10 Great Things About 10th Planet
Developed by Abu Dhabi standout and Jean Jacques Machado Black Belt Eddie Bravo, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is an incredibly effective system of strategies, positions and techniques. It may well known by name, but without hands-on experience with it, it may be unclear why it's so powerful. There are very specific reasons for the system's high level of effectiveness. Without getting too deeply into any specifics, here are ten:
1. It's Positioning based
Positioning is the source of BJJ's power. It's what sets BJJ apart and ultimately what enables a smaller person to overcome a bigger person in physical combat. 10th Planet is not a collection of techniques, but a plan for attaining very specific, very powerful positions. 10th Planet is FULL of submissions, but that's partly because it's so successful at controlling position. These positions include
Half Guard
Butterfly Guard
RubberGuard
Twister Side
The Truck
The Twister
The Back
Spider Web
Front Headlock
Mount
2. It's A Cohesive System
The 10th Planet Curriculum offers incredible control because it's a sophisticated yet simple BJJ SYSTEM. BJJ systems are sequences of positions or techniques designed to prepare for the most common forms of resistance an opponent might give. They're like are like a maze where every route leads to the opponent's defeat. What makes BJJ unique among martial arts is that it teaches how to truly adapt to and control your opponent from start to finish. Nearly every position in 10th
Planet is connected by a relatively small set of offensive techniques, making it a maze of positions which all lead to submissions. When based on positioning, BJJ systems offer an incredible amount of control, and 10th Planet is a great example of that. Michael Jen is another good example of an instructor who studies and teaches systems.
3. Offensive Momentum Control
There is no perfect technique. Every move, idea, strategy, technique, system and method "fail" at some point, as will all of the 10th Planet curriculum, as will all the rest of BJJ and any other martial art. But when almost any part of your 10th Planet gameplan begins to work, there is a very good chance you will submit, pass, sweep or mount your opponent. It's a extremely offensive gameplan, highly focused on control and submission, rather than defence or prevention. Of course these are necessary elements of a complete Jiu-Jitsu game, but because 10th Planet is so offensive, it enables you to maintain control by maintaining momentum - the opponent cannot attack because they're always forced to try to escape your control or defend your attack.
4. It Offers DOMINATING Control
BJJ allows you to control opponents in many ways. There's controlling by staying a step ahead, there's controlling by being soft and difficult to control and there's controlling by dominating. Many positions in BJJ allow you to control the opponent, but leave some basic options open. While there are, of course, counters to and escapes from each 10th Planet position and technique, almost every one of them offers such a high degree of control over the opponent that they have few, if any, options. This is dominating control. Once an opponent is in a good lockdown, RubberGuard, Twister Side or Spider Web on, it can be extremely difficult to escape (without being forced into a worse position). At every point, 10th Planet positions leave opponents few options.
5. It's Unorthodox
Basic Jiu-Jitsu is fundamental and crucial, but when fighting someone who knows BJJ, it is important to use their knowledge against them. 10th Planet assumes that the opponent is a skilled Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, having the orthodox "BJJ response" almost every time. If the opponent does know traditional BJJ, they are unlikely to be as familiar with these positions as they are with basic or traditional BJJ. This offers the element of surprise, which is indescribably powerful. According to Sun Tzu, the best way to overcome an opponent is to spoil their plans. Confusing them with unfamiliar territory prevents them from forming a plan.
- It's Evolving
The unorthodox becomes the orthodox in time. If 10th Planet were simply what was written in a book or DVD, its effectiveness would be limited. But the 10th Planet curriculum is constantly being tested at 10th Planet schools, where students have daily opportunities to figure out and test defences, and likewise, counter-defences. Because 10th Planet schools are all teaching students the same overall strategy, they have become environments where it can continue to evolve. Using what works and discarding what doesn't work is a fundamental aspect of BJJ's own evolution and an essential element in the development of 10th Planet.
7. It's Easy To Learn And Deeply Mapped Out
One of the benefits of the high degree of control 10th Planet offers is that it means a very limited range of options for our opponent. With the opponent so controlled, we need to master relatively few techniques. As 10th Planet is a controlling, position-based, offensive, and inter-connected system, learning it is simple if you begin by learning The Basic Pathways (coming soon). With any effective BJJ gameplan you will have success early on, before you run into trouble. One great thing about learning the 10th Planet system is that it's deeply mapped out in both book and DVD. The work of figuring out how to deal with a wide variety of resistances has been done for us so that we can continually improve to overcome better and better forms of resistance.
