Lessons by Coach Matt

2/232026

Today at 630pmStrike Studio we went over the Octopus Guard reversal used by Craig Jones and B Team

Today at GTA Morning Class 2/23/2026

Sugar Hold to Rear Triangle. A mix of catch wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. Vid is BMAC- 10P

Chicken Wing from prone- excellent catch submission that will surprise your jiu jitsu competitors. Vid is Snakepit USA

2/11/2026- 7am Class GTA

Takedowns: Today we started class with a takedown for smaller guys to use on bigger guys. Taken from the Giant Slayer Himself RJ Navarette
(Immortaljiiujitsu). Follow him on IG

Subs:
Today we went over Gordan Ryan Triangle Trap from
Williams Guard. The video is Gordan Ryan instruction from full guard

GTA , Wed (2/25/26) - We went over octopus guard (see other lesson) and we went over this nice wrestling takedown chain from @ketchencarter .

Today we began our twister series. The twister includes multiple variations and is not limited to the version popularized by Eddie Bravo. At its core, the twister is a spinal lock that forces the upper body, including the shoulders, arms, and neck, in one direction while driving the lower body, including the hips, knees, and legs, in the opposite direction. This opposing force creates a rotational torque on the spine.
1. Rigan Twister
Prerequisite: Pillow choke
2. Missou Twister
Prerequisite: Missou choke

2/28/2026

Today at Strike we went over shoulder cinch butterfly sweep to arm triangle to back take (chair sit and belly down)

On Monday, 3 March 2026, at both GTA and Strike, we reviewed the sag headlock takedown, along with scarf hold submissions and corresponding escape sequences.

This week, we will continue by testing and refining multiple scarf hold variations, with emphasis on positional control, transition pathways, and defensive counters.

This week in all classes at GTA and Strike, we trained guillotine submissions from multiple positions. Instruction emphasized chaining the guillotine through positional transitions to maintain continuous offensive pressure and improve finishing opportunities.

This week we are working rubber guard options. Today we focused on the Go Go Clinch

Today we went over another 10P sequence
from rubber guard .

Remember: In rubberguard your lynchpin is head control, knee / elbow connection, and eliminating space. You have to metaphorically curl up into a ball on the top half of thier body

If they break and pass that kneeline and you dont catch a New Jersey- abandon rubber guard and move to K Guard or another advantageous position

3/20/26 Takedowns today we worked our whizzer kicks or for you traditionalists "uchi mata" 🙄 . The Advanced ttp from this is to go to flying triangle aka Craig Jones- a lil athleticism and lots of practice required

3/20/26 Second TTP for groundwork today - the Dead Orchard. Pay attention to 3rd slide from the man himself Nathan Orchard. 4th slide shows used
at high level comp

3/20/26 TTP on the ground today we worked Rubber Guard to Triangle. From the 10P system. Pay attention to BMac's details on slide 3. Slide 4 shows Mason Fowler using the meat hook variation in comp

From Eric Paulson CSW - We worked the Iron Chair as one of our takedowns this morning

This morning we drilled the inside trip using a karaoke step. This adjustment significantly improves execution. I have consistently struggled to finish the standard inside trip, but incorporating the karaoke step with a hook kick creates a better angle and makes the technique more effective.

Puppet Master is a great RG ttp to
use as you cause dilemas when they try to pass your knee/heel lynchpin

1. Puppet Master >Pec Tear

2. PM> Sweep> Triangle

Developed this TTP from wrestling. It provides a less predictable setup for the arm drag, increasing the likelihood of success. Also review the opposing grips concept. As discussed in class, an opponent cannot effectively process and defend two simultaneous opposing grip threats. When they address one, they expose the other, creating the opportunity to execute the arm drag.

Ben Eddy demonstrated this concept. It is a subtle but effective micro-adjustment that improves triangle setup efficiency. Apply the “Uno Reverse” triangle to capitalize on the opponent’s reaction and create a high-percentage finish.

Kade Ruotolo and Tye Ruotolo covered this concept during a seminar. We built on it in class this morning by incorporating the claw ride, which enhances control and creates stronger follow-on attack opportunities.

