How to Roll "Light" in BJJ. . .The Correct Way!

[@pedagogybjj]

The key to rolling light is being ok with tapping to the person you're rolling with, or rolling with someone who is lower level. If you're not ok with tapping to your partner and they're good, rolls won't be "light."

[@BroodYouth]

yeah it's really not complicated tbh

[@elgoritv]

I had a dude talking about... Let's go easy I have a bad ankle... soon as we started he shot for a single and drove with his feet hardcore... He also went for ezekiel with knuckles to neck LOL... Kinda hoping he asks me to roll again.

[@ronaldp.vincent8226]

Special place in hell

[@elgoritv]

@ronaldp.vincent8226 LMAO🤣🤣🤣

[@VTdarkangel]

I used to be that guy. It wasn't intentional. I just truly thought that the only way to get better was to win, period. I can say I never hurt anyone, nor did I attack something when my partner asked me not to because of injuries. However, I was always a very intense partner because I am a very intense person in general. That's a flaw on my part. I have learned (and am still learning) how to chill because it is never my intention to be "that guy."

[@superfisto]

we've all been that guy, bro

[@Rellik123]

Light roll is like playing fighting with your girlfriend (if you dont have imagine) You not gonna blast her throwing uppercuts and right hooks... You gonna play at 5-10% strenght and speed and the main goal is that no one gets hurt and its a playful thing Its not about winning, its to have fun and move around exploring techniques and positions

[@socialist-strong]

or your cousins... or your aunt or uncle wants you to show them your moves...

[@MichaelFoxFamily]

I usually tell the upper belts that I have a gi injury... everything is on the table except, please don't touch my gi 😅

[@graciescottsdale]

Love this! 😄

[@KazzArie]

@@graciescottsdaleme too gotta use it next class hah

[@BarChordA]

“I won the flow roll”

[@mattwhite9046]

Going light has been incredible for recovery from injury. Sometimes, just going slow and easy helps me to see opportunities that I never would have at 80% speed/intensity. But it's hard to keep the speed down. It's just too much fun. Going slow means we can often see the next move coming and it's hard not to move to counter. Soon, the intensity is up and we have to slow it down again.

[@thejayman4976]

I take the I’ll match your intensity route. I never trust anyone to take it light.

[@ClipsFromMaine]

We always do light rolls at the end of warm-up, and I’ve never had a light roll not turn into an actual roll by the end… 😅

[@stretchka111]

Brand new to BJJ, super unfit and only 5ft2. I just try to survive in my rolls. Or if against some teens and women go light, let them practice moves. Because I know no attacks 😂

[@sbgbreakfastclub]

That was very helpful! Thank you!

[@atdyeam1605]

I don’t really understand the idea that if you’re avoiding submissions on one part of the body due to injury that applies to the other person too. I still want to learn and defend those submissions. If your arm is janky so we say no arm attacks, well I still want to get better defending arm attacks so I have no issue with you attacking my arm. If it’s about learning as Chewy says then why would i restrict things when i don’t have an injury of my own to worry about.

[@AntoineFabri]

It makes sense to me but for the leg lock example at least Chewie's right because it's more symetrical, if you can leg lock but I can't do anything to your leg that you just put there yourself right in front of me that doesn't make a lot of sense. For his kimura example I agree with you.

[@atdyeam1605]

@ but if you’re trying to learn and improve then why do you care about symmetry? Surely you want to get better at defending everything? You don’t want to hit a pass or a sweep simply because your partner was restricted in how they could attack you. Restricting what is allowed for the sake of ‘evenness’ only makes sense if you’re trying to win the round. Otherwise who cares if things aren’t even, you’ll still learn.

[@AntoineFabri]

@@atdyeam1605 because in that case the defense often implies attacking, it would be a bit like a guy asking for no throws and trying to throw you, you'd be left with a somewhat unnatural game that is less interesting to practice. You're not helping them either, because they're training an artificial scenario.

[@chriso8726]

I think rolling light has a different meaning depending on the person. I usually clarify if going light. To me it’s 100% technique and 40-50% strength. There are no taps, if I catch you I hold so you can escape and vice versus. This way we’re both working the entire roll and really pushing our cardio.

[@russman738]

3 stripe white belt, I have a hard time going light. I can tone down my aggression and speed/strength, but when it comes to letting my partner work I just have a hard time with it. Like when I'm caught in a bad spot I always tense up with this "don't let them get anything" mentality. I'm working on it.

[@teocochrane]

I usually tell my partner to remind me during the roll if I forget, and that we’re supposed to be rolling light, it can be easy for things to get out of hand when you’re in that spine mentality mode When I roll light, I’m usually more focused on my own injuries, and how to defend them, then attack either way. Just as you look out for a lower belt when they’re unaware of the submission you have clocked and ready to fire.

[@SaulGude]

I think im really good at flow rolling. When im done, my partners always appreciate it and realize its fun to explore new techniques when tne goal is non-stop movement and to get a good warmup prior to actual rolling. The goal isnt to win and you give and take positions allowing each otber to work on new positions with semi resistance so each can improve.

