Review of Positional Sparring: The Shortcut to Real Progress

Overview
Free rolling is fun; positional rounds are where you level up. Start in a specific spot (e.g., back control) with a clear win condition. Reset on score or escape. It’s drilling with consequences.

Who benefits
- White and blue belts who feel lost in scrambles.
- Higher belts polishing weak links.

Pay‑off
Reps with pressure. You’ll normalise bad places (bottom side, turtle), compress learning time, and turn “I panic here” into “I have three options here”.

Watch‑outs
- Pride wars: set ego aside; start in bad spots willingly.
- Timer creep: keep rounds short and many.
- Always agree intensity.

Try this round
- Mount: Top submits or maintains 20s; bottom must recover half or stand up.
- Back: Top finishes; bottom gets shoulders to the mat.
- Half guard: Bottom must underhook to come up; top must clear knee line and settle side.

Final word
Aimless sparring entertains. Positional sparring educates. Build your week around it.

-Chuck