{"id":544,"date":"2019-05-10T21:33:53","date_gmt":"2019-05-11T02:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=544"},"modified":"2023-01-09T13:51:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T19:51:39","slug":"bjj-rolling-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/bjj-rolling-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"BJJ Rolling Tips: How to Get the Most Out of Every Class (With Examples)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I can\u2019t get on the mats as much as I\u2019d like. So I was looking for some BJJ rolling tips&#8230; and found these ways<strong> how to get the most out of every Jiu Jitsu class<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Now, some of these are common sense&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;but <strong>some are surprising<\/strong> to me!<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re ways how to:<\/p>\n<p>Learn more.<\/p>\n<p>Practice the right things.<\/p>\n<p>Retain more.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-556 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Garry-Tonon-BJJ-Quote-About-Getting-Submitted-15-Times-Per-5-Round-Training-Session.jpg\" alt=\"Garry Tonon BJJ Quote About Getting Submitted 15 Times Per 5 Round Training Session\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Garry-Tonon-BJJ-Quote-About-Getting-Submitted-15-Times-Per-5-Round-Training-Session.jpg 480w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Garry-Tonon-BJJ-Quote-About-Getting-Submitted-15-Times-Per-5-Round-Training-Session-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Garry-Tonon-BJJ-Quote-About-Getting-Submitted-15-Times-Per-5-Round-Training-Session-50x38.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get started:<\/p>\n<h2>Don\u2019t start rolling on your knees<\/h2>\n<p>This is a great quote from UFC Heavyweight and Metamoris Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Live wrestling\/rolling with both wrestlers\/grapplers starting on their knees. Practically anyone who trains in the current grappling climate has seen it.<\/p>\n<p>For some gyms it\u2019s the only way they start and I\u2019ll tell you why no matter the case&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019re wasting your time (or your student\u2019s time in the case of coaches) doing it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>First and foremost fights and grappling matches don\u2019t start on your knees.<\/p>\n<p>In fact I can\u2019t think of any sports that do besides Inuit Kneel Jumping (Google that sh*t. It\u2019s a real sport) and last I checked that\u2019s not the sport we were training for.<\/p>\n<p>I can remember one of the first things my high school wrestling coach said to me \u201cNice to meet you.\u201d and the second thing being \u201c<strong>GET OFF YOUR F**KING KNEES!<\/strong>\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>It\u2019s not just him. There\u2019s plenty more who have the same view:<\/p>\n<h3>Takedowns from The Knees in BJJ Are a Waste of Time<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Takedowns from The Knees in BJJ Are a Waste of Time\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lu_uJQFaAO0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>So what should you do?<\/p>\n<p>Well, unless your school has a rule against it&#8230;<\/p>\n<h2>Start rolling in a position you want to work on<\/h2>\n<p>Now, there\u2019s probably not too many training partners who want you to start in side-control to let you work on that head-arm triangle&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;but there\u2019s plenty that will let you start in a weaker position.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-555 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-Start-Position-You-Want-to-Work-On.jpg\" alt=\"BJJ Rolling Tips Start Position You Want to Work On\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-Start-Position-You-Want-to-Work-On.jpg 750w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-Start-Position-You-Want-to-Work-On-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-Start-Position-You-Want-to-Work-On-50x33.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/evolve-mma.com\/blog\/6-ways-to-make-the-most-out-of-every-bjj-class\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evolve MMA<\/a> (a great blog to follow) have this to say:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Instead of starting with your favorite guard pass or pulling your favorite guard, why not try a position where you\u2019re at a disadvantage.<\/p>\n<p>It might be a huge blow to your ego, and you might get tapped out, but it\u2019s OK. The more you practice this position, the better you\u2019ll get and eventually you can\u00a0add it to your arsenal of techniques.<\/p>\n<p>You may not realize it, but it\u2019s one of the easiest ways to improve in a short amount of time.