Which concept took you the longest to understand, and what finally made it click?
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
Mat Chat: Jiu Jitsu History
Kids Fundamentals:
Week 10
Mat Chat: Jiu Jitsu History
Teens Fundamentals:
A
B
Kids Intermediate:
Week 31 - Top Control - Submissions
(THURSDAYS NOGI)
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)
B (Thur/Sat)
* 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:
❗❗** 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)
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
Mat Chat: Weaknesses
Kids Fundamentals:
Week 9
Mat Chat: Weaknesses
Teens Fundamentals:
A
B
Kids Intermediate:
Week 30 - Top Control - Escapes
(THURSDAYS NOGI)
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)
B (Thur/Sat)
* 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:
❗❗** 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)
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)