How Concepts Work
What the concepts layer is, how it differs from techniques and invariants, and how to use it at different stages of grappling development.
Adapted from InGrappling, How Concepts Work. System Games did not invent this curriculum.
CurriculumHow Concepts WorkWhat the concepts layer is, how it differs from techniques and invariants, and how to use it at different stages of grappling development.
The concepts layer is the most misunderstood of the three content layers. This page explains what concepts are, how they differ from techniques and invariants, and how a grappler at each ability level should actually use them.
A concept is a pattern that explains how techniques connect. Not a single technique. Not a mechanical principle that applies to every technique. A mid-level abstraction: something true of a family of positions, transitions, or attack sequences that would be invisible if you only looked at individual techniques.
“The kimura grip opens sweep, back take, and submission from half guard.” — A concept, because it explains how several half-guard outcomes connect to one grip.
”The triangle sits in a dilemma with the armbar and the omoplata.” — A concept, because it explains why skilled attackers do not treat these as independent submissions.
”Leg-drag passes create a back-take opportunity when the opponent defends one way.” — A concept, because it explains a tactical relationship between a pass and a back take.
None of these are techniques. None are universal principles. They live at the middle layer — general enough to apply beyond a single technique, specific enough to be wrong in certain positions.
A technique tells you how to execute a specific action. The butterfly sweep page tells you how to execute the butterfly sweep. A concept tells you when and why and what to look for next.
The distinction matters because many grappling questions fall between the two:
“How do I finish a kimura?” — a technique question. Answered on the kimura technique page.
”When do I use the kimura instead of the armbar?” — a concept question. Answered in the kimura system page.
”What do I do after I finish an armbar attempt and the opponent escapes?” — a concept question. Answered in submission-system and dilemma pages.
A student who only reads technique pages has the mechanics but not the transitions between them. A student who only reads concept pages has the transitions but not the mechanics. Both are necessary.