[@Patrick-sheen]

Would be great to see you do a video of you rolling in the different ways Chewy. Maybe a montage of some old edited vids.

[@jeremiahbrownlee2299]

I love this, I agree 100%!

[@michaelmazzei9037]

Our school has a "flow" or "free" roll, in which you're supposed to go at a certain percentage of full effort, like 50%, 60% or something below full speed. I am often uncertain on how much effort to employ, so this is a learned experience like everything else. There is a surprising amount of etiquette that should be followed during practice, but sometimes it is not!

[@karma_decay]

The problem I see with an agreed upon X% intensity is that it only works for the more athletic one. My coach will still wreck me if goes at his 50% and I'm at 80%. I, at my 50%, would still demolish a bunch of people at their 100%. For this to work, the superior athlete must allow their training partners to use higher intensity without trying to match it

[@SpidermAntifa]

Something that has helped me roll light, because I do have a history of being "that guy", is asking my partner to call me out if I start to escalate in the same conversation as asking them to roll light.

[@ahmadAlhamar-p9k]

I remember there was a guy coming late to open mat he said to me he wants to flow roll while I’ve had my 3rd round of sparring going 4 th with him. He went full blazing ! I ate a knee on the face eye poked all in so called “ flow roll”. But I always see from which gym does he come from. Some of the gyms they do not know how to flow roll in the first place. Always go full intense sparring . While they are gyms understands how to flow roll and slowly build up the intensity

[@JohnKing-yr7xn]

I actually made the go light guy livid. 😂😂😂 I slap bumped and he tried to aggressively head and arm throw me. I pummeled it and snapped him down and said "NOPE!" And walked off. I just don't roll with mat bullies and spaz types. Soon as I can break contact I literally leave. Not saying I'm some wise guru. I just can't afford injuries while learning jits.

[@johnbrinsmead3316]

Training is about practice and improvement. If Im rolling light for what ever reason I'll tap early and I'll tap if I just feel stuck I'll tap and talk to my partner and what I can do to not get stuck that way

[@BroodYouth]

if we are told by coach that we are supposed to "go light" if my opponent is clearly not "going light" then i'll turn into a wet blanket and just let them to do whatever they want, while I move in slow motion. I'll also let them tap me out, because who cares in general, but especially in a "light roll"

[@singleplayerparty3899]

I have busted up ribs. I ask for slow/ light knee on belly. It sucks, because I love doing that, but have to take it off the table when I ask them not to.

[@Meeko2689]

Currently recovering from wrist reconstructive surgery… I miss bjj

[@pattyrafter88]

I usually roll light or match their intensity until im deep in their submission. Should i give them the light sub or is it still okay to fight out?

[@golden_bjj]

Slow and methodical. When I catch you in a sub, I'm not going for the finish, I'm allowing you to think thru your options on defense, even allowing the escape

[@golden_bjj]

But obviously if some meathead is ripping ur arm off, just tap 😂

[@graciescottsdale]

@@golden_bjj This!

[@SlurmSauce]

How about roll harder if it doesn’t feel light, or tap on time if they catch you?

[@Api_Kelenken]

fair enough

[@potatoratator2334]

My ankle got destroyed from ‘flow rolling’ 😭

[@Soraakids]

A lot of people forget to put their ego away and forget to have some fun, that's why they can't light roll

[@badxradxandy]

I ask to flow roll or drill.

[@ijustwannaleaveacommentony6511]

took me nearly two years to learn how to flow, takes some people a lot longer

[@veteransowhat5669]

Is it rolling or ne waza or Randori is rolling a slang term for NE WAZA? It rolling driving to location? Or it is, not that?

[@ronaldp.vincent8226]

“You wanna roll? By the way my left wrist is messed up. And my right shoulder and elbow. Also I have a grade 9 tear of my LCL in my right knee. And I landed on my head after a tomoe nage yesterday and I can’t feel my fingers no more.” BRO you need to be in a hospital.

[@DK-gg7ik]

👍

[@Thales-b5u]

Nunca é soltinho kkkk

[@AlbionEconomist]

I don't care what people do to me, from my experience everyone in this sport are too sensitive. You have people's prides and egos all the hidden rules and bullshit. Just go hard every round if u get tapped good, if u tap some1 good. Fuck sakes😊

[@Hector-bj3ls]

I can't flow roll. I start light, but as soon as I feel them trying to pass I can't switch off my "Defend! MUST WIN!" mind set. My body just goes into full power mode. It seems I've only got one speed. These days, I tell my training partner "I'm really bad at flow rolling, and going light. So if it's too intense let me know and I'll stop."

[@graciescottsdale]

Your career is going to be significantly shorter.

[@denismcgee8760]

It is not easy to get over that reaction, being aware of it is the first stage. I usually tell my partner to tell me if I go too heavy; that the feedback will help me. I find that I get much more resistant in defence, I find holding back on offence easier.