Your primary guard escape should follow the standard established by the GOAT Gordon Ryan. This is the method to prioritize and refine. It should be the most reliable option in your system. Stand up, tactical retreat and advance to pass

If the opponent sweeps after you stand - notice the options it gives - pinch the legs (knees kiss) then either wrestle up and take back or mount or leg attack

The Jiu-Jitsu alignment framework organizes performance around three foundational elements: base, posture, and structure. These elements define how a practitioner maintains control, generates force, and resists disruption. The central idea is straightforward. A practitioner must preserve their own base, posture, and structure while systematically breaking their opponent’s. This creates asymmetry, which leads to control, positional dominance, and ultimately submission opportunities.

Base refers to how a practitioner maintains balance and connects to a surface. It allows the practitioner to both apply and absorb force. A functional base may come from the floor, the opponent, or another surface such as a wall. When base is sound, body weight remains within the points of support, such as the hands, feet, or hips, and the practitioner can move in any direction without losing stability. When base is compromised, weight shifts outside the support structure, balance is lost, and the practitioner must recover stability before executing any further action. Without base, all other actions degrade.

Posture refers to the position and integrity of the spine. It serves as the foundation for force production and coordination across the body. When posture is intact, the spine remains aligned and stable, allowing the body to function as a unified system capable of generating and transmitting force. When posture breaks, typically through head control, spinal flexion, or rotational disruption, the body becomes mechanically weak and disconnected. Opponents commonly attack posture by pulling the head downward, turning the head off alignment, or twisting the hips, all of which compromise the spine and reduce effective resistance.

Structure refers to the alignment of the limbs and joints, which function as levers. The arms align from shoulder to elbow to wrist, and the legs align from hip to knee to ankle. When these lever systems remain properly aligned, they can effectively transmit force and resist external pressure. When alignment breaks, the limb loses mechanical strength regardless of muscular effort. This establishes a key principle of grappling. Muscle cannot compensate for poor structure. Once alignment is compromised, the limb becomes vulnerable to control and attack.

An important principle follows from these elements. Strength alone does not determine effectiveness in Jiu-Jitsu. If structure is broken or posture is compromised, strength cannot be applied efficiently. Proper alignment consistently outperforms raw size or force. This principle explains why smaller or less physically strong practitioners can control larger opponents when alignment advantages are established.

This framework can be applied as a simple scorecard during a match. A practitioner should continuously assess whether they are maintaining their own base, posture, and structure while simultaneously removing these elements from their opponent. Success in grappling correlates directly with winning this exchange. When a practitioner retains all three elements and the opponent loses them, control becomes predictable and sustainable.

A submission is not a separate or isolated event within this framework. It represents the final outcome of cumulative breakdown. When an opponent has lost base, posture, and structure, they no longer possess the ability to defend effectively. At that point, submissions become a natural consequence rather than a forced action.

In summary, the alignment framework reduces Jiu-Jitsu to fundamental mechanics. A practitioner must control balance through base, maintain spinal integrity through posture, and preserve limb alignment through structure, while actively degrading these same elements in the opponent. This systematic approach creates consistent control and leads directly to dominant positions and submissions.

Framing in Jiu-Jitsu is the application of structure to create and maintain space, prevent pressure, and control distance. Frames act as barriers between you and your opponent, allowing you to manage their movement without relying on strength. Effective framing depends on alignment, not effort. A frame must connect your skeletal structure to your base so that incoming pressure transfers through your body instead of collapsing it.

The most important detail in building reliable frames is the knee–elbow connection. This connection links the upper and lower body into one unified structure. When the elbow and knee stay connected or close, they seal the inside space and create a reinforced barrier. This prevents the opponent from advancing deeper into dominant positions and stops them from breaking your alignment. It also ensures your frames are not isolated. Instead of one limb absorbing pressure, the entire structure shares the load.

A useful way to understand framing is the house analogy. Your frame is like the frame of a house. The bones are the beams, and alignment is what keeps the structure standing. If the beams stay connected and properly aligned, the house can support weight and resist external force. If a gap forms or a beam disconnects, the structure weakens and begins to collapse. The knee–elbow connection functions like a critical joint in that frame. When it stays tight, the structure holds. When it opens, the opponent finds the gap and drives through it.

When the knee–elbow connection is maintained, your frames become efficient and durable. The elbow can anchor against the opponent while the knee reinforces it, forming a wedge that is difficult to compress. This is essential in positions such as bottom side control, half guard, and guard retention, where controlling inside space determines whether you recover or get pinned. It also supports movement. Because your structure stays intact, you can transition, re-guard, or create angles without losing control.

