The De La Riva Guard Series by Professor Felipe Simplicio offers a comprehensive exploration of one of Jiu Jitsu’s most dynamic open guard systems. Known for its versatility, the De La Riva guard allows practitioners to create angles, off-balance opponents, and transition fluidly between attacks. In this series, Felipe breaks down key sweep mechanics—emphasizing posture disruption, hook control, and grip strategy to unseat even the most stable opponents.

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/de-la-riva-guard-by-felipe-simplicio

On October 4th, 2025, RŌL Academy had the pleasure of hosting a powerful seminar led by Professor Jesse Walker. The session focused on advanced control concepts, diving deep into one of the most overlooked yet essential details in Jiu-Jitsu — the difference between traction and tension of the arm. Professor Walker broke down how these two forms of control create entirely different outcomes, influencing leverage, grip efficiency, and the ability to maintain dominance during transitions. His teaching style blended precision with practical application, giving students valuable tools to refine their understanding of positional control and submission setups. The energy on the mat was electric, and the insights shared left a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-10-04-jesse-walker

We’re excited to feature a new video series on RŌL TV with Professor Russell Usauskas, focusing on the fundamentals and sweeps from the 50/50 guard. This position is often overlooked at the foundational level, but Professor Russ breaks it down in a way that’s simple, effective, and easy to understand.

We’ve just added powerful new techniques to the RŌL TV library! You can now dive into detailed videos covering Heel Hooks, Ankle Locks, and Aoki Locks.

https://rolacademy.tv/categories/just-added

On August 25, 2025, RŌL Academy had the honor of hosting Professor Felipe Simplicio for a special seminar focused on the De La Riva X sweeping system. Felipe brought world-class knowledge and broke down this complex guard in a way that was easy to understand and apply. He guided us through the fundamentals of establishing strong grips, maintaining balance in the position, and then layering in high-percentage sweeps designed to off-balance and control even the toughest opponents.

The entire event is available now on RŌL TV
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-08-25-felipe-simplicio

On August 23, 2025, RŌL Academy had the privilege of hosting John Kats for an incredible seminar focused entirely on the Kimura Lock System. 

The session covered the full Kimura pathway: from setups across multiple positions, to maintaining control, and flowing into finishes that work at every level of training or competition.

The entire event is available now on RŌL TV
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-08-23-john-kats

On August 11th, we had the privilege of hosting Professors Thomas and Celest Cronin for a dynamic and insightful seminar at our academy. Professor Thomas, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, led the session with a deep dive into the Triangle Choke — breaking down both the setup and execution in a way that was clear, precise, and immediately applicable. His step-by-step approach covered key details on positioning, angle adjustment, and finishing mechanics, ensuring participants of all levels could improve their effectiveness with this iconic submission.

The entire event is available now on RŌL
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-08-11-thomas-cronin

On June 28, 2025, Coach Mike Mahaffey returned to RŌL Academy for a highly anticipated seminar focused on the key principles of base — both in standing positions and on the ground. With his deep understanding of balance, posture, and control, Mike guided students through a hands-on experience that emphasized how proper base can dictate the outcome of nearly any exchange in jiu jitsu.

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-06-28-mike-mahaffey

🚨 New Videos Just Added to RŌL TV! 🚨

We’ve just released two new technique-focused videos on RŌL TV, both diving into the details of the single leg take down — one of the most effective and essential takedowns in grappling.

The first video breaks down the foot lift method, a clean and efficient way to off-balance your opponent by elevating the leg and disrupting their base. It’s a great finish that requires minimal strength and works well in both gi and nogi.

The second video focuses on the foot block finish, where you use your own foot to block your opponent’s remaining leg and guide them to the mat. It’s a smart option when your partner is defending or trying to pivot out.

Both variations are incredibly useful and can be applied to a variety of situations. Watch them, drill them, and take your take downs to the next level 💥

Let us know which one you like best!

Single Leg - Foot Block
Single Leg - Foot Lift
ALL NEW VIDEOS

Over the past few months, I’ve been diving deeper into some of the broader concepts in jiu jitsu — stepping back to look at the ideas that connect everything we do on the mats. You may have noticed more videos focused on strategy, positioning, and overall awareness.

I’m excited to share a few brand-new concept videos that I think will add real value to your training. Each one breaks down a fundamental principle that shows up across multiple positions and scenarios.

Inside Control
Over-hook vs Under-hook
Arm Drags
ALL NEW VIDEOS

These aren’t just techniques — they’re tools for understanding timing, control, and decision-making on a deeper level.

Check them out and let me know what you think — your feedback helps shape what I create next. Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let’s keep learning together!