Open Mat Podcast

The idea of understanding and learning concepts in Jiu Jitsu - like posture, inside position, and head control - has been the gold standard of "good" technique for years. But when it comes to learning individual skills and specific movements, does that kind of big picture focus help or hurt us? Tim and Adam discuss the limitations of concepts during periods of specific focus, their view on the place concepts have within the sport, and what we replace bigger concepts with during specific work.

Tim and Adam discuss dropping in to new gyms while travelling. While this sounds like one of the easiest decisions to make while travelling, most practitioners have anxiety when it is actually time to go train at a brand new gym. Tim and Adam discuss how to stop worrying about performance, what to do before dropping in, and the mistakes to avoid when in a new gym. If you find this podcast helpful, don't forget to either comment on this episode or connect with us on Instagram at open.matpodcas...

In this episode Tim and Adam address the difficult positions of Front Headlock and Turtle, and how to build a dominant game. They discuss why it's impossible to control right away, how to focus aggression into primary attacks, opening your opponents to further attacks and dilemmas. Finally, they address how to begin building those skills up immediately, whether or not you have a chance to drill them in class.

Tim and Adam discuss whether knowing and tracking Jiu Jitsu lineage still means anything in an art that continues to become more of a sport every year. They discuss how it may give meaning to belts that they don't have on their own, why we will probably always track lineage, and their own coaches.

Tim and Adam answer questions they've been asked about coaching or learning styles, and also address some thoughts they've heard more generally. They discuss why specifically they typically do not demonstrate techniques for students start to finish, and why Tim has insisted that self defense isn't important to teach or learn in Jiu Jitsu classes. Finally, Tim explains and defends a comment from an earlier episode claiming that offense and defense are the same in Jiu Jitsu.

Tim and Adam take an episode to discuss their Jiu Jitsu journeys throughout the past year - the ups, the downs, the changes and the progress. They discuss what they've focused on and what they've discovered, and also offer practical advice to beginner, intermediate, and advanced Jiu Jitsu athletes on how to reflect on Jiu Jitsu in a way that will help you make quicker and greater progress as you return to the mats.

Tim and Adam discuss what is considered by some to be the most devastating position in Jiu Jitsu, but for many practitioners is a challenge both to control and attack. Tim discusses the keys to avoid being thrown or rolled off from top position, and the one objective that will shut down all other attacks. Adam describes how he flipped the switch from consistently losing the mounted position to consistently submitting from there, and the two talk about the role patience plays in success.

Pinning is an important part of all grappling sports, but is much less important in Jiu Jitsu compared to other similar sports. Or is it? In this episode Tim and Adam discuss how pinning serves a different purpose, and why it remains an absolutely critical skill in a sport that rewards it so little. They discuss how to define pinning, how to use it strategically, and how to progress pins toward submissions while maintaining control. If you enjoy this podcast, don't forget to follow us on Inst...

Back Control is one of the most powerful positions in Jiu Jitsu, but behind closed doors most hobbyists have to admit they struggle to control from the back long enough to submit. In this episode Tim and Adam discuss how to be consistently successful in exposing and attacking the back, and also how to build the skills needed to maintain control for extended periods of time. If you find this podcast helpful, don't forget we have an instagram at open.matpodcast! We frequently engage with listen...

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. If you enjoy this podcast, don't forget we have an Instagram page at open.matpodcast! We post clips of upcoming episodes and actively engage with listeners.

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. If this podcast is helpful, don't forget we have an instagram at open.matpodcast where you can interact with us, ask questions, debate points and get sneak peaks i...

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. If you enjoy this podcast, make sure to follow us on Instagram @open.matpodcast! We are happy to respond to comments or mess...