When the connection breaks, the structure fails. The opponent can enter the space between your limbs, collapse your frames, and flatten you. Once this happens, posture degrades, base becomes unstable, and the ability to defend decreases rapidly. Strength cannot compensate for this failure because the structural alignment is already compromised.

Framing is therefore not about pushing. It is about building a connected, load-bearing structure. When you maintain alignment and protect the knee–elbow connection, your frames hold under pressure, preserve space, and give you the ability to recover and attack.

Passing as a ladder in Jiu-Jitsu functions as a control framework that organizes guard passing into a logical sequence rather than a single action. Effective passing requires solving a series of positional problems in order, where each step builds on the control established in the previous one. This model clarifies that passing is not about speed or isolated techniques, but about systematically removing the opponent’s ability to resist.

The ladder exists because, in grappling, an opponent defends using layered structure and mobility. The feet create distance and establish hooks, the knees form frames and shields, the hips generate movement and enable recovery, the shoulders allow turning and framing power, and the head directs alignment and escape. Each of these layers contributes to the opponent’s defensive system, and each must be neutralized before the next becomes reliably accessible. If one layer remains functional, it will compromise progress at higher levels.

The underlying principle is that control precedes advancement. A practitioner cannot safely move up the body without first removing the opponent’s ability to disrupt them at the current level. When a level is skipped, functional frames remain in place, the opponent can reestablish guard, and the passer becomes vulnerable to imbalance or counterattack. This principle enforces disciplined progression and reduces unnecessary risk.

This model works mechanically because human movement in grappling flows from the hips outward and is directed by the head. The hips generate force and mobility, the shoulders transfer that force and create frames, and the head determines alignment and direction. By progressing up the ladder, the practitioner systematically disrupts this chain of movement. This denies the opponent the ability to create space, turn and recover, or rebuild guard.

A common failure point occurs when practitioners attempt to bypass this sequence. Many try to jump directly to dominant positions such as side control or mount without first controlling the intermediate layers. They often ignore the knees or hips and rely on speed instead of control. While this approach may succeed against less experienced opponents, it consistently fails against individuals who maintain structure and disciplined defense.

The ladder ultimately represents a model of disciplined progression. It reinforces a central principle of high-level Jiu-Jitsu that passing is not about executing moves, but about removing options. Progress occurs by taking away one layer of resistance at a time, ensuring that each advance is supported by control and stability.

Leg riding is a control system that originates from folkstyle and freestyle wrestling and has been adapted effectively into submission grappling and mixed martial arts. It emphasizes positional dominance through lower-body control rather than relying solely on upper-body grips.

Notes on Arm Drag Technique

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Arm Drag Seat Belt Technique
- Left hand wraps around the opponent's body.
- One knee goes down, the other goes up, leading to an arm drag and seat belt position.
- When in the seat belt, don't worry too much about the opponent grabbing the leg, especially in Jiu-Jitsu.
- In Jiu-Jitsu, go straight for the neck.
- If the opponent grabs the leg, it can actually help with a choke.

Head Positioning
- Roll the head, ear to chest, while grabbing the shoulder for pressure.
- Pull the elbow close to the body to create space.
- Look to the left, ear to the opponent's chest, or "look up into the armpit" as a coach might say.
- Head should be in the middle, not on the side, to effectively drag out.

Performing the Arm Drag
- Rotate the knee like shooting a single leg, going to the hip or leg.
- From the seat belt position, pressure is applied with the left shoulder, similar to throwing a hook and rotating the body.
- "Once I grip my head turns sideways I grip and when I turn I rotate okay it's just like kind of shooting an outside single."

Common Mistakes and Advice
- The most basic headlock escape is moving the head.
- Don't leave the head in the opponent's armpit.
- When the head is in the center, turn it sideways, looking up into the armpit or checking the opponent's heartbeat.
- Establishing the grip, post, base, leg up, and head position are crucial before the arm drag.

Craig Jones’ Octopus Guard is a sit-up, reach-around control from half or closed guard that traps the opponent’s far lat and turns a losing bottom position into immediate back exposure, sweeps, or stand-ups by shifting your angle and getting your head higher than theirs.

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What it actually is (operational understanding)
• It originates from the traditional octopus guard developed by Eduardo Telles, but Craig Jones modernized it for no-gi and scrambles. 
• You:
• Sit up off your hip
• “Reach around” behind opponent’s far lat/armpit
• Build height (head and hips above opponent)
• This creates off-angle control instead of square guard engagement.

