After 3 weeks of Turtle, we’re moving on to Side Control!

Side control is arguably one of the most important positions in Jiu Jitsu and grappling. Over the next few weeks, we’ll break it down step by step.

This week our focus will be on escapes. Both Gi and NoGi classes will include plenty of drills designed to sharpen your ability to get out and recover.

👉 If you’ve been looking to improve your escapes, this is the perfect week to join class!

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/side-control-escapes-series-by-thomas-rozdzynski?category_id=89231

Training hard doesn’t mean being rough or careless with our partners, and being a great training partner doesn’t mean going easy. It’s about balance. A true partner is someone who can push you to your limits without breaking you down… someone who supports, challenges, and motivates you when it matters most. We spend countless hours on the mats together, and through that we build strong bonds. Just as being a good friend is important, being a good training partner is equally essential. Together, we help each other grow.

I didn't know this... I learned something new today. Thank you for sharing

Final week 🐢 focusing on Turtle position in both Gi and NoGi. Let’s wrap this segment up strong by dialing in the key points for control and attack.

As a bonus, here’s a valuable concept we can all benefit from 👉 https://rolacademy.tv/programs/turtle-concepts-af9598

Let’s finish this segment with precision 💪🔥

Great question. There are many skills you need in Jiu Jitsu—strength, timing, flexibility, strategy—but if I had to choose the number one intangible skillset, it would be patience.

It keeps you calm when learning, prevents panic in tough positions, and allows you to wait for the right openings instead of forcing things. With patience, you stay consistent over years, turning small steps into big progress.

A few things come to mind when I think about staying calm under pressure. The first question to ask ourselves is: why do we panic?

Picture this: a piece of lumber, 12 inches wide and 10 feet long, lying flat on the ground. Walking across it would be simple for most of us. Now, take that exact same piece of wood and raise it 50 feet in the air. Suddenly, everything changes. It’s the same board, same size, same walk — the only difference is the height. But with that change, fear, hesitation, and panic often set in.

Why? Because our brains are wired to protect us. When we sense risk or the unknown, fight-or-flight mode kicks in, even if the actual task hasn’t changed. The same thing happens in Jiu Jitsu. Many times we panic or overreact not because the danger is greater, but because we’re uncomfortable with the position we’re in.

So how do we overcome that? Instead of focusing only on winning, train your brain to get comfortable in the uncomfortable. 

“Mission First, Safety Always” - I love this

Russell Usauskas and Tim Jurgovan that's a good one