Summer Camp Registration is NOW OPEN!

We’re excited to kick off another year of our highly anticipated Self-Defense Summer Camps—right here in Contra Costa County!

Whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve fitness, or learn modern, real-world self-defense, this is your chance to train in a safe, structured, and empowering environment.

Our Youth Camp is already 30% full! Spots are going fast, so don’t wait!

Open to beginners and experienced students

Proven curriculum designed for growth and skill-building

20 years of trusted leadership in martial arts education

Perfect for kids, teens, and adults

Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu | Est. 2005

Camps begin June 10th

All experience levels welcome

Secure your spot today—click here to register now!

Time will pass, and aging is inevitable. But how you age is up to you.

If time is going by and you are eminently going to grow old, you might as well grow old empowering your mind, honing your body, sharpening your reflexes, and strengthening your resolve.

If you train, stay the course. If you don’t, It’s never too late to start.

Will it be easy? Nope. You’ll be emotionally, mentally, and physically tested weekly.

Will it be worth it? Absolutely.

Congratulations, Clark LaVallee! April 2025’s Student of the Month!

Clark began his Jiu-Jitsu journey at just four years old, and from day one, he impressed us with his focus, respectful demeanor, strong communication skills, and thoughtful awareness in new surroundings.

Now five, with nearly a year and a half of training under his belt, Clark continues to grow into a confident, courageous young martial artist.

Over time, we’ve watched him build resilience, step outside his comfort zone, and stay composed in high-pressure situations—skills he proudly demonstrated during our In-House Tournament last Summer.

Clark earned his Grey/White belt at our latest Belt Ceremony in December and has since become a leader in our 4–6-year-old program. He leads with kindness, empathy, and quiet determination, setting a powerful example for his teammates.

As he develops athletically and sharpens his self-defense skills, Clark reminds us that consistency, effort, and heart always shine through.

Well done, buddy! Keep up the amazing work!

Whether you’re a beginner just learning the basics or a seasoned fighter refining your game, the mount position is one of the most dominant and effective places you can be in a match or fight.

For beginners, it’s your first real taste of positional control. You’re learning how to stay heavy, keep your balance, and shut down your opponent’s movement.

For intermediate students, the mount becomes a platform to launch attacks—armbars, chokes, back takes—and tighten up transitions while controlling space.

For advanced practitioners, it’s all about pressure, timing, and precision. You control the pace, frustrate your opponent, and create constant threats until the finish reveals itself.

For the person on the bottom, being mounted can feel like quicksand—exhausting, mentally draining, and claustrophobic. It’s hard to breathe, hard to escape, and even harder to think clearly under pressure.

That’s why the mount is so powerful. It’s not just about dominance—it’s about smart control, creating opportunities, and knowing when to go for the finish.

Master the mount, and you master one of the most important keys to victory in Jiu-Jitsu.

Please join us in celebrating one of the pillars of Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Ryan Murphy!

From day one, over 20 years ago, Professor Ryan has been an essential part of our Academy’s journey and growth. His dedication, loyalty, and passion for Jiu-Jitsu have helped shape Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu into what it is today.

Through his coaching and teachings, thousands of students—kids, teens, and adults alike—have grown stronger, more confident, and better equipped for life on and off the mat. His influence runs deep, and the lives he’s impacted speak volumes about the kind of leader, coach, and human he is.

Here’s to another lap around the sun filled with joy, health, and continued success!

Happy Birthday!

Four reliable ways to finish a single-leg takedown after closing the distance and clinching:

1️⃣ Standard single-leg finish

2️⃣ Switching to waist control

3️⃣ Countering the Whizzer (no wrist control)

4️⃣ Countering the Whizzer (w/ wrist control)

Watch the video.

A highly coachable, hardworking student who rarely misses a class since embarking on his Jiu-Jitsu journey less than a year ago, 16-year-old Johnny King brought a relentless game plan to his first-ever competition match.

Well done, buddy! 😃💪🏼

Watch the video.

In a real-life situation, knowing how to react quickly and effectively can make all the difference.

@kiviangracie demonstrates four essential escapes from rear attacks designed for practical street defense:

1️⃣ Rear choke escape 2️⃣ Variation for when the attacker pulls back 3️⃣ Bear hug escape (under the arms) 4️⃣ Bear hug escape (over the arms)

With a 100 lb. weight difference between the practitioners, this demo highlights how technique, leverage, and proper timing can help overcome size and strength disadvantages.

Empower yourself with the right skills—because self-defense isn’t about being the strongest, it’s about being prepared.

Watch the video.

Pre-registration is available for current students only. If you are not a current Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu student, please check back on Thursday, April 10th, to register or complete the Contact Form to enter our emailing list. Thank you!

If you are a student, click here to pre-register now.

Congratulations, Ezra Hoffman! March 2025’s Student of the Month!

7-year-old Ezra was born into Jiu-Jitsu and was the youngest of all his siblings to train at the Academy. He watched countless classes from the sidelines as a toddler. Watching his Father, Rick, who’s a black belt, and his siblings, Sariah (blue belt), Eliana (blue belt), and Josiah (orange/white belt).

Early in Ezra’s Jiu-Jitsu journey, when the Instructors walked by and tried to interact with him, he would refuse to give high fives or handshakes and occasionally growl.

Over time, with the persistent coaching of older brother Josiah, Ezra would give the Instructors reluctant handshakes with strong eye contact.

Ezra started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in October of 2023 in the 4-6-year-olds’ program, and he was all business from day one, with the support of his family watching from the sideline and his older sister Sariah as an assistant Instructor. He was at home. Now, the roles are reversed, and he is the one being watched!

Ezra works extremely hard, is always on task, and elevates his partners with his focused intensity. When he partners with someone who isn’t on task, he looks at them with a quiet stare, and his teammates get the message: “Back to work!” He leads by example.