Kids Program Curriculum - 8/9/26

Welcome to a New Week in the Kids Program! 

Each week in our Kids Program, we're building confidence, discipline, and focus as we dive into new techniques and skills on the mats. From mastering fundamental movements to developing more advanced concepts, every class is designed to help our young athletes grow both in Jiu Jitsu and in life. We’re all about learning, teamwork, and, of course, having fun along the way! Get ready for an exciting week of training and improvement!

Little Kids:
Week 11

• Top Control Escape (hip escape)

• Mat Chat: Sharing Jiu Jitsu

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 11

• Top Control Escape (hip escape)

• Arm Lock from Top Control

• Mat Chat: Sharing Jiu Jitsu

Teens Fundamentals:
A

• Hook Defense

• Side Control Escape (shoulder pressure)

• Side Control Escape (re-guard)

B

• Osoto Gari

• Kimura Lock from Side Control

• Kimura Lock from North-South

Kids Intermediate:
Week 31 - Top Control - Submissions
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Single Leg Takedown (lift)

• Arm-in Choke from Top Control

• Triangle Choke from Top Control

Kids Competition Class:
Week 25

• Gi Uniform - Little kids - Game Day; Big Kids - Chain Attacks

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 6

• Boxing: Lead hook / Rear Hook

• Kickboxing: Switch kick from southpaw stance

• Combo: The Hemmers Combo

• Mat Chat: Be Persistent

Adult Program Curriculum - 8/9/26

Welcome to a New Week in the Adult Program! 

Each week, we’re building skills and exploring techniques designed to deepen your understanding and elevate your practice on the mats. From refining foundational movements to mastering advanced concepts, our focus is on cultivating confidence, control, and creativity in every position. Get ready to train hard, support your teammates, and push yourself as we dive into another week of growth and discovery!

Adult Gi Fundamentals:
A (Mon/Wed)

• Hook Defense*

• Side Control Escape (shoulder pressure)

• Side Control Escape (re-guard)****

B (Thur/Sat)

• Osoto Gari****

• Kimura Lock from Side Control****

• Kimura Lock from North-South

* One Stripe
** Two Stripes
***Three Stripes
**** Four Stripes

White Belt Must Know


Adult Intermediate with Professor Thomas:

• 6 Weeks of Half Guard - Grip Fighting, Half guard Retention and Attacks from the Bottom

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Top half guard - linking body lock passing to chest to chest top half guard passing
  
  

Womens Only with Coach Bekah:

• Front Bear Hug Defense

• Bear Hug defense with arms

• Bear Hug defense w/o arms

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 6:

• Boxing: Overhand Punch, Numbers 6-9, Blocking Hooks

• Kickboxing: Knee Technique, Knees on Thai Pads (Hook Knee-Cross Knee)

• Combo: The Switch It Combo

Fitness with Professor Thomas:

• Weekly Plan

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

ROL FAMILY PICNIC:

• WHEN: Sept 26, 2026 from 12PM-4PM

• WHERE: Jaycee Grove Park, Tinley Park

• (group photos 2:30pm)

GRAPPLING GAMES TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 9/5

• WHERE: Oak Lawn Pavillion (9401 Oak Park Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453)

• REGISTER HERE

Which concept took you the longest to understand, and what finally made it click?

Kids Program Curriculum - 8/1/26

Welcome to a New Week in the Kids Program! 

Each week in our Kids Program, we're building confidence, discipline, and focus as we dive into new techniques and skills on the mats. From mastering fundamental movements to developing more advanced concepts, every class is designed to help our young athletes grow both in Jiu Jitsu and in life. We’re all about learning, teamwork, and, of course, having fun along the way! Get ready for an exciting week of training and improvement!

Little Kids:
Week 10

• Trap, Bridge, Roll

• Mat Chat: Jiu Jitsu History

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 10

• Keylock from Top Control

• Trap, Bridge, Roll

• Mat Chat: Jiu Jitsu History

Teens Fundamentals:
A

• Head Lock Escape (lean forward)

• Head Lock Escape (lean backward)

• Transition from Side to Top Control

B

• Standing Head Lock Defense (no strikes)

• Side Control Escape (belt grip)

• Side Control Escape (single leg)

Kids Intermediate:
Week 31 - Top Control - Submissions
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Single Leg Takedown (lift & drive)

• Keylock From Top Control

• Straight Arm Lock from Top Control

Kids Competition Class:
Week 24

• Gi Uniform - Point-Based Positional Training

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 5

• Boxing: Parrying Straight Punches & Synch-Up Flow

• Kickboxing: The Switch Kick

• Combo: The Hemmers Combo

• Mat Chat: Be Persistent

Adult Program Curriculum - 8/1/26

Welcome to a New Week in the Adult Program! 

Each week, we’re building skills and exploring techniques designed to deepen your understanding and elevate your practice on the mats. From refining foundational movements to mastering advanced concepts, our focus is on cultivating confidence, control, and creativity in every position. Get ready to train hard, support your teammates, and push yourself as we dive into another week of growth and discovery!

