Technique

Henry Akins joins the show to talk about the importance of defense in your game. He covers several defensive categories and explains how ultimately, a solid defense allows you to be free in the way you express your Jiu-Jitsu.

Is gi jiu-jitsu the pinnacle of martial arts, or does no-gi hold the crown in modern grappling? Join us as we explore this contentious debate with Joseph Worthington and JT Tenasti, who bring their expertise and passion to the discussion. We dive into the evolution of training practices and celebrate jiu-jitsu legends like Marcelo Garcia and Gordon Ryan. Whether you're a steadfast supporter of the gi or a no-gi enthusiast, you'll gain valuable insights on how each style uniquely shapes the sport and contributes to the future of jiu-jitsu. In our conversation, we spotlight the distinct paths to proficiency that gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu offer. Journey through the meticulous and detailed world of gi training with JT, who extols its virtues in building a solid foundation and enhancing one's technical repertoire. On the flip side, Joseph champions the dynamic and fast-paced no-gi environment, emphasizing its appeal to younger, athletic practitioners and those seeking a quicker route to competence. From the slow, intricate mastery of gi to the explosive rise of no-gi prodigies like Nicky Rod, we cover the spectrum of experiences and benefits each path offers. Finally, we delve into the broader implications of gi vs. no-gi within the martial arts community. Discover the traditional structure and disciplined approach of gi jiu-jitsu, which fosters values beyond mere technique. Contrast this with the sport-centric, mainstream appeal of no-gi, which promises greater professional opportunities and adaptability. Our episode culminates in a thoughtful discussion on the long-term sustainability and growth potential of both styles. As always, we're grateful for our dedicated listeners—your support propels us forward, and we can't wait to share these engaging conversations with you.

In this week's mini-episode we discuss **dominant angles!** The concept of dominant angles is more complicated than "being behind or beside your opponent." It's more about positioning your body relative to theirs such that their arms, legs, and other weapons can't come into play. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro](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/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?** Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Follow us on social: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) [https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/) ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

Outside Ashi defense -Wedging Backtake

David Avellan is a BJJ black belt, ADCC 2009 Bronze Medalist, creator of "The Kimura Trap System," and owner of the Freestyle Fighting Academy. On this episode, David shares his start in martial arts, transitioning to wrestling, lessons learned from wrestling, starting a gym with minimal training and no business experience, how he raised money for the gym by running tournaments, how working with Lloyd Irvin changed the trajectory of his business, the importance of culture for a successful gym, mistakes he made in training methodology as a younger grappler, when to develop your toughness, the process of developing the "Kimura Trap System," the benefits of drilling, winning bronze at the 2009 ADCC World Championships, tips on time management, the importance of recovery as you age, how to train optimally, and his thoughts on the ADCC and CJI. If you want to learn more from David, check out https://davidmma.com/join Thanks to the podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to **https://bit.ly/chewjitsu30** and use the promo code Chewjitsu30 to get 30% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out https://www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu20 to get 20% off of your total purchase. Check out podcast exclusives including conversations with guests, Q&A sessions, and tons more at https://patreon.com/thechewjitsupodcast

Video by Choke_Lab f

Do you struggle with No-Gi grappling? Do mainly train in the Gi but want to improve your No-Gi game? Recently a friend of the podcast confessed to Joey about sucking at No-Gi. The thing is they are really good in the Gi, so why is the Gap so great? The boys break down exactly why being raised in the Gi can teach you habits that will hurt you when you try to grapple sans pyjama. It's not just an athleticism thing, it's actually a different way of thinking about how to control another human. This may seem obvious on the surface but when all the control you are used to is stripped away, how do you rebuild your game- top and bottom? This episode serves as a different approach for the Kimono Killers to change their game so they can become a No-Gi Ninja. Get Stronger & More Flexible for BJJ with the Bulletproof For BJJ App- Start your 7 Day FREE Trial: https://bulletproofforbjj.com/register Stay Hydrated with Sodii the tastiest electrolytes in the Game! Get 15% OFF: BULLETPROOF15 https://sodii.com.au/bulletproof Parry Athletic - Best training gear in the game... Get 20% OFF Discount Code: BULLETPROOF20 https://parryathletics.com/collections/new-arrivals