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Why Craig Jones’ version matters (key concept)

Craig reframes it from a “guard” into a wrestling-style reversal system:
• It looks like you are losing position (almost passed)
• You are actually:
• Removing their ability to crossface
• Turning the exchange into a scramble you control
• He links it directly to:
• Stand-ups
• Front headlocks
• Back takes

This aligns with modern no-gi meta emphasizing wrestle-ups and chaos over static guard retention.

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What it gives you (effects)
• Back exposure
Wrapping the far lat prevents posture and opens the back immediately. 
• Sweeps (hip bump / reversal)
You elevate hips and rotate opponent over
• Front headlock entries
Transition directly into D’Arce, guillotine, anaconda chains 
• Stand-up pathway
If they disengage, you come up to your feet

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Why it works (mechanics)
• You break the normal guard battle:
• Not chest-to-chest
• Not square alignment
• You create:
• Angle dominance
• Height dominance (head > opponent)
• Shoulder line control (lat grip)

This disrupts passing pressure and forces reaction.

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Simple mental model

Think of it as:
• Half guard + arm drag
• Combined with a wrestling sit-out and rear body lock concept

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Bottom line for application
• Use it when:
• Opponent is smashing half guard
• You cannot win traditional framing battle
• Your goal is not to “play guard”
• Your goal is to get off your back and win the scramble immediately

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Limitations and risks
• If your head stays lower than opponent:
• You get crossfaced and flattened
• If you fail to control the far lat:
• You give up the pass
• Requires timing and commitment to movement, not static control

Notes on Octopus Guard

Created on April 13, 2026 at 10:19 by Minutes AI

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Craig's Goal
- Craig wants to use the octopus guard to create height.
- He wants to take Joseph over with a hip bump-like motion.

Joseph's Options
- Joseph could go for his own octopus grip and engage with Craig.
- Joseph wedges his arm in front of Craig’s hip to prevent Craig’s motion, then cartwheels over Craig while preventing Craig’s offense.

Joseph's Movement
- Joseph moves his right leg away while his left arm wedges.
- This gives him the space to cartwheel over Craig.

Height Advantage
- "In order to win such scramble situations, you need the height advantage."
- Without height, it is generally unlikely to succeed with your offense.

Experimentation
- Instead of using your own octopus grip, try to experiment with the grip version that Joseph shows.

Integrates TTPs drawn from OG Jiu-Jitsu, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, and wrestling.

The leg drag serves as a high-percentage guard pass against an open guard. From that position, transition into Stoner Guard as a logical progression to maintain control and angle dominance. From there, gain the lock down for Stoner Control or layer in leg riding to consolidate top pressure. Progress to control mechanisms such as the claw ride, sugar hold, or the Dagestani handcuff to break posture and flatten the opponent. This sequence reliably creates submission pathways, particularly chokes and chicken wing variations.

Leg riding is not new. Wrestling has used it for decades to control hips, break posture, and flatten opponents. More recently, athletes like Khabib Nurmagomedov and other Dagestani wrestlers have adapted similar control principles into MMA. What you are seeing here is not a new system. It is a transfer of proven control mechanics into a guard escape context. The same ideas show up in leg riding, freestyle mat returns, and positional pressure systems.

This is not your primary escape. Your first option remains the stand-up approach popularized by Gordon Ryan. This method exists as a contingency. You use it when the hand fight becomes too costly or when you are dealing with a high guard that limits posture and mobility.

Now focus on execution.

Elbows must stay tight. That is non-negotiable. The moment you allow space, you expose yourself to upper body isolation attacks, especially the kimura. Tight elbows protect your structure and keep your hands connected to your base.

Head position matters just as much. Keep your head down toward the hip and angled to the mat. This mirrors the same alignment you use in an over-under pass from butterfly. Your head is not passive. It reinforces pressure and removes space.

This is a slow game. Think in inches, not speed. If you try to rush, you will lose position. Your job is to work down the legs methodically. Every small adjustment should improve your control.

Your primary objective is to bring the opponent’s knees together. When the knees “kiss,” their guard begins to collapse. That is your signal that the structure is weakening.

One side will always be weaker. Do not force symmetry. Read what the opponent gives you. Once the guard opens and the feet disconnect, immediately secure a leg pin on the weaker side. From there, you can transition up the body using lift, pin, or split mechanics depending on the reaction.

