Free Week
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training at High Ground
San Diego • Gi • No-Gi • Kids • Competition Team • First Week Free

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High Ground
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that works on the mats and in real life. Fundamentals for total beginners, advanced leg-locks & guard systems, wrestling for BJJ, women-only classes, kids 4-14 and a ruthless competition squad. No egos. No meatheads. Just position, pressure, and family.

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★ 4.9 RATED • 900+ MEMBERS • IBJJF CERTIFIED BLACK BELTS

13+Years on the mats
6Black belt coaches
42Classes per week
27Gold medals 2025
100%Ego-free guarantee
POSITION BEFORE SUBMISSION ✦ HIGH GROUND JIU-JITSU ✦ GI • NO-GI • KIDS • WOMEN ONLY • WRESTLING • OPEN MAT ✦ POSITION BEFORE SUBMISSION ✦ HIGH GROUND JIU-JITSU ✦ GI • NO-GI • KIDS • WOMEN ONLY • WRESTLING • OPEN MAT ✦ 
01 / WHO WE ARE

Not Just A Gym.
A High Ground Family.

Founded in 2012 in a 90m² garage, High Ground is now 1400m² of Dollamur mats, cage wall, recovery zone and sauna. But the mission never changed: Jiu-Jitsu for everyone.

900+
STUDENTS
★ OSS ★
High Ground Jiu Jitsu team training

From White Belt Anxiety To Black Belt Confidence.

We remember your first class: you’re nervous, you don’t know how to tie the belt, everyone seems to speak Japanese-Portuguese. At High Ground we engineered that first month to be addictive, not intimidating. Structured curriculum, positional sparring only, dedicated fundamentals coach, and a buddy system.

  • ✓Structured Curriculum: 16-week Fundamentals cycle — escapes, guard retention, 6 core submissions. You always know what you’re learning and why.
  • ✓Safety First System: No heel hooks for white belts, controlled sparring, mat captains, mandatory hygiene protocol. Injury rate 73% below national average.
  • ✓Real Self-Defense: Gracie-based stand-up, clinch, takedowns and ground survival tested with striking awareness every Friday.
  • ✓Competition Proven: Our squad medaled at IBJJF Pans, Worlds No-Gi and ADCC Opens. You don’t have to compete — but you’ll train like you can.
Explore ProgramsMeet Coaches
IBJJF
CERTIFIED ACADEMY
1400m²
PREMIUM MATS + CAGE
7 DAYS
OPEN MATS + SAUNA
02 / PROGRAMS

Choose Your Battlefield

Six battle-tested tracks. Start in Fundamentals, specialize later. All levels spar together — safely separated by experience.

01
Beginners • All ages

Fundamentals Gi

Breakfalls, shrimping, 3 escapes from every bad position, closed guard attacks, scissor sweep, Americana, RNC. Positional rolls only. Perfect first step.

See schedule →
02
Most popular • No-Gi

Advanced No-Gi & Leglocks

Wrestling entries, front headlock series, De Ashi, Saddle, 50/50, back takes. ADCC ruleset every Thursday. Rashguard required.

See schedule →
03
Kids 4-14

Little Warriors Kids

Coordination, discipline, anti-bully Gracie Bullyproof, fun guard games, stripes & belts. Parents watch from mezzanine. No strikes, all smiles.

See schedule →
04
Women only

Women's Ground Control

Led by 2x black belt champ Prof. Maya. Self-defense, guard retention vs bigger opponents, open mat sisterhood. First month buddy pass free.

See schedule →
05
Wrestling + Judo

Takedowns & Wrestling for BJJ

Double-legs that work in gi, foot sweeps, sacrifice throws, sprawl defense. With Coach D1 wrestler Tony Ramos. Stay on top, stay on high ground.

See schedule →
06
Invite / Tryout

Competition Squad

2x daily training camps, video study, strength & conditioning, travel to IBJJF, ADCC, Grappling Industries. 27 golds in 2025. Are you next?

Apply now →
Morning BJJ drills
Philosophy

Position Before Submission

White belts chase taps. Black belts chase inches. We drill hierarchy: escape → guard → pass → mount/back → submit. Patience beats athleticism. High ground always wins wars of attrition.

Strength and conditioning for BJJ
Recovery + S&C

Built To Roll Till 60

Mobility 15-min pre-class, yoga for grapplers Sundays, cold plunge + sauna, physiotherapist on-site. Plus S&C corner: sleds, ropes, Bulgarian bags. Longevity is the real belt.

03 / COACHES

Led By Killers,
Taught With Love

6 black belts, 240+ years combined mat time. IBJJF, ADCC and MMA veterans who remember being terrible white belts.

Professor Marcus High
Founder • 3rd Degree Black Belt

Prof. Marcus “High” Reed

Gracie Barra lineage, Pans bronze, 18y teaching. Fundamentals whisperer.

Professor Maya Torres
Women’s Head • Black Belt

Prof. Maya Torres

2x No-Gi Worlds medalist, self-defense expert, mom of two little warriors.

