Learning Progression

bjjlearningsystemprogression

This document outlines a structured learning path for mastering the BJJ State Machine system, organized by progression levels and designed to build skills systematically through connected knowledge.

Foundation Level 1: Core Positions

Start by understanding the fundamental positions that form the backbone of the BJJ positional hierarchy.

Phase 1: Neutral Positions

1. Standing Position (S001)
2. Closed Guard Bottom (S002)

Skills to Develop:

• Proper posture and stance in standing position
• Basic grip fighting principles
• Closed guard maintenance and posture control
• Defensive framing from closed guard

Connections to Establish:

• Standing ↔ Closed Guard via Pull Guard and basic stand-up

Phase 2: Dominant Positions

3. Side Control (S003)
4. Mount (S004)
5. Back Control (S005)

Skills to Develop:

• Pressure distribution in top positions
• Weight shifting to maintain control
• Transitional flows between dominant positions
• Defense prevention principles

Connections to Establish:

• Closed Guard → Side Control → Mount → Back Control pathway
• Basic transition mechanics between these positions

Phase 3: Intermediate Guards

6. Half Guard Bottom (S006)
7. Open Guard Bottom (S007)

Skills to Develop:

• Guard retention fundamentals
• Transitioning between guard variations
• Defensive recovery to better positions
• Frame creation and maintenance

Connections to Establish:

• Half Guard ↔ Closed Guard transitions
• Open Guard ↔ Half Guard transitions
• Recovery pathways from inferior positions

Intermediate Level 2: Basic Systems

After mastering core positions, develop these fundamental technical systems.

Phase 4: Basic Top Game System

• Double leg takedown (T002)
• Basic guard passing sequences
• Transition to Mount
• Arm Triangle Setup

Skills to Develop:

• Takedown setups and execution
• Systematic guard passing approaches
• Submission setups from dominant positions
• Control maintenance during transitions

System Flow:

Standing → Double Leg → Side Control → Mount → Submission

Phase 5: Basic Bottom Game System

• Pull guard (T001)
• Fundamental sweeps from guards
• Triangle Setup (fundamental submission from guard)
• Triangle Finish (T101)

Skills to Develop:

• Strategic guard pulling
• Creating and using leverage for sweeps
• Setting up and finishing submissions from bottom
• Managing defensive responses

System Flow:

Standing → Pull Guard → Closed Guard → Triangle → Submission

Phase 6: Back Attack System

• Taking the back from various positions
• Back control maintenance
• Rear Naked Choke (T201)
• Back control recovery

Skills to Develop:

• Recognizing back exposure opportunities
• Maintaining back control against escapes
• Controlling opponent through body triangle or hooks
• Setting up and finishing the rear naked choke

System Flow:

Any Position → Back Exposure → Back Control → RNC → Submission

Advanced Level 3: Specialized Systems

With fundamentals established, expand into more specialized technical domains.

Phase 7: Leg Lock System

• Single Leg X Guard (S008)
• Ashi Garami (S009)
• Inside Sankaku (S010)
• Inside Heel Hook (T301)

Skills to Develop:

• Entry mechanics to leg entanglements
• Rotational control principles
• Defensive awareness in leg entanglements
• Rule-specific application knowledge

System Flow:

Open Guard → SLX → Inside Sankaku → Inside Heel Hook → Submission

Phase 8: Advanced Guard Systems

• Butterfly Guard system
• De La Riva Guard system
• Z-Guard system
• Berimbolo sequence

Skills to Develop:

• Specialized gripping strategies
• Dynamic guard recovery and retention
• Creating and exploiting angles
• Off-balancing mechanics

System Connections:

• Creating bridges between different guard systems
• Transitional triggers based on opponent reactions

Phase 9: Submission Chain Systems

• Upper body submission chains
• Lower body submission chains
• Mixed chain sequences
• Defensive submission counters

Skills to Develop:

• Prediction of defensive responses
• Timing-based submission entries
• Chaining mechanics between submission families
• Recognizing commitment points in sequences

System Connections:

• Creating decision trees for submission progression
• Understanding defensive hierarchy and exploitation

Expert Level 4: Integration

At this level, focus on integrating systems and understanding meta-concepts.

Phase 10: Positional Integration

• Connection points between major positions
• Transitional decision making
• Recovery systems from inferior positions
• Position maintenance against resistance

Skills to Develop:

• Real-time decision making
• Pattern recognition across positions
• Strategic pathway selection
• Energy management between positions

Phase 11: Strategic Application

• Competition Strategy implementation
• Rule-specific tactical adjustments
• Match scenario planning
• Energy and timing management

Skills to Develop:

• Match strategy formulation
• Tactical adjustment during competition
• Recognizing and exploiting opponent tendencies
• Mental performance under pressure

Phase 12: Personalization

• Identifying personal attribute alignment
• Specialization development
• Game optimization
• Creating novel connections

Skills to Develop:

• Self-analysis and attribute assessment
• Creative problem-solving
• System adaptation to physical attributes
• Development of signature techniques

Learning Methodology

Study-Drill Integration

For each technique or position:

1. Study the state/transition in the knowledge base
2. Visualize the mechanics and connection points
3. Drill the technique with progressive resistance
4. Integrate into sparring with specific focus
5. Review and refine based on performance

Position Rotation Schedule

Week 1-2: Focus on Standing and Takedown/Guard Pull Week 3-4: Focus on Guard Positions Week 5-6: Focus on Passing and Top Positions Week 7-8: Focus on Back Control and Submissions Repeat cycle with increasing complexity

Connection-Based Practice

Rather than practicing isolated techniques, always practice techniques in their connected context:

• Drill techniques in 3-step sequences minimum
• Practice transitions between related positions
• Focus on decision points between branching options
• Train responses to common defensive reactions

Graph-Based Learning Review

Regularly review your progress through the lens of the BJJ state machine:

1. Identify which nodes (positions) you’re comfortable with
2. Assess which edges (transitions) are high-percentage for you
3. Find “dead ends” in your game where transitions fail
4. Look for disconnected subgraphs that need connecting
5. Identify highest-value paths to focus on next

Learning Progression Tracking

Use this template to track your progression through the system:

Position: [Name] (ID)
Comfort Level: [1-5]
Key Transitions In:
- [Transition 1] - Proficiency [1-5]
- [Transition 2] - Proficiency [1-5]

Key Transitions Out:
- [Transition 1] - Proficiency [1-5]
- [Transition 2] - Proficiency [1-5]

Current Focus:
- [Specific aspect to improve]

Next Connection Point:
- [Position/Transition to connect with]

This structured approach turns the abstract BJJ state machine into a concrete learning pathway that builds skills systematically and emphasizes connections between positions and techniques rather than isolated moves.