Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu

Ground Rules Jiu Jitsu was founded in November 2022 in downtown Tinley Park by four training partners united by their passion for the art. The academy operates under the Movimento BJJ affiliation, connecting students to a lineage led by multiple-time World and Pan American champion Professor Israel Reyes. Ground Rules aims to make Brazilian Jiu Jitsu accessible to everyone in the community, welcoming practitioners from age three into their sixties. The coaching staff, composed of black, brown, purple, and blue belts with diverse backgrounds, emphasizes hands-on instruction designed to build discipline, self-defense skills, and confidence. Classes at Ground Rules follow a structured progression beginning with fundamentals for adults, including dedicated beginner gi classes, before advancing to more open-level gi and no-gi sessions. Youth programs are separated into Youth 1 and Youth 2 age groups, each offering gi and no-gi training to develop technique and physical conditioning from an early age. The academy also runs “Ground Warriors” classes that focus on no-gi and gi formats for adults, alongside open mat sessions that allow students to drill and spar freely. This variety supports skill development across different styles and intensities, while fostering resilience and mental toughness. The facility is wheelchair accessible and features a family-oriented atmosphere where siblings and parents often train together. Ground Rules balances a friendly environment with a serious approach to technique and competition readiness, encouraging students to push their limits on the mats. The staff’s teaching philosophy centers on cultivating martial artists who are strong in mind, body, and spirit, ensuring that each student gains practical skills and lasting confidence through their training.

Amenities