Police BJJ Training in Chicago, Built for the Job
Officers and first responders often end up in close-contact situations where strength alone is not enough. Brazilian jiu-jitsu teaches you to control a resisting person with leverage and position, which can mean less force, fewer injuries and safer outcomes for everyone involved.
The class meets Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, a time that works for many shift schedules. It is a focused hour for people who carry real responsibility on the job and want training that respects that.
This is not a seminar you attend once and forget. Coming back week after week is what turns techniques into reflexes you can rely on when you are tired, stressed or outnumbered.
Who the Class Is For
No martial arts background is required. Coaches meet you where you are, whether you have never trained or already hold a rank. Bring questions from the job and the coach can help you work through them on the mat.
- Police officers and sheriff’s deputies
- Corrections officers
- Firefighters, EMTs and other first responders
- Security professionals and recruits preparing for the academy
What a Class Looks Like
Each one-hour class starts with a warm-up, then moves into technique your coach breaks down step by step. You drill with partners, then practice under realistic resistance so the skills hold up when your heart rate is high. Training stays controlled and respectful, so you leave ready for your next shift, not injured from a Saturday class.
Training partners are fellow officers and first responders, which makes it easier to talk shop, compare scenarios and push each other in a way that fits the work you actually do.
What You Will Learn and Gain
Jiu-jitsu gives officers tools that apply on the street and in their own health and well-being. The skills are simple to describe and take steady practice to master, which is exactly why regular training pays off.
- Positional control and pinning without striking
- Escapes from bad positions on the ground
- Getting back to your feet safely
- Composure and clear decisions under stress
- Conditioning, mobility and resilience for a demanding career
Why Train at Brazil 021 Chicago
Our coaching team includes Prof. John “JT” Thompson, a black belt who is also a police officer, so the people around you understand the job. The academy was founded by Andre Terencio, a 6th-degree black belt with 15 years as an IBJJF head referee, and Hannette Staack, a 5th-degree black belt and 7x World BJJ Champion.
Your first class is free. Bring comfortable athletic clothes, water and sandals, and introduce yourself to the coach. We are at 2643 W Chicago Ave, 2nd Floor, near the Blue Line, with street parking on Chicago Ave and side streets.
