If you’re new to training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu then you may not know where to start when it comes to sparring. Although this will become second nature over time, sometimes we forget how seemingly natural things can be quite alien for beginners.
In this article, we shall assess how to start a roll in BJJ. Here, we’ll look at the things you should and shouldn’t do and how this can affect your position as the spar develops.
Table of Contents
Pulling guard
One of the most common sights in BJJ is the guard pull. This is where you sit down from a standing position, usually with grips on your opponent. The reason for gripping your opponent is to keep contact with them as you hit the floor. If you don’t maintain contact then they may be able to pass you if your guard pull is sloppy.
Overall, there are literally hundreds of ways to pull guard, and it really depends on what position you want to land in. Just remember, it’s ideal to pull guard with an offensive move in mind. For instance, if you pull guard aimlessly then this can hinder you as the top player can take the initiative and start passing. However, if you pull straight into a sweep attempt then this can result in an instant sweep and bettering of your position. Even if the sweep fails, it should still throw your opponent off their original game plan.
Arguably, pulling guard is the safer option for those who are unconfident with takedowns. This is a safe way to get the ground without being thrown or landing awkwardly. As a result, guard pulls are often one of the first things taught to beginners.
Takedowns
If you’re from a wrestling or Judo background then you’ll be aware of takedowns before starting BJJ. In this sense, your roll should begin as if it was a Judo or wrestling match. Here, the intention is to take the opponent to the floor and end up in the top position.
In a BJJ competitions, this will score you 2 points and will put you on the offensive from the beginning. Takedowns differ massively from the gi to no gi due to the change of grips. However, they all have the same thing in common, which is the attempt to off-balance the opponent and end up on top. Typically, beginner-friendly takedowns include the double and single leg that are taken from wrestling.
Having said this, like guard pulling – there are a number of options to consider and when you factor in Judo, the possibilities are endless. Just be careful – as engaging in a takedown battle won’t always see you come out victorious.
Even if you’re more aggressive, a skilled opponent will be able to put you to the ground and hit you with counter throws. Therefore, from a tactical viewpoint, the guard pull is sometimes considered safer where points are concerned. Obviously, this is not the case if you’re confident in your takedown abilities.
Why BJJ rolls often start from the knees
When you first see BJJ rolls start from the knees, this can be a confusing sight if you’re new to it. However, there are a few reasons why this is the case. Most commonly, it’s done if there’s a lack of room on the mats.
For instance, it would be very unsafe to have many people crammed into a small space whilst trying to throw each other around. The reason for this is that people would land on you and this could break limbs. Even the toughest MMA gyms will start from the knees if there’s no space which says it all. In short, this is a safety-first method.
Sometimes though, gyms may get into the habit of starting from the knees even when there is adequate space to practice takedowns. The reason for this is based on a culture, more than practicality. This is especially the case if people enjoy guard pulling compared to takedowns. On the one hand, you’ll probably end up in this position anyway.
On the other hand, it’s fairly unrealistic and doesn’t represent the starting point of a BJJ competition either. Even if you want to pull guard, it’s a good habit to do so from standing, whereby you can really get a feel for what works. This is because guard pulling from standing takes more skill to do correctly, compared to if both practitioners start on the floor.
Lastly, some people may prefer starting from the knees if they’re injured. From this perspective, it’s probably safe that doing takedowns and makes sense. Remember, it’s always polite to respect your opponent, especially where injuries are concerned.
How to start a BJJ roll from your knees
One of the biggest issues with BJJ rolls starting from the knees is that it’s almost a skill in itself. In fact, you could argue that this position is genuinely unrealistic. Even with guard pulls from standing, you won’t find two people facing each other on their knees. This means that knee wrestling is a thing, as stupid as it sounds.
Here, you will have two options. The first is to concede the bottom position. You can either sit into a butterfly position, or maintain a combat base with one knee up. The alternative is to try to get the top position, which can mean grappling for takedowns from the knees.
Some will even stand up and try standing passing within seconds, which kind of defeats the purpose of standing from knees. Ultimately, it’s up to you and even most guard pullers are skeptical of both people starting from the knees. At the same time, it can be a necessity due to a lack of space, so you better get practicing!
Conclusion
When it comes to rolling in BJJ, you will have two options to start with. The first is to go for takedowns, whilst the second option is to pull guard. Usually, smaller practitioners will pull guard and look for sweeps, whereas bigger practitioners will go for takedowns and try to start passes.
In conclusion, there’s no wrong or right way to start a BJJ roll. As long as you do it safely and try to be mindful about what you’re actually set on achieving then you should eventually develop a good rhythm of what to do and what not to do.
