The Rolling Balance

In a small academy nestled beneath the towering mountains of Colorado Springs, there were five students: Liam, Noah, Oliver, Elijah, and Mateo. All had started their journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the same time, eager to learn the art, test their limits, and improve their skills.

Liam, the most determined of the group, believed that the only way to truly get better was to constantly challenge himself against the most skilled practitioners in the academy. He always sought out Noah, who was known for his lightning-fast submissions, and Elijah, whose defense was impenetrable. Liam wanted to test himself, to see how he measured up. He rolled with them every day, and each day he found himself defending, struggling, and ultimately tapping out. He was proud of his resilience, but something began to weigh on him—he felt like he wasn’t getting any better at attacking.

Meanwhile, Oliver took a different approach. He practiced with Mateo most of the time. Mateo was newer and less experienced, and Oliver could often dictate the pace of their rolls. Rolling with Mateo gave Oliver the opportunity to experiment, to practice submissions, sweeps, and transitions. When he felt confident, he would roll with Noah or Elijah, but only occasionally. He used these rolls to test the new skills he had refined, not just to survive but to improve.

Elijah, observing his friends, noticed the differences in their progress. One day, after practice, he spoke to Liam and Oliver.

“Liam, I can see how hard you’re working. You’re always testing yourself against the toughest guys. But have you noticed that your offense is lacking?” Elijah asked.

Liam nodded. “I’m always defending. I feel like I’m stuck.”

Elijah smiled. “There’s a balance, my friend. If you only roll with those who can destroy you, you’ll only sharpen your defense. You need time to develop your attacks too, without constant pressure. That’s why I spend most of my time rolling with those I can control, like Mateo. It allows me to refine my skills and build my confidence.”

Liam looked thoughtful, but still unsure. Oliver chimed in, “When I roll with Mateo, I get the chance to make mistakes without always being punished for them. I can try new things, learn what works, and what doesn’t. Then, when I roll with Noah or Elijah, I see if I can apply what I’ve learned. It’s not about avoiding challenges, but about preparing myself for them.”

Liam decided to try this approach. He started rolling with Mateo and other less experienced students more often. At first, it felt strange—almost like he was taking advantage. But soon, he realized what Oliver and Elijah meant. Rolling with less experienced partners allowed him to experiment, to work on his offensive game, to try out submissions, and to practice his transitions without constant threat. His confidence grew, and his skills flourished.

Weeks later, when he rolled with Noah, things were different. For the first time, Liam wasn’t just defending—he was attacking, transitioning, and even threatening submissions. He felt a sense of balance that he hadn’t felt before.

After the roll, Noah patted Liam on the back and smiled. “You’ve gotten better, man. Your offense is solid.”

Liam grinned. He had learned an important lesson: growth isn’t just about surviving the toughest challenges—it’s about creating an environment where you can learn, experiment, and thrive.

The Lesson

The parable of the five students teaches us that true improvement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu requires a balance. Rolling only with those who can dominate you might build your defense, but to develop a complete game, you need to spend time rolling with those you can control—those who give you the space to make mistakes, experiment, and grow. It’s not about avoiding challenges but about being smart in how you face them. Remember the 80/20 rule: roll 80% of the time with those you can dominate to refine your skills, and 20% of the time with those who challenge you to test your limits.

Jiu-Jitsu, like life, is about balance—between offense and defense, between challenge and comfort, between struggle and growth. Find your balance, and you will thrive on the mats and beyond.