to recommend only 1 or 2?
@benny
It was from a video on the Grappler's Guide.
he has 12 sections on there... I don't remember which on it was...
Groundwork
Georgian Grip Series
Gi Foot Sweep Series
Sacrifice Throw Series
Gi Throw Combinations
Overhook / Underhook Series
Russian 2-On-1 Series
Pinch Headlock Series
Singe Leg Takedown Counters
Pick-Ups
Cross Grip Takedown Series
Subs From Takedowns
I took a screenshot back then, I'll see if I can find the context.
What I took from it is essentially all the positions where you can "lock" your elbows in place; elbow-chest connection, elbow-knee connection, lock a guillotine, lock an ankle, a collar tie, etc. hold that in place and then move your whole body towards a given goal
edit : found it
Ankle Lock Grip Tips (Vladislav Koulikov)
https://grapplersguide.co[...]ikov.9027/
(membership required, I've been a member since 2017 and it keeps getter better, I think Jason Scully is doing a good job)
it's just in the context of the ankle lock grip, and in that video he shows how it applies to the Georgian grip as well; hold with small muscles, move with the hips. I think it can extended as a very helpful heuristic.
have a nice day y'all ^^
It was from a video on the Grappler's Guide.
he has 12 sections on there... I don't remember which on it was...
Groundwork
Georgian Grip Series
Gi Foot Sweep Series
Sacrifice Throw Series
Gi Throw Combinations
Overhook / Underhook Series
Russian 2-On-1 Series
Pinch Headlock Series
Singe Leg Takedown Counters
Pick-Ups
Cross Grip Takedown Series
Subs From Takedowns
I took a screenshot back then, I'll see if I can find the context.
What I took from it is essentially all the positions where you can "lock" your elbows in place; elbow-chest connection, elbow-knee connection, lock a guillotine, lock an ankle, a collar tie, etc. hold that in place and then move your whole body towards a given goal
edit : found it
Ankle Lock Grip Tips (Vladislav Koulikov)
https://grapplersguide.co[...]ikov.9027/
(membership required, I've been a member since 2017 and it keeps getter better, I think Jason Scully is doing a good job)
it's just in the context of the ankle lock grip, and in that video he shows how it applies to the Georgian grip as well; hold with small muscles, move with the hips. I think it can extended as a very helpful heuristic.
have a nice day y'all ^^
Edited 6 year(s) ago
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Awesome Gerald!
I really appreciate you digging that up for me.
I'm a GG member so I'll check it out
I really appreciate you digging that up for me.
I'm a GG member so I'll check it out
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
What makes a position a position?... Gravity and how its affecting you at the time. *Mount is guard *Side control bottom is side control top *Scarfhold is a wierd headlock etc.
I actually am very much on the opposite side :)
I think gravity AND the fundamentally different objectives in regards of staying on top (bottom does NOT have to worry about being put on their back, they're already there, top's goal is not to get their feet under them, they're already there) make all the difference to make the positions NOT the same.
To explain them as conceptually similar leads to oversimplification imo. (Unless we're talking about grappling in less-gravity environment such as underwater or space jiu jitsu in case of which the ONLY asymmetrical superior position is back control :D )
I think gravity AND the fundamentally different objectives in regards of staying on top (bottom does NOT have to worry about being put on their back, they're already there, top's goal is not to get their feet under them, they're already there) make all the difference to make the positions NOT the same.
To explain them as conceptually similar leads to oversimplification imo. (Unless we're talking about grappling in less-gravity environment such as underwater or space jiu jitsu in case of which the ONLY asymmetrical superior position is back control :D )
DBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Rob Biernaki (and BJJ Mental Model's guys the Kwan brothers) are doing things right imo. I might not agree on everything but this really is CONCEPTS they are talking about.
That's the guy who made himself immortal by taking Eddie Cummings' private classes and then peddling the material as his own? (with added mistakes and fluff)
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
That's the guy who made himself immortal by taking Eddie Cummings' private classes and then peddling the material as his own? (with added mistakes and fluff)
Biernaki - yes, that's the guy. I've seen the instructionals he put out after that.
However e.g. his talks about posture, base and alignment are these things best-worded I've ever seen and that's something ppl e.g. in SBG have trying to put into words for 15+ years.
Also the Kwan brothers are really well-articulated and smart (although they are massive Rob's fanboys understandably :) )
However e.g. his talks about posture, base and alignment are these things best-worded I've ever seen and that's something ppl e.g. in SBG have trying to put into words for 15+ years.
Also the Kwan brothers are really well-articulated and smart (although they are massive Rob's fanboys understandably :) )
JRBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Same. I bought that video with great hopes and I was disappointed.
Same here. Sadly it was the only Video from him that i own. Does anybody has a Kit Dale video that is worth to Check? He seems like a great guy and teacher.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
That's the guy who made himself immortal by taking Eddie Cummings' private classes and then peddling the material as his own? (with added mistakes and fluff)
Mainly I remember him as 'beanie hat guy', when his youtube channel was called something like Island Top Team (for Vancouver Island, IIRC) and he always had a beanie on. 10 years ago, maybe? Possibly longer.
Kesting has often worked with him, along with some of Biernacki's black belts, so that seems like a big point in his favour. Though yeah, while I've had some students that are big fans of Biernacki's material, I haven't picked up any yet myself. Also, he often clicks Like on my Instagram videos, so that makes me like him more. :D
Kesting has often worked with him, along with some of Biernacki's black belts, so that seems like a big point in his favour. Though yeah, while I've had some students that are big fans of Biernacki's material, I haven't picked up any yet myself. Also, he often clicks Like on my Instagram videos, so that makes me like him more. :D
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
For me, the big 'a-ha' moment was: "Don't let your opponent get underhooks under any circumstance whatsoever."
Once I started focusing on that concept, people that would routinely wipe the floor with my ass had a VERY hard time imposing their games. When they would manage to get stuff on me, it was mainly due to - you guessed it - that they managed to get underhooks.
Once I started focusing on that concept, people that would routinely wipe the floor with my ass had a VERY hard time imposing their games. When they would manage to get stuff on me, it was mainly due to - you guessed it - that they managed to get underhooks.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
