BJJ Graph

Granby Roll

Jun 15, 202511 min read

Granby Roll

bjjtransitiondefensemovementescape

Transition Properties

  • Transition ID: T806
  • Classification: Defensive Movement
  • Starting Position: Turtle Position, Side Control (defending), or Inverted Guard
  • Target Position: Guard Position, Neutral Position, or Scramble Position
  • Success Probability: Beginner (55%), Intermediate (75%), Advanced (85%)
  • Execution Complexity: High
  • Physical Attributes: Coordination (High), Flexibility (Medium), Timing (High)
  • Risk Level: High - potential exposure to back take if roll fails or is countered
  • Energy Cost: High - requires significant energy for inversion and recovery
  • Transition Type: Defensive Escape

Transition Description

The Granby Roll is an advanced defensive movement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that involves an inverted shoulder roll to escape from disadvantageous positions such as Turtle or Side Control. This technique leverages inversion and rotational momentum to reorient the practitioner from a defensive posture to a position where they can regain guard or initiate a scramble. It is particularly effective against opponents attempting to control or attack the back, as it allows the defender to face the opponent again while potentially setting up offensive opportunities. The Granby Roll embodies the BJJ principle of fluidity, enabling practitioners to escape dominant positions through dynamic movement rather than brute strength.

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed description for clear visualization of the transition in action:

Starting in Turtle Position, you are on your knees and elbows, with your opponent positioned to your right side, applying pressure with their chest on your back and hands gripping around your waist, attempting to secure hooks for back control. Sensing the threat, you initiate the Granby Roll by tucking your chin to your chest for safety and shifting your weight onto your right shoulder, preparing to invert over your left shoulder towards open space on your left side. You kick your right leg high over your left shoulder, driving with your left leg to generate momentum, as your body begins to roll inverted, with your opponent’s grip loosening due to the sudden directional change. Mid-roll, your hips elevate off the mat, and you maintain a tight, compact form, keeping your arms close to protect against submissions, while your head and shoulder slide across the mat, completing the inversion as you rotate 180 degrees. Landing on your back or left hip, you immediately post with your left hand to establish a base, turning to face your opponent who is now in front of you, having lost their dominant angle during your roll. You quickly assess their posture, potentially pulling guard by inserting your legs between you and them, or scrambling to a neutral position, capitalizing on the momentary disorientation caused by the roll. Throughout the movement, spatial awareness is critical, ensuring you roll away from your opponent’s pressure into open space, successfully escaping the back threat with a dynamic, inverted shoulder roll that showcases advanced defensive movement in a high-risk scenario.

Template: “From Turtle Position, on knees and elbows, opponent on right applying back pressure, tuck chin, shift weight to right shoulder for inversion over left shoulder to open space. Kick right leg high over left shoulder, drive with left leg for momentum, roll inverted, loosening opponent’s grip. Elevate hips mid-roll, keep form tight, arms close for protection, head and shoulder sliding across mat, completing 180-degree rotation. Land on back or left hip, post left hand for base, turn to face opponent now in front, having lost dominant angle. Assess posture, pull guard or scramble to neutral, capitalizing on disorientation. Maintain spatial awareness, roll away from pressure into open space, escape back threat with dynamic inverted shoulder roll, showcasing advanced defense.”

Execution Steps

  1. Identify the appropriate scenario for a Granby Roll, such as defending from Turtle Position against back control attempts or escaping Side Control pressure.
  2. Shift your weight onto the shoulder opposite the direction of the roll, preparing to invert over the other shoulder towards open space.
  3. Tuck your chin to your chest to protect your neck during the inversion, minimizing the risk of strain or impact injury.
  4. Kick the leg on the rolling side high over the opposite shoulder while driving with the other leg to generate rotational momentum for the inversion.
  5. Roll inverted over your shoulder, maintaining a tight, compact body position to protect against submissions and ensure a smooth rotation.
  6. Complete the 180-degree rotation, landing on your back or hip, and immediately post with a hand to establish a base for stability.
  7. Turn to face your opponent, who should now be in front of you, having lost their dominant control angle during the roll.
  8. Assess the situation and transition to Guard Position, Neutral Position, or Scramble Position, capitalizing on the opponent’s momentary disorientation.

