Black Sheep Jiu Jitsu

Black Sheep Jiu Jitsu is led by Woolf Barnato, a Ralph Gracie black belt and IBJJF World and Pan Am champion, alongside Danny Speirn, a Pan Am and World medalist who earned his black belt under Barnato. Located in Fairfax, California, the academy reflects years of experience from active competitors who blend traditional fundamentals with evolving, competition-tested techniques. The instruction emphasizes a creative yet disciplined approach, integrating wrestling and positional awareness alongside traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The academy offers structured gi classes across skill levels, including fundamentals taught by multi-time IBJJF champion David Strand and intermediate sessions led by Barnato and Speirn. No-Gi training is overseen by Cole Franson, a former world champion whose classes focus on precise technique and situational sparring. The curriculum accommodates a range of students, from dedicated competitors to those pursuing self-defense and physical fitness. Black Sheep also maintains a comprehensive kids program divided by age groups, with Woolf Barnato coaching younger children and Lauren Sacks, a decorated competitor with medals from IBJJF Pans and No-Gi Worlds, guiding older kids. Classes for youth emphasize technical development through fast-paced drills and structured lessons, supporting skill progression in a focused setting. The academy’s facility is wheelchair accessible, and drop-in students are welcomed across most classes.

Amenities