On occasion, before we do our open roll, or sometimes in place of it, we do something we call "King of the Mat".
Three or four guys go out on the mat and start on the bottom. Their job is to either sweep or submit. The top person has to either submit or pass guard. The winner stays on the mat and a starts on bottom and a new guy cycles in. If you keep winning you keep staying.
I like mixing this in once in a while because the energy is different than a regular roll. We haven't done it in a while until Monday and it struck me that the energy I was using and the energy I felt was more like a competition environment. That is, the intensity was kicked up several notches. With a regular 5 or 6 minute timed roll, you know you have time to rest and chill, etc. but with king of the mat, there is no time limit and the mentality sort of automatically shifts to a more intense match.
I just found it a refreshing change and noticed how close the energy felt to an actual competition.
Any thoughts?
Yes, we play sweep, pass or submit regularly. Helped my bottom game more than I could ever hope 
We do it almost every class for 20mins followed by the same for takedowns 
yeah we do this at our school aswell typically when there are large classes with not a lot of room to have everyone roll and sometimes prior to competition probably for the reasons you stated above as it does seem to bring out a little bit more a of a competitive atmosphere
Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.
We usually do this every class before we start rolling.
Christophr - Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.What makes you think that? In my experience people last maybe 3 one minute rounds before they're tired and get picked off. Even sooner with takedowns
baby-silverback - Yes, we play sweep, pass or submit regularly. Helped my bottom game more than I could ever hope
Same here. Definitely amps up the effort from everyone.
ECM -Christophr - Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.What makes you think that? In my experience people last maybe 3 one minute rounds before they're tired and get picked off. Even sooner with takedowns
yeah people get tired quickly with takedowns, heck if you last through 3 or 4 people you are doing good
jasonhightower -baby-silverback - Yes, we play sweep, pass or submit regularly. Helped my bottom game more than I could ever hope
Same here. Definitely amps up the effort from everyone.
Except for the people who are sitting on the edge of the mat watching other people roll.
Christophr - Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.
We usually rotate out if you stay on for 3/4 turns (depending on class size).
We do “king of the mat” and “up down and out”. Depending on the class.
“Up down and out” is laid out similar to king of the mat. One partner starts on the top, the other the bottom. The top player is looking to pass or submit, the bottom player is looking to sweep or submit. After one person wins the person on top goes to the bottom and the person on bottom goes to the back of the line. This keeps the mat time fair.
Christophr - Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.
Horrible is a little strong. Really? As was mentioned, most of the time people don't last as "winners" for more than a few matches in a row. How is it any more horrible than "the most skilled (or biggest and strongest)" beating lower belts (smaller, weaker) in regular sparring?
Nobody sits on the mat and watches other people roll because they cycle in and out rather rapidly. If they are sitting, it's by choice.
lam -Christophr - Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.
Horrible is a little strong. Really? As was mentioned, most of the time people don't last as "winners" for more than a few matches in a row. How is it any more horrible than "the most skilled (or biggest and strongest)" beating lower belts (smaller, weaker) in regular sparring?
Nobody sits on the mat and watches other people roll because they cycle in and out rather rapidly. If they are sitting, it's by choice.
When you are getting your ass kicked in regular sparring, you are developing your skills (although it can be difficult to realize, especially for white and blue belts).
When you are sitting on the edge of the mat, you're...sitting on the edge of the mat. I have seen people do so ten or fifteen minutes at a time during these "king of the hill" exercises, and it's fucking stupid.
Again, if they are waiting for 15 minutes then it's on them. I think they are doing it wrong.
It's not that much different than positional sparring/drilling. Start in this position, when you achieve this or that then reset. The only difference is that when you reset it's with a different person. Oh, the horrors.
So, when you roll and get your ass kicked is developing your skills but when you work for a sweep or a pass and label it "king of the mat" it's horrible and does nothing for you? Got it.
I think it depends on class size. With four people down and four people engaging them that take up 8. If you have another 4 people waiting they will cycle through usually within 2 mins. So that takes care of up to 12 people. Most schools that I have been to max out around 14-16 people on a decent night. If you are at a school that has 30 people that might not work but at that same time there might be more mat space so you could have more people down being king of the mat.
I can't see how someone would be waiting 10 minutes for everything unless only one person is on the mat being 'king' and 40 people are lined up waiting to roll if that is the case then that is not what the OP is describing and would be a dumb way to run a class.
onyx2002 - I think it depends on class size. With four people down and four people engaging them that take up 8. If you have another 4 people waiting they will cycle through usually within 2 mins. So that takes care of up to 12 people. Most schools that I have been to max out around 14-16 people on a decent night. If you are at a school that has 30 people that might not work but at that same time there might be more mat space so you could have more people down being king of the mat.Bingo
I can't see how someone would be waiting 10 minutes for everything unless only one person is on the mat being 'king' and 40 people are lined up waiting to roll if that is the case then that is not what the OP is describing and would be a dumb way to run a class.
Christophr -It can be, but we usually have more than 4 ping at once so it speeds the process up AND you get more reps with different guys.jasonhightower -baby-silverback - Yes, we play sweep, pass or submit regularly. Helped my bottom game more than I could ever hope
Same here. Definitely amps up the effort from everyone.
Except for the people who are sitting on the edge of the mat watching other people roll.
KidPittsburgh -We also will flip it so "loser" stays in and/or rotates. It balances out pretty good.Christophr - Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.
We usually rotate out if you stay on for 3/4 turns (depending on class size).
jasonhightower -KidPittsburgh -We also will flip it so "loser" stays in and/or rotates. It balances out pretty good.Christophr - Horrible way to run a class. The most skilled (or the biggest and strongest) get most of the mat time at everyone else's expense.
We usually rotate out if you stay on for 3/4 turns (depending on class size).
Interesting variation and a good idea.