8. It Translates Well To MMA
MMA is an integral part of BJJ and vice versa. 10th Planet is highly effective in sport BJJ, but it was DESIGNED for MMA. It's not uncommon to see traditional BJJ fail in MMA when the opponent has a similar (or even basic) level of skill. The positional dominance 10th Planet employs prevents the opponent from being able to strike effectively, while we move towards submissions. The guard is an integral part of BJJ, particularly in MMA. The RubberGuard, 10th Planet's primary guard strategy is incomparably effective at reducing damage from the bottom, making it - if nothing else - worth considering for any MMA fighter.
9. It's Humble
Humility is the foundation of positioning and, ultimately, BJJ. If we didn't assume our opponent is tough, skilled and knowledgeable, we wouldn't need to seek the immense control positioning offers. Part of the reason 10th Planet is so focused on controlling the opponent is that it respects them. If they weren't skilled, we could use orthodox BJJ and we wouldn't need a system of options to control them. By not underestimating our opponent, we avoid danger. Though quite aggressive, 10th Planet, like BJJ is humble at the root.
10. It Works!
Little means as much as personal experience. My own personal experience has been that 10th Planet has worked with remarkably little training in it. I've felt it in myself as well as seen (and felt!) it in my students. Once you've initiated a 10th Planet strategy, the opponent is hard pressed to regain control or prevent your attack. In fact, you often see opponents shift focus from furthering their own game to stopping or even simply stalling yours. Of course it doesn't work every time, but nothing does. The first nine factors on this list are the foundation of the 10th. Any humble, position-based, inter-connected, evolving and unorthodox system which is deeply mapped out and translates well into MMA will inevitably be powerful. 10th Planet is just one of very few examples of this kind of approach.
Elliott Bayev is a BJJ competitor and head instructor at OpenMat Brazilian BJJ & MMA/10th Planet Toronto (www.10thPlanetToronto.com), kimonogirl Women's BJJ (www.kimonogirl.ca) and WomensSelfDefence.ca.
Another good thing is the ganja.
Could be "10 great things about any decent BJJ school" - 10th planet - probably among them.
cool thread. I think 10th Planet is a great school for advanced jj.
- Bolden.
Interesting points. As far as possible downsides to the system that others have mentioned, how do you feel about the following charges?
1. The system does not adequately deal with a much larger, stronger opponent in your guard in a real fight where the size difference makes rubber guard impossible and the butterfly guard and half guard exposes you to punches
2. The system does not have a comprehensive standing aspect whether that consists of a strategy to clinch, striking techniques, or throwing techniques, so cross training extensively would be mandatory for self defense, a real fight, or MMA.
3. The system is too "bottom dependent" in the sense that it emphasizes sliding or sitting to half guard or guard which develops bad habits for a real fight
4. many of the submissions work against opponents in your weight clas but not against bigger, stronger opponents
5. the system lacks the standing self-defense moves leaving the student vulnerable for non-sportive situations like a head lock or bear hug from behind
6. the lack of a gi leaves the student vulnerable to an attacker using his clothes against him in a real fight (even the hockey shirt over the head, etc. which requires no skill) and leaves him unable to use his opponents clothes against him. In addition, it leaves the student unprepared to defend even the most basic gi based submissions
7. The system is too offense based and lacking in emphasis on defense and escapes from poor positions
How do you feel about these criticisms?
let me add:
8. The rubber guard is a fundamentally dangerous position for your knee
- butt scooting works your hamstrings for slender, curvy legs
"8. It Translates Well To MMA"
On paper, but how well has it been proven?
Interesting
Goebbels would be proud of you, 10th planet guys.
FatBuddha -
2. The system does not have a comprehensive standing aspect whether that consists of a strategy to clinch, striking techniques, or throwing techniques, so cross training extensively would be mandatory for self defense, a real fight, or MMA.
3. The system is too "bottom dependent" in the sense that it emphasizes sliding or sitting to half guard or guard which develops bad habits for a real fight
True. I have Eddie books. His ground fighting is awesome. But what I find strange: he do wrestling for two fuckin years, take twister, sprawl, 100% from it, and dont master even ONE takedown?? Wtf? There should be one or two takedowns in his system imo.
the style is pretty nifty, but i prefer a more complete style. Id love to take a private with eddie or something, but i dont think i would make 10th planet my main academy. im sure i could learn some cool stuff there though to compliment my current jiu jitsu.
