Rolling in Class: Battle Royale or Hippy Lovefest?

**Phrost** · Posted On: 6/28/2006 8:56pm

Originally Posted by THX-1138

As far as I'm concerned I look at half guard as half way to side control or their back rather than half way to getting passed.

It should not be viewed as a passive position you're left to defend.

Exactly. I've got my lockdown to the point where I can hold it for several minutes against all but the strongest guys, but it does no damn good if I'm just laying on my back for anything other than just resting (which I do, way more than I should).

But half-guard/lockdown + old school works pretty damn well. Now if I can just manage to score a twister...

**Kokujin** · Posted On: 6/29/2006 9:50am

I mostly do the morning classes, which are way less intensive on the rolling and more intensive on the phisical training. When I walse trough the night classes, it's always open war! Blues, purples, browns and blacks, from my school and from other academies. Let the battle royal begin.

Since I'm a newbie, I tend to do things with a little more focus to try and build a good base. Economy of movements, etc.. So I don't tend to rush into things, but from time to times, the ego raises it's ugly head and the rolling get's nasty and intense.:spanky:

**RoninPimp** · Posted On: 6/29/2006 9:55am

Rolling with a newbie = love fest. Rolling with the stud white, blue, purple, brown, and blacks that will kick my ass any chance they get = battle royal.

**pauli** · Posted On: 6/29/2006 12:03pm

normally, everyone i roll with is 20-50lbs heavier than i am, with an even greater strength advantage, and usually better technique. i go as hard as i can at all times, typically trying to get out from under their side control or full mount.

on the rare occasions i train with people smaller and weaker than me, i do relax and focus on doing techniques properly, giving them a chance to do the same.

i'm there to exert myself. i've had bjj classes where i don't break a sweat, and it fucking sucks.

**Das Moose** · Posted On: 6/29/2006 2:28pm

Originally Posted by G8

If you're talking about old-school BJJ, it progresses from least dominant to most dominant (or vice versa). Starting from least dominant, it would be roughly:

WORST
rear mounted
mounted
knee-on-bellied
north-southed
side-controlled
pulling half guard
pulling guard
in opponent's guard
in opponent's half guard
in side control
in north-south
in knee on belly
in full mount
in rear mount
BEST

more or less ... you might quibble about the exact arrangement. It's a rough reflection of the BJJ point system.

I agree with the majority of that but... According to this it's better to be in your opponents guard than to have him in yours?

I'm a total BJJ n00b but I was pretty sure it was the other way round.

**Fighting Cephalopod** · Posted On: 6/29/2006 2:44pm

Originally Posted by Das Moose

I agree with the majority of that but... According to this it's better to be in your opponents guard than to have him in yours?

I'm a total BJJ n00b but I was pretty sure it was the other way round.

Not when punching is involved.

**UpaLumpa** · Posted On: 6/29/2006 2:57pm

I've heard and read that they're considered pretty close (though given the increase in overall skill in mma that's no longer the case) but that the goal is to improve your position regardless.
So you're going to try and get to the top anyway.