Which concept took you the longest to understand, and what finally made it click?

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?

On June 13, 2026, Russell U. shared a detailed seminar focused on practical methods for opening and passing the closed guard. Rather than relying on strength or speed, Professor Russ emphasized posture, pressure, and controlling key points of the body to create consistent passing opportunities.

The seminar explored multiple guard-opening options, including traditional openings as well as alternative pressure-based methods for dealing with opponents who have a particularly strong closed guard. A major theme was maintaining solid structure, protecting against common submissions, and transitioning immediately into effective passing positions once the guard is opened. Russ also discussed common mistakes, such as exposing the arms during standing guard breaks, and demonstrated how proper positioning minimizes risk while maximizing control. Throughout the seminar, students learned how to combine strong fundamentals with intelligent pressure, giving them a systematic approach to breaking the closed guard and advancing into dominant top positions against resisting opponents.

Seminar is now available on RŌL TV 
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2026-06-13-russell-usauskas

Robert Drysdale’s June 8, 2026 seminar was an incredible look at turtle position and back control. One of the biggest takeaways was that before we rush to take the back or hunt for the choke, we first need to understand how to control the turtle position properly. Professor Drysdale broke it down in a very practical way, showing that turtle control is the building block that creates better back attacks.

The seminar was a great reminder that strong Jiu Jitsu is not about forcing the finish. It is about control, patience, awareness, and creating the right opportunity to advance.

Seminar is now available on RŌL TV 
https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2026-06-08-robert-drysdale

We’re excited to announce that brand-new NoGi Arm Locks  has just been added to the RŌL TV Library!

Whether you’re new to arm locks or looking to sharpen your existing skills, this series was designed with every level of practitioner in mind. We break down the essential mechanics behind effective arm locks, explain the key concepts that make them work, and explore a variety of entries and finishing positions from throughout the Jiu Jitsu game.

From top positions to transitions and dynamic opportunities during live training, you’ll learn how to identify, control, and finish arm locks with greater confidence and precision.

The best part? This series is truly for everyone. Regardless of your rank, experience level, age, or training style, the concepts and details covered will help improve your understanding and application of one of Jiu Jitsu’s most fundamental submissions.

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

Fitness Workout Plan - 6/8/26 - Week 24
Full workout plan - https://rolacademy.tv/pages/rolfit

Monday — Full Body (60/30)
Thrusters
Swings
Reverse Lunges
Goblet Squats

Tuesday — Core (60/30)
Rack Hold
Plank Drag
Russian Twists
Plank Hold

Wednesday — Legs (60/30)
Front Squats
Reverse Lunges
Deadlifts
Swings

Thursday — Full Body (90/30)
Thrusters
Swings
Reverse Lunges
Push Press

Friday — Core (90/30)
Rack Hold
Plank Drag
Russian Twists
Around the World

Saturday — Full Body (60/30)
Thrusters
Swings
Reverse Lunges
Goblet Squats

What’s the best advice a coach or training partner ever gave you?

It could be technical, mental, or something about training that stuck with you over the years.

Maybe it changed how you roll. Maybe it changed how you think about Jiu Jitsu altogether.

Share it below and if you remember who said it, give them a shoutout.

Fitness Workout Plan - 5/25/26 - Week 23
Full workout plan - https://rolacademy.tv/pages/rolfit

Monday — Full Body (EMOM)
Min 1: 10 Snatches
Min 2: 8 Front Squats
Min 3: 8 Cleans
Min 4: 10 Rows

Tuesday — Core (EMOM)
Min 1: 10 KB Dead Bugs
Min 2: 10 Plank Drags
Min 3: 45 sec Carry
Min 4: 45 sec Plank Hold

Wednesday — Legs (EMOM)
Min 1: 8 Thrusters
Min 2: 10 Lunges
Min 3: 12 Swings
Min 4: 10 Deadlifts

Thursday — Full Body (EMOM)
Min 1: 10 Snatches
Min 2: 10 Front Squats
Min 3: 10 Cleans
Min 4: 15 Rows

Friday — Core (EMOM)
Min 1: 10 KB Dead Bugs
Min 2: 10 Plank Drags
Min 3: 53 sec Carry
Min 4: 53 sec Plank Hold

Saturday — Full Body (EMOM)
Min 1: 8 Snatches
Min 2: 8 Front Squats
Min 3: 8 Cleans
Min 4: 16 Rows

Fitness Workout Plan - 5/25/26 - Week 22
Full workout plan - https://rolacademy.tv/pages/rolfit

Monday — Full Body (AMRAP)
• 10 Swings
• 5 Front Squats
• 5 Rows
• 5 Push Press

Tuesday — Core (AMRAP)
• 5 KB Dead Bugs
• 10 Around the Worlds
• 10 Twists
• 20 sec Hold

Wednesday — Legs (AMRAP)
• 10 Swings
• 8 Deadlifts
• 6 Lunges
• 5 Front Squats

Thursday — Full Body (AMRAP)
• 10 Swings
• 5 Front Squats
• 5 Rows
• 5 Push Press

Friday — Core (AMRAP)
• 5 KB Dead Bugs
• 10 Around the Worlds
• 10 Twists
• 20 sec Hold

Saturday — Full Body (AMRAP)
• 10 Swings
• 5 Front Squats
• 5 Rows
• 5 Push Press