FatBuddha
>1. The system does not adequately deal with a much larger, stronger opponent in your guard in a real fight where the size difference makes rubber guard impossible and the butterfly guard and half guard exposes you to punches
Even if this were the case (with respect to RubberGuard), is it any less valuable to be able to nullify an opponent of one's own size. BJJ, SW and MMA competition are today always in weight classes, where size will be relatively the same.
However, 10th Planet includes more traditional positions such as The Pyramid (commonly known as the overwrap or wizzer guard), which has been used effectively against larger opponents by almost every BJJ practitioner from before Royce to BJ. While RubberGuard may not be effective against every opponent, 10th Planet is much more than the RubberGuard.
As for 1/2 Guard, you don't always have the choice of whether to be there or not. If you are on bottom and don't have a full guard, what are your alternatives other than to 1) seek to control the opponents balance, leg and/or hip and clinch with them in order to either reguard or attack their base. If it's MMA, you're going to get hit. It's a question of limiting that.
As for Butterfly Guard (which has been used effectively in MMA) in 10th Planet, it's taught as a clinching game, making it quite difficult for the opponent to hit us. But again, everything can be stopped or shut down. If you stick assiduously to one strategy, you will lose, regardless of what that is. BJJ's philosophy is one of adaptation.
2. The system does not have a comprehensive standing aspect whether that consists of a strategy to clinch, striking techniques, or throwing techniques, so cross training extensively would be mandatory for self defense, a real fight, or MMA.
Agreed, but when is cross training not necessary? Is that not like saying Muay Thai is ineffective because you have to learn what to do on the ground, too? To hear Eddie speak, he strongly suggests working your wrestling and striking if your interest is MMA. But that is not where he can help you most. If you're looking for someone to give your school a complete curriculum from A to Z, 10th Planet might not be the best choice. If you're looking for a system to compliment your existing program, or if you're an BJJ/MMA fighter looking for and edge over other BJJ/MMA competitors, maybe it is.
3. The system is too "bottom dependent" in the sense that it emphasizes sliding or sitting to half guard or guard which develops bad habits for a real fight
As above, if you're prepping for a real fight, you must work the complete game. And if that opponent is skilled and knowledgeable, you may want an edge in that department. That said, sitting to guard is a training strategy (that I've seen used at some point in every BJJ academy I've ever trained in) in order to have more opportunity to develop your bottom game. However, we all have to take responsibility for our own training. While I will use certain mount, side and back escapes in training, I'm fully aware that if it were an MMA fight, my approach would have to be different.
4. many of the submissions work against opponents in your weight clas but not against bigger, stronger opponents
Size makes everything difficult. Like all BJJ, 10th Planet includes submissions that will work more easily against people one's own size, and less easily against a bigger, stronger opponent. Experience will teach you this, as with any other BJJ teaching, and it will be up to you, the individual to learn from that experience and choose the right tactics for the situation.
- the system lacks the standing self-defense moves leaving the student vulnerable for non-sportive situations like a head lock or bear hug from behind
Agreed (though it should be noted/asked - how many other BJJ/MMA schools teach these?) My personal feeling, as forum member Andre commented, is that 10th Planet is amazing for intermediate/"advanced" BJJ practitioners. At my school, we require four months of basic BJJ and Self Defence before you can train the 10th Planet curriculum. In fact, we covered head locks and grabs from behind last week. Again, you - as a student or an instructor - must take responsibility for your training and teaching. I echo your feelings (Eddie may not), and so while becoming a 10th Planet school, we've maintained our beginner's program.
6. the lack of a gi leaves the student vulnerable to an attacker using his clothes against him in a real fight (even the hockey shirt over the head, etc. which requires no skill) and leaves him unable to use his opponents clothes against him. In addition, it leaves the student unprepared to defend even the most basic gi based submissions
It seems there are two points here - one, that not training with a gi leaves you vulnerable in self defence against an unskilled opponent and two, that not training in a gi leaves you vulnerable against a skilled practitioner in situations where you are wearing a gi.
One: I don't disagree, but I don't think 10th Planet was designed for self defence, though it can apply there. What makes BJJ such an awesome art though, is that the movement, sensitivity, and positioning instinct it instills helps you adapt to a situation. Training BJJ - whether gi, no gi, 10th Planet, Gracie Torrence or anywhere else will give you instincts far above and beyond those of an ordinary, untrained person. I think those of us who already train BJJ too easily get caught up in the "my BJJ vs your BJJ" mentality. All BJJ, so long as it's trained alive will BENEFIT you. There will, of course, be strengths and weaknesses to any approach, but will it make you tougher? I believe it will. (As a funny side note, I have armbarred someone WHILE jerseyed).
