Start from bottom is my advice. How to retain guard, escape pins and bad positions etc. Then you can learn to attack, and last: to throw. If you want to learn takedowns before, join judo or wrestling at the side.

The most important concept for beginners, at least in my book, is the understanding of constantly moving up the positional hierarchy. New jiujiteiros don't usually have a lot of success landing submissions, and it can be even tougher for them if they don't understand that your standard subs don't work from bottom top mount, for example. In competition bjj, improving your position begets points. I've had a number of brand new beginners win their divisions simply by moving up the positional ladder, failing on a submission when they get to top or back mount, and then doing it all over again. In an altercation, improving your position begets the ability to avoid getting hit: it's pretty difficult to receive any damage from a strike from an attacker when they're in bottom side control, bottom top mount or back mount. The achievement of these positions gives the victim the option of applying more dangerous strikes, or if it's not appropriate (like with a 'drunk uncle' scenario) then you can choose just to pin and control your assailant. Even if you're all about 'sub only, bro', I think it's rare that anyone submits anybody without first attaining a dominant position, leg locks and buggy chokes excluded lol. But in the case of the former, you still have to find a way to control your opponent's body in order to lock their leg in some sort of way.

Don't try to strangle me when you're in my guard.

I thought that is just what you called bottom mount.

hahaha Me at a tournament to one of my guys trying to Ezekiel choke from closed guard: 'What are you doing?! ' *Chokes opponent unconscious' Me: 'Well then....nvm.'

LOL the 'weak' position reminds of reverse crunch / Hawking which is actually a very strong position.

LOL the 'weak' position reminds of reverse crunch / Hawking which is actually a very strong position.

#1. Step on the mat. Open mind, no ego!

Why would you step on the mat if you'd have no ego ;) ?

Thurst for knowledge, that's why I did.

Thurst for knowledge sounds like a very ego thing to me ;) (Don't take this too seriously ATM, I'm a psychologist by background, if we want to talk more seriously we need to define 'ego' and that's where I was going)

Thirst for knowledge is just that the desire to aquire knowledge, has nothing to do with ego. The ego slows the acquiring of knowledge, especially in jiu-jitsu in my opinion.

Think Street. Train Sport. Practice Art. (obviously I will unpack it a bit. But that's what BJJ can be and that's what sets up the best learning curve.)

I love that. It's my jiu jitsu philosophy only you said it way more sophisticated and articulate than I do.

My question to you is what is a concept that is extremely important to you that you try to emphasize with students?

I never think street. If people are getting into street fights it's 99% at least partially their own fault. No one has ever tried to fight me my entire life. Your personality is your best self defense followed by your decision making skills. Not putting yourself in bad situations to begin with and then be willing to make fun of yourself or whatever and not have an ego. Anyone who has been in multiple street fights has issues they need to deal with and self defense is not the solution. And yes in the once in a million chance you are in a real situation you can't avoid it's great. But let's not act like someone who trained sport for 5+ years can't take care of themselves against someone who's never trained in grappling before. And if they have trained in grappling and noticed some screwed up ears or something then that should lighten the mood anyways. If your talking about young kids getting bullied that's one thing. If your a grown adult and obsessed with self-defense your best option is to work on yourself mentally.

Another dynamic to think about here is that as larger men we are less likely to be targets. Most people trying to start fights want to fight people they know they can beat (because they are cowards). Women and smaller men have many more aggressive encounters with individuals and they should be able to stand up for themselves. I'm not saying they should pick a fight, but they shouldn't have to just roll over for bullies. By at least keeping street fighting in mind when training you: 1. Give yourself knowledge to help those individuals prepare in the future when you teach them. 2. Allow yourself some overlap with MMA if you ever decide you want to try it or want to train with some of your MMA guys at the gym.