News

As the excitement of the 2024 Summer Olympics in France winds down, I’ve been getting a lot of questions – both from people on and off the mat – about why Brazilian jiu-jitsu isn’t an Olympic sport. Considering breakdancing and badminton are on the roster, why not jiu-jitsu?

The answer lies in a combination of factors related to the sport's governance, structure, and the complex criteria for Olympic inclusion. I am certainly not an expert on this, but I can summarize some of the major information and arguments out there in the jiu-jitsu community today.

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In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no matter how much of a submission hunter you may be – or want to be – the fact is: positional dominance is crucial. Yes, you might be able to throw a hail Mary submission and get it… but that’s going to be relatively rare. In our new Kingz blog series, we’ll be covering some of the more basic positions and techniques in the world of jiu-jitsu. Starting with the “mount.”

The mount is one of the most dominant positions in BJJ. If you’ve ever seen one of the “hierarchy of BJJ positions” charts, you’ll see that mount is right up there at the top, just underneath back control.

So, learning how to effectively control and attack from this position is fundamental to improving your overall jiu-jitsu game. In this blog post, we will cover the essentials of mastering the mount in BJJ, including key principles for controlling the position, how to transition into other positions, and a few common submissions.

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If you’re reading this, you’re either thinking about starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or you’ve just recently started, become hooked – as we all do – and want to know more about how to advance though this amazing martial art you’ve found. In either case, welcome. You’ve found the right place. 

The world of jiu-jitsu is wide and varied. There’s no “one” jiu-jitsu. Not only are there differences between the gi styles and the no-gi styles, but there can also be differences between various academies, from the techniques they focus on to their internal cultures and values. However, one thing that provides structure throughout the discipline is the belt ranking system. Understanding this system can provide insights to help you in your own progression through the art, no matter where you are.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the key elements of the BJJ belt ranking system, exploring its significance, its structure, and what it means for practitioners at different stages of their journey. 

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Starting one’s own academy is many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners’ biggest dream, from the seasoned competitor to the dedicated hobbyist – heck, even the gung-ho white belt.  Being able to make a career out of your passion… well, that would be like winning the lottery ticket to life. It’s actually probably a little more attainable than actually winning the lottery, but I digress.

Whether you’re in a position to start your academy as a side business – in addition to your own job – or you’re looking to jump in feet first and make an entirely new career change, launching a BJJ academy is an exciting endeavor.. but it requires careful planning and consideration.

Here, I discuss some key considerations to ensure that your future academy is a success from the beginning..

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It is officially summer, and if you’re anywhere north of the equator, you’re already feeling the heat. Maybe you train at a nice, bougie Jiu-Jitsu academy that actually has air conditioning… if that’s the case, this blog might not be for you. For the rest of you poor schmucks – don’t worry you’re in good company – keep reading. 

As temperatures rise outside, it’s also getting a little warm on the mat. Everything and everyone is a little bit sweatier, everyone is breathing a little bit harder, and that trusty mid-weight gi of yours feels just a little bit heavier. Yes, summer is officially here. Which means it’s time to break out the summer BJJ gis.

Here are a few summer BJJ gi options we have here at Kingz that will keep you just a little bit more comfortable on the mat, so you can keep doing what you love: 

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