Content Recommendations
Recommended podcasts, instructionals, and study resources for members.
A Note About Studying Jiu Jitsu
Section titled “A Note About Studying Jiu Jitsu”Your best resource is the curriculum itself. That’s what we’re building in class, and supplemental study is most useful when it reinforces what you’re already working on.
When you do study on your own, concepts are more valuable than positional techniques, especially early on. Understanding why things work gives you tools for every position. Memorizing techniques from one position gives you tools for one position.
And sometimes the best thing for your jiu jitsu is to just enjoy it. Watch competition highlights. Listen to entertaining podcasts. Get excited about the game. Not everything has to be a study session.
Concepts and How to Think About Jiu Jitsu
Section titled “Concepts and How to Think About Jiu Jitsu”These resources focus on building a conceptual framework for understanding grappling. If you’re going to study one category, this is it.
BJJ Mental Models Podcast One of the best resources for learning how to think about jiu jitsu. Their concepts-first approach aligns directly with how we teach at GJJ. The broader catalog covers mental models for training, competing, and thinking about the sport more clearly. Free wherever you listen to podcasts. The alignment episodes are a great starting point:
Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernacki (BJJ Mental Models)
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Buzzsprout
Positional Study
Section titled “Positional Study”Once you have some conceptual grounding, positional study is where you build depth in specific areas of the game.
Submeta (submeta.io) Lachlan Giles’ platform. This is where we study the most when prepping for classes. Best content organization and delivery for systems-based positional study. If you want to deep-dive a specific position we’re covering in the advanced program, this is where to go. Paid subscription.
Beginner Content Collection (Submeta) If you’re new, start here. Lachlan’s curated beginner series. Our top recommendation for new members looking to supplement their training.
A note on Danaher: He has arguably the best systems developed for some areas. His 4x4 mount instructional is excellent and not overly bloated. That said, he’s incredibly boring and difficult to listen to, he repeats himself constantly, and his delivery is often not great. Not recommended as a starting point. If you already know what you’re looking for, his material can be worth the patience. If you don’t, start with Submeta. I honestly would only recommend Danaher for brown and black belts that already have a deep understanding of a position. Same with Gordon Ryan.
YouTube Channels for Study
Section titled “YouTube Channels for Study”Good free resources for learning and analysis. These are channels where the content is genuinely educational, not just technique-of-the-day filler.
Less Impressed More Involved (Jake Luigi) Analytical match breakdowns and instructional content. High-quality repackaging of concepts from top-level competitors. His half guard passing course is a more concise version of Danaher’s material combined with coaching games he’s developed. My personal favorite for study-oriented YouTube content.
BJJ Scout Best match analysis on YouTube. Breaks down strategies and techniques used by elite competitors with text overlays and detailed positional annotation. Uploads are less frequent, but every video is high quality. Great for understanding why things work at the highest level.
Lachlan Giles (YouTube) Free companion content to Submeta. Good breakdowns and technique videos. A more accessible entry point if you want to get a feel for Lachlan’s teaching before committing to the paid platform.
Jordan Teaches Jiu Jitsu Decent instructional content, good commentary videos, and competition game planning. Solid general-purpose BJJ YouTube channel.
Mikey Musumeci Guard-heavy, extremely detail-oriented content. Not everyone’s cup of tea stylistically, but the technical depth is unmatched for specific positions. Worth watching if you’re developing a guard game.
Entertainment and Vibes
Section titled “Entertainment and Vibes”Not everything has to be educational. These will make you more excited about jiu jitsu, and that matters.
I Suck at Jiu Jitsu (Josh McKinney) Podcast and YouTube. Entertaining, good conversations with high-level grapplers. The hot takes episodes are especially fun. Not primarily educational, but it’ll make you want to get on the mat. That counts for something.
FloGrappling / Competition Highlights Watch high-level matches. You don’t need to study them. Just enjoy watching people who are really good at the game play it.