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

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!

What seminar topic would you love to see at RŌL before the end of the year? 🤔🔥

Drop your ideas in the comments—we want to hear from you! 💬👇

Let’s make it something exciting and valuable for everyone on the mats 🥋💥

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

🧠 Weekly Question Time!

Alright team—let’s get into it! Drop your thoughts in the comments and feel free to tag your training partners 👇👊

How do you mentally reset after a tough or not-so-great training session?

We all have those days—what helps you bounce back and keep moving forward? 💭💪

Recent addition to the RŌL TV Library

The gift wrap position is one of the most powerful control points in jiu jitsu, and it opens the door to a variety of high-percentage chokes and submissions. Once you’ve secured your partner’s arm across their body and locked your own arm behind their head, you create a dominant angle that limits their movement and exposes their neck.

Question from one of our students:

What’s a life skill that Jiu Jitsu has either taught you or has allowed you to refine?

(Tag a friend in your comment)

On May 31, 2025, Adam Maslach led a focused Gi Seminar on one of the most essential — yet often overlooked — tools in grappling: the underhook. With his signature attention to detail, Adam broke down how the underhook functions as both an offensive and defensive anchor across multiple positions, including the clinch, guard, and passing scenarios.

Throughout the session, attendees explored how proper underhook mechanics can neutralize pressure, create angles, and lead directly to dominant transitions or submissions. Adam emphasized timing, grip efficiency, and body positioning to make the underhook not just a frame, but a pathway to control.Whether working from half guard or standing engagements, the seminar drove home one clear message: whoever wins the underhook often wins the exchange. Practical, positional drills reinforced the concepts, giving participants actionable tools to take back to their training.

This seminar is now available on RŌL TV.

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-05-31-adam-maslach

Let’s be real for a second — we all have that one mistake that keeps showing up.

What’s the one habit or technical error in your Jiu Jitsu that you know is a problem… you’ve drilled the fix… you’ve had it pointed out… and yet, it still creeps in during training or rolls?

Let’s open up a bit — sometimes sharing these things helps us break the pattern (and lets others know they’re not alone). 👊

On June 23, 2025, Arman Fathi—Gracie University and 10th Planet’s only dual black belt—led a high-level seminar focused entirely on the Twister, one of the most iconic submissions in the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system. The seminar broke down the Twister’s core mechanics, entries from various setups like lockdown and truck, and detailed transitions from the back. Fathi’s teaching style balanced technical depth with practical application, offering insights that bridged fundamentals and competition-level execution.

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-05-23-arman-fathi

On May 21st, 2025, RŌL Academy welcomed Adam Maslach for a dynamic seminar dedicated to straight and folding ankle locks—two potent and often underutilized submission options in both gi and nogi grappling. Drawing from his extensive competition experience and technical precision, Adam delivered a focused and highly detailed exploration of lower limb control, leg entanglements, and the breaking mechanics that make ankle locks effective at the highest levels.

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2025-05-21-adam-maslach