Will Wilson is one of the most technically distinctive young athletes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and in this episode, we get into the details of what makes his game so different.

Will started training at just four years old in Maui, Hawaii, before eventually relocating to California to pursue jiu-jitsu at a higher level. But his path to the top didn’t involve moving to one of the sport’s powerhouse academies. Instead, he developed under coach André Alemão, training primarily with hobbyists, using competition as his pressure testing, and building a game that is uniquely his own.

We take a deep dive into Will’s signature deep-half-to-X-guard system, which he calls his “spiderweb,” and the philosophy behind building control before developing sweeps. He also breaks down how he has adapted his game following difficult matches, what opponents have exposed in his guard, and why he believes he’s only scratching the surface of his potential as a black belt.

We also discuss his submission defense, mental toughness, strength and conditioning, the importance of finding the right training environment, and why he believes you don’t need a powerhouse gym to become an elite competitor.

Plus, we get into the upcoming IBJJF Crown, his move down to featherweight, proposed IBJJF rule changes, the debate over guard pulling and match engagement, and his thoughts on what actually makes a great jiu-jitsu match.

Follow Will on socials @willwilsonbjj

This is a great conversation with one of the sport’s most interesting rising black belts. Don’t miss it!