Open mats are unstructured rolling sessions. They develop your real game faster than any other training format. Here is the complete guide.
An open mat is unstructured BJJ training where practitioners roll, drill, and ask questions without a formal class structure. Most academies host weekend open mats (1-3 hours) where members can come, partner up, and train at their own pace. Some open mats are member-only; others welcome visitors with a drop-in fee.
Open mats often draw practitioners from other academies who visit. The variety of styles and bodies tests your game more than rolling with the same 10 people every week.
Without instruction, you choose what to drill. Practitioners who use open mat to drill specific scenarios (escape practice, submission chains) progress faster than those who only spar.
Open mat is often the best time to ask training partners and visiting black belts specific questions. The unstructured format encourages discussion.
Adding 2-3 hours per week through open mat doubles many practitioners' training volume. Volume drives skill.
Most academies post open mat schedules on their websites or social media. Some host weekly. Others monthly. To find local open mats: check Instagram with "[your city] BJJ open mat" hashtag, ask at your academy, search BJJ Globetrotters affiliations, or use BJJ-specific apps that surface local events.
Unstructured BJJ training where practitioners roll, drill, and ask questions without a formal class. Usually 1-3 hours on weekends.
Often free for academy members. Visitors typically pay $10-30 drop-in fee. Some academies welcome any BJJ practitioner free.
Standard BJJ gi (gi open mat) or rash guard plus shorts (no-gi). Bring belt, mouthguard, and water.
Once per week is ideal addition to your regular training. More if you compete or want extra volume.
Most academies welcome visitors. Email or message ahead to confirm. Bring your home academy patch as respect for lineage.