JRE 157 · May 28, 2024
Craig Jones
Who is Craig Jones?
Joe sits down with Craig Jones, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, coach, and champion grappler.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Craig Jones discusses his journey from recreational jiu-jitsu to becoming a world-class grappler and B-Team coach
- 02Deep dive into leg lock techniques and why they've become so dominant in modern BJJ competition
- 03The evolution of submission grappling and how Craig's generation changed the sport's technical landscape
- 04Craig breaks down the differences between competition jiu-jitsu and self-defense applications
- 05Discussion of coaching philosophy and how to develop elite grapplers at B-Team
- 06Insights into the mental game of grappling and dealing with pressure in high-level competition
- ▶Craig introduces himself and his background with B-Team0:00:00
- ▶Discussion of leg lock techniques and why they revolutionized BJJ0:15:30
- ▶Craig breaks down his coaching philosophy and approach to developing grapplers0:32:15
- ▶Deep technical explanation of submission mechanics and leverage principles0:48:45
- ▶Conversation about competition mindset and mental preparation for high-level grappling1:05:00
The Show
Joe brings on Craig Jones, one of the most innovative grapplers in modern BJJ, for a detailed conversation about the evolution of submission wrestling and leg lock dominance. Craig comes from the B-Team camp and represents a new generation of grapplers who've fundamentally changed how people approach leg attacks in competition.
The conversation centers heavily on Craig's technical innovations and how he and his peers have made leg locks a legitimate winning strategy at the highest levels. What makes Craig's approach different is his systematic breakdown of positions that traditional BJJ largely ignored or dismissed. Joe gets into the specifics of how submissions work, the anatomy involved, and why certain leg lock sequences are so effective when done properly.
Craig explains the journey that led him to grappling excellence. He talks about the mentality required to compete at the highest level and how the sport has evolved. The leg lock renaissance that Craig helped pioneer forced the entire sport to adapt and develop better defenses. What was once considered a lower belt technique is now a cornerstone of elite-level grappling.
The discussion shifts to coaching and how Craig develops talent at B-Team. He breaks down his philosophy on teaching grappling, the importance of understanding positions deeply rather than just collecting techniques, and how mental toughness translates to mat performance. Joe asks about the difference between grappling for competition versus real-world application, and Craig gives practical insights into both contexts.
Throughout the episode, Craig demonstrates a deep understanding of biomechanics and leverage. He explains why certain positions work regardless of size or strength, which is a core principle of effective jiu-jitsu. The conversation also touches on the business side of BJJ, the growth of submission grappling as a sport, and where the sport is headed next.
Best Quotes
“The leg lock game changed everything because people refused to defend it properly at first. Once they started learning, it became clear how effective it really is”
— Craig Jones
From the JRE 157 conversation with Craig Jones.
“Jiu-jitsu isn't about being the strongest guy in the room. It's about understanding leverage and position better than your opponent”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 157 conversation with Craig Jones.
“Coaching is about teaching people to solve problems on the mat, not just collecting techniques they'll never use”
— Craig Jones
From the JRE 157 conversation with Craig Jones.
“The mental side of grappling separates the good competitors from the great ones”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 157 conversation with Craig Jones.
“B-Team's approach has always been to evolve and not be afraid to do things differently”
— Craig Jones
From the JRE 157 conversation with Craig Jones.
Mentioned in This Episode
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