Archive for category charter school
USAJJ Welcomes Iron Will Jiu Jitsu
Posted by USAJJ in USA Jiu Jitsu, charter school on March 12, 2010
USAJJ is growing every day. Today we welcome Will Hiott and his school, Iron Will Jiu Jitsu. Iron Will Jiu Jitsu is based in Savannah, GA. Like many of USA Jiu Jitsu’s members, Will is proficient in other martial arts, but started focusing on Jiu Jitsu after seeing it in the UFC.
Will Hiott with a few of his students
While many of our member schools have a kids program, Will takes it to the next level. Will volunteers much of his time working with a program called Performance Initiatives. Performance Initiatives is a Savannah based not for profit organization dedicated to helping others by using athletics and fitness. The children the program works with have little opportunity, and live in the rough parts of Georgia. Will has 29 students from this program, all on scholarships.
Will’s mission with his students, who all range between 7-18, is to teach kids to not fight, through Jiu Jitsu. While that may sound odd on the face of it, we all know Jiu Jitsu forces you to learn self-control and self-discipline. Hopefully with these skills taught to them at an early enough age, it will help them stay in school, and off the streets. He wants his students to deal with verbal conflict before resorting to physical conflict. Will says his Jiu Jitsu class for the kids is about developing themselves.
For those of you in the Savannah area, the Performance Intiatives program does rely on volunteers, and Will said he would love to have some help. Right now, he teaches by himself. Will even includes his two year-old twins and seven year-old in his program. It’s never too early to start setting a good example.
Will joined USAJJ because he loves that we’re unifying the sport. Only by working together can we bring our Olympic dreams to fruition. Will also feels that having a Black Belt Council to formally oversee and grant recognition in the sport is a big plus as well.
If you live in Savannah, GA stop by Will’s school for a visit, and maybe volunteer some time. Also, March 20th, Iron Will Jiu Jitsu is celebrating their first year anniversary with a belt test and seminar, so stop by and check out the festivities. You can also connect with them on Facebook.
USAJJ Welcomes Myrtle Beach Martial Arts
Posted by USAJJ in USA Jiu Jitsu, charter school on March 10, 2010
USAJJ is proud of all its charter schools, and today we’d like to recognize Jim Kiser and his school, Myrtle Beach Martial Arts.
Jim Kiser receiving his black belt from Rigan Michado
Jim Kiser began his martial arts training in February 1998 under Jason McCormick of Karate World in Surfside Beach, SC. At present, Jim is a third degree black belt in Zen Ketsugo karate and a black belt in Jiu Jitsu under Rigan Michado. Over the years, Jim has competed in numerous sport karate and Jiu Jitsu events. Most notably, winning the SKIL world championship in adult self-defense and forms in 2004 at the Super Grand World Games.
MBMA offers Kick Boxing, Jiu Jitsu and MMA training. They have just opened a 5,000 square foot training center, so there is plenty of room to practice. It’s a good thing too, since Jim’s school boasts over 100 students! That’s incredible, especially since Jim is their main instructor. Needless to say, Jim has very little free time. Of his students, about 40 are adults, and the rest are minors. Falling into what seems to be a common theme among Jiu Jitsu instructors, Jim has a program specially designed for children. It is amazing and wonderful that there is so much commitment to the future generation of Jiu Jitsu practioners among its current competitors.
Jim’s kids program is separated by age, with training style for kids 13 and under and the other for kids over 13. The difference is Jim does not teach submissions to the younger students. He feels that at that young age, positioning should be taught and instilled. Older students are more mature, and able to better understand the risk with submissions. Jim recounted an incident where he saw a young kid at a tournament and the kid was in an arm bar. On the sidelines, the kid’s dad was yelling at him not tap out, which is a dangerous piece of advice. The kid could have had his arm broken. Not to mention, an eight year old doesn’t need to be doing submissions during recess at school.
Jim has been involved with USAJJ since the start. He thinks USAJJ is important to the growth of the sport as a whole. He thinks it is important to have a governing body that is free from egos and politics, not to mention USAJJ is totally non-profit. He feels USAJJ will lead to a more pure sport. And of course, he’s as excited as the rest of us for the Olympics.
Jim’s school hosts a multiple tournament event at his school. It has multiple divisions and only has a $25 entry fee. So if you’re in the area, check it out. Any chance to participate in an event is great, and at that price, it’s fantastic.
You can visit the Myrtle Beach Martial Arts web page for class schedules and more info on their kids program.
USAJJ Welcomes Combative Grappling Systems of Greensburg PA
Posted by USAJJ in charter school on February 28, 2010
Combative Grappling Systems in Greensburg PA
USA Jiu Jitsu is getting bigger every day. Today we welcome Casey Leonard of Combative Grappling Systems!
Casey Leonard is the head of Combative Grappling Systems in Greensburg, PA.
