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I’m very proud and excited to share this new article I wrote. This one took me a long time to finish and a lot of thinking but I’m helping merge a lot of BJJ cultural mystique into actual explanation and ideas.

I was super humbled by the response of my last essay, please let me know what you think.

Substack.com/@chrisalfar

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09/3/2026 Choose Your Own Game @standardjiujitsu

What other constraints can we impose?

I prefer this as opposed to the 50/50 dynamic guard game which in my opinion is harder to recreate a true even position.

Here the game is more “uneven” and better represents the challenges you’ll face where one player is on bottom and the other is on top.

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Guys I just wanna get better @ jiujitsu w/o the politics frl
#Jiujitsu #CLA #Eco #EcoBrosStandUp #JkThatsCringe

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A two condition criteria game - you must meet one objective before the other - to develop the skill of bringing both feet to the inside and using this strong connection to destabilize and advanced to either hips or shoulders //

Game play @standardjiujitsu with @sidviciousjj on choose your own game day (game design by me) 09/24/2026
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#bjj #cla #skilldevelopment #gamedesign #coaching

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FUNDAMENTALS IN CLA - A clip of a full standing to ground class at @accelerateurmartial with @jiujitsu_saguenay.

A lot of coaches ask me about what fundamentals are in the system of training. This clip would be a good example of what fundamental skill in the standing to ground exchange looks like - understanding how to hold somebody down and then on bottom position being able to build height.

One flaw I see from many coaches on game design is pursuing novelty for novelty sake. It’s a traditionalist mindset. We can add progressions on games like these such as modifying the task, round length, partner changes, adding submissions in - but the skill is what I would consider fundamental and must be trained in some way. This way - which I did at @tristargym_mtl many times (Firas calls double leg scramble) - is one of those fundamental positions to build skill.

You wouldn’t be upset if your personal trainer asked you to do a squat, nor would you have expected him to invent the squat. It is the athlete doing the work under your structure that creates progression. This is something even the most experienced instructors cannot comprehend - the athletes doing the work is what is MOST important - not what you are saying and showing them.

It’s a sting to the ego but reality. Practice design and progressions are everything.

@gdsouders created a framework that most CLA coaches are using - it’s our job to continue to think about new problems and add our own insights into our work BUT we cannot forget that the fundamental skills are timeless (and best trained live at varying levels of intensity with different partners)

If you made it this far in the caption - current problems I’m working on are creating hip exposure via the hamstrings, and following/preventing rotation on joint locks. Will be uploading more content soon.

Online 1:1 coaching is available in my bio - please reach out.

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Choose Your Own Game @standardjiujitsu with Pedro 09/03/2026 // Chin (?) Heel Hook to Dent Lock (?) to Knee Bar
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#innovation #eco #skilldevelopment #bjj #constraintsleadtocreativity

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C.L.A 🖕
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#bjj #bjjlifestyle #adcc #nogi #cla

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09/3 @standardjiujitsu // Designed my own game to develop creative finishes on the feet
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#bjj #cla #skilldevelopment #gamedesign #eco

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Outside Passing Game Variation // 09/01/2026 @standardjiujitsu game design by @gdsouders
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#bjj #skilldevelopment #cla #gamedesign

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A simple game can still preserve the information that matters.

For this Distance Management game, the goal is simple: touch the mat, then slap behind the knee.

No grips. No takedowns. No long wrestling exchanges.

The task is simplified, but the athletes still have to solve distance, timing, movement, level changes and entries against a live opponent.

Simple doesn’t have to mean artificial.

Game concept from @charlie.divita 🤝

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Fun little back attack game that allows athletes to explore ways to create a dilemma while hunting for the sub.

Elbow below shoulder = trap to body
Elbow above shoulder = arm-in / arm-out scenarios
Neck exposure in the process = strangle

Try it out and get creative with it!

#scrapyardgrappling #thescrapyard #mosaicdistrict #cla #bjj

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Training wheels don't teach you to ride. They teach you to pedal.

A partner who doesn't resist does the same thing. The move works, so it feels like progress. You're just rehearsing the easy part.

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