B-Team Dilemma System is a advanced difficulty Attack System system. Integrates 6 components.
System ID: System Type: Attack System Difficulty Level: Advanced
What is B-Team Dilemma System?
The B-Team Dilemma System represents a revolutionary approach to modern no-gi grappling, built on the principle of creating perpetual lose-lose scenarios for opponents. Developed and refined by Craig Jones and the B-Team crew, this system forces opponents into making decisions where every choice leads to another dangerous position. Rather than relying on singular techniques, the system connects leg entanglements, back attacks, and submissions into an endless chain of threats that compounds pressure with each defensive reaction.
At its core, the dilemma system recognizes that elite-level opponents will defend your initial attacks. Instead of viewing defense as failure, the system treats every defensive reaction as an opportunity to transition into an even more dangerous position. When an opponent defends the outside heel hook, they expose the back take. When they defend the back take, they return to leg entanglements. This cyclical nature creates mental and physical exhaustion, as opponents realize there is no ‘safe’ defensive option.
The B-Team approach differs from traditional submission hunting by prioritizing positional chains over individual finishes. Success is measured not by immediate taps, but by controlling the tempo of engagement and forcing opponents into progressively worse positions until submission becomes inevitable. This methodology has proven devastatingly effective in competition, producing multiple ADCC medalists and establishing a new paradigm for systematic offensive grappling.
Core Principles
- Every defensive reaction opens a different offensive opportunity
- Position chains create cumulative pressure that compounds over time
- Submission threats control opponent movement and decision-making
- Back attacks and leg locks function as two sides of the same system
- Mental warfare through endless threat loops breaks opponent resolve
- Timing transitions during defensive movements maximizes success rate
- Controlling distance and grips dictates which dilemma enters opponent faces
Key Components
Leg Entanglement Entry System (Establish initial control and create first dilemma between defending leg attacks or protecting the back) Systematic approach to entering ashi garami positions from standing, passing, and guard scenarios. Emphasizes grip control and hip positioning to secure dominant leg entanglements while maintaining back exposure opportunities. The entry system prioritizes outside ashi and saddle positions that create immediate finishing threats while setting up transitional chains.
Outside Heel Hook to Back Transition (Convert leg attack defense into back exposure, creating perpetual offensive cycle) Core dilemma sequence where outside heel hook attempts force opponent to turn away, exposing the back. The transition exploits the natural defensive instinct to hide the heel by creating space for hook insertion. Proper timing of the transition during opponent’s defensive rotation maximizes back control success while maintaining leg entanglement as backup option.
Back Control to Leg Re-Entry Chain (Maintain offensive pressure when back attacks are defended by returning to leg attack positions) Systematic pathway from back control to leg entanglement positions when opponents defend choke attacks. Uses opponent’s defensive hand fighting and body positioning to slide back into outside ashi or saddle. The chain recognizes that defending rear naked chokes often requires opponents to lower hips and create space that facilitates leg entanglement re-entry.
Saddle Position Control Framework (Establish dominant finishing position with multiple submission paths and transition options) Comprehensive control system for saddle position focusing on cross ashi and inside position variations. Emphasizes inside knee placement, hip control, and angle creation to prevent defensive escapes while setting up heel hook finishing mechanics. The framework treats saddle as both finishing position and transitional hub for the entire dilemma system.
Front Headlock Integration Protocol (Provide standing and turtle-based entries into the core dilemma system) Strategic use of front headlock positions as entry points to both leg entanglements and back control. Incorporates snap downs, go-behinds, and leg entry opportunities from standing and turtle positions. The protocol recognizes front headlock as a critical connection point that feeds into the leg lock and back attack chains.
50-50 Guard Offensive System (Convert traditionally neutral position into active offensive platform within dilemma framework) Offensive methodology for 50-50 guard that treats it as an attacking position rather than stalling position. Focuses on straight ankle locks, toe holds, and calf slicers while maintaining connection to back exposure opportunities. The system emphasizes activity and submission attempts that force opponent reactions leading to positional improvements.
