Controlling the intensity of any kind of sparring, whether it’s BJJ, boxing, or MMA, is a unique skill set that requires specific practice like everything else. I always roll with people as if they were babies: large, angry, bloodthirsty babies who are trying to murder me. In other words: protect yourself at all times, (because you will need to) and make a conscious effort to make sure your training partner doesn’t get injured and has a positive experience.
Never had this issue thankfully. Flow roll exponentially increased my progress but you need good partners for it for sure. The key to a good flow roll is agreeing to allow the other to ultimately get a submission and resist just enough where they must get the technique 70% right if not let them attempt it a few times then just let them get it and then once you tap, you must work your way out of that position then go for offense and just keep going as such. Ego comes from both parties you must let them work and not resist where they must get the technique 100% because that’s saying your defense is 100% which doesn’t exist. The one on offense needs that reminder or be conscious of what they do (slower pace less strength)
Coming into bjj everyone was always talking about flow rolling, but yeah every light roll I did escalated to become ADCC (I take part of the blame). But part of the problem is no one ever actually teaches how to flow roll! It's a skill as difficult as any other BJJ skill. -The obvious thing is to go lighter. Slower and with less strength. But then that's only part of it. -Another big part I learned is to not resist whatever technique they're doing. Instead follow that technique and then use it to transition to your own technique. For example, if a smaller opponent is trying to arm bar me, I can clasp my hands, muscle out of it and we could go the rest of the round like that. Or I could let them pull my arm but I use that momentum to transition to a hitchiker escape. This makes rounds much more interesting, transitioning between techniques, and between who has a dominant position. -It's also an effort to control your ego. And tap even though maybe you could tough it out. I rolled for the first time in awhile after a broken rib. Told myself to just go light and tap easily. Had a really good time because I didn't put so much pressure on myself. Tapped to a lot of subs I probably could've gotten out of. And it sets the pace for a more relaxed roll for everyone. -Also it's an opportunity to be creative. For instance, I was in turtle with the guy on my back. I normally would've gone for some kind of double-leg wrestle-up, but I wanted something more controlled, and less likely to turn up the intensity. I played around and found some fireman's carry style sweep that just worked so smooth, like butter. Extremely satisfying to just play around and find something new. -So yeah everyone talks about flow rolling, few actually do it, and even fewer actually teach you how to do it!
Most flow rolls I’ve had when I’m injured because if something moves wrong we have to reset or stop. Few people tend to flow roll or slow roll where I have time to think and learn.
The concept of training is not fighting , you train to learn the craft or I’d like to think so I don’t get the mentality of wanting to destroy the people helping you get better or vice versa obviously we encounter these types of people but personally it is not the way to learn a skill .
If a flow roll spins outta control to the point mad stacking, it probably slowly escalated to it. That means you share part of the responsibility for not saying "hey, we're just flowing remember?" for a fear of not being seen as weak. Yay or nay?
Controlling the intensity of any kind of sparring, whether it’s BJJ, boxing, or MMA, is a unique skill set that requires specific practice like everything else.
I always roll with people as if they were babies: large, angry, bloodthirsty babies who are trying to murder me. In other words: protect yourself at all times, (because you will need to) and make a conscious effort to make sure your training partner doesn’t get injured and has a positive experience.
So true. Beginners often lack the skill completely. So much easier to do with higher belts :)
Never had this issue thankfully. Flow roll exponentially increased my progress but you need good partners for it for sure. The key to a good flow roll is agreeing to allow the other to ultimately get a submission and resist just enough where they must get the technique 70% right if not let them attempt it a few times then just let them get it and then once you tap, you must work your way out of that position then go for offense and just keep going as such. Ego comes from both parties you must let them work and not resist where they must get the technique 100% because that’s saying your defense is 100% which doesn’t exist. The one on offense needs that reminder or be conscious of what they do (slower pace less strength)
Best explanation of flow rolling I've encountered. Thanks
Coming into bjj everyone was always talking about flow rolling, but yeah every light roll I did escalated to become ADCC (I take part of the blame). But part of the problem is no one ever actually teaches how to flow roll! It's a skill as difficult as any other BJJ skill.
-The obvious thing is to go lighter. Slower and with less strength. But then that's only part of it.
-Another big part I learned is to not resist whatever technique they're doing. Instead follow that technique and then use it to transition to your own technique. For example, if a smaller opponent is trying to arm bar me, I can clasp my hands, muscle out of it and we could go the rest of the round like that. Or I could let them pull my arm but I use that momentum to transition to a hitchiker escape. This makes rounds much more interesting, transitioning between techniques, and between who has a dominant position.
-It's also an effort to control your ego. And tap even though maybe you could tough it out. I rolled for the first time in awhile after a broken rib. Told myself to just go light and tap easily. Had a really good time because I didn't put so much pressure on myself. Tapped to a lot of subs I probably could've gotten out of. And it sets the pace for a more relaxed roll for everyone.
-Also it's an opportunity to be creative. For instance, I was in turtle with the guy on my back. I normally would've gone for some kind of double-leg wrestle-up, but I wanted something more controlled, and less likely to turn up the intensity. I played around and found some fireman's carry style sweep that just worked so smooth, like butter. Extremely satisfying to just play around and find something new.
-So yeah everyone talks about flow rolling, few actually do it, and even fewer actually teach you how to do it!
Most flow rolls I’ve had when I’m injured because if something moves wrong we have to reset or stop.
Few people tend to flow roll or slow roll where I have time to think and learn.
This reminds of the old "this is my first week of Jiu-jitsu" ruse.
The concept of training is not fighting , you train to learn the craft or I’d like to think so I don’t get the mentality of wanting to destroy the people helping you get better or vice versa obviously we encounter these types of people but personally it is not the way to learn a skill .
If a flow roll spins outta control to the point mad stacking, it probably slowly escalated to it. That means you share part of the responsibility for not saying "hey, we're just flowing remember?" for a fear of not being seen as weak. Yay or nay?
Nope, 0 to 100% haha. Took me by surprise for sure.