Ep. 157: The Pitfalls of Principles, feat. Jon Thomas

Respect your opponent, always. This week Steve and Matt discuss the different types of respect and why it's important. Mental models discussed in this episode: Respect your Opponent https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-your-opponent/ Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/ Raise the Level in the Room https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/ Rapoport's Rules https://bjjmentalmodels.com/rapoports-rules/ Growth from Discomfort https://bjjmentalm...

2 Sep 20191h

Funneling, as coined by Nelson Puentes from Inverted Gear, is the strategy of forcing your opponent into areas where you are comfortable and experienced. It's key to high-level gameplanning. Mental models discussed in this episode: Funneling https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/ Asymmetric Warfare https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/ Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/ Mindfulness https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/ Myopia htt...

26 Aug 201959min

Don't worry, this one's not about politics! Today we discuss the pros and cons of Robert K. Merton's idea communism philosophy. The core question answered in this episode is: when should you share your ideas freely, and when should you use them for profit? Mental models discussed in this episode: Idea Communism & Idea Capitalism https://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/ Abundance Mindset https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/ Race to the Bottom https://bjjmentalmo...

19 Aug 20191h 5min

Be an anchor, not a tetherball. This week Steve and Matt discuss when you should and shouldn't tether your body to your opponent. Mental models discussed in this episode: Body Tethering https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/ Alignment over Position https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/ Controlled Breathing https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/ Do What Works https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/We maintain an online database of the mental models g...

12 Aug 201955min

Action creates reaction. This week Steve and Matt discuss predictable responses, a mental model that helps you understand what your opponent is likely to do and decrease your reaction time. Mental models discussed in this episode: Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/ Dictate the Pace https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/ Form to Leave Form https://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/ Funneling https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/ Tec...

5 Aug 201958min

This week Steve and Matt discuss double trouble, a mental model popularized by John Danaher. Mental models discussed in this episode: Double Trouble https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-trouble/ Rotational Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/rotational-control/ Alignment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/ Core Mechanics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/ Kinetic Chains https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/ Committed Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/commi...

29 Juli 20191h

This week Steve and Matt discuss the elbow-knee connection: a shockingly simple concept that, when applied intelligently, can improve your game in a variety of ways. Mental models discussed in this episode: Alignment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/ Core Mechanics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/ Anatomic Hierarchy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/anatomic-hierarchy/ Elbow-Knee Connection https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/ First Principles https://bj...

22 Juli 20191h 9min

This week Steve and Matt discuss kuzushi, the Japanese art of balance breaking. Mental models discussed in this episode: Kuzushi https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/ Path of Least Resistance https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/ Technique Chaining https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/ Types of Guard https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/ Microtransitions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/ Staying Loose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/ ...

15 Juli 20191h 2min