Open Mat Podcast

Adam and Tim discuss how to use class time leading up to a competition to prepare to win. They discuss how to avoid getting robbed in a tournament, why and how to train differently with a competition coming up, and how to develop the foundations of skill in stand up if you're too afraid to pull guard.

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In this conversation Adam and Tim dive into the deeply frustrating topic of passing the guard, and why much of the time we spend drilling passes is not useful. Tim lays out his views on how to truly improve at passing, including details on his particular framework on the foot positions of passing. Adam details some of the challenges his students have had in learning, and Tim gives advice to his blue belt self.

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In this concise episode Adam and Tim hone in on the idea that Jiu Jitsu is a zero sum game, and what this means for us strategically and for our learning. They delve into how every movement increases or decreases control, and how to make sure that the small exchanges add up over time to huge advantages and inevitable submissions.

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Adam and Tim give commentary on the first Craig Jones Invitational that is as definitive as it is late. They discuss the matches, evaluating some major matchups in both the context of the tournament and how BJJ has continued to evolve since. Tim has very strong words for the strong focus on takedowns shown and the degree to which they influenced the outcome and progress of the matches. The two discuss how CJI has influenced the sport as a whole, from the time of CJI one to the present.

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Tim and Adam have an in-depth conversation around competition, including its importance, how to gameplan effectively, and recounting some of their own competitive history. They discuss the specific advantages competition gives in the journey of jiu jitsu progress, as well as how to create and implement gameplans that actually make a measurable difference in performance.

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In this episode Tim and Adam dive into the elusive skill of learning by reviewing Jiu Jitsu matches - whether those of top competitors or your own. While most top teams discuss their film study often, most hobbyists have never been taught how to bridge the gap between watching a match and gaining useful insights. Tim and Adam talk about how they do this, which competitors they have studied, the usefulness of filming yourself, and the difference between studying film and watching instructionals.

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Tim and Adam dive into the differences and similarities between Gi and No Gi Jiu Jitsu. They discuss the current state of the sport, the rising popularity of No Gi and the slow decline of the Gi. They discuss their personal preferences, and also whether practitioners need to choose whether to train one or the other to get better at Jiu Jitsu as a whole. 

Tim and Adam discuss one of the Jiu Jitsu community's most sensitive topics - the Black Belt. In this conversation they discuss when Tim felt he was "ready" for his black belt, what Adam feels he still needs to learn before he will be ready, and how each of them define the belt itself. They also discuss whether the black belt is as subjective as the other belts are,  and what to work towards as you try to become a black belt yourself.

In this episode Adam and Tim discuss the one challenge that faces both brand new students and instructors coaching brand new members: How do you start to learn Jiu Jitsu without having any idea where to start? They discuss how to define Jiu Jitsu and Jiu Jitsu skills, the first focus that will help new practitioners build skill immediately, and how to focus both your own learning and your students' learning through areas of familiarity as well as unfamiliarity.

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Tim and Adam discuss the experience of being new to Jiu Jitsu, sharing tips and advice they wish they'd had for their first class. They discuss a variety of topics, including Jiu Jitsu culture, the differences between different types of gyms, and etiquette. This episode is indispensable for newer grapplers or those interested in starting in the sport, but also offers commentary on the state of Jiu Jitsu for more seasoned grapplers.

In this conversation, Tim and Adam look at where, if anywhere, the role of unresisted drilling and direct teaching lay on the road to improvement in Jiu Jitsu. They also look at how to create constraints for anyone new at creating games, and how far is too far in the pursuit of specific constraints on those games.

Tim is joined by guest Morgan Frazer in a discussion around optimizing classes for competitors. Morgan teaches at M Theory Martial Arts in Minnesota, where he runs an early morning weekend class which draws students from other academies, some of whom drive 3 hours to attend. Morgan discusses how he approaches these classes, his teaching methodology, and how he views training and coaching Jiu Jitsu to maximize his students' performance.

Train with Morgan at the Academy Eden Prairie in Eden Prairie, MN on Mondays (www.academyedenprairie.com), and if you feel brave ask him about his Sunday class!<...

Tim and Adam are joined by Hayden Buckner, competitor and owner/head coach of the Academy Eden Prairie. Hayden digs into what "Ecological Jiu Jitsu" is, and specifically why it isn't a term we should be using. Hayden gives one of the most accessible introductions to what Ecological Dynamics and the Constraint Led Approach are, and how he uses them to coach and train successfully in Jiu Jitsu.

Find more about Hayden and his gym on their website at https://academyedenprairie.com or on instagram at @academyedenprairie

Tim and Adam tackle leg locks: one of the original controversies of the Jiu Jitsu community. They discuss whether they are as dangerous as they're claimed to be, whether there should be restrictions on who can or should learn and use them, and dig into the deeper reasons why they seem to be so divisive in the first place.

Tim and Adam discuss how to get better at Jiu Jitsu if you are not able to increase your mat time. In this episode, they tackle what "mental engagement" looks like when put into practice, how to make the most of limited time on the mat, and also how to coach students with limited instruction time.

Tim and Adam sit down with Abe, the creator of SubStats. Abe is using technology typically available to Fortune 500 companies to analyze and provide insights from recordings of jiu jitsu matches, giving competitors insights into what goes right and what goes wrong. The three discuss how this is used and what that could mean for competitors.

Tim and Adam discuss how to become a great blue belt after overcoming initial insecurities. They discuss the difference in understanding between new blue and new purple belts, how to develop skills that you felt you could not before, and the most important part of learning Jiu Jitsu for becoming an advanced belt.

Adam and Tim discuss their thoughts on the challenges of the Blue Belt, ranging from defining what one is to how to deal with the various insecurities that come along with it. They talk about promotion criteria, whether someone is a real blue belt if they cannot consistently submit white belts, and advice for shaking the blue belt blues.

Hosts Tim and Adam kick the podcast off. They give brief introductions before discussing how to focus as you learn jiu jitsu, from measuring your progress to how and why to focus your attention as you train.