WHAT IS OPEN MAT BJJ
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become the most popular grappling art in the modern era. The combat sport has grown in leaps, and bounds over the last ten years especially. Since Royce Gracie showcased the Brazilian art in front of a worldwide audience, the notoriety of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become quite substantial. There has been a huge influx of students into the art of grappling over the last few years, with the likes of famous celebrities even raising awareness of the combative sport. There are multiple ways to train in Jiu Jitsu, as all athletes will choose their own pathways. Regular classes consist of a conceptual style of learning, coupled with the higher intensity of rolling afterwards. Some methods of training will allow students to bring their own creative ideas to the lesson, and train these techniques repetitively. Training in bjj against bigger opponent can be hard for a smaller athlete, and this is why open mat training can be extremely helpful.
What this article covers:
- What Does a Regular Training Session Look Like
- What Is BJJ Rolling
- What Are the Benefits to Open Mat Training
Many famous grapplers have used the open mat format to enhance their grappling ability. It is one aspect to train hard inside of an academy, but to diversify an athlete's training can be crucial to their development, and their success. Cross training at other academies will always be beneficial to a student, especially ones that are heavily involved in the competition process. Famous groups like the Daniher Death Squad, Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, and the dirty dozen bjj have all become pioneers within the art of Jiu Jitsu, as many of their students have become extremely well versed in the need for diversity in their training. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu combat system can be extremely complicated, but with specialised training sessions like open mat Jiu Jitsu, athletes have a greater chance to maximise their development.
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WHAT DOES A REGULAR TRAINING SESSION LOOK LIKE
The normal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training session usually starts as most students congregate on the mats, and socialise whilst they are lightly stretching out some of their sore spots. Once the instructor is ready to start the lesson all of the athletes begin a comprehensive warm up session. A traditional BJJ warm up will start with some simple jogging around the mats, as the instructor will dial up the intensity by adding in side stepping, and criss cross running. The purpose of this style of warm up is called dynamic stretching, with an aim to get the blood flow happening before students attempt static stretches. The next step consists of the class sitting in the outer circle on the mats, and beginning to warm up their knees, and activate their core by doing a variety of exercises, which can change from session to session. They usually consist of different styles of crunches, push ups, and leg movements, as well as neck warming exercises, and mobility warm ups. At this point most students are starting to work up a sweat, as the instructor will line up the class against one side of the mats to begin some line drills. These types of drills will see students move from one side of the mats to the other, as they participate in movements like hip shrimping, forward rolls, crocodile walks, and many other Jiu Jitsu movements that are usually relevant to the lesson plan.
Once the warm ups are finished all of the athletes will congregate around the instructor, as they are taught a couple of different techniques. The techniques that are learnt will differ from class to class, and academy to academy, but they will usually have some type of flow on effect, which will help an athlete piece together the intricate puzzle of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Once the instructor has directed the students in how to do the maneuver, the students will pair up with another training partner, and begin to practise the move. The instructor will then walk around the room, and help each individual pair to fully understand the technique, or the concept. This is a good part of the lesson, as this will help instill the building blocks of Jiu Jitsu for each student that attends. Once the technique portion of the night is finished, students are free to engage in the rolling segment. Rolling in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is when two training partners can battle test their techniques in a five minute grappling bout. This is usually the most exciting part of training, as many students will say, and this is because students are able to initiate all of their game style against an opponent.
WHAT IS BJJ ROLLING
Rolling in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the term used for the practical application of a grappling match. All students enjoy rolling, as it can be the best way to increase an athlete's skills, and abilities within the art. Rolling against the bigger guys is extremely hard in comparison to bjj for smaller guys, as they will need to learn how to keep their framing structures in place. On the flipside the larger, and stronger opponents may also struggle against the lighter athletes, and this is because of their speed in the transition, and their ability to escape through small openings. The best part about rolling against other training partners is that athletes can use this time to master many of the techniques they have learnt. Another good reason to embrace the rolling sessions is so the student can get creative, and begin to explore different concepts without fear of losing.
Rolling inside of an academy comes with a series of regimented, and unspoken rules. Firstly athletes need to be respectful, and show integrity, and humility by not celebrating every submission they get in training. They will also need to show a duty of care towards their training partners by not doing anything that may compromise the integrity of the academy. All rolls will begin with a slap of the hands, a bump of the fists, or even a bow, as they are all signs of respect towards each training partner. One of the rules on the mat is when a pair is rolling, and they begin to encroach into another pairs space, the lower ranked students must stop, get up, and move to another spot on the mats, and this is a sign of respect, and a safety measure. In the more traditional academies it is considered rude to ask a black belt for a roll, but in more recent times this has become much more relaxed. Another important rule which is basically common sense, is that beginners should not be attempting advanced submissions like heel hooks, or neck cranks, nor should they be the recipient of them. This is another safety measure that will uphold the integrity of the academy.
