How to roll productively with different training partners—whether they vary in size, strength, or skill level. At SBG Sparks, we are fortunate to train with a diverse group: brand new beginners, strong athletic newcomers, experienced practitioners, and other various levels.
You soon realize you can’t control how others roll but you can control how you respond. This mindset—rolling with intent—will help develop your game, stay safe, and get the most out of every round. It’s about aligning your purpose with the moment and using the roll to serve your long-term growth in Jiu-Jitsu.
Brand New Beginner
Mindset: Coach Mode
With brand new practitioners, the goal is to help them learn while sharpening your own fundamentals. Roll slowly and deliberately, using little to no strength. You want them to see and feel what’s happening—how their body moves, where the pressure is, what each position means.
If the pace is too fast, they’ll just be lost. Aim for a relaxed, calm energy. This teaches them how to stay composed, which is foundational in BJJ. I think of this as “learning by coaching.” Work to make the roll 90% their energy, 10% yours. That way, you’re still engaged and growing, but in a way that’s focused on giving them a valuable learning experience.
Strong, Athletic New Guy
Mindset: Control & Safety
This is the guy who muscles everything. He grunts, flails, and is gassed in 30 seconds—but in those 30 seconds, he’s a walking injury risk. You can’t approach this roll playfully. He’s unpredictable, especially in transitions where arms, elbows, and knees fly without warning.
Here, the goal is containment. Focus on controlling the pace and shutting down wild movement. You’re not matching strength for strength; You’re using technique to slow things down and create structure. Lock them down, take away space, and guide the roll safely. Less chaos equals fewer injuries and more time on the mats.
Intermediate Partner (Below Your Skill Level)
Mindset: Experimentation & Expansion
This partner understands the basics. They move with purpose and know the major positions. While they may not be able to push your A-game, they’re an excellent opportunity to explore your B- or C-game.
Use these rolls to work unfamiliar positions, transitions, or submissions—things you[re trying to develop. It also benefits them: they get to “stay in the game,” which makes the roll more engaging for both of you.
Sometimes you’ll limit yourself to a single submission or only attack from a specific position—like spending weeks only finishing from bottom guard. These constraints help you grow and give your partner a consistent challenge, often creating teachable moments along the way.
Even Match Partner
Mindset: Communication & Clarity
With a peer-level partner, you have the most flexibility—but communication becomes crucial. Are we flowing? Going harder? Working a specific position? Trying to win?
You can make almost any roll productive here as long as you’re aligned on intent. Sometimes you both start light and build intensity. Other times you pick a position and work it repeatedly. What matters is that you and your partner are playing the same game. That shared understanding is what makes these rolls so valuable.
Much Better Than You
Mindset: Survival & Learning
This is not the time to experiment with your weak spots. If your half guard is shaky, trying it here will just get you passed in two seconds. Instead, focus on survival and escapes.
When you roll with people much better than you, turn it into a game:
- “Can I survive this entire song without tapping?”
- “Can I force him into his third or fourth attack before he finishes?”
Redefining “winning” here means delaying the inevitable and learning from the pressure. Every extra second you last, every small success—those are your victories. Don’t waste these rolls by trying to outmatch. Use them to build your composure, tighten your defense, and absorb what elite pressure feels like.
In Closing
You can’t control how others roll—but you can control your approach. That’s where progress lives. Intentional rolling isn’t just about tapping or not tapping—it’s about adapting your game to make the most out of every moment on the mat.
