Granby Roll

What it is

The Granby roll is a shoulder roll used to get your guard back: when the passer gets past your legs or to your side, you roll across your upper back from one shoulder to the other and turn underneath them so your legs come back in front of them. It moves your hips out of a pin faster than they can follow. Done safely, the weight is on your shoulder and upper back, never the top of your head or your neck.

When to use it

• They have passed your legs and you are turning away to stop them settling into side control.
• They are on your side and pushing your hips, which gives you the momentum to roll.
• You are turtled or on your knees and need to get your legs back in front.
• You want to rebuild your guard without trying to push them away with your arms.

How to do it

1. As they come around your legs, turn onto your side or your knees instead of lying flat.
2. Tuck your chin and drop one shoulder to the mat, close to your knee, so the roll is tight.
3. Roll across your upper back from one shoulder to the other, not over your head, keeping your knees tucked to your chest.
4. Spin underneath them so your legs come back in front of their hips.
5. Rebuild your guard with your feet on their hips or legs and a grip on their arm or collar.

Key details

• Weight on the shoulder and upper back, never on the top of your head or your neck.
• Chin tucked the whole way, eyes looking at your belt.
• Knees tucked to your chest, so your legs arrive in front of them and not behind.
• Roll early, before their chest settles. Late rolls just give them your back.
• Drill it slowly on your own first, and tap or stop if a partner stacks you onto your neck.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: rolling over the top of your head. Your neck takes the weight and you can get hurt.
• Mistake: rolling with straight legs. The legs land behind them and you end up flat on your back.
• Mistake: rolling late, with their chest already on you. They follow the roll and take your back.

What they will try

• Following the roll and taking the back as the bottom player turns away.
• Stopping the roll by pinning the hips or putting weight on the shoulder.
• Switching sides to face the bottom player before they can bring the legs back.