Does Your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy Need a Curriculum?
Does Your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy Need a Curriculum?
In the world of BJJ, academies find themselves debating a question that reaches far beyond techniques and belt levels: Does your academy actually need a formal curriculum?
The answer matters—not just for your students' development, but for your academy's sustainability, reputation, and most importantly, for injury prevention. Recent research published in The Sport Journal reveals that structured curricula significantly reduce injury rates while improving skill acquisition and retention.
We sat down with Scott Sievwright of Primal MKE in Milwaukee—an ecological coaching pioneer who designs training programs that adapt to individual student needs—to explore why a structured curriculum isn't optional. It's essential. Learn what leading coaches know, what the research proves, and why academies without formal curricula face hidden risks that could cost you everything.
Read the full article to discover the real difference between academies with and without structured programs—and what protection looks like.
Why Martial Arts Schools Get Declined for Law Enforcement Training (and How to Do It Right).
Most martial arts insurance policies won't cover law enforcement training — and if you check that box on your application, you'll likely get declined on the spot. No explanation. No appeal. In this post, we break down why carriers take this stance and walk through the 4-step structure JiuJitsuInsurance.com uses to get BJJ and MMA gym owners approved without risking their primary policy.
Protecting Yourself and Your Gym: Key Insights from Chris Martin on the 800-Help-BJJ Podcast
JiuJitsuInsurance.com founder Chris Martin discusses BJJ risks and protection on the 800-Help-BJJ podcast.
Highlights:
Personal 2017 stroke from carotid dissection in training—common from chokes/torque; watch for blurry vision, headaches, vertigo.
Accident injury insurance ($25–$35/mo): No martial arts exclusions, 24/7 cash payouts for covered injuries, fills deductible gaps, simple claims.
Gyms: Waivers don’t stop negligence suits (rising post-Del Mar $70M case); need proper liability + strong onboarding/risk management.
Jiu-jitsu Accident Insurance: Protect Athletes & Gym Owners
Learn how Jiu-jitsu athletes and gym owners can prevent financial stress from injuries with affordable accident insurance, real-life success stories, and risk management tips.
From Mat to Courtroom: A Wake-Up Call for BJJ Coaches.
This article explores the importance of coach supervision and risk management in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, using a real-world lawsuits—Ray Perada Vs Atos—as cautionary examples. It emphasizes that waivers don’t protect against negligence and highlights best practices for injury prevention, student safety, and legal protection. A must-read for BJJ coaches, gym owners, and instructors looking to create a safer, more sustainable training environment.
Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Injury Case Concludes with $56M Payout: What It Means for our Industry.
The landmark $46 million verdict for Jack Greener, paralyzed during a training session at Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu, is now final with post-judgment interest pushing the total beyond $56 million. This case underscores the critical need for martial arts gyms and instructors to prioritize safety, review liability coverage, and implement robust risk management. Industry experts and legal analysts weigh in on how this ruling is reshaping liability standards and insurance requirements for combat sports. Read more about the implications for gym owners and instructors.
5 Risk Management Lessons from A Misfit.
During our visit with Coach Brad at Misfits Jiu Jitsu in St. Charles, IL, we explored five key risk management strategies every BJJ gym owner should consider. From building a safety-first culture to having the right insurance in place, these tips can help protect your gym, your students, and your peace of mind.
Why Jiu-Jitsu Schools Should Partner with Charter Schools
Looking for a way to grow your Jiu-Jitsu gym and make a positive impact on your community? Partnering with local charter schools might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. With a growing trend of schools funding extracurricular activities like martial arts, gyms that prepare properly can tap into this demand and gain new students. Here’s what you need to know about this exciting opportunity—and the essential insurance requirements to get started.
McDojo Breakdown: $46M Lawsuit Warns Jiu Jitsu Gym Owners.
In April 2023, the McDojo Breakdown YouTube channel posted a video entitled “The Incident”, which examines the $46 million dollar lawsuit resulting from a tragic 2018 accident at Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club in which a student was paralyzed. In addition to a more thorough explanation of the case, McDojo Breakdown cites two key definitions, and issues a challenge to jiu jitsu gym owners and we provide some suggestions based around safety for Jiu Jitsu gym owners moving forward.