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Now I\u2019m starting most of my rolls with my back taken or bottom of the mount&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;it\u2019s <strong><em>REALLY<\/em><\/strong> helping my escapes and submission defense<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-477 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BJJ-Techniques-Checklist-The-Ace-of-Escapes-by-MMA-Leech-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"BJJ Gift Ideas - The Ace of Escapes by MMA Leech\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BJJ-Techniques-Checklist-The-Ace-of-Escapes-by-MMA-Leech-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BJJ-Techniques-Checklist-The-Ace-of-Escapes-by-MMA-Leech-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BJJ-Techniques-Checklist-The-Ace-of-Escapes-by-MMA-Leech-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BJJ-Techniques-Checklist-The-Ace-of-Escapes-by-MMA-Leech-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BJJ-Techniques-Checklist-The-Ace-of-Escapes-by-MMA-Leech-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/BJJ-Techniques-Checklist-The-Ace-of-Escapes-by-MMA-Leech.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[I&#8217;ll do a review soon, but <a href=\"https:\/\/mmaleech.samcart.com\/referral\/gw1qGUAt\/wMQOGcYKiM81zFmm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Ace of Escapes by Gustavo Gasperin<\/a> has been awesome]<\/p>\n<h2>Spend most of your time rolling with people less skilled than you<\/h2>\n<p>Of all of the BJJ rolling tips, this one was the biggest surprise for me:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>It is a common misunderstanding that you should always be training with people better than yourself<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This is from John Danaher, one of BJJ\u2018s greatest coaches. This is why:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>It\u2019s very very hard to develop your technical skills on people that are better than you<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>So what happens if you do spend most of your time rolling with higher belts?<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>You will develop your defensive skills but ultimately the point of Jiu Jitsu is to defeat people and not to become difficult to submit<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-558 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-How-to-Get-the-Most-Out-of-Every-Class-With-Examples-1.jpg\" alt=\"BJJ Rolling Tips How to Get the Most Out of Every Class (With Examples)\" width=\"739\" height=\"417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-How-to-Get-the-Most-Out-of-Every-Class-With-Examples-1.jpg 739w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-How-to-Get-the-Most-Out-of-Every-Class-With-Examples-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Rolling-Tips-How-to-Get-the-Most-Out-of-Every-Class-With-Examples-1-50x28.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 739px) 100vw, 739px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The answer:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>About 80 to 90 percent of your training should be with people who are significantly lower in skill level than you are&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;and then as you get into competition mode, you start training with guys who are your own skill level or better<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NH6r_Il7Je8?start=69\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s not alone with this viewpoint:<\/p>\n<p>Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/roll-with-higher-or-lower-belts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Should You Roll With Higher or Lower Belts in BJJ? (And Why It Matters)<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Warm-up with movement drills NOT static stretches<\/h2>\n<p>Like to get on the mats early? Good.<\/p>\n<p>But&#8230; static stretches before class are a waste of your time. They won\u2019t make you more flexible, and it doesn\u2019t decrease your risk of injury.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Instead<\/strong>: Do BJJ specific movements and solo drills.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-312 \" src=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/The-Top-9-BJJ-Solo-Drills-to-Improve-Your-Jiu-Jitsu-Home-Warm-Up.jpg\" alt=\"The Top 9 BJJ Solo Drills to Improve Your Jiu Jitsu Home Warm-Up\" width=\"480\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/The-Top-9-BJJ-Solo-Drills-to-Improve-Your-Jiu-Jitsu-Home-Warm-Up.jpg 800w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/The-Top-9-BJJ-Solo-Drills-to-Improve-Your-Jiu-Jitsu-Home-Warm-Up-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/The-Top-9-BJJ-Solo-Drills-to-Improve-Your-Jiu-Jitsu-Home-Warm-Up-768x895.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>These will move your joints through the ranges of movement you\u2019re about to experience. They\u2019ll prepare your body for what it\u2019s about to do.<\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s another chance to refine your movement patterns.<\/p>\n<p>Ironically:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Your flexibility WILL BE BETTER after warming up with solo drills than it would be with static stretching<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/bjj-solo-drills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The 9 Best BJJ Solo Drills that Will Improve Your Jiu Jitsu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Save your stretching for later\u2026 because the best way to get flexible with static stretches is to do them when you\u2019re warm<\/p>\n<p>(<a href=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/yoga-for-bjj-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">or check out Yoga for BJJ<\/a>)<\/p>\n<h2>Use a training journal and take notes<\/h2>\n<p>The guys over at <a href=\"https:\/\/fenixbjjlowell.com\/make-the-most-out-of-every-bjj-class\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fenix BJJ<\/a> summed it up really well:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8230;if you can\u2019t guarantee your presence for more than 2-3 times a week, it will definitely be helpful to take notes. Try to be as detailed as possible in your note-taking. After all, this will help you go over everything you learned in classes you managed to attend.