Why do you think pulling guard is so frowned upon when people like Adele Fornarino make it a bedrock of their game? Since it is clear that specializing is a great way to win competitions, why push someone to be a generalist and have a "well-rounded" game?

Her accomplishments by pulling guard:

• 1st Place ADCC (2024**)

• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2023)

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2025)

• 1st Place IBJJF European Championship NOGI (2023)

• 1st Place ADCC Oceania & Asia Trials (2022 / 2023 / 2024)

• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2023)

• 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2023)

• GrappleFest U60KG Title Superfight (2023)

Kids Program Curriculum - 8/30/26

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 14

• Bull-rider Pass

• Mat Chat: Rules

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 14

• Guard Pull

• Hip-in Pass

• Mat Chat: Rules

Teens Fundamentals:

• Cross Choke from Top Control

• Top Control Escape (trap, bridge and roll)

• Top Control Escape (post counter) - Knee Inside

Kids Intermediate:
Week 3 - Guard - Submissions
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Anke Pick

• Triangle Choke from Guard

• Arm Lock from Guard

Kids Competition Class:
Competition week - Saturday 9/5 grappling games
(No class Saturday!)

• This is SPAR-ta - Sparring and comp prep 

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 9

• Boxing: The Single Punch Series

• Kickboxing: Lorek Combo “Lumberjacks”

• Combo: The Deckers Combo

• Mat Chat: Talk it out, Work it out

  
  

Adult Program Curriculum - 8/30/26

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)

• Jab Defense*

• Top Control Escape (post counter) - Hip Escape

• Cross Choke from Top Control

B (Thur/Sat)

• Single Leg Take Down Defense 

• Top Control Escape (trap, bridge and roll)**

• Top Control Escape (post counter) - Knee Inside

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

White Belt Must Know


Adult Intermediate with Professor Thomas:

• Tani Otoshi 

• Pressure Passing 

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Top Half Guard

• Knee cuts and back stepping into passing and leg entries. 
  
  

Womens Only with Coach Bekah:

• Back control escape (bridge)

• Transition from side to top control

• Armlock from top control 
  

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 9:

• Boxing: Pull: Technique, Numbers + Slip

• Kickboxing: Blocking: Low Kick, Body Kick + Counter

• Combo: The Holland 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)

LABOR DAY SCHEDULE:

• MONDAY 9/7: ALL CLASSES CANCELLED

• MONDAY 9/7: 9AM ADULT OPEN MAT

GRAPPLING GAMES TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 9/5

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

• REGISTER HERE

NEW SCHEDULE:

• WHEN: Tuesday 9/8

NOGI WORKSHOP WITH JOHN KATS:

• WHEN: 9/12 11AM

TAP CANCER OUT TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 10/10

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

• REGISTER HERE

What technique do you avoid because you’re not confident in it—and what would happen if you focused on it for the next month?

For me it’s. Half guard bottom. The hope is that I get a handle on a system I can refine to my abilities. 

Adult Program Curriculum - 8/23/26

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)

• Single Leg Take Down from Clinch***

• Scissor Sweep from Guard***

• Tripod Pass from Half Guard

B (Thur/Sat)

• Single Leg Take Down from Collar Grips

• Hip-in Guard Pass**

• Tripod Sweep from Guard***

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

White Belt Must Know


Adult Intermediate with Professor Thomas:

• Tani Otoshi 

• Transitions to Back - A lot of Arm Drags 
  
  

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Top half guard

• Entries to Mounted Triangle and Back Triangle
  
  

Womens Only with Coach Bekah:

• Single Leg Defense

• Turtle to Back Transition

• RNC from Back Control 

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 8:

• Boxing: Slip: Technique, Numbers + Slip

• Kickboxing: Front Kick: Technique, Numbers/Walking + Front Kicks

• Combo: 1 Liver Low / Check It
  
  

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)

LABOR DAY SCHEDULE:

• MONDAY 9/7: ALL CLASSES CANCELLED

• MONDAY 9/7: 9AM ADULT OPEN MAT

GRAPPLING GAMES TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 9/5

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

• REGISTER HERE

NEW SCHEDULE:

• WHEN: Tuesday 9/8

NOGI WORKSHOP WITH JOHN KATS:

• WHEN: 9/12 11AM

TAP CANCER OUT TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 10/10

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

• REGISTER HERE

Kids Program Curriculum - 8/23/26

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 13

• Open Guard Standing

• Mat Chat: Being Responsible

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 13

• Open Guard Standing

• Chair Sweep

• Mat Chat: Being Responsible

Teens Fundamentals:

A

• Single Leg Take Down from Clinch

• Scissor Sweep from Guard

• Tripod Pass from Half Guard

B

• Single Leg Take Down from Collar Grips

• Hip-in Guard Pass

• Tripod Sweep from Guard

Kids Intermediate:
Week 2 - Guard - Sweeps
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Guard Pull

• Scissor Sweep

• Pendulum Sweep

Kids Competition Class:
Week 27

• Gi Uniform 

• Positional Training- Play for Points 

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 8

• Boxing: The Overhand Punch

• Kickboxing: Low Kick, Switch Kick (Body)

• Combo: The Holland Combo

• Mat Chat: Be Brave, Be Different

Kids Program Curriculum - 8/16/26

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 12

• Kimura Bump

• Mat Chat: Strengths

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 12

• Open Guard Sitting

• Scissor Sweep

• Mat Chat: Strengths

Teens Fundamentals:

• Takedowns
  

Kids Intermediate:
Week 1 - Guard - Sweeps
(THURSDAYS NOGI)

• Takedown: Guard Pull

• Tripod Sweep

• Chair Sweep

Kids Competition Class:
Week 26

• NoGi Uniform 

• Attacks from Guard and Mount

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week 7

• Boxing: Uppercuts

• Kickboxing: Round Kicks on Thai Pads

• Combo: The Holland Combo

• Mat Chat: Focus Your Time

Adult Program Curriculum - 8/16/26

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)

• Guard Retention*

• Open Guard Standing**

• Chair Sweep

B (Thur/Sat)

• Grip Breaking**

• Open Guard Sitting**

• Double Under Pass

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

White Belt Must Know


Adult Intermediate with Professor Thomas:

• 5 Weeks of Half Guard

• Grip Fighting and Sweeps from Half Guard

NoGi Study with Coach John:

• Top half guard - Pass and Attacks

• Submission threats from chest to chest passing
  
  

Womens Only with Coach Bekah:

• Single leg from clinch 

• Escape from side control (re-guard)

• Triangle choke

Striking with Coach Johnny -  Week 7:

• Boxing: Rolls - single punch, 2 punch series

• Kickboxing: Numbers with Knees, Walking Knee Drill

• Combo: The 1 Body 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)

LABOR DAY SCHEDULE:

• MONDAY 9/7: ALL CLASSES CANCELLED

• MONDAY 9/7: 9AM ADULT OPEN MAT

GRAPPLING GAMES TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 9/5

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

• REGISTER HERE

NOGI WORKSHOP WITH JOHN KATS:

• WHEN: 9/12 11AM

TAP CANCER OUT TEAM COMPETITION:

• WHEN: Saturday 10/10

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

• REGISTER HERE

What escape has saved or helped you the most? 

When I started BJJ I watched a video and they said white belts should be masters at escaping and it really stuck with me.  (It was a Gracie, I don’t remember who. Extra points if you know) 

My tip for escaping is; most people will concentrate so hard on pinning the upper body that they forget about your hips and legs. If you can swing these, you can frame with your legs and elongate your body (something else I think people forget about) 

Soooo….whats your tip for escaping?