Hi,
Most beginners think they’re stuck in BJJ because they “don’t know enough techniques.”
But the real reason many white belts plateau is this: They don’t understand why the techniques work.
They know the armbar steps. They know how to shrimp. They’ve seen mount, side control, and guard a thousand times.
But ask them:
“Why is back control more valuable than mount?”
“What actually makes your base hard to sweep?”
“Why does your guard sometimes feel useless and sometimes feel unpassable?”
…and you’ll get blank stares.
That gap—the missing conceptual foundations—is exactly what Section 1 of The Ultimate BJJ Training Checklist for Beginners fixes.
The Real Upgrade: Conceptual Jiu-Jitsu
This new Conceptual Foundations section turns your BJJ from “memorizing moves” into actually thinking like a grappler.
Here is a taste of what’s inside:
Positional Hierarchy & Chess-Like Strategy: Understand the full ladder from back control (most dominant) down to having your back taken (worst case) so you always know if you’re winning or losing positionally—even when nobody has a submission on. You also internalize the classic “position before submission” principle so you stop diving for armbars from bad spots and start finishing from real control.
Base, Balance & Weight Distribution. Learn where your center of gravity actually is (hint: just above your hips) and how tiny shifts in hip angle, chest direction, and head placement decide whether you feel unshakeable… or like a training dummy. You’ll also break down the three types of pressure—technical weight, pain-based pressure like shoulder or knee on belly, and panic-inducing pressure from overwhelming movement.
Core BJJ Concepts: Lock in what makes BJJ work:
Leverage over strength so you stop gassing out trying to “bench press” people off you.
Guard as a concept, not a position—your legs as a shield between you and your opponent.
Hooks and frames as the real control tools that dictate whether you’re safe, attacking, or about to get smashed.
This isn’t just more theory.
These checkboxes are designed so you can literally tick off each concept as you understand and apply it on the mats.
Why This Matters (Especially for Beginners)
When you internalize these concepts:
Techniques start making sense instead of feeling random.
You stop panicking when you’re in “bad” spots because you know the hierarchy.
You know exactly what you’re trying to achieve in each position (improve position, hold, or escape).
You progress faster because every rep reinforces a clear idea—not just a movement.
Instead of needing your coach to explain everything 1-on-1, you’ve got a 304-item roadmap from white to blue belt, starting with the conceptual layer almost no one teaches clearly.
What You Get Inside the Ebook
The Ultimate BJJ Training Checklist for Beginners includes:
Section 1: Conceptual Foundations
Positional hierarchy, base, balance, pressure, leverage, hooks, frames, and guard theory—all broken down into clear, actionable checklist items.13 more sections covering: Fundamental techniques, movement drills, rolling strategy, breathing, strength, mobility, nutrition, recovery, injury prevention, hygiene, etiquette, learning strategies, game planning, and common mistakes to avoid.
304 total checklist items so you always know what to focus on next in your first 12–18 months of training.
It’s not just information. It’s a training roadmap.
If You’re a Beginner, Start Here
If you’re in your first months of BJJ—or you coach beginners—this section alone can save months of confusion and “just survive and hope” rolling.
Instead of going to class and hoping something sticks, you’ll show up with a clear framework:
Where you are in the positional hierarchy
What your base and balance should feel like
What your guard, hooks, and frames are supposed to be doing
All laid out. All in one place. All in checkbox format.
👉 Grab “The Ultimate BJJ Training Checklist for Beginners” here and start with Section 1: Conceptual Foundations today.
Train smarter.
Ben