He is a blue belt and trained under Rick Lucero. Mr. Leonard started learning Jiu Jitsu in southern California while serving as a Marine at Camp Pendleton. He won the Army Combative Championship in 2005, as well as other more local events. Mr. Leonard has been teaching since 2001.
Combative Grappling Systems has 35 students, which may seem like a lot, but Mr. Leonard says no. He encourages his students to work closely with each other, and says his students are more like a family. While that may be the case while dealing with each other, Mr. Leonard definitely encourages his students to compete in tournaments and events, saying that he tries to foster a competitive spirit in his students.
As a member of USAJJ his students will have lower entry fees at USAJJ sponsored events.
Also, Combative Grappling Systems focuses exclusively on Jiu Jitsu, though Mr. Leonard did say they would help any fighter train for an event.
USA Jiu Jitsu is proud to have Casey Leonard and Combative Grappling Systems as we move into the future of Jiu Jitsu! Connect with them on Facebook
USA Jiu Jitsu Welcomes Boyce Martial Arts In Winchester VA
Posted by USAJJ in charter school on February 27, 2010
Boyce's Martial Arts in Winchester VA
We would like to welcome Mike Boyce and Boyce’s Martial Arts to USA Jiu Jitsu!
Mike Boyce is an established instructor in the martial arts community. He has over 25 years of experience in several arts such as Taekwondo, Filipino Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Thai Boxing, Shotokan Karate, Silat and many other systems. He was trained by the world renowned Navy SEAL Frank Cucci and became an official representative of the Linxx Martial Arts System. He has a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcelo Alonso.
Mr. Boyce is also a certified Associate Instructor under Ajarn Chai Surisite (Master Chai) who is a world champion Thai Boxer and a Lumpinee Stadium champion.
Mr. Boyce joined USAJJ because he found other organizations lacked support and were not as student centered as he wanted. He feels his students will benefit the most from a relationship with USAJJ.
Of particular interest is Mr. Boyce’s philosophy about martial arts. He does not think martial arts should be about fighting. He thinks it is important to instill a sense of honor and integrity in today’s youth and hopes to firmly implant these ideals in his students. Students at Boyce Martial Arts learn in a non-competitive, supportive, and friendly atmosphere. Their organized and goal-oriented martial arts program allows individuals to focus and concentrate on achievement, and building and reinforcing a strong code of personal excellence.
Boyce’s Martial Arts has also made large gains in teaching disabled students. Currently enrolling two students with Asperger Syndrome, the school has had success with students with other disabilities as well. Mr. Boyce credits the success the school has had with these students to his wife Caroline, who is also an instructor, and the rest of his staff for making the effort to reach these kids. This is a noble endeavor, and really makes the point that martial arts are approachable by anyone.
If you live in the Winchester, VA area, stop by and check them out.
You can also take a look at their web page at Boyce’s Martial Arts.
Once again, congratulations to Mike Boyce and Boyce’s Martial Arts! USAJJ is proud to have you onboard!
KnuckleUp Fitness Outer Banks is Latest USA Jiu Jitsu Charter School
Posted by USAJJ in charter school on January 26, 2010
KnuckleUp in North Carolina is the 1st USA Jiu Jitsu Charter School in NC
Only a few days after announcing that USA Jiu Jitsu members qualify for an exclusive Jiu Jitsu Insurance policy, KnuckleUp Fitness in the Outer Banks (NC) joins our growing family, and we want to welcome everybody from the OBX into USAJJ.
Morrison Butler, GM for KnuckleUp OBX, has been following USAJJ closely for a while, due to the growing demand for jujitsu classes in the Outer Banks. After a quick talk with USAJJ’s National Tournament Director and founder of KnuckleUp Fitness in Atlanta, Chris Stolzman, Morrison’s club becomes the 1st charter school in North Carolina.
According to Morrison, joining USAJJ was the best way to ensure his students are getting the most qualified support for their training, and a great opportunity for them to join a bigger jiu jitsu community (after all, there isnt much of a bjj scene in the Outer Banks of NC).
USA Jiu Jitsu approved badge
As a Charter School, they have access to a list of benefits that is constantly growing:
- $1 Million General Liability Insurance For Club, Staff, And Students
- Official USAJJ Certificate for their Head Instructor
- Head instructor competes for FREE at USAJJ National Tournament
- 1 free seat at the next Instructor Training Course
- Access to the official Jiu Jitsu International class curriculum
Plus, KnuckleUp OBX can now use the official USAJJ APPROVED badge, which lets students know they’re training with a qualified instructor. The badge is also beneficial to other USAJJ members when on the area, because they qualify for a $10 mat fee at any Charter school.
To all of the staff and students at KnuckleUp OBX, on behalf of the USA Jiu Jitsu organization, welcome!
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