Medical Bills in Jiu Jitsu: Liability & Insurance Explained
The article explores the responsibility for medical bills when a training partner is injured in jiu-jitsu from a question that came up on the Chewjitsu YouTube channel. It acknowledges that accidents and injuries are inevitable in the sport, emphasizing the need for risk management and safe training practices. The article suggests that grapplers should have specific injury policies and supplemental insurance programs to cover medical expenses and time off work. Having personal injury insurance for jiu-jitsu is highly recommended to ensure adequate coverage and protect against financial burdens resulting from injuries sustained during training.
Revamping Safety: A New Era of Risk Management in BJJ.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) industry has undergone a significant transformation in the aftermath of a groundbreaking $46 million lawsuit against Del Mar Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This legal case has prompted gym owners to reassess their operational practices and prioritize risk management within their training environments. In response to the evolving landscape, this article emphasizes the importance of comprehensive risk management plans, explores the necessity of adapting protocols and procedures, and highlights the insights of renowned instructor John Danaher on creating a safe training environment through the concept of control. By incorporating these strategies, gym owners can navigate this new era and foster a safer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.
Martial Arts Liability: Lessons from Del Mar Jiu Jitsu Case.
This article delves into the significance of the Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu case and its implications for martial arts liability and insurance. Attorney Gabe D'Antonio's comprehensive overview of the jury verdict provides valuable insights into the reasoning behind the ruling. Moreover, the article highlights essential risk management strategies for gym owners, emphasizes the importance of appropriate insurance coverage, and stresses the need for gyms to regularly review and update their risk management plans.
Common Insurance Mistake Jiu Jitsu Gym Owners Make.
Owning a jiu jitsu gym comes with significant responsibility. Protecting your business from lawsuits and claims is crucial. Purchasing a commercial general liability insurance plan can help. But, selecting the right coverage can be complex, and mistakes can be costly. In this article, we'll explore common mistakes jiu jitsu gym owners make when choosing insurance coverage and provide guidance on how to avoid them.
Win or Learn - Lessons Learned from a BJJ Lawsuit.
Valuable lessons can be learned from the Jack Greener lawsuit, which has shed light on the importance of risk management in the jiu jitsu gym. By following the guidelines in this article and developing a comprehensive risk management plan, gym owners can create a safer and more effective training environment for their students while also reducing liability at their gym.
3 Essential Insurance Add-Ons for Jiu Jitsu Gym Owners
In this article, we will explore the importance of having proper insurance coverage for your Jiu Jitsu gym, and why adding endorsements to your policy is crucial for protecting your business. We'll discuss three common endorsements that Jiu Jitsu gym owners should consider adding to their policies, and how these endorsements can provide additional coverage for specific risks and situations. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of how to protect your Jiu Jitsu gym with the right insurance coverage, and how to ensure that your business is fully protected against potential risks and liabilities that are not always covered in every bjj gym insurance policy.
Do we need Incident reporting at our BJJ gym?
In this blog post, we will explore why it's important that a Jiu Jitsu gym has a system for incident reporting, and how this system can help to create a safe and supportive training environment for all students.
Does My Jiu Jitsu Gym Need Sexual Abuse Insurance?
Jiu Jitsu gym owners may need sexual abuse and molestation (SAM) insurance coverage to protect their gyms against financial losses resulting from lawsuits and claims related to sexual abuse, physical abuse, or other forms of misconduct that occur within their business. Find out if you need this type of insurance for your BJJ School.
What will INSURANCE for my bjj school cost?
If you are opening up a BJJ school you might want to know what it might cost to pay for your gym insurance. This video is a breakdown of what you can expect to budget for the coverage you need when you open a school.
The basics of insurance and waivers for a bjj gym.
If you want to know what information needs to be included in a participation waiver for a bjj school then this is a good article for you to read. Additionally, we cover the basics of insurance coverage that a Jiu Jitsu school owner should have.
Liability Insurance Mistakes BJJ Gym Owners Must Avoid.
Here are a few examples of mistakes bjj gym owners make when buying liability insurance for their gym.