What is one win you had in the past week? Big or small, on or off the mats.

I think motivation and confidence can really dip when we stop seeing or recognizing the little improvements we are making in our lives or on the mats. 

Instructors and Coaches - If you could go back in time and have a conversation with your white belt self, what would you tell yourself about the journey ahead?


🤔💭

Kids Program Curriculum - 1/11/26

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 11

• Scissor Sweep

• Mat Chat:  Strengths

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 11

• Scissor Sweep

• Open Guard Sitting

• Mat Chat: Strengths

Teens Fundamentals:
A

• Osoto Gari

• Kimura Lock from Side Control

• Kimura Lock from North-South

B 

• Hook Defense

• Side Control Escape (shoulder pressure)

• Side Control Escape (re-guard)

Kids Intermediate:
Week 31 - Top Control - Submissions

• Takedown: Single Leg Takedown (lift & drive)

• Keylock From Top Control

• Straight Arm Lock from Top Control

Kids Competition Class:
Week 12  - Playing for Points

• Mat Chat: Understanding Points

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 12

• Boxing: Numbers (1-5)

• Kickboxing: Numbers w/ Round Kicks

• Combo: The Bas Combo

• Mat Chat: Traits of Leaders

👉 ANNOUNCEMENTS HERE 

👉 FULL EVENT LIST HERE

Adult Program Curriculum - 1/11/26

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 Gi Fundamentals:
A (Mon/Wed)

• Osoto Gari****

• Kimura Lock from Side Control****

• Kimura Lock from North-South

B (Thur/Sat)

• Hook Defense*

• Side Control Escape (shoulder pressure)

• Side Control Escape (re-guard)****

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

White Belt Must Know

Adult Gi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 7:

• Double Leg Takedowns

• S-Mount Escapes and Deep Half Guard

Adult NoGi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 7:

• Double Leg Takedowns

• Attacks from Top Control - chaining submissions

Adult Gi Study with Professor Russ:

• Passing Lasso Guard

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 12:

• Boxing: Back 'em Up Drill, KO Drill

• Kickboxing: Block/Parry/Counter Front Kicks and Round Kicks

• Combo: The Bas Combo

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

CHILI POTLUCK

• When: TOMORROW - Saturday, January 11, 2026 AFTER OPEN MAT

• Bring your favorite Chili, share with everyone, train a little and have fun. We will select the best one after the Open Training

RŌL FAMILY OUTING - ICE SKATING

• When: Sunday 1/18 from 3-7pm (show up when you can)

• Where: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink (15600 West Ave. & Fun Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462)

• (ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN FEES ASSOCIATED WITH ICE SKATING)

• MORE INFO HERE

UFC NIGHT

• When: Saturday January 24th

• Where: RŌL Academy

• Bring a Dish to share!

FULL EVENT LIST HERE

RŌL TV is excited to release a comprehensive new series with Max Eberle, focused entirely on the modern leg lock game. This series breaks down leg locks as a complete system rather than isolated techniques, making the material accessible, practical, and highly effective for students of all levels. Max covers key positions including 50/50, inside Ashi, and outside Ashi, with a strong emphasis on control, balance, and proper positioning.

Hi everybody. I was wondering where does your jiu jitsu come from? Live training, classes, seminars, You Tube, or high level matches, UFC etc.? Or a combo?

For me, it’s teaching, mat time, ROL-TV, and You Tube.

The mats push me to improve, but teaching it is what really makes it stick. It forces me to explain it, feel it, internalize it. You Tube is a point of reference for me. Sometimes I find something new, other times I don’t. But either way, it shows me where I’m at in my jiu-jitsu.

Here’s to a healthy new year on the matts. 

Whats a great way to get your child/student motivated to continue training Jiu Jitsu when they don't want to come? 🤔💭

Kids Program Curriculum - 1/4/26

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 11

• Arm Lock from Top Control

• Mat Chat:  Sharing Jiu Jitsu

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 11

• Arm Lock from Top Control

• Top Control Escape (ankle drag over)

• Mat Chat: Sharing Jiu Jitsu

Teens Fundamentals:
A

• Standing Head Lock Defense (no strikes)

• Side Control Escape (belt grip)

• Side Control Escape (single leg)

B 

• Head Lock Escape (lean forward)

• Head Lock Escape (lean backward)

• Transition from Side to Top Control

Kids Intermediate:
Week 30 - Top Control - Escapes

• Takedown: Single Leg Takedown (inside trip)

• Top Control Escape (neck control)

• Top Control Escape (front foot post)

Kids Competition Class:
Week 10  - Playing for Points

• Mat Chat: Understanding Points

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 11

• Boxing: Numbers (1-5)

• Kickboxing: Numbers w/ Round Kicks

• Combo: The Bas Combo

• Mat Chat: Traits of Leaders

Adult Program Curriculum - 1/4/26

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)

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

• Side Control Escape (belt grip)**

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

B (Thur/Sat)

• Head Lock Escape (lean forward)

• Head Lock Escape (lean backward)

• Transition from Side to Top Control

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

White Belt Must Know

Adult Gi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 6:

• Single Leg Takedown setups and entries

• Attacks from Top Control

Adult NoGi Intermediate with Professor Thomas - Week 6:

• Single Leg Takedown Setups and Entries

• Escapes from Top Control

Adult Gi Study with Professor Russ:

• Lasso Attacks Part 2

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 11:

• Boxing: Back 'em Up Drill, KO Drill

• Kickboxing: Block/Parry/Counter Front Kicks and Round Kicks

• Combo: The Bas Combo

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

Chili Potluck

• When: Sunday, January 11, 2026

• Bring your favorite Chili, share with everyone, train a little and have fun!

UFC NIGHT

• When: Saturday January 24th

• Bring a Dish to share!

FULL EVENT LIST HERE

New Years Resolutions 

With 2026 here, what is a jiu jitsu based New Year’s resolution for you? Attend a certain number of classes? Compete in a competition? Try to get to a certain stripe or perhaps a new belt? Or simply focus on and master a certain technique?

For me, I have really tried to grow into the competition aspect, competing in several competitions now over the past couple years. It wasn’t until my most recent competition that I was able to secure a gold medal. My resolution is to compete in at least 3 competitions this year alone, with gold as the goal.