Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts (2024)

The internet is rife with opinions on this one! We do a 50-50 split for a reason.

Gi emphasizes a more distanced guard game, and the gi can be “training wheels” for developing tension (push and pull control). You can then apply this control in both gi and no-gi training. No-gi emphasizes a more butterfly and chest-to-chest game, helping develop pressure and lifting guards.

Both are highly valuable. To create well-rounded grapplers, we train both!

In the first six months of training two to three times weekly, students typically go through three major projects.

The first is a breathing project. When people start, they typically hold their breath, causing them to fatigue quickly. Learning how to be calm under pressure and breathing through it not only help you be less tired but also allow you to think and use the techniques you’re learning.

The second is escaping from all five dominate positions in jiu-jitsu. When you start, you find yourself in poor positions regularly. Learning how to escape allows you to work on the other aspects of jiu-jitsu.

The third is learning at least one movement from all jiu-jitsu positions. This allows you to move entirely through efficient jiu-jitsu movements and replace your intuitive movements.

First, don’t worry in the slightest about being new to martial arts! Training people from zero is what we’re known for.

As with all things in life, the more you do, the better you get. All classes are beginner friendly. Fundamentals classes are also very helpful because they go over the art’s most essential movements. However, you should supplement them with standard classes as well.

To compete, you need to show competence in each jiu-jitsu position and a willingness to compete. We have each competitor work with the instructor on tournament mindset, strategy and game plan.

For The Revolution, the largest BJJ tournament in the PNW, we have a complete 6-week camp in preparation three times annually. We have many other students who compete regularly in other tournaments, both local and abroad. It’s our goal to support the competitors’ goals.

We have a long-standing tradition of competition and have sent students all around the globe to compete!

We think about this question incessantly! It’s our goal as instructors to maximize your progress, given your time commitment.

The simple answer for you as a student is to come to class as often as you can! We design our class structure to make the most of your time investment with 90-minute to 2-hour classes. That’s also because we don’t need to short-change sparring or technique.

Our curriculum is similar to an academic curriculum. We teach in weekly blocks so that you aren’t learning techniques that don’t go together but rather learning in logical systems. Additionally, we add resistance to make the techniques sparring-ready and then spar five-plus rounds in every class.

In fact, we’ve been focused on maximizing student learning since we opened in 2011!

All sports carry a certain risk of injury. In our personal experience, we’ve been injured more frequently playing basketball than training martial arts.

There’s a common misconception that people suffer injuries because of submissions. However, if you’re in a good gym environment (like Mat Chess) and have good training partners who care about each other’s progress and well-being, injuries from submissions are highly uncommon.

Injuries happen most commonly from dynamic, explosive and surprising movement. While we do all we can to prevent injury, it’s always a possibility — albeit an unlikely one.

Overwhelmingly, the answer is to come to class! We design our class structure to maximize your progress, so doing the things needed to free time to attend class is often the most important part of maximizing your learning.

Your coaches also work with you on your personal development. Each Mat Chess coach has excellent experience working with you on your unique goals.

The best time to start is now! Don’t worry in the slightest about not being in the shape that you want to be in.

And don’t waste time thinking you should work on your general fitness to start your martial arts journey. Martial arts will help with that!