Implementation Sequence
- Entry and Initial Engagement: Establish first positional control through leg entanglement entries or front headlock positions. Focus on securing grips and angles that create immediate submission threats while maintaining back exposure opportunities. Key points:
- Enter outside ashi from standing or passing scenarios
- Secure cross grip and inside position control
- Establish hip-to-hip connection for entanglement security
- Monitor opponent’s defensive grips and posture for transition opportunities
- First Dilemma Creation: Initiate primary attack (typically outside heel hook) to force opponent’s first defensive decision. Apply sufficient pressure to create genuine threat while maintaining awareness of defensive reactions that will trigger transitions. Key points:
- Apply outside heel hook mechanics with proper wrist and knee positioning
- Read opponent’s hip rotation and upper body defensive movements
- Prepare transition timing for when opponent turns away or sits up
- Maintain leg entanglement structure even as attack is defended
- Transition Execution: Execute planned transition based on opponent’s defensive reaction. Most commonly, opponent’s heel hook defense (turning away) exposes back control opportunity. Time transition during opponent’s movement for maximum effectiveness. Key points:
- Insert hooks during opponent’s defensive rotation
- Secure seat belt or harness control before opponent resets
- Maintain connection to leg entanglement as backup position
- Establish back control with immediate submission threat
- Secondary Attack and Dilemma Loop: Apply new attack from transitioned position (rear naked choke from back) to create second dilemma. Opponent’s defense of this attack opens return pathway to leg entanglement or alternative submission. The system begins to cycle at this stage. Key points:
- Attack rear naked choke or armbar from back control
- Anticipate opponent’s defensive hand fighting and hip movement
- Time leg re-entry when opponent creates space defending chokes
- Recognize when to return to leg attacks versus persist with back attacks
- Dilemma Intensification: Continue cycling through position chains with increasing speed and pressure. As opponent becomes familiar with one transition, introduce variations and secondary pathways. Mental and physical fatigue accumulates, degrading defensive effectiveness. Key points:
- Reduce transition time as opponent’s reactions become predictable
- Introduce saddle position entries from back control
- Add front headlock re-entries when opponent attempts full escape
- Maintain offensive tempo without rushing individual techniques
- Submission Completion: Recognize diminished defensive capacity and commit to high-percentage finish. Typically occurs after 2-4 complete cycles when opponent’s movement slows or defensive reactions become predictable. Choose finishing position based on opponent’s accumulated weaknesses. Key points:
- Identify which position opponent defends worst after multiple exposures
- Commit fully to finishing mechanics when defensive delay is observed
- Apply submissions with control and proper breaking mechanics
- Be prepared to return to system if finish is not immediately available
How to Measure Your Progress
Position Chain Fluency: Ability to smoothly cycle through leg entanglements, back control, and secondary positions without stalling or losing connection Proficiency indicators:
- Complete 3+ position transitions in single engagement without opponent escaping
- Maintain offensive pressure throughout transitions with no neutral reset periods
- Anticipate and counter opponent’s defensive movements before they fully develop
- Transition timing occurs during opponent’s movement rather than static positions
Dilemma Recognition Speed: Speed of identifying which defensive reaction opponent is making and selecting appropriate transition response Proficiency indicators:
- Read opponent’s defensive intention within first movement (< 1 second reaction time)
- Select correct transition pathway without hesitation or position loss
- Adapt to unexpected defensive variations while maintaining system framework
- Predict opponent’s next defensive choice based on previous reactions in the sequence
Submission Threat Credibility: Quality of submission attacks that force opponent into genuine defensive reactions rather than positional stalling Proficiency indicators:
- Opponent shows active defensive urgency rather than passive waiting
- Submission setups create immediate position improvement even when defended
- Achieve tap-out success rate of 40%+ when opponent stays engaged in system
- Force opponent into defensive errors that open secondary submission opportunities
System Completion Rate: Percentage of engagements where dilemma system reaches submission or dominant position versus opponent escaping system entirely Proficiency indicators:
- Maintain opponent within system for 70%+ of match time once initially engaged
- Recover back to system when opponent achieves temporary escape or reset
- Finish submissions or achieve back control in 60%+ of complete system cycles
- Reduce opponent’s escape success rate through successive training sessions
Expert Insights