Two: Again, I personally believe it's valuable to train with a gi as well. However, if you really did not train gi, why would it be necessary to know how to escape gi submissions?
7. The system is too offense based and lacking in emphasis on defense and escapes from poor positions
As above, I feel 10th Planet is best suited to those who have their fundamental escapes and positioning down to some degree. Again, it depends on how you see 10th Planet. If you see it as the only thing you'll ever need - well, that is closed mindedness, which would come back to haunt you, regardless of what you applied it to. If you see it as an adjunct to your existing BJJ knowledge, which can give you an advantage over other skilled, knowledgeable practitioners, I think it will serve you well.
8. The rubber guard is a fundamentally dangerous position for your knee.
One way to look at this - is a head kick fundamentally dangerous for your hips because the average person would injure themselves if they tried to attempt it? Martial arts are about developing your mind AND body. With time, all martial artists work to improve their strength, balance, coordination AND flexibility, no? Trying ANYTHING that your body is not ready for is unwise. As well, if applied improperly, any martial art technique can be dangerous. When practiced properly (hugging your knee, flexing your foot and curling your hamstring), RubberGuard is fairly safe for the knee.
I think one reason there is this perception is that people often try to use RubberGuard without having really trained, studied and practiced it. The question is, who's responsibility is that? In books, DVD and in person, Eddie strongly emphasizes HIGH volumes of repetition and developing your flexibility, yet people will try it in live sparring, only having seen it or 'played' with it - a dangerous approach, regardless of the technique employed.
There seems to be a perception that those who believe in 10th Planet think it's the only and best BJJ in the world, which it isn't. But in reacting to that, and focusing only on it's weaknesses, it's easy to miss the truly unique and great things about it. Every martial art, philosophy, action and choice has positives and negatives. If we focus on the negatives in anything, we miss the point. Be aware of them, but don't ignore the positives, either.
If we can keep our minds open, we'll all continue to evolve our understanding and our games. Good training to you!
Elliott
I agree with Jorx, as the points look to me as they would be applicable to any solid BJJ school.
I'm surprised the front headlock and the twister were positions, I was under the impression each were individual moves. Can someone more familiar with 10th Planet explain?
I'd also like to see someone from 10th Planet address FatBudda's concerns.
FatBuddha - let me add:
8. The rubber guard is a fundamentally dangerous position for your knee
It is only if you're a tard and don't use your hips and/or leg go when someone really puts pressure again it. There are a lot of positions in BJJ that aren't great on your body if you resist too much.
jonpall - "8. It Translates Well To MMA"
On paper, but how well has it been proven?
Shinya Aoki. Nate Diaz did a version to Gomi.
some other points to consider:
eddie bravo has never fought mma.
eddie bravo wore the gi throughout his bjj career until he got his black belt.
why trust him to design a bjj game for mma?
10th planet has been open for almost 5 years. we've heard about the revolution that the rubber guard is supposed to make in mma. we've heard reassurances it's coming. outside of one or two triangles here and there and ONE PERSON (shinya aoki). what's the hold up?
on the facts, aoki is the exception to the rule and not the rule. why aren't bravo's own students doing better than aoki? why does eddie have to point across the ocean to show that the rubber guard works??
even more damaging, in 5 years, 10th planet has failed to have one person even put in a respectable showing at ADCC. i'm not talking gi vs. no gi. i'm talking the 10th planet system. it's just not really catching on at the higher levels of grappling.
why aren't eddie's students SWEEPING the no-gi pan ams, no-gi mundials, etc. those rules were designed for them, no?
i'm not saying eddie's system doesn't work.
i use a lot of his techniques myself.
what i'm saying is this:
it's all bjj. no better, no worse. eddie's system isn't going to work at a discernibly higher rate than any other style of bjj. it depends, as always, on the student and practitioner.
the techniques in and of themselves are not so groundbreaking or unstoppable as to render all other "traditional" bjj inferior. in fact, it's just a slightly different way to approach things, replete with its own holes and shortcomings.
why do 10th planet students have to make it seem as if the stuff they do is "the next step" rather than just another step, another option? this is where the disdain from other schools comes from.