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO OPEN MAT TRAINING
Open mat training is the practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a session that has no specific structure, or guidelines for the class. The session is good for athletes so they can explore their game style, and begin to create their own game plans, or flow chains. The open mat is a great place to just get lots of rolls in, as there might only be a limited time for rolling after a structured class. The open mat is usually one, or two hours of straight rolling, which is a delight for athletes that love the rough nature of rolling. The open mat is for all students including the beginners, the more advanced students, the seasoned competitors, and even female grapplers. It is always a good idea for the students that train jiu jitsu with long hair to tie it up, so that it doesn't impede on the athlete during their training sessions.
Open mat training is not just a place where students have to roll, they are free to explore all avenues of Jiu Jitsu. This is the perfect place where students can ask questions, because an instructor, or a higher ranked athlete has more time to give more insight into the question. Utilising an open mat is the best way that an athlete can begin to develop a formidable game style. A student will usually have a good mix of training partners at an open mat, and this is great to develop different aspects of the game. A good idea is to go into an open mat with a question, and a goal to achieve, and this is how the student can develop, and progress. Rolling is a great way to boost a student's physical attributes, their strategic development, and their instinctive fight awareness.
THE BENEFITS TO CROSS TRAINING
Cross training can be extremely beneficial to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete. To cross train means to travel to other BJJ academies in search of more diversity within their training. An athlete that only trains within their own academy can find their game will stagnate, as well as their motivation levels will decrease. Training amongst different groups of athletes within the community will enhance their ability for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, by adding different concepts from different athletic practitioners. Athletes can still be loyal to their academy, and their instructor, but must venture out and learn other styles of Jiu Jitsu. This can be extremely beneficial to a competitive athlete, as they will constantly be competing against other members of the community. Training amongst different gyms will give athletes a whole new look at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as how different academies have a different feel. Cross training will also help athletes to decide whether they are in the right atmosphere for training, as they can get a taste of different clubs, and how their atmosphere clicks within the community.
Cross training can also be a lot of fun, because visiting other Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies, and meeting new people is what makes this combat sport one of the most sought after Martial Arts in the world. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community is well known for their honesty, integrity, humility, and camaraderie, as all members of the community are extremely welcoming, and just want to help with the growth of the sport on a worldwide level. Sometimes a student may be the highest ranked athlete within their own academy, and have outgrown all of the other members in their gym. This can be hard on these types of athletes, as they may have no one that can challenge them significantly to help them for future competition. This is where traveling to other gyms will help these athletes find new challenges, and push them beyond their limitations, which will help them to achieve the world class level.
THE COMPETITION PROCESS
Not all Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions have the same process, as the ADCC is vastly different from the IBJJF. All competitions are guided by a set of rules, and regulations, which are all basically the same. The points systems are what is different, as there can be a significant difference between how an athlete can score. Most competitions have strict regulations regarding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu uniforms, as all athletes must have a competition legal Gi, and No Gi uniform. The IBJJF takes these regulations even further, as they only allow three different types of coloured Gi's, a white, a black, and a royal blue. Athletes are required to weigh in before they fight, and they must meet the specific weight requirements of the division they have entered. All competitors receive a three kilogram Gi allowance, so it makes it easier to weigh in with a little more leniency.
All competitions will have a winner, and a loser, and athletes can win by submission, or on points. Competition matches have time limits, so athletes need to work extensively to secure the advantage, and ultimately win the fight. Sometimes competitors will get injured during a division, which forces them out of the competition, and this means the opponent they were meant to fight will win by walkover. Students may question what is a walkover in bjj, and basically the simple answer is it is the technical term used for a forfeit. After winning a tournament the top three competitors of the event will take to the podium, and receive a gold, silver, and bronze medal respectively. Points are also awarded to each competitor, and then these points are accumulated into a team tally to see which Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy will win the competition.
If you enjoyed this piece, consider checking:
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- BJJ Gauntlet
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- BJJ Hygiene
- BJJ Systems
- BJJ Progression
- Do You Have to Compete In BJJ
- How Long Does It Take to Get Cauliflower Ear from BJJ
- How to Tape Fingers for BJJ
- BJJ Recovery
- BJJ Age Divisions
- BJJ Weight Divisions
- Jiu Jitsu Bow
- How to Win in Jiu Jitsu
- Common BJJ Injuries