If you choose to roll, understand the risk. The roll must be complete and fully committed. You need full control of the legs and proper depth before initiating. If you roll too early, you will not clear the hips and you will land in bottom mount. If your commitment is partial, the outcome is the same. There is no halfway execution here.

Repetition matters. This position is built through feel, not theory. You develop that feel through consistent, deliberate practice.

Headquarters passing is a control-based guard passing system used when the passer positions themselves between the opponent’s legs, typically with:

* One of the opponent’s legs trapped between your legs
* The other leg controlled or pinned across your hip or thigh
* Your hips positioned square and low, centered over the opponent

It serves as a hub position that allows transitions into multiple high-percentage passes.

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Core Objectives

* Immobilize the hips of the guard player
* Split and isolate the legs to prevent guard recovery
* Control distance while maintaining balance and posture
* Create passing dilemmas forcing the opponent to react

The Truck is a dominant back-control position popularized by Eddie Bravo within 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. It immobilizes the opponent’s hips and isolates one leg while controlling the upper body from behind. Structurally, it sits between back control and leg entanglement, giving both submission and positional pathways.

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Core Mechanics

The Truck relies on three control pillars:

1. Hip Control
You sit behind your opponent with your hips tight to theirs, preventing rotation or escape.
2. Leg Isolation (Split Control)
You trap one of their legs using a figure-four configuration with your legs. This creates asymmetry and removes their base.
3. Upper Body Control
You control the torso via seatbelt grip or by trapping an arm, limiting their ability to turn or posture.

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Entry Pathways

Common entries include:

* From Back Control
Opponent defends hooks → you trap a leg and transition to the Truck.
* From Turtle
Opponent turtles → you spiral behind, insert hooks, and isolate a leg.
* From Half Guard / Scrambles
During transitions, you capture one leg and rotate behind the hips.

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Key Control Details

* Maintain chest-to-back connection at all times
* Keep your top leg tight over their trapped leg to prevent slipping out
* Control their far hip to stop them from turning in
* Use knee-elbow connection principles to reinforce structure and prevent space

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Primary Attacks

From the Truck, you have high-percentage submissions:

* Twister (spinal lock)
Rotational spinal pressure by controlling head and hips in opposite directions
* Calf Slicer (banana split variation)
Compression on the hamstring and knee joint
* Banana Split / Groin Stretch
Forces extreme hip abduction
* Back Takes
Transition to full back control with hooks for rear naked choke setups

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Strategic Value

* Forces opponent into defensive paralysis
* Blends upper body control with lower body isolation
* Creates submission chains, not just single attacks
* Particularly effective in no-gi where friction is limited

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Common Errors

* Losing hip connection and allowing opponent to rotate
* Weak leg triangle leading to escape
* Focusing only on submissions without stabilizing control first

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Practical Guidance

* Prioritize control over submission
* Build entries from scrambles and back exposure situations
* Drill transitions between Truck ↔ back control ↔ leg attacks

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Limitations and Considerations

* Some submissions like the Twister are restricted in certain competition rule sets
* Requires precise leg positioning and timing; otherwise control degrades quickly
* Less effective if opponent successfully turns to face you early

Today we worked

Tren Lock

Texas Clover from 411/ Saddle

Knee Bar from 411/Saddle

Rolling Knee Bar

Major Outer Reap
Single Leg to Double
Escape Mount
Triangle Choke from Full Guard

Class Went over these TTPs with experienced and beginners

Beginner
Escape Side Control
Escape to Kimura
Arm Drag
Rear Naked Choke

Experienced
No Gi Ezekial to Head Arm Choke
Short Darce

Escape Mount,
Escape Guard,
Kimura/ Double Wrist Lock from Guard,
Americana from Mount,
Dummy Sweep.

Arm Bar from Mount

Arm Bar from Full Guard

After Class Bonus: Gullotine Choke

Today we went over basic leg attacks and defense then played some CLA leg lock games

Single Leg X
Straight Ankle Lock
Outside Heel Hook
Toe Hold

Ankle Lock Defense
Heel Hook Defense

Learning Concept: Pin- Isolate- Break (PIB)

Technical Mount Escapes
TM to Armbar
TM to Cobra Clutch

Fundamental Back Attacks

Craig Jones Spiral Ride
Gordan Ryan Back system
Twister from Back Control
Arm Bar f me