Key Details

  • Inversion Direction: Roll over the shoulder towards open space, away from opponent’s pressure.
  • Neck Protection: Tuck chin to chest to safeguard against strain or injury during inversion.
  • Leg Drive: Use a high kick and strong push to generate necessary rotational momentum.
  • Compact Form: Keep body tight during roll to minimize exposure to attacks.
  • Shoulder Contact: Maintain shoulder-to-mat contact for controlled inversion rather than head or neck.
  • Spatial Orientation: Be aware of landing position to quickly face opponent post-roll.
  • Base Establishment: Post hand immediately after roll to prevent being flattened or controlled.
  • Momentum Continuation: Use roll’s energy to transition directly into guard or scramble.

Success Modifiers

Factors that influence the success rate of the transition:

  • Timing Accuracy: Executing during opponent’s weight shift or control attempt (+15%)
  • Spatial Awareness: Identifying and rolling into open space away from opponent (+12%)
  • Inversion Control: Maintaining tight form and shoulder contact during roll (+10%)
  • Momentum Generation: Strong leg drive for fluid and complete rotation (+8%)
  • Experience Level: Familiarity with inversion mechanics and escapes (+5% per skill level)

Common Counters and Counter-Attacks

Analysis of opponent responses with success rates for counter-attacks:

  • Back Take Attempt → Back Control (Success Rate: 55%, Conditions: opponent anticipates roll and shifts to secure hooks mid-inversion)
  • Pressure Adjustment → Side Control (Success Rate: 50%, Conditions: opponent drives weight forward to pin during roll attempt)
  • Grip Retention → Turtle Position (Success Rate: 45%, Conditions: opponent maintains waist grip to block full rotation)
  • Submission Setup → Armbar Control (Success Rate: 40%, Conditions: opponent targets exposed arm during roll)
  • Scramble Counter → Top Position (Success Rate: 35%, Conditions: opponent capitalizes on post-roll scramble to gain top control)

Decision Logic for Transition

If [back control threat] is imminent from Turtle Position:
- Initiate [[Granby Roll]] to escape (Probability: 75%)

Else if [side control pressure] restricts movement:
- Execute [[Granby Roll]] to Guard Position (Probability: 70%)

Else if [inverted guard] offers roll opportunity:
- Attempt [[Granby Roll]] to Neutral Position (Probability: 65%)

Else if [opponent counters] with grip or back take mid-roll:
- Adjust to [[Turtle Position]] for defense (Probability: 55%)

Else if [roll fails] due to insufficient momentum or space:
- Reinforce [[Defensive Posture]] to prevent submission (Probability: 50%)

Variants

  • Standard Granby Roll: Classic inversion from Turtle to escape back control.
  • Side Control Granby: Adjusted roll from under side control to regain guard.
  • Inverted Guard Granby: Roll from inverted position to reset or attack.
  • Granby to Single Leg: Offensive follow-up targeting opponent’s leg post-roll.
  • Granby to Forward Roll Chain: Chaining rolls for complex escape sequences.
  • Granby to Technical Stand-up: Immediate rise to standing after inversion.
  • Granby to Scramble: Dynamic roll to create chaotic reset opportunity.
  • Partial Granby: Half-roll adjustment when full inversion is blocked.

Tactical Applications

  • Escape Back Control Threats: Primary use to counter hooks from Turtle Position.
  • Defend Side Control: Effective for escaping pinning pressure to regain guard.
  • Transition from Inversion: Useful in inverted guard to reset facing opponent.
  • Create Scramble Dynamics: Generates chaos to escape inferior positions.
  • Counter Pressure Passing: Breaks control during heavy passing attempts.
  • Exit Vulnerable Positions: Moves away from submission setups like arm attacks.
  • Dynamic Recovery: Allows recovery from throws or sweeps with momentum.
  • Setup Offensive Reversals: Positions for potential sweeps or attacks post-roll.

