Why Rolling from The Knees is a Thing | Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals

People tend to have strong opinions (often negative) about starting rolling from the knees. In this video, I discuss pros and cons, my opinion and options from starting rolls from knees and otherwise. Hope this is helpful.
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[@robacox3647]

As a no-stripe, 51 year old white belt returning to the mats after a decade off, these videos are invaluable supplements to training when not actually rolling. Thanks for the content!

[@JM-mc5kk]

Same here 54 making my return

[@realjaytruth]

I'm against it at the gym I train at, but now I have my own gym and we start at the knees lol. I don't want them hurting themselves doing stuff they don't understand so we'll do controlled takedowns once I give the takedown instructions.

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

I think this is one of the most common and reasonable takes on it.

[@balancebjj1087]

100%. the unwritten rule at my gym is that you have to be kinda out of your spazzy whitebelt phase if you are going to stand and do takedowns.. just for everyone's safety

[@chuckwaardenburg496]

At all judo gyms learning how to fall properly is the 1st most important key before learning any takedowns or throwing.

[@RaminHabibi-rp5sj]

I love your work. Very helpful. Thanks

[@akulabourne]

Six and a half weeks out from an ACL and meniscus surgery all brought on because of a takedown gone awry. I wish my gym had started from the knees. In my opinion, takedowns during actual rolling should never be more dangerous than what some 80 year old grandma could do. Every other takedown should be saved for competition for exactly the reason you pointed out - high percentage of injuries come from right here.

[@charlotte-mg9wj]

the thing I love about BJJ is it's so adaptable. I have had to give up other physical activities/sports because I have peripheral neuropathy in my lower legs; one lower leg is atrophied and 2 inches shorter, the other is more metal than bone. I walk with a limp and use a walking stick 50 percent of the time, but on my knees none of that matters. Starting on my knees with the other person standing sounds like a great compromise, i'm going to give it a try!

[@tadhgmcmahon1808]

As a beginner white belt thanks for those great ideas,we do start on our knees for same reason but not will definitely start with one up.

[@MUSAVISUALMEDIA]

Appreciate the reminder about cutting angles man. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@abdulghanysolara4676]

So much information here, awesome take on this "knee wrestling" thing and translating standup judo throws into the ground, that sumi from the knees is awesome. I've never been taught anything like that in class, as always.. Eli's a legend!

[@KnightJiuJitsu]

🙌❤️🙌

[@amiralkook1]

Perfect like always ! Thanks from Paris.

[@Grappler130]

We've got a pretty packed gym most days there's just not enough room to do takedowns safely. So most of the time it's reserved for comp classes.

[@metrolinamartialarts]

Definitely gonna try that saddle entry

[@JC-wj5os]

Im a 40yr old hobbyist. ive done td's of course, but i usually always start sitting. im not trying to get injured, again

[@jamesdolan9702]

We don't get paid to do jiu jitsu. Still got to go to work. Unless you got a office job. Something I think about a lot now that I'm older and have a torn ACL but still got to work construction.

[@TheGreatHotDogConsumer]

In the gym i train at, we usually start standing in nogi but sitting in the gi. I’ve seen a lot more guys get hurt getting thrown around standing in the gi and landing awkwardly with their limbs twisted up than someone diving for legs in nogi. That and there’s more judo stuff in the gi, and our mats aren’t the best for judo throws.

[@rpucci3443]

Good stuff, thanks

[@saberserpent1134]

Always have new students start from the knees. Until they get control, it'll save a lot of takedown injuries, mostly cracked ribs in my experience.

[@IBleedBolts]

I'm all for it. I'm an older grappler and I don't need to do competition style BJJ when it's just practice. If I'm prepping for a comp or it's the actual lesson of the day, fine. Otherwise, BJJ is fundamentally a ground sport. Let's start on the ground. If I want mostly Judo, I'd join Judo.

[@ohnoyo]

once the opponent begins to circle they have the advantage, much respect to Eli

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

I still prefer starting directly from a specific position, like 1 guy start from guard and one guy start outside standing or inside guard for example. That's way more productive if the students cannot start wrestling on their feet (yet) People have preference and starting from the knee is not "wrong" to them, i'm still agains it.

[@kordtsl637]

For our school it seems to be a numbers thing. With the amount of people we have on mat there is a high chance of crashing.

[@Soraakids]

Actually when people start on their feet, i like to start on the ground, and when they start on the ground, i like to start on my feets

[@hellbow1851]

In my gym we also do one up one down, never from knees

[@pdizz112]

We “start from the knees” 99% of the time. I put it in quotes though because we don’t mean it literally, it just means both people are not standing. For example, I’ll start in an open guard while my partner is standing, and we’ll still call that “starting from the knees” 🤣🤷🏻‍♂️

[@joseluisliendodurzola1350]

Excelente técnicas de suelo 😉👍

[@arekgrzelak8012]

I train BJJ as para athlete. I have cerebral palsy. I can do stand up but It's safer to start on my knees. In my case arm drag, collar tie works

[@michellima5280]

At first, I thought it was Icy Mike haha

[@filipcesnjak2944]

Easiest way to hurt your ligaments is to start from your knees, if you do not know how to fall then one starts standing up other one laying down and second time you change starting places.

[@bw424]

One up, one down is the way.

[@spearhead76]

They rolling on bubble wrap?

[@diggocombs4548]

I dont know if I've ever been on my knee or knees while the other guy was on his.. but it ever did happen, it wasn't happening for long.

[@darylreeder3400]

Dynamite

[@DM-sy4hg]

I never do that. Waste of time. Either start standing or take turns being in top position, and start in some type of gaurd.

[@badxradxandy]

Space.

[@akmalshabazz9497]

Its a white belt thing