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>It\u2019s something I\u2019ve just started doing, and wish I\u2019d started earlier:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Even students who can attend training sessions regularly do it. After all, writing new information down is a proven method of memorizing it better and faster.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Breaking Bad is one of my favourite TV shows, so I got this BJJ Training Journal from Amazon:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=rollingaround-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=1724037838&amp;asins=1724037838&amp;linkId=2ec06eb7184fd7cda0558d5a64e4000d&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>[I\u2019ve also used post it notes to divide it into chapters based on the hierarchy of positions and <a href=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/bjj-techniques-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">My BJJ Techniques Checklist<\/a>]<\/p>\n<h2>Set a training goal for every class<\/h2>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com.au\/amp\/s\/breakingmuscle.com\/amp\/fitness\/set-goals-to-amplify-your-bjj-class-and-give-your-training-direction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Breaking Muscle\u2019s article<\/a> about goal setting while rolling, this quote really stood out:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201c&#8230;if you approach rolling with the mindset of, \u201cHow many people can I tap out,\u201d then you are going to end up with a short and unsuccessful BJJ career. Rolling is not about how many people you \u201cbeat\u201d or the number of points you score. It\u2019s about improving.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Some examples of some good \u201cRolling Goals\u201d I\u2019ve come across include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Focusing on a specific principle of Jiu Jitsu (e.g. <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2E1pec2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The 7 P\u2019s of Guard Passing<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Focusing on a particular BJJ Concept from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DYkggo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The BJJ Formula<\/a> (e.g. trying to turn Frames into Levers)<\/li>\n<li>Improving escapes by starting from bad positions<\/li>\n<li>Getting to certain target positions (e.g. taking the back)<\/li>\n<li>Working a specific technique<\/li>\n<li>Trying to put into practice what you\u2019ve just learned<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-559 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Infographic-Training-Tips-and-Training-Goals-One-Roll-One-Goal-400x1024.jpg\" alt=\"BJJ Infographic Training Tips and Training Goals One Roll One Goal\" width=\"400\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Infographic-Training-Tips-and-Training-Goals-One-Roll-One-Goal-400x1024.jpg 400w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Infographic-Training-Tips-and-Training-Goals-One-Roll-One-Goal-117x300.jpg 117w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Infographic-Training-Tips-and-Training-Goals-One-Roll-One-Goal-768x1965.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Infographic-Training-Tips-and-Training-Goals-One-Roll-One-Goal-20x50.jpg 20w, https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/BJJ-Infographic-Training-Tips-and-Training-Goals-One-Roll-One-Goal.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>BJJ Rolling Tips: Summary<\/h2>\n<p>These BJJ rolling tips can be summed-up in one paragraph:<\/p>\n<p><em>Warm up with solo drills. Spend most of your time rolling with people of lower skill. Don\u2019t start on your knees. Start in a position you want to improve at. Have a training goal for each session.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Comment below: what are YOUR favourite BJJ rolling tips?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can&#8217;t get on the mats as much as you&#8217;d like? Me either. These BJJ rolling tips are (surprising) answers to how to get the most out of every Jiu Jitsu class<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"wppr_data":{"cwp_meta_box_check":"No"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/544"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=544"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/544\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":562,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/544\/revisions\/562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=544"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=544"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=544"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}