Setup Connections

Follow-up Options

Expert Insights

  • John Danaher: “The Granby Roll is a sophisticated defensive tool that integrates inversion with positional recovery, emphasizing the importance of dynamic escapes in modern grappling. Its success hinges on precise timing and spatial awareness, teaching practitioners to exploit transitional windows to prevent dominant control.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “I rely on the Granby Roll as a high-percentage escape from turtle and side control, particularly against aggressive back-takers. The key is maintaining shoulder contact and using leg drive to ensure a complete rotation, often chaining it into an immediate guard pull or offensive scramble.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “In the 10th Planet system, the Granby Roll is a cornerstone of our defensive inversion game, perfect for escaping traditional control positions. It’s all about rolling into space and using that inversion to set up unorthodox attacks or recoveries, fitting seamlessly with our focus on dynamic movement.”

Common Errors

  • Incorrect Shoulder Selection: Rolling over wrong shoulder towards opponent (Why It Fails: Exposes back further or fails escape; Correction: Roll towards open space over opposite shoulder; Recognition: Ending in worse position or opponent securing back).
  • Untucked Chin: Failing to protect neck during inversion (Why It Fails: Risks neck strain or injury; Correction: Always tuck chin to chest; Recognition: Neck discomfort or vulnerability during roll).
  • Insufficient Leg Drive: Weak kick or push for momentum (Why It Fails: Roll stalls, leaving you inverted and exposed; Correction: Drive hard with legs for rotation; Recognition: Incomplete roll or stuck mid-inversion).
  • Poor Spatial Awareness: Rolling into opponent’s control or no space (Why It Fails: Leads to immediate counter or pin; Correction: Identify open space before initiating; Recognition: Opponent easily regains control post-roll).
  • Loose Body Position: Limbs extended during inversion (Why It Fails: Increases submission risk and injury; Correction: Keep body compact with arms protecting; Recognition: Opponent grabs limbs or joints strain mid-roll).

Knowledge Assessment Questions

  1. What is the primary application of a Granby Roll in BJJ? (Answer: To escape from disadvantageous positions like Turtle or Side Control using an inverted shoulder roll.)
  2. Why is it critical to roll towards open space during a Granby Roll? (Answer: To avoid rolling into the opponent’s control, ensuring a successful escape or reset.)
  3. What should you do if an opponent attempts a back take during a Granby Roll? (Answer: Adjust to a defensive posture like Turtle Position to protect against hooks or submissions.)
  4. How does leg drive impact the success of a Granby Roll? (Answer: Strong leg drive generates the necessary momentum for a complete rotation, increasing escape likelihood.)
  5. What is a typical follow-up after completing a Granby Roll? (Answer: Transitioning to Guard Position, Neutral Position, or Scramble Position to re-establish control or attack.)

Performance Tips

  • Side Proficiency: Train rolls on both sides to handle threats from any direction.
  • Fluid Inversion: Focus on smooth shoulder-to-mat contact for controlled rolls.
  • Hip Elevation: Elevate hips during roll to maximize rotational momentum.
  • Protective Framing: Keep arms in defensive position during inversion for safety.
  • Breath Control: Exhale during inversion to stay relaxed under pressure.
  • Pre-Roll Assessment: Evaluate opponent’s weight distribution before rolling.
  • Chain Movements: Link Granby with other rolls or escapes for complex defense.

Training Approaches

  • Solo Inversion Drills: Practice Granby Rolls alone to master shoulder inversion.
  • Partner Resistance: Work with a partner applying light control to simulate escapes.
  • Positional Starts: Begin from Turtle or Side Control to test roll under pressure.
  • Flow Sequences: Chain Granby with guard pulls or other escapes for fluidity.
  • Specific Scenarios: Drill against common back control or submission setups.
  • Breakfall Integration: Combine with judo ukemi for safer landing techniques.
  • Competition Analysis: Review high-level matches for Granby Roll applications.

Timing Considerations

  • Early Escape: Initiate before opponent secures full control for higher success.
  • Opponent Shift: Time with opponent’s weight shift to exploit transitional gaps.
  • Control Break: Execute as opponent adjusts grip or angle for maximum effect.
  • Space Confirmation: Ensure open space exists before committing to inversion.
  • Pressure Peak: Roll at peak of opponent’s forward pressure to use their momentum.
  • Submission Avoidance: Prioritize roll before submission is fully locked in.

Graph View

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