Open Mat Podcast

Episode 38: Why you shouldn't only train in the gi - but should sometimes | Balancing Gi and no Gi training

Most people don't train only gi anymore, but should you train in it sometimes? Tim and Adam discuss how, when and why to train in both, and how to manage the balance between the two if you're in a school that primarily trains one or the other.

Episode 37: Why ignoring concepts makes our BJJ better | Improving specific skills | When efficiency is and is not important

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.

Episode 36: Why white belts SHOULD teach other white belts | The role of reflection on the mats

Tim and Adam discuss a common situation: White belts giving feedback and advice to other white belts. They discuss the role and importance of peer feedback among junior students, and the place it should take up within a class.

Episode 35: Never have drop-in nerves again | How to properly drop in while travelling | Finding "Home gyms" while travelling

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.matpodcast - we check our messages!

Episode 34: How to create Ecological “games” for Jiu Jitsu | Is Flow Rolling useful?

Tim and Adam discuss how they create classes in which they don't demonstrate or drill techniques. They cover how to break technique apart into individual skills, how to create games that directly improve those skills, and how to do this for yourself.