Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo & Wrestling in Granite Bay, CA
Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling in Granite Bay, CA. Modern, constraints-led coaching for kids and adults from a Ralph Gracie black belt. New members get a free gi — come try a free week.
From first-timers to competitors and kids — there's a class built for exactly where you are.
BJJ · Gi & No-Gi
Adult BJJ (Gi & No-Gi)
All levