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.
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.
Kids Program Curriculum - 7/19/26
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 8
Mat Chat: Trust
Kids Fundamentals:
Week 8
Mat Chat: Trust
Teens Fundamentals:
A
B
Kids Intermediate:
Week 29 - Top Control - Escapes
(THURSDAYS NOGI)
Takedown: Single Leg Takedown (inside trip)
Kids Competition Class:
Week 22
NoGi Uniform: Win from Standing- Flying armbars, Flying triangles, and snap downs to chokes
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 - 7/19/26
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)
B (Thur/Sat)
* One Stripe
** Two Stripes
***Three Stripes
**** Four Stripes
White Belt Must Know
Adult Gi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 6:
Attacks from Top Control (review defending / escaping while other partner controls and attacks)
Adult NoGi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 6:
Attacks from Top Control (review defending / escaping while other partner controls and attacks)
NoGi Study with Coach John:
Top Half Guard Passing (how to beat the knee shield)
Womens Only with Coach Bekah:
Upgrip Defense
Knee-on belly armbar
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:
❗❗** Announcements **❗❗
ROL FAMILY PICNIC:
SAVE THE DATE: 9/26
EDDIE BAHENA MMA FIGHT
When: 8/15 @ 4:30PM
Where: Cicero Stadium (1909 S Laramie Ave, Cicero, IL 60804)
TICKETS ON SALE IN OFFICE
NEW BREED TEAM COMPETITION:
When: Saturday 9/19
Where: Oak Lawn Pavillion (9401 Oak Park Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453)
Why jiu jitsu? We can all give simular reasons why we keep coming back, but what made you walk through the door?
Kids Program Curriculum - 7/12/26
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 7
Mat Chat: Respect
Kids Fundamentals:
Week 7
Mat Chat: Respect
Teens Fundamentals:
A
B
Kids Intermediate:
Week 28 - Top Control - Submissions
(THURSDAYS NOGI)
Takedown: Ouchi-gari
Cross Collar Choke from Top Control
Kids Competition Class:
Week 21
Gi Uniform - Hand Fighting - It all starts with your grips! Hand fighting, collar ties, and elbow and wrist control.
Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 2
Boxing: The Jab
Kickboxing: Rear Round Kick - Southpaw
Combo: The Sticks Combo
Mat Chat: Decide Your Goals
Adult Program Curriculum - 7/12/26
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)
B (Thur/Sat)
* One Stripe
** Two Stripes
***Three Stripes
**** Four Stripes
White Belt Must Know
Adult Gi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 5:
Single Leg
Top Control Escapes
Adult NoGi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 5:
Single Leg
Top Control Escapes
NoGi Study with Coach John:
Top Half Guard Passing and Attacks
Womens Only with Coach Bekah:
Guard Retention
Tripod Sweep
Striking with Coach Johnny - Week 2:
Boxing: Straight Punches (Jab - Cross) - Numbers (1-4)
Kickboxing: Body Kicks on Thai Pads - Two Punch Series
Combo: Two-Thirty Drill
Fitness with Professor Thomas:
❗❗** Announcements **❗❗
PROFESSOR THOMAS BIRTHDAY WORKSHOP
When: 7/18 @ 11PM
One of our own, Eddie Bahena, is stepping into the ring at Total Fight Challenge on Saturday, August 15th, and we'd love to have the RŌL family there to support him!
🎟️ Tickets are available now at the front office at RŌL.
Let's show Eddie what the RŌL community is all about and fill the seats with teammates, friends, and family!
On June 13, 2026, Russell U. shared a detailed seminar focused on practical methods for opening and passing the closed guard. Rather than relying on strength or speed, Professor Russ emphasized posture, pressure, and controlling key points of the body to create consistent passing opportunities.
The seminar explored multiple guard-opening options, including traditional openings as well as alternative pressure-based methods for dealing with opponents who have a particularly strong closed guard. A major theme was maintaining solid structure, protecting against common submissions, and transitioning immediately into effective passing positions once the guard is opened. Russ also discussed common mistakes, such as exposing the arms during standing guard breaks, and demonstrated how proper positioning minimizes risk while maximizing control. Throughout the seminar, students learned how to combine strong fundamentals with intelligent pressure, giving them a systematic approach to breaking the closed guard and advancing into dominant top positions against resisting opponents.
Seminar is now available on RŌL TV
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2026-06-13-russell-usauskas
What is your goal when you go into sparring and how often does it change? Every round/session? Every week? Monthly? Person-to-person?
Kids Program Curriculum - 7/5/26
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 6
Mat Chat: Bullying
Kids Fundamentals:
Week 6
Mat Chat: Bullying
Teens Fundamentals:
A
B
Kids Intermediate:
Week 27 - Top Control - Submissions
(THURSDAYS NOGI)
Kids Competition Class:
Week 20
NoGi Uniform - Armbars, armbars, armbars!!!
Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 1
Boxing: Stance, Guard, Movement
Kickboxing: Roundkick (Fundamentals)
Combo: The Sticks Combo
Mat Chat: How You Think Is Everything