When should I start sparring in BJJ?

The question of when to start rolling is debated in the BJJ community. Some schools follow a sink-or-swim approach where new students roll on their first day, while others have a structured onboarding period. Both approaches can work depending on the gym culture and the supervision provided. Positional sparring is an excellent bridge between drilling and full sparring because it limits the variables and lets you practice specific scenarios. When you do start rolling, choose partners who are experienced and known for being safe. Communicate that you are new and ask them to go light. Your instructor should pair you with appropriate partners. The most important thing is to tap early and often to avoid injury, and to approach sparring as a learning experience rather than a fight.