Live Rolling

5 Comments

1. Klein
   Posted 2009.08.25 at 06:49 | Permalink

   The majority of the time I look for a partner with a higher skill set than me. I progress much faster training with someone better than me. If you get caught you instantly know you made an error. Having a more experienced grappling partner allows for immediate feedback at the end of the roll as to where the error occured. A lot of times the error is obvious and you realize it as soon as you have commited to something. Other mistakes are harder to identify. Especially when you are completely focused on an intense roll with a much better grappler than you. Everyone I grapple with is interested in not only improving there game but improving mine as well. I believe it helps the other grappler as well to go back and run through the set up and positioning of what happened. As our game is based partly on constant repitition. It is a win for everyone. Hpwever, when i’m working on something in particular I will choose a partner at the same skill level or below. We all know if your working on something new you don’t try it out on your regular roster. It’s always nice to throw them a surprise every now and then. Lord knows they do it to me and will do it to you. By saying new I meen the technique is new to me. I don’t think I can throw something at my regular partners that they haven’t seen but the key is are they expecting it from me. I usually won’t avoid anyone if they ask me to roll. Weight usually isn’t an issue. I regularly roll with people much heavier than me. I will avoid somweone if the outweigh me by a ton though. If the weight difference is so severe they have the tendancy to lay on you and i’m not learning anything at that point besides don’t end up on the bottom of someone that large. I will avoid someone who has a tendancy to be reckless. Throwing up the legs for something that isn’t there and as a result hitting you in the face. I know accidents happen but we all have grappled with the type of people i’m talking about. It makes the roll uncomfortable and not fun at all. Also, most important to me i’m not learning anything when I roll with these people. Thankfully we have a solid core set of people to regularly train with. The rekless people are few and far between. Usually those people quit fairly quickly anyway.

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2. Mr. Hyde
   Posted 2009.08.28 at 08:37 | Permalink

   The only way I could think to lay this out was bulletpoint style, so here it goes:

   1st – I am going to chose a partner who’s BJJ is the counterpart to the technique, position or style of BJJ that I am planning on working.

   2nd – Next, I determine my own level of skill with the technique, position or style of BJJ I am working on, when I first begin training a new technique, position or style; I work them with the less seasoned training partner’s, steadily moving up the heirarchy as I become more comfortable with whatever it is I am working on.

   3rd – I am always more inclined to train with those people that are serious about BJJ, who train on a regular basis, and those who are active in their learning (asking questions, trying new things).

   4th – As I was once a rather rotund individual and felt unable to participate in many things, I am always willing to roll with the larger more out-of-shape students, (these students are usually new, as a couple of months of BJJ will strip the fat right off you) it is important to me to help them feel like they are welcome and accepted, and that it is okay to be Big and still train, I have been asked before “How do you handle rolling with that huge guy?” Its really pretty easy, its the same as rolling with anyone else. Smile, communicate, tap often, tap fast, and roll to have fun & be safe, not to win.

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3. MVT aka MV Guard aka THesz
   Posted 2009.08.29 at 12:14 | Permalink

   I find myself agreeing with basically everything mentioned in the 2 previous posts, however i think i can add a few things.

   *being willing to roll with anyone is imperative if you want to improve your game. having a variety of rolling partners can be beneficial because it prepares you for the diversity that accompanies Brazilian JiuJitsu. You never know what kind of opponent you will draw at a tournament, so i have found that being as well-rounded as possible can only help you.

   *having a “go to” rolling partner is also beneficial, in this case i think of DanO and Coach Hyde, as both of their games have been greatly enhanced based on the fact that they know each other’s games so well. in addition, their overall knowledge of the game and the willingness to bounce new ideas off of each other has helped them immensely.
   I also think of Professor Clint with Neto.. they would constantly roll and i believe Neto’s game played a roll in Prof. Clint bringing his game to the next level and helping Prof. Clint obtain his blackbelt.

   *if i am training something specifically, say half-guard, I will find someone who has a vast knowledge from that position.
   -For example, my half-guard sucked..so i worked with Ben a lot. Ben has a sick half-guard and was able to help me improve from that position.
   -when i was training to fight bigger, stronger guys with great grappling skills, i trained quite a bit with DanO. he helped expand my game tremendously.

   * playing offense is very important. I can get really good defensively by rolling with guys who are better than me. BUT when you are playing defense the entire time, you are losing the fight (marcelo) It is good to test your arsenal on guys equal or below your skill level.

   *I first began training Jiu Jitsu at the Holland school. the majority of those guys out-weighed me big time. however, those were my only options for partners. I remember popping my shoulder doing sprawl drills with a 16 year old that weighed 265lbs…………………..(that put me out for 3 weeks) haha. As my abilities and knowledge of the game grew, i feel much more comfortable rolling with guys way bigger than me, its just important to be aware at all times or else injuries will happen.

   ***I DONT LIKE ROLLING WITH PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE RINGWORM***
   I am kinda anal when it comes to hygiene. I dont appreciate it when people walk to the bathroom and back with no sandals.. if you have ringworm or smell like a turd covered in burnt hair, please use bleach and take a shower. then we can roll. =)

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4. Dutch Assassin
   Posted 2009.09.02 at 08:30 | Permalink

   I will roll with anyone. Tall, short, fat, skinny, young, old, man, woman, experienced, new…whatever. Rolling with newer people lends to more accidental knees or elbows in the faces, but thats ok. It wasn’t long ago when I was regularly doing the same thing, as I had far less control and knowledge of my movements.

   I like rolling with the best partners possible, that can work me over good. It helps me work on defense and survival. I don’t care about being tapped, and just try to work my game even a little when possible.

   I also like rolling with newer novice and intermediate players. I remember when I was a white belt, it wasn’t always the easiest to get a blue belt to roll with. I try to be available and accommodating to those who are looking to get better. It also allows me, with my additional mat time and experience, to put myself in different positions that I want to work. This gives me real time practice and feedback (whether they know they are apart of the game or not) on the things I am working on.

   I think it’s important to have a variety of training partners, with different experience levels and styles to have the most fun possible. And that’s why I come to the gym. To work hard, get better, and have as much fun as possible.

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5. frankenstein
   Posted 2009.09.19 at 10:19 | Permalink

   Anyone that won’t tear my head completely free off my poor, sorry, reconstructed excuse for a neck.

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