What makes for a good roll?
In some ways, it’s like asking what makes for a good painting. There are a near-infinite number of variables to account for, along with the subjectivity of the viewer.
A good roll is also situational, contextual. It’s going to look and feel different for the two-hundred pound man gearing up for ADCC, and the one-hundred pound woman who just learned to tie her belt.
Many people who are new to the sport—men, especially—appear to think that to roll well is to roll hard. This is sometimes true. Sometimes training demands competition-level intensity. But knowing when this intensity is appropriate and what it feels like is challenging to the neophyte.
Often the neophyte doesn’t know how hard they’re rolling and they’re clueless about pace modulation. They’re either stomping on the gas or the brake. No finesse, no in between.
Most of the time, as grapplers progress, they begin to match the strength and intensity of their training partners. This is how the two-hundred pound man and the one-hundred pound woman can have an interesting, but safe roll. The man only gives as much strength as he gets. Either party can throttle the pace up and down safely. The roll becomes a technical exchange, not a power battle.
Of course, there are some who can’t abide by this. They can’t lose to anyone, let alone a smaller, female opponent. The worst part is that some of these grapplers are in denial about this. They can’t, or maybe they won’t, see it.
What do we do for them? And should we do for them what they can’t do for themselves?
Category: Outer Work
Tag: Training Well
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