Our philosophy is simple. We teach our students the most effective Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques in the most time-efficient manner possible.
We understand that our students have busy lives and prefer not to waste time or money. To that end, we endeavor to revolutionize how old-school Brazilian jiu jitsu is taught by using the latest innovations in sports science, information technology and common sense.
What we teach
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art derived from Judo whose central theme is the skill of controlling a resisting opponent in ways that force him to submit. Due to the fact that control is generally easier on the ground than in a standing position, much of the technique of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is centered round the skill of taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control positions from where the opponent can be rendered harmless.
To control and overcome greater size, strength and aggression with lesser size and strength is the hallmark of BJJ. This is done by utilizing superior leverage, grip and position upon your opponent. Students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body.
This knowledge can be used to subdue and control an opponent with whatever level of severity the student chooses. The path to this knowledge is physically and mentally demanding. Students benefit from greatly increased physical fitness, problem-solving ability, self-knowledge of their body and mind and the many social benefits of working within a large group of like-minded fellow students as you learn and have fun together.
Submission Grappling
Submission Grappling is a new sport with a long history. The object is to submit your opponent using a variety of joint locks and chokes, or to win the match on points. Competitions in this sport resemble Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitions, although competitors do not usually wear gis. This absence of a gi increases somewhat the amount of speed and athleticism required, but it also limits the sweeping and submission options of the competitors.
Submission Grappling is mainly based on the submissions and positions of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and also the takedowns and throws typical of amateur wrestling (i.e., folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman). The influence of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu can be seen in the types of positions and submissions most commonly used in the sport.
Self-Defense
Grandmaster Helio Gracie is quoted as saying that we must: “Always assume that your opponent is going to be bigger, stronger and faster than you; so that you learn to rely on technique, timing and leverage rather than brute strength”.
Unlike sport jiu-jitsu or even MMA, where the objective is to win against an opponent of similar size, in a closely-monitored and controlled match, for the purposes of self-defense, the goal of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is enabling practitioners to defeat an all-out attack from a larger, stronger and more athletic opponent.
Our self-defense program contains a curriculum of techniques that are designed to allow a weaker, smaller and less athletic person survive and negate the strength of a larger and stronger assailant.
Meet Our Instructors
Dylan Turner and Malcolm Weaver
Dylan and Malcolm are both devoted and dedicated acolytes of Sensei John Danaher (whose spirit always seems to hover above them in any photo) and all of his various "New Wave" Jiu Jitsu systems and sub-systems. They currently co-lead drilling classes on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons (as part of the Sunday Competition Class). Dylan and Malcolm also help lead classes whenever Rich and Kevin are out.
Pete Niktas
Instructor
Pete was awarded his Brown belt by Rich Jackson in February 2022. He teaches the Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 Gi Classes.
Kevin Kopecky
Instructor
Kevin received his Black Belt in August 2017 from Alan "Gumby" Marques, a third degree black belt under the legendary Ralph Gracie. Through Jiu Jitsu and submission grappling, Kevin's goal is to provide people with a Way (道) that can effect positive change within their own lives and the lives of those around them. Kevin teaches morning classes from 6am to 8am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and No-Gi classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Meet Kevin
Rich Jackson
Owner & Head Instructor
Rich trained for over 10 years at the Renzo Gracie NYC Academy's world-famous "Blue Basement" and was promoted to brown belt by Master Renzo Gracie and Professor John Danaher. After relocating to Northern California with his family, Rich was awarded his black belt by Professor Alan "Gumby" Marques, who is a third degree black belt under the legendary Master Ralph Gracie.
Meet Rich
