About Us
Welcome to Kraken Submission Grappling
We are Cambridgeshire’s leading no-gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy.
What we do
No-gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (or Submission Grappling) is the latest evolution of the grappling martial arts. Combining the highest percentage techniques from the world’s most effective grappling arts- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo and Sambo, it is considered the mixed martial arts of the grappling world. A physical strategy game with a single goal at its core: submit your opponent.
Where we do it
Based out of The Hive leisure centre, we offer the largest mat space in Cambridgeshire at 130 square metres. In 2022 this will be upgraded to over 200 square meters to accommodate our rapidly growing club. We have also recently opened a studio in little Downham offering daytime classes and private sessions.
How we do it
Our system of learning is unparalleled under the tutelage of John Danaher. Head grappling coach of superstars Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Nicky Ryan, Craig Jones, George St Pierre (Former UFC welterweight champion) and Chris Weidman (former UFC middleweight champion), Danaher has revolutionized the grappling world with his systematized, conceptual approach to the art.
Danaher has spent the past 25 years studying the highest percentage techniques from the world’s most effective grappling arts and distilled them into the world’s most effective grappling systems. Much like Mixed Martial Arts, to stay relevant, these systems are continuously growing and adapting to evolutions in the game. Discarding what is proven ineffective and keeping only what works at the highest levels.
Today, Danaher is considered the foremost mind in Jiu-Jitsu and his students dominate grappling competitions globally.
Why choose us
Whether you have been grappling for years or it is your first day, our classes have something for everyone. It is a great source of pride that our club offers a tight knit community, a positive environment and a welcoming atmosphere. Team spirit and morale is at the heart of our club’s ethos. Our goal as a club is to share the benefits that Jiu Jitsu and martial arts have to offer with all our members and the surrounding community.
We pride ourselves in supporting our students in their personal development, with each member of the club committed to helping the other members grow both on and off the mats. For this reason, we are the highest rated BJJ club in Cambridgeshire on Google.
As a game, Jiu Jitsu can often feel overwhelming and intimidating for beginners which is why our curriculum is presented in an easy to understand and accessible way. Each session builds upon the previous one, starting with the fundamentals and working towards mastery. You will be guided and supported by our whole team at all stages of this journey.
Our classes are all mixed ability; we believe it is important for experienced students to guide beginners and for beginners to see the skill presented by more experienced practitioners. We believe submission grappling to be a team sport, not an individual sport.
We do not offer belts or a system of rank, for many reasons. Belts often provide false goals for students; our focus is on becoming undeniably great and letting our skills do the talking. The end goal of the student is to gain enough knowledge to become an independent problem solver and master of the art, not a piece of colored cloth around their waist or some other accolade.
Many, more traditional academies have derogative traditions which involve lining up in belt rank, unwritten rules about not asking higher belts to train, whipping students during belt promotions, making you refer to the instructor as “master” and some will even make you bow to photos on the wall!
We have none of this at our club. You will be treated with respect no matter how long you have been training and we won’t waste your valuable time with nonsense.
Why should you train Jiu Jitsu?
Jiu Jitsu is the ultimate tool for self-development. It will challenge you physically, mentally and emotionally. You will have to work hard to survive against more knowledgeable and more physical players in the beginning. As you develop survival skills in the training room you will start to build real confidence that you can handle yourself. This happens in your first 6-24 months as you build the ability to survive against your peers. With this foundation, you can start to develop your own game based on your physical and mental attributes, personality and your own unique style.
Each player is different, with their own strengths, weaknesses and overall strategy they like to employ, this forces you to find creative solutions to the problems your opponent presents. With so many ways to win and lose, Jiu Jitsu gives you endless room for creativity, allowing you to build a game that expresses your personality and style.
This creativity and expression is one of the reasons Jiu Jitsu is so incredibly addictive. It will keep you mentally engaged long after practice has finished. The desire for progress can lead towards a lifestyle overhaul as you start adopting healthier habits to compliment your Jiu Jitsu. This positive attitude can also help you eliminate undesirable habits which hold you back.
A central philosophy behind our club is Kaizen. Kaizen is a Japanese business term meaning change for the better. It involves making the training environment more efficient and effective by creating a team atmosphere, improving everyday procedures, ensuring student engagement and making training more fulfilling, more fun and safer for all involved.
Training Jiu Jitsu can become a strong motivator to lose weight, lift weights, get more mobile, eat healthier, be kinder to others and live a healthier lifestyle. Jiu Jitsu can be a vehicle to get from who you currently are to who you want to be. Staying disciplined on this path is easy when you love what you do, love who you are becoming and are supported by a team of like-minded individuals. With this transformation comes confidence and self-esteem.
If you would like to get involved with our club and join our growing community, get in touch today to book in for a free consultation and trial class.