On September 12, 2026, RŌL TV hosted a focused Jiu-Jitsu workshop with John Kats dedicated to one of the most essential skills in grappling: escaping side control. The workshop broke down the fundamental principles and techniques needed to defend effectively and work your way out from underneath a controlling opponent.

Participants explored the importance of proper framing, defensive positioning, and understanding how to create space when trapped on the bottom of side control. John emphasized the mechanics behind effective escapes, demonstrating how to use frames, body movement, and strategic positioning to disrupt an opponent's control and create opportunities to recover guard or improve position.

Seminar is now available on RŌL TV 
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2026-09-12-john-kats

What’s the best piece of advice a higher belt gave you that you only appreciated years later?

A lot pop into mind, but one that sticks out is "You should look into bottom half guard and look up Lucas Leite Coyote Guard."  That moved me initially to giving into half guard.  

Kids Program Curriculum - 10/11/26

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

• Side Control Escape (hip control)

• Mat Chat: Bullying

Kids/Teens Fundamentals:
A

• Side Control Escape (butterfly hook)

• Butterfly Sweep from Half Guard

• Butterfly Pass (drive the bus)

B

• Side Control Escape (butterfly hook)

• Transition from Half Guard to Back Control

• Arm Drag from Half Guard to Back Control

Kids/Teens Intermediate:
Week 9 - Side Control - Escapes
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Bearhug Escape (without arms)

• Side Control Escape (double under)

• Side Control Escape (re-guard)

Kids Competition Class:

• Gi uniform

• Competition Review

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 3

• Boxing: The Cross

• Kickboxing: The Step Kick

• Combo: The Switch It Combo

• Mat Chat: Get Out of Your Own Way
  

Adult Program Curriculum - 10/11/26

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 Fundamentals Jiu Jitsu:
A

• Side Control Escape (butterfly hook)

• Butterfly Sweep from Half Guard

• Butterfly Pass (drive the bus)

B

• Side Control Escape (butterfly hook)

• Transition from Half Guard to Back Control

• Arm Drag from Half Guard to Back Control

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

White Belt Must Know


Adult Jiu Jitsu with Professor Thomas:
BLOCK 10

• Standing: Double Legs and Single Legs

• Concept: Turtle + transitions to back 
  

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Side control pin escapeS

• Roll through escapes and overall review
  

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 3:

• Boxing: Hooks (Lead - Rear) - Single Punch Series

• Kickboxing: Cross-Lead Kick - Walking Round Kick

• Combo: Dutch Drill - Part 1
  

Fitness with Professor Thomas:

• Weekly Plan

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

WORKSHOP WITH COACH DAN:

• WHEN: Saturday October 17th @ 11am

• Gi Uniform

• Free - No Experience Necessary

GRADUATION EVENT:

• When: November 7th @ 10am

What has changed in Jiu Jitsu game in last few years? 

What’s is a favorite match that you love to watch? it could be a strictly BJJ match or an mma fight that had high level Jiu Jitsu. 

One of my favorites is Amanda Leve beating Gabi Garcia. The lead up to that match was tense and it was a shocker when Amanda won! 

Kids Program Curriculum - 10/4/26

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 5

• Kimura Lock from Side Control 

• Mat Chat: Community and Team

Kids/Teens Fundamentals:
Week 5

A

• Osoto Gari ⭐⭐

• Arm Lock from Closed Guard ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Arm Lock Defense (stack) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

B

• Osoto Gari ⭐⭐

• Rev Arm Lock from Closed Guard

• Pendulum Sweep from Closed Guard ⭐⭐⭐

Kids/Teens Intermediate:
Week 8 - Guard - Pass
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Osoto-gari

• Toreando

• Step Through

Kids Competition Class:

• Gi uniform

• Positional Training and Sparring 

• Tap Cancer Out Tournament on Saturday!

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 - 10/4/2

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 Fundamentals Jiu Jitsu:
A

• Osoto Gari ⭐⭐

• Arm Lock from Closed Guard ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Arm Lock Defense (stack) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

B

• Osoto Gari ⭐⭐

• Rev Arm Lock from Closed Guard

• Pendulum Sweep from Closed Guard ⭐⭐⭐

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

White Belt Must Know


Adult Jiu Jitsu with Professor Thomas:
BLOCK 10

• Standing: Double Legs and Single Legs

• Concept: Turtle
  
  

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Bottom Side Control Escapes

• Tricep Post Escapes and Entries into Octopus Guard 

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:

• Weekly Plan

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

TAP CANCER OUT TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 10/10

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

• REGISTER HERE

WORKSHOP WITH COACH DAN:

• WHEN: Saturday October 17th @ 11am

• Gi Uniform

• Free - No Experience Necessary

GRADUATION EVENT:

• When: November 7th @ 10am

Kids Program Curriculum - 9/27/26

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 4

• Sprawl to Turtle

• Double Leg Take Down

• Mat Chat: Self-Defense

Kids/Teens Fundamentals:
A

• Side control escape (single leg)

• Kimura Lock from Side Control 

• Kimura Lock from North South

B

• Side control escape (single leg)

• Transition from Side to Top (step over) 

• Top Control Escape (ankle drag) 

Kids/Teens Intermediate:
Week 7 - Guard - Pass
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Osoto-gari

• Bull Rider Pass

• Knee Cut

Kids Competition Class:

• Gi uniform

• Little Kids - Game Day

• Big Kids - Positional Training 

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 1

• Boxing: Stance, Guard, Movement

• Kickboxing: Roundkick (Fundamentals)

• Combo: The Sticks Combo

• Mat Chat: How You Think Is Everything

Adult Program Curriculum - 9/27/26

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 Fundamentals Jiu Jitsu:
A

• Side control escape (single leg)

• Kimura Lock from Side Control ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Kimura Lock from North South

B

• Side control escape (single leg)

• Transition from Side to Top (step over) ⭐⭐

• Top Control Escape (ankle drag) ⭐⭐

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

White Belt Must Know


Adult Jiu Jitsu with Professor Thomas:
BLOCK 9

• Wrapping up Half Guard

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Bottom side control 

• Underhook Escapes

• Entries to Dogfight and lower Leg Shift Sweeps.
  

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 1:

• Boxing: Stance, Guard, Movement, Gallop Step

• Kickboxing: Round Kick (Fundamentals)

• Combo: The Back-Em Up Drill

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)

TAP CANCER OUT TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 10/10

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

• REGISTER HERE

WORKSHOP WITH COACH DAN:

• WHEN: Saturday October 17th @ 11am

• Gi Uniform

• Free - No Experience Necessary

GRADUATION EVENT:

• When: November 7th @ 10am