So you've never grappled before? Maybe you don't even know what grappling is?

Let's start there. "Grappling" is a term used to describe multiple styles of non striking martial arts. Wrestling, Jiujitsu, Judo.... are all forms of Grappling!

Here at East Side Rolling we do a mix of no-gi Brazilian Jiujitsu and Wrestling. We could call it submission grappling, or submission wrestling or no-gi jiujitsu... but grappling is just as easy. Also, just to clarify the "rolling" is the term we use for when we grapple each other.

All you need to start participating in classes at East Side Rolling is shorts, a t-shirt you don't mind sweating in and a good attitude. Some people chose to use a mouth guard in case of accidental knocks. Some times the training will be hard, and you will have your cardio vascular limits tested regularly, so be prepared to huff and puff.

Please make no mistake, there are choke holds and joint locks involved with this martial art! You have the option to "tap out" at any stage during training with either a physical tap of your hand repeatedly on your opponent, or verbally tapping out by yelling "tap" loud enough for your partner to hear. (do both)

With take downs there is an element of hitting the mats repeatedly and although the mats are soft, you may take a few bumps and bruises along the way, but that is part of learning to grapple and is the same for everyone. Part of learning to grapple is conditioning your body to the rigors of the training. The first week you may feel like a wad of cookie dough... but after a year you will be carved from wood! (if your consistent )

If your intimidated by starting a martial art or coming into a new space filled with people you don't know, we highly recommend you bring in a friend to train with. This can take away some of the anxiety of doing your first few classes. After 2 or 3 classes you will start to feel familiar with your various other training partners and you can spread your wings a little and grapple with the others in the class. If there is someone you don't feel comfortable training with you have every right to avoid them and stick with the people you're comfortable training with. After a while though its a good idea to try and grapple with as many different people as possible as training with people of different heights, weights and personalities is great for your development.

We ask that you come showered and clean before each class as hygiene is very important when coming into such close contact with various different people. No one wants to grapple the stinky guy in class, make sure that's not you or you might find your self partner less when it comes time to roll!

If your sick? please come back when your healthy.

The main thing when starting is to be consistent. Its recommended you train as much as possible! You may notice our monthly pricing starts at 2 classes a week. That's because its impossible to get good at grappling only training once a week.

If you have read this far there is no need to email me, just rock up to a fundamentals class to get started.

See you on the mats!