What Is 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu? 🥋

If you've heard references to "10th Planet" in MMA circles or jiu-jitsu gyms, you might wonder what sets this system apart from traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Unlike generic martial arts stores or franchises, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu represents a specific philosophy and technical approach within jiu-jitsu itself. Understanding what it is—and what it isn't—helps you evaluate whether it's relevant to your training goals or interests.

The Core Concept: No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu with a Systematic Approach

10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a no-gi jiu-jitsu system founded by Eddie Bravo, a jiu-jitsu instructor and MMA commentator. The term "no-gi" means training and competing without the traditional gi (the heavy cotton uniform used in classical jiu-jitsu). Instead, practitioners wear rash guards and shorts—similar to what you'd see in MMA training or submission wrestling.

The "10th Planet" name itself comes from Eddie Bravo's belief that his system represents a complete, self-contained approach to grappling—comparable to how we recognize nine planets (in the older astronomical classification), and this would be the "10th."

What makes it distinctive isn't just the absence of a gi. The system emphasizes:

• Leg lock dominance. 10th Planet places heavy emphasis on lower body submissions (heel hooks, knee reaping, calf slicers, and similar techniques) earlier and more systematically than many traditional gi-based programs.
• Specific guard positions and transitions. Particularly, the system develops extensive footlock and leglock chains—sequences of connected attacks targeting the legs.
• A structured curriculum. Like other jiu-jitsu systems, 10th Planet uses a belt ranking and progression system to guide students through techniques in a deliberate order.
• Practical MMA carryover. Since many MMA fighters train in no-gi environments, the techniques align with cage fighting requirements.

How 10th Planet Fits Within Broader Jiu-Jitsu

Traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu (especially in gi format) historically prioritized upper body control—collar chokes, arm drags, passing heavy gi fabric, and positional dominance. Leg lock techniques existed but were often considered lower priority or even discouraged at lower belt levels in some lineages.

10th Planet inverted that hierarchy. By design, it treats leg attacks as equally fundamental to upper body submissions from the earliest stages of training. This reflects a philosophy that:

• No-gi grappling (without the gi fabric to grip and control with) naturally favors leg attacks.
• Leg lock sequences offer practical, teachable progressions for students of all levels.
• The system mirrors submission wrestling traditions, which also emphasize lower body attacks.

Over the past 15+ years, the broader jiu-jitsu community—including traditional gi programs—has increasingly adopted leg lock training. What was once considered specialized or niche is now mainstream. However, 10th Planet remains the most systematically organized and well-known school of thought on this approach.

The Physical and Stylistic Differences You'll Notice

What 10th Planet Locations and Schools Represent

When you see "10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu" associated with a training location or gym, it typically means:

• Affiliation with Eddie Bravo's lineage. The school operates under the 10th Planet system, follows its curriculum structure, and its instructors are trained and ranked within that organization.
• A no-gi primary focus. The school emphasizes no-gi training as its core offering, though some affiliated schools may also teach gi.
• Standardized belt progression. Students advance through defined rank requirements aligned with 10th Planet's structure (typically colors/stripes leading to black belt).
• Access to a broader network. Affiliated schools often connect to the wider 10th Planet community, enabling students to train at other affiliated locations or attend seminars.

It does not mean it's the only place to learn these techniques, nor does it guarantee any particular outcome for a student. Like any training program, results depend on instructor quality, student commitment, and training frequency.

Key Technical Signatures You'll Encounter

Understanding a few signature concepts helps clarify what makes the system recognizable:

The rubber guard. A versatile position where the student sits up with one shin across the opponent's shoulder/neck area, enabling triangles, armbars, and leg lock entries from the bottom. It's a cornerstone 10th Planet position not as emphasized in traditional programs.

Leg lock chains. Rather than treating heel hooks, knee reaping, and calf slicers as isolated techniques, 10th Planet teaches interconnected sequences—flowing from one attack to another based on the opponent's defense. This systematization makes them teachable at all levels.

Footlock systems. Attacks on the ankle and foot are introduced early and developed throughout the belt progression, recognizing their accessibility and effectiveness in no-gi environments.

Inverted positions. Techniques performed from upside-down or unconventional body angles, exploiting the mobility no-gi training allows.

None of these techniques are exclusive to 10th Planet—you'll find them elsewhere—but the emphasis, organization, and timing within the curriculum are distinctive.

Who Trains 10th Planet and Why

Different people gravitate toward 10th Planet training for different reasons:

• MMA fighters seeking submission wrestling fundamentals and cage-applicable techniques without heavy gi emphasis.
• Submission wrestlers or catch wrestlers looking for structured progression.
• Jiu-jitsu practitioners who prefer the speed, athleticism, and technical problem-solving of no-gi over the gi's positional chess game.
• Students interested in leg lock mastery who want systematic exposure to lower body attacks from the start.
• People with access to a 10th Planet-affiliated school in their area, regardless of their initial technical preference.

The system works for diverse goals, but the appeal and fit vary by individual.

What Doesn't Change: The Core of Jiu-Jitsu

Despite the stylistic and technical differences, 10th Planet practitioners are still doing jiu-jitsu. The fundamental principles remain:

• Leverage and positioning over strength.
• Control before submission.
• Escaping inferior positions and improving positional dominance.
• Problem-solving through technical sequences.
• Incremental progression through belt ranks.

Someone trained in 10th Planet can cross-train in traditional gi jiu-jitsu and vice versa. The techniques differ, the emphases diverge, but the underlying grappling literacy transfers.

Evaluating 10th Planet Training for Your Goals

Before deciding whether a 10th Planet affiliation is relevant to your interests, consider:

• Your primary goal. Are you interested in MMA, competition jiu-jitsu (gi or no-gi), practical self-defense, or fitness? Different schools within 10th Planet may emphasize these differently.
• Training availability. Does a 10th Planet school exist in your area? If not, you'd need to travel or consider alternatives.
• Instructor quality. Affiliation doesn't guarantee teaching excellence. Observe a class and assess the instructor's communication, safety awareness, and student feedback.
• Class environment. Some 10th Planet schools are competitive and intense; others welcome beginners equally. Trial classes reveal the culture.
• Your gi preference. If you're committed to gi jiu-jitsu competition, a no-gi-focused school might not align with your priorities—though some affiliated schools teach both.

10th Planet is one coherent approach within the broader jiu-jitsu landscape, not the only path forward. Its existence reflects how jiu-jitsu itself has diversified, with different schools and systems optimizing for different contexts and preferences.