Coach Tony wrestling
Wrestling • Brown Belt

Coach Tony Ramos

D1 wrestler, ADCC trials veteran. Makes your double-leg unstoppable.

Coach Leo kids BJJ
Kids Head • Black Belt

Prof. Leo “Smile” Costa

Former school teacher, 10y kids coaching. Turns shy kids into leaders.

04 / SCHEDULE

42 Classes.
Zero Excuses.

6AM killers, lunch express, evening prime time, weekend open mats. Gi and No-Gi every day.

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
06:00Fundamentals GiNo-Gi All LevelsFundamentals GiNo-Gi + WrestlingAdvanced GiOpen Mat 09:00
12:15Lunch Express GiLunch No-GiLunch Express GiLunch LeglocksSelf-DefenseKids Comp 10:30
17:30Kids 4-8 / 9-14Kids 4-8 / 9-14Kids + Women OnlyKids 4-8 / 9-14Kids GamesWomen Open Mat
18:30FundamentalsAdvanced GuardFundamentalsADCC SparringTakedowns + Spar—
19:30All Levels SparringOpen MatAll Levels SparringComp Squad*Movie + Roll Night—

* Competition Squad by tryout. All other classes open to members. Free trial includes any 3 Fundamentals + 1 Open Mat.

05 / PRICING

Cheaper Than
Therapy & Safer Than MMA

No contracts traps, no belt fees, no 300$ gis. Pause anytime. Family discounts. First week $0.

Starter

$89/mo

2x per week • Perfect to start

  • 2 classes / week Gi or No-Gi
  • Fundamentals curriculum app
  • Free gi rental first month
  • Open Mat Saturdays
  • Pause anytime
Start Free Week

Family / Kids

$119/mo

Kids + 1 parent • Save 30%

  • Little Warriors 3x week
  • 1 parent unlimited add-on $59
  • Anti-bully + grading included
  • Sibling -20% discount
  • Parents mezzanine + coffee
Book Kids Trial
07 / REVIEWS

White Belts Talk

4.9 stars from 600+ reviews. Here’s why people stay for years.

★★★★★

“I walked in terrified at 34, overweight, never did sports. 8 months later I’m down 18kg, blue stripe, and I actually look forward to Mondays. Coaches are patient killers.”

— Jake M., White Belt ★ 8 months
★★★★★

“As a woman I tried 3 gyms where I was the only girl smashed by 100kg dudes. At High Ground women’s class + respectful culture changed everything. I compete now!”

— Sofia R., Blue Belt ★ 2 years
★★★★★

“My 7yo was bullied. After 6 months of Little Warriors he’s confident, disciplined, and defends without hitting. Professor Leo is magic with kids.”

— Daniel K., BJJ Dad
08 / FAQ

Scared? Good. Read This.

Do I need to be fit to start? +
No. BJJ gets you fit. Start with 2x Fundamentals per week, tap early, breathe. Most members couldn’t do 5 push-ups on day one. Now they roll 8 rounds.
Is sparring mandatory? Will I get hurt? +
First 2 weeks: technique + positional only, no free sparring. Then controlled sparring with higher belts who take care of you. Mouthguard recommended. Injury rate is low because ego is banned.
What do I wear / bring? +
T-shirt + shorts without pockets for trial. We lend gi + belt free. Bring water, flip-flops, trimmed nails. Shower before, deodorant is your best teammate.
How long to blue belt? +
Average 12-18 months training 2-3x/week with our curriculum. No pay-for-belt. You earn it via attendance, technique test and live rolling assessment.
Can kids do BJJ? Is it violent? +
Kids 4-14 train separately with games, no chokes for under 8, no joint locks sparring, strict anti-bullying. It’s the safest martial art — no punches or kicks.
Do you offer private lessons? +
Yes, $80/h with brown/black belts. Perfect to fast-track guard passing or competition prep. Members get 1 free 30-min private in month 2.
09 / INTEL FROM THE MATS

Latest News & Techniques

Competition recaps, technique breakdowns, nutrition, mindset. Written by black belts, not AI fluff.

Guard retention system

Guard Retention: 3 Frames That Stop Every Passer

Knee shield, elbow-knee connection and granby... The system our white belts use to survive blue belts.

Read full story →
Competition team wins

High Ground Takes 9 Golds at Grappling Industries

Squad report: Maya’s armbar clinic, Tony’s wrestling masterclass and 2 white belts double-gold.

Read full story →
BJJ nutrition

What To Eat Before 6AM Rolls (Without Puking)

Black belt nutritionist breaks down fueling, hydration and post-roll protein for grapplers.

Read full story →
10 / CLAIM FREE WEEK

Your First Choke (Lovingly) Is Free.

Fill form → get SMS in 10 min → book 3 classes + free gi rental + tour. No card. No pressure. Just rolls.

  • 📍 1420 High Ground Way, San Diego, CA 92101
  • 📞 +1 (555) 019-2834 — Mon-Sat 8am-8pm
  • ✉️ [email protected]
  • 🕘 Mon-Fri 6am-9:30pm • Sat 9am-1pm • Sun Yoga 10am
Join High Ground

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