This week we're joined again by Rob Biernacki! Rob is the head instructor of Island Top Team and the mind behind BJJ Concepts. In this episode, Rob breaks down how he built a working no-gi version of the lasso, a position long considered gi-only. Topics include: minding the gap in no-gi grips, the inverted grip, the omoplata as a control system, wedging, and hybrid lasso guards.

Rob on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/islandtopteam

Learn from Rob at BJJ Concepts:
https://bjjconcepts.net

Get Rob's No-Gi Lasso instructional:
https://bjjconcepts.net/instructionals


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity
  
  
• Mind the Gap
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mind-the-gap
  
  
• Kinetic Chains
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains
  
  
• Core Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics
  
  
• Scientific Method
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/scientific-method
  
  
  

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Music by Enterprize:
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In this mini-episode, we discuss overwhelming force: the idea that we maximize our power by using the most of our body's weapons against the least of our opponent's.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


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The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
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This week, we're joined again by Chris Wojcik! In this episode, Chris rebuilds his approach to the Woj Lock around a few guiding concepts instead of a catalog of techniques. Topics include: the three points of control, proximal vs. distal control, redefining what counts as fundamental, and training leg locks through games instead of memorization.

Get Woj Lock 2.0 from BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/products/woj-lock-2-0-completing-the-leg-lock-game-by-chris-wojcik

Subscribe to the Grappler's Diary:
https://thegrapplersdiary.substack.com

Get the Grappler's Diary book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRS9K6LQ

Follow Chris Wojcik on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/chrismwojcik


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• 3 Joint Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule
  
  
• Proximal and Distal Pathways
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/proximal-and-distal-pathways
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi
  
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this mini-episode, we discuss inertia: a concept from physics explaining that objects are resistant to changes in velocity.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
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Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
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Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

This week, we're joined by Beatrice Jin! Beatrice is a black belt competing in the IBJJF top 10 at lightweight and middleweight, and she's known across jiu-jitsu social media for her whiteboard reels. In this episode, Beatrice breaks down the 90% of jiu-jitsu that has nothing to do with sparring, and why the work around the mat is what actually builds a career. Topics include: what podium finishes actually feel like, building a women's open mat from three people to thirty, finding the niche only you can fill, and using social media to build trust before asking for the sale.

Follow Beatrice on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/berimbozo

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@berimbozo

Train with Beatrice at Kogaion Academy in Arlington, Virginia:
https://kogaionacademy.com

Support her merch brand Butt Scooter Jiu Jitsu:
https://buttscooterjiujitsu.com


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Zone of Genius
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-genius
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind
  
  
• Inertia
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inertia
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency
  
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this mini-episode, we discuss emotional contagion: a psychological and physiological concept that shows us how much our emotions and behavior impact others around us.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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This week, we're joined by Josh McKinney! Josh is a black belt, head coach at HeadNod Jiu-Jitsu in Southern Illinois, and the host of the I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu podcast. In this episode, Josh shares a framework for self-coaching beyond getting belt promotions, and explains why submission count and belt color are the wrong yardsticks for measuring whether you're getting better. Topics include: false metrics, the over-reliance on your A-game, learning to read old-school black belts, the Henry Akins "how many steps" test, and managing effort as a progress metric.

Follow Josh on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/thejoshmckinney

Listen to the I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/@isuckatjiujitsu

Call the Hot Take Hotline:
951-HOT-TAKE

Train with Josh at HeadNod in Southern Illinois:
https://headnodhq.com


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition
  
  
• Goodhart's Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law
  
  
• Systematic Abandonment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/systematic-abandonment
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques
  
  
• Deliberate Practice
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practice
  
  
• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting
  
  
• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion
  
  
• Making Smaller Circles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/making-smaller-circles
  
  
• Process Over Outcomes
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/process-over-outcomes
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
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Need more BJJ Mental Models?

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this mini-episode, we discuss cognitive load: our brain's working memory (like computer RAM), and how to manage it so we can learn jiu-jitsu more effectively.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
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This week, we're joined by returning champion Ryan Rich and first-timer Max Corteggiano! Ryan is a third-degree black belt who owns Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu in California and was one of the early adopters of the constraints-led approach, and Max is a first-degree black belt from France who runs BJJ Flowcharts. In this episode, Ryan and Max break down what they've learned from building BJJ Games together, a project focused on making CLA simple and accessible for coaches and students. Topics include: simplifying the constraints-led approach, the blended ABC and eco method, designing games around invariants, attention spans in coaching, and ditching the warmup.

Check out BJJ Games:
https://bjjgames.com

Check out BJJ Flowcharts:
https://bjjflowcharts.com

Train with Ryan at Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu in Granite Bay, CA:
https://granitebayjiujitsu.com


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions
  
  
• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load
  
  
• Invariants
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants
  
  
• Effortful Retrieval
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this mini-episode, we discuss double trouble, a concept popularized by John Danaher. Double trouble teaches us that to fully control a near-side limb, we must also control a far-side limb.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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This week, we're joined by Drew Foster! Drew is a black belt and coach at Elevate MMA in Durham, North Carolina, chief of staff at PGF, and host of State of the Meta on BJJ Mental Models Premium. In this episode, Drew breaks down the "double tap:" attacking a submission, releasing it, then re-attacking right when their defenses drop. Topics include: the double tap, pattern interrupts, the porcupine strategy, and the constraints-led approach.

Follow Drew on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/drewdarce

Train with Drew at Elevate MMA in Durham, NC:
https://elevatemmaacademy.com

Check out Drew's instructionals at Darce Dynamics:
https://darcedynamics.com

Listen to Drew on State of the Meta, exclusive to BJJ Mental Models Premium:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Double Tap
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-tap
  
  
• Mask Your Intentions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions
  
  
• Dilemmas
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dilemma
  
  
• Layers of Strategy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-strategy
  
  
• Porcupine Strategy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/porcupine-strategy
  
  
• Pattern Interrupts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/pattern-interrupts
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com