Adult Gi Fundamentals:
A (Mon/Wed)

• Head Lock Escape (lean forward)

• Head Lock Escape (lean backward)

• Transition from Side to Top Control

B (Thur/Sat)

• Standing Head Lock Defense (no strikes)***

• Side Control Escape (belt grip)**

• Side Control Escape (single leg)****

* One Stripe
** Two Stripes
***Three Stripes
**** Four Stripes

White Belt Must Know


Adult Gi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 8:

• Double Leg Take Downs

• S-Mount and Gift Wrap Attacks

Adult NoGi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 8:

• Double Leg Take Downs

• S-Mount and Gift Wrap Attacks
  
  

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Top Half Passing

• (How to Defend partners under hook, Attack Arm or Pass Guard from Attacks)

Womens Only with Coach Bekah:

• Front Bear Hug Defense

• Bear Hug defense with arms

• Bear Hug defense w/o arms
  

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 5:

• Boxing: Upper Cuts & Two-Punch Series w/ Double Jab

• Kickboxing: Cross-Lead Kick / Lead Hook-Rear Kick

• Combo: The Sticks Combo
  

Fitness with Professor Thomas:

• Weekly Plan

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

ROL FAMILY PICNIC:

• WHEN: Sept 26, 2026 from 12PM-4PM

• WHERE: Jaycee Grove Park, Tinley Park

• (group photos 2:30pm)

GRAPPLING GAMES TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 9/5

• WHERE: Oak Lawn Pavillion (9401 Oak Park Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453)

• REGISTER HERE

Prof. Thomas’s workshop on July 18, 2026, centered on achieving complete domination without relying on a guard pass. The lesson emphasized closing distance, denying space, and using pressure to prevent your partner from rebuilding frames or recovering position. Prof. Thomas showed how controlling the hips and shoulders limits movement, weakens defensive reactions, and creates a platform for advancement. Rather than rushing from one position to another, students learned to stay connected, adjust their weight, and make every movement purposeful. Hip control stopped rotation and escape, while shoulder control redirected posture and exposed the neck and arms. These controls were presented not simply as ways to hold a partner down, but as opportunities to submit. By maintaining tight connection and reading reactions, students could transition smoothly into chokes, arm locks, and other finishes. The workshop reinforced a clear principle: dominate first, remove space, control the body, and let the submission appear.

Seminar is now available on RŌL TV 
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2026-07-18-thomas-rozdzynski

Community Question

If you could spend a week on a Jiu Jitsu retreat anywhere in the world, where would you go, and which instructor would you want to learn from?

Go beyond simply naming a destination or instructor, tell us what makes them your choice. Is it their teaching style, technical approach, academy culture, or something else that inspires you?

Kids Program Curriculum - 7/26/26

Welcome to a New Week in the Kids Program! 

Each week in our Kids Program, we're building confidence, discipline, and focus as we dive into new techniques and skills on the mats. From mastering fundamental movements to developing more advanced concepts, every class is designed to help our young athletes grow both in Jiu Jitsu and in life. We’re all about learning, teamwork, and, of course, having fun along the way! Get ready for an exciting week of training and improvement!

Little Kids:
Week 9

• Bearhug Escape (without arms)

• Mat Chat: Weaknesses

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 9

• Bearhug Escape (without arms)

• Back Control Escape (bridge)

• Mat Chat: Weaknesses

Teens Fundamentals:
A

• Front Bear Hug Defense

• Guillotine Choke from Guard

• Turtle Escape - Knee Grip

B

• Rear Naked Choke Defense

• Rear Naked Choke (RNC)

• Arm Behind the Head Choke

Kids Intermediate:
Week 30 - Top Control - Escapes
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Ouchi-gari

• Top Control Escape (neck control)

• Top Control Escape (front foot post)

Kids Competition Class:
Week 23

• Gi Uniform - Escaping Knee on Belly and Bottom Side Control

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 4

• Boxing: Jab-Cross

• Kickboxing: The Step Kick - Southpaw

• Combo: The Switch It Combo

• Mat Chat: Never Stop Learning

Adult Program Curriculum - 7/26/26

Welcome to a New Week in the Adult Program! 

Each week, we’re building skills and exploring techniques designed to deepen your understanding and elevate your practice on the mats. From refining foundational movements to mastering advanced concepts, our focus is on cultivating confidence, control, and creativity in every position. Get ready to train hard, support your teammates, and push yourself as we dive into another week of growth and discovery!

Adult Gi Fundamentals:
A (Mon/Wed)

• Front Bear Hug Defense

• Guillotine Choke from Guard

• Turtle Escape - Knee Grip

B (Thur/Sat)

• Rear Naked Choke Defense**

• Rear Naked Choke (RNC)***

• Arm Behind the Head Choke

* One Stripe
** Two Stripes
***Three Stripes
**** Four Stripes

White Belt Must Know


Adult Gi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 7:

• Double Leg Take Downs

• S-Mount and Deep Half Guard

Adult NoGi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 7:

• Double Leg Take Downs

• S-Mount and Deep Half Guard
  
  

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Knee Smash Pass

• Over/Under Pass

• Dogbar from Over/Under Pass

Womens Only with Coach Bekah:

• Tackle Defense (standing guillotine)

• Kimura from Guard

• Arm Lock from Guard
  

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 4:

• Boxing: Parrying Straight Punches & Synch Up Flow

• Kickboxing: Blocking Round Kicks / Numbers with Round Kick

• Combo: Dutch Drill - Complete

Fitness with Professor Thomas:

• Weekly Plan

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

ROL FAMILY PICNIC:

• SAVE THE DATE: 9/26

NEW BREED TEAM COMPETITION:

• When: Saturday 9/19

• Where: Oak Lawn Pavillion (9401 Oak Park Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453)

• REGISTER HERE

What’s one odd habit you’ve picked up because of jiu jitsu that you carry off the mats?

For me I’m always looking at people’s finger nails. I’ve been cut and scratched more times than I should, especially by higher belts over the years.