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss **countergripping!** There are three ways to counter a grip: - **breaking the grip** (stripping their fingers),- **inverting the grip** (pummeling to make the grip our own), or- **changing the angle** (which can render the grip useless). In general, breaking the grip is the least efficient option, changing the angle is the most efficient, and inverting the grip is in between. Note that we want our grips to be **dominant grips,** meaning that they give us more control than they give to our opponent. Listen to our prior mini-episode, "grips dictate position," before this one: [https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15489555-mini-ep-13-grips-dictate-position](https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15489555-mini-ep-13-grips-dictate-position) Read more about countergripping: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/countergripping](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/countergripping) Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro](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/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?** Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Follow us on social: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) [https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/) ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

Today, I share 10 incredibly useful BJJ hacks I've learned over 16 years of training bjj. Learn to avoid being the "Stinky gi guy," find out why most instructionals suck, and then sink your teeth into my favorite bjj recipe hack, we've got practical tips to help you suck less at Jiu-Jitsu. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, these hacks will elevate your game. Don't miss out on these essential insights! FREE Copy of[⁠The 3 Lenses⁠](https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/3) Join[⁠ISAJJ PRO](https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/suck)(“Master any Position in 6 weeks”) Join the[Gi Gazette](https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/GG) [⁠Ask Questions/Suggest Topics⁠](https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/ask) for the show Follow the show on[⁠ Instagram⁠](https://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujitsushow) [⁠Check out the ISAJJ Youtube Channel⁠](https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinney)

What other BJJ related podcasts do you listen to? Our great friend and fellow Strength coach Charles Allan Price hailing from the UK gives the boys props. If you are interested check out Charles and his partner in crime Eoghan O'Flanagan as they go deep on all things BJJ. https://open.spotify.com/show/2De9SELCYMGnJapEIPWTAm?si=c157ab592b68494d If you are a bigger frame human do you consider how much you squash your fellow training partners? Our friend Maria is getting good quickly but is concerned about rolling rough with smaller less competitive training partners and not sure how to approach it. Soon to be father of 2, our guy Chris is about to have a new baby and not sure how he can get his training in. He has limited options but doesn't know how to choose which classes he should do and how to fit it in. Staying consistent on the mats when you have a newborn is a juggle and JT & Joey give some good tips on how to get through this challenging time. Fix your sore and swollen fingers today! For 20% OFF Use Discount code: BULLETPROOF20 http://thegripphysio.com/ Stay Hydrated with Sodii the tastiest electrolytes in the Game! Get 15% OFF: BULLETPROOF15 https://sodii.com.au/bulletproof Parry Athletic - Best training gear in the game... Get 20% OFF Discount Code: BULLETPROOF20 https://parryathletics.com/collections/new-arrivals

Shintaro Higashi joins the show to talk about applying Judo techniques in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. He also explains how to train safely and "trade wins" for optimal results. He also discusses how to break the linear learning cycle commonly seen in BJJ

This week we're joined by Tom "TP" Grant! Tom Grant, also known by the writer's handle TP Grant, is a BJJ black belt under Issac Riggs and an MMA/BJJ writer best known for his work at Bloody Elbow and Bleacher Report. In this episode, Tom discusses the importance of adapting on the fly. Techniques are rarely executed exactly as taught; they're usually improvised. Read History of Jiu-Jitsu, by TP Grant: [https://bleacherreport.com/articles/654500-history-of-jiu-jitsu-coming-to-america-and-the-birth-of-the-ufc](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/654500-history-of-jiu-jitsu-coming-to-america-and-the-birth-of-the-ufc) Train with Tom at Evolution MMA in Chicago: [https://www.evolutionmmachicago.com/](https://www.evolutionmmachicago.com/) **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Ecological Dynamics [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/)- Do What Works [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/)- Position Over Submission [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/)- Windows of Opportunity [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity/)- Theory of Alignment [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/)- Labeling [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/labeling/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/labeling/) **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/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?** Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Follow us on social: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) [https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/) Music by Enterprize: [https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/](https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/) ⚠️**NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!** **MINDSET FOR BETAS,** our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

Alright guys, I'm going to show you a technique for when your partner has you in half guard, chest to chest, with a solid cross face. First, keep your rear arm connected to your rib cage. This prevents your partner from getting an underhook. Next, bring your front hand through the small space between your opponent's front delt and bicep, placing your palm on your forehead. Rotate your hand to get an inside tie on your opponent's bicep, which will allow you to remove the cross face. Then, bump your partner forward with your top leg while simultaneously rolling your hand off your rib cage into a deep underhook. Be sure to pull yourself down to avoid a Darce choke. During this motion, pop your head out and place your inside ear on your opponent's back. Heist up to the dogfight position and finish with a back take.