If you’ve trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while, then you may have heard of the term ‘rest round’. But what does this mean? Well, firstly you could claim that this term is a bit insulting towards whoever is deemed the rest round. However, it’s usually said as a bit of a joke.
Secondly, this term isn’t always used and some people won’t know what it means. Read on for more information.
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What does rest round mean in BJJ?
In BJJ, the term rest round refers to a sparring round that is so easy, it’s deemed a ‘rest’ due to the lack of cardio required. For example, imagine that a black belt has five rounds in a typical session, which are all six minutes each.
This black belt may have three other black belts in a row which would obviously be taxing in terms of physicality and mentality. With two rounds left, the black belt in question could choose to have a tactical ‘rest round’ against a blue belt. Here, they can chill out and not really worry, nor do they have to push themselves very hard. This means that by the time the last round comes, they’ve recovered in terms of cardio and physicality.
Why it isn’t always bad to be considered as a rest round
If you’re on the receiving end of a rest round then it’s best to accept it, rather than get mad. In fact, as long as the person sparring you isn’t rude then it could even be considered a compliment. Here, they may be matching your pace which isn’t as intense as others. In other words, it could even be considered as a technical round closer to drilling, rather than an all-out war. As long as you aren’t considered a soft touch then this is ok.
Remember, even if you try hard in sparring, the reality is that someone who has trained a lot more than you will almost always be better than you. So, the best thing you can do is continue sparring and of course, try your best.
White belts can be too crazy to be rest rounds
At face value, this may sound odd but white belts aren’t always the best rest rounds. For higher belts, arguably the best belts to practice on and chill out against are actually blue belts. This is because they’ll be doing the ‘right’ BJJ moves and techniques, as opposed to doing weird, unorthodox stuff.
For instance, you could sweep them, pass them, rest, then tap them. Against a white belt, they may do something crazy and create a wild scramble. Although you may end up tapping them from this scramble, it still may take more energy than the blue belt example. Basically, even though you may do better against white belts, it still doesn’t mean they’re easier rolls which is usually due to their intensity and lack of understanding when it comes to BJJ.
Rest rounds can make you lazy
The one issue is that rest rounds can make you lazy. If you’re a hobbyist then the odd rest round is fine and no one is judging you. However, if you’re a competitor then this can cause problems down the line. For instance, if you’re actively ducking training partners due to being pushed – then your heart and desire should come into question. Furthermore, it won’t help your cardio or really push you which is an important mentality for any competitor. Speaking of cardio, many BJJ practitioners take electrolytes that are known for improving your energy on the mat.
Conclusion
Rest rounds are probably used in a typical BJJ session more than you may think. If you find an older, out-of-shape brown belt, then the chances are they dabble in the odd rest round to avoid really pushing themselves.
Ultimately, it’s their choice and there’s nothing particularly wrong with this. Of course, if they openly say this then it can be seen as disrespectful to the person it’s aimed at.
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