Invariants

Mechanical regularities that stay true when the game changes. Each page lists the games and techniques that train it.

Adapted from InGrappling, Invariants. System Games did not invent this curriculum.

Universal

INV-01 · Connection eliminates space between you and your opponent44 games INV-02 · Inside position beats outside position49 games INV-03 · Structural resistance must be disrupted before a technique can succeed8 games INV-04 · Force is most effective when applied at an advantageous angle0 games INV-05 · Frames redirect force perpendicular to the line of pressure11 games INV-06 · Base is weight over the support point7 games INV-07 · Connection is the prerequisite for control50 games INV-08 · Positional advantage is a function of relative alignment, not strength13 games INV-09 · Joints are attacked against their natural range of motion14 games INV-10 · Space is contested at every layer of the exchange0 games INV-11 · The underhook controls the hip2 games INV-12 · Rotation around a fixed point multiplies force7 games INV-13 · Destabilisation precedes control14 games INV-14 · A limb must be isolated from the body before it can be attacked24 games INV-15 · Segmenting the body creates control0 games INV-16 · Escape mechanics require creating space before moving through it28 games INV-17 · Structural loading bypasses muscular resistance0 games

Legs

INV-LE01 · Inside space must be won before the entanglement can control28 games INV-LE02 · Heel exposure is the prerequisite for a legal heel attack15 games INV-LE03 · Connection must be maintained throughout the finish17 games INV-LE04 · The foot is the handle, not the target16 games INV-LE05 · The hip controls the line of the leg22 games

Scramble

INV-SC01 · Greater hip height holds the structural advantage156 games INV-SC02 · Opponent’s downward pressure creates offensive entries154 games INV-SC03 · First connection dictates the scramble direction161 games INV-SC04 · Chest pressure without hip control is temporary0 games

Submissions

INV-S01 · Strangles require compression on both sides of the neck51 games INV-S02 · The target limb must be isolated from its pair28 games INV-S03 · A secondary anchor stops the opponent rotating out44 games INV-S04 · Arm-out and arm-in change the geometry of the same strangle14 games INV-S05 · Joint submissions require loading the joint to its structural limit14 games

Stand-up

INV-ST01 · The secondary leg is the real target of a single-leg fight11 games INV-ST02 · Hip access decides the takedown10 games INV-ST03 · Hands that control hips beat hands that control hands11 games INV-ST04 · A level change must arrive with the hips, not just the hands11 games INV-ST05 · Kuzushi (off-balancing) precedes the shot10 games INV-ST06 · The collar tie is a steering wheel, not a stall0 games

Guard

INV-G01 · The feet should stay on a line that faces the passer61 games INV-G02 · Face the passer — don’t let them have your back or your side for free59 games INV-G03 · Elbow connections keep the passer off your centre59 games INV-G04 · A hand that posts is a hand that is not attacking61 games INV-G05 · Hip mobility is the retainer’s degree of freedom59 games

Passing

INV-P01 · The feet must be cleared before the torso can be held30 games INV-P02 · Winning the knee line splits the guard in half30 games INV-P03 · Connections that hold the pass together must not be broken30 games INV-P04 · Pressure passing and movement passing are different constraint sets0 games

Pins

INV-PIN01 · Underhooks plus chest pressure hold a pin154 games INV-PIN02 · Chest pressure without hip control fails154 games INV-PIN03 · Flattening removes the escape athlete’s hip mobility160 games INV-PIN04 · Mount is side control with both hips past the line0 games