- John Danaher: The B-Team Dilemma System represents a sophisticated evolution of systematic offensive grappling that moves beyond isolated technique mastery into true strategic integration. What makes this system particularly effective is its recognition that elite defensive skills have evolved to neutralize singular attacks, necessitating a shift toward position chains that compound pressure through successive defensive reactions. The mathematical elegance lies in creating scenarios where each defensive option leads to quantifiable positional degradation—opponent must choose which submission or control position they will enter, but cannot avoid entering one. From a systematic perspective, the key innovation is treating transitions not as backup plans but as primary offensive weapons. The leg entanglement to back control loop creates a perpetual motion engine of offense where defensive success in one domain merely redirects pressure into another domain. This forces opponents to defend multiple skill sets simultaneously—leg lock defense, back escape, and transition recognition—which exponentially increases cognitive load under competition stress. The system’s effectiveness scales with practitioner skill level because more refined technical execution in each component position creates tighter dilemma loops that reduce defensive windows. For implementation, focus must be on developing seamless transition mechanics where position changes occur during opponent’s defensive movements rather than static moments. This timing precision transforms the system from a collection of techniques into a true strategic framework that dictates engagement parameters and controls match tempo.
- Gordon Ryan: The B-Team Dilemma System is competition-proven devastation when applied correctly, and I’ve seen firsthand how it breaks even world-class opponents through cumulative pressure rather than explosive single attacks. The genius is forcing opponents to pick their poison—defend the heel hook and give up the back, defend the back and return to leg entanglements. After two or three cycles, you can see the mental defeat set in because they realize there’s no escape, only choosing which submission they’ll eventually face. In competition application, the system’s strength is controlling engagement pace and dictating positional exchanges, which is critical against opponents who excel at defensive stalling. You’re never waiting for opportunities because the system creates them through forced reactions. The key to high-level success is making every transition attempt look identical to submission attempts—opponent can’t differentiate between genuine finishing attack and transition setup, so they defend everything with maximum urgency, which accelerates fatigue accumulation. Against elite competition, I’ve found the leg-to-back transition is highest percentage when timed during opponent’s heel exposure defensive turn, while the back-to-leg return works best when opponent fights your choking hand and creates space with hip movement. The system also provides mental fortitude because you’re never losing position, just changing which attack you’re applying. Even when opponent escapes one position, you’re immediately attacking from the next, which maintains offensive initiative that’s essential for winning referee decisions and creating submission opportunities in final minutes when opponent’s defensive discipline degrades under accumulated exhaustion.
- Eddie Bravo: The B-Team Dilemma System is the evolution of offensive grappling that proves innovation beats tradition when you systematically connect positions most people treat as separate games. Craig and the B-Team crew figured out what we’ve been preaching for years—create endless loops where opponent is always defending something, always making decisions under pressure, always one step behind. The beautiful chaos of this system is it mirrors 10th Planet philosophy of never accepting neutral positions and always attacking, but applies it specifically to leg locks and back attacks which are the highest percentage finishes in modern no-gi. What I love about the dilemma approach is it weaponizes opponent’s defensive knowledge against them—the better they understand leg lock defense, the more predictably they’ll turn away and expose the back. Against high-level competition, this predictability is gold because you can set traps based on how you know they’ll defend. The system also validates our approach of drilling position chains rather than static positions, because the magic happens during transitions when opponent is moving and vulnerable. For implementation, especially for competitors coming from traditional guard-passing games, the mental shift required is understanding that leg entanglements are control positions equal to mount or back control, not just submission opportunities. Once you internalize that outside ashi is as dominant as mount when applied correctly, the entire system unlocks because you stop abandoning positions prematurely and start building the pressure cycles that make dilemma creation effective. This is next-level offensive thinking that’s changing competition meta and proving systematic innovation creates championship-level results.