The Mat Times

TIPS, GUIDES &
REAL TALK

Everything you need to know about competing, training, finding gyms, and showing up prepared. Written by grapplers, for grapplers.

Featured

Technique Lab8 min read

The Most Underrated Submissions Nobody's Talking About at Each Belt

Everyone drills the same armbars and rear naked chokes. Meanwhile, these submissions are finishing matches at every level while most grapplers completely ignore them.

The RollCall Team

May 6, 2026

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3-4 Classes a Week Is Enough. But Only If You're Smart About It.

Most part-time grapplers waste half their mat time because nobody told them how to structure it. Here's how to actually get better on a limited schedule.

May 5

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Competition Prep8 min

Why You Keep Losing in the First 30 Seconds and How to Fix It

Most grapplers lose their matches before they even break a sweat. The first 30 seconds aren't a coin flip — they're a skill set, and yours might be costing you everything.

May 1

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Gym Guide

How to Pick a BJJ Gym That Will Actually Develop Your Game

Most people pick a gym based on location and price. Then they wonder why they're still getting smashed the same way two years later. Here's what actually matters.

8 min

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Mental Game

BJJ Social Media: Useful Tool or the Ego Trap Killing Your Game?

You've watched 47 leg lock tutorials this week. You've rolled exactly zero times. We need to talk about what BJJ social media is actually doing to your development.

9 min

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Training Tips

Fuel the Fight: Nutrition Secrets Every Serious Grappler Needs Now

You've drilled the armbar a thousand times. But if you're gassing out in round three or feeling like death the morning after hard training, your diet is tapping before you do.

8 min

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Training Tips