Ground Rules Academy

Ground Rules Academy offers BJJ Sprouts for ages 5-7 and BJJ Buds for ages 8-13. BJJ Sprouts includes basic movements, coordination, skill development, grappling games, and supervised light sparring, while BJJ Buds includes movement and technical drills, grappling games, and supervised sparring. The program also offers Fundamentals, Advanced, Women-Only Fundamentals, Open Mat, and Judo classes, along with private BJJ lessons, private judo lessons, and semi-private lessons.

Programs

• BJJ Sprouts — Ages 5-7 · Mon, Wed & Fri, 4:05 PM · Basic movements, coordination, skill development, grappling games, and supervised light sparring.
• BJJ Buds — Ages 8-13 · Mon, Wed & Fri, 5:05 PM · Movement and technical drills, grappling games, and supervised sparring.
• Fundamentals — Teens and adults of all levels · Mon & Wed 11:05 AM; Mon, Tue, Wed & Thu 6:05 PM · General and technical warmups, classic drilling, live/situational reps; culminates in live sparring.
• Advanced — Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 7:05 PM · Intensive situational drilling and sparring.
• Women-Only Fundamentals — Beginners through experienced women · Wed 7:05 PM · Technical warmups, classic drilling, live/situational reps; culminates in live sparring matched to the room.
• Open Mat — Sat 11:35 AM; Fri 7:05 PM · Self-directed practice and collaborative rolling; drop-ins welcome.
• Judo — Ages 13 and up · Sat 10:05–11:35 AM · Throws, grip fighting, and standup that feed the jiu-jitsu you already train here.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• General schedule: BJJ-focused academy with recurring classes scheduled Monday through Friday and Saturday; Sunday closed.

About the provider

Ground Rules Academy was launched in August 2024. Russ Jensen, PhD, is the Head Instructor, Owner, and founder, and Greg Prior teaches judo classes. The mission statement says the academy provides beginner-friendly Jiu-Jitsu instruction in the Tri-Valley that develops technical skill, resilience, confidence, and problem-solving ability for students of all ages. Russ Jensen has a PhD in physical chemistry from MIT, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and authored Ground Rules: Simple Physics for the Grappling Arts. Greg Prior spent 10 years on the U.S. national judo team, won gold at the USA Judo President's Cup, and took bronze at the IJF Veterans World Championships.

• Private BJJ lessons — Adults 18 and over · $110 · One hour of one-on-one instruction in gi or no-gi, built around the student's needs.
• Private judo lessons — Adults 18 and over · $110 · One hour of one-on-one instruction built around the student's needs.
• Semi-private lessons — $75 per session · Lessons for two people.

Beginners are always welcome. Youth classes emphasize coordination, safe contact, and fun grappling games. Private lessons are for adults 18 and over. Private lessons require 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Saturday judo classes are open to ages 13 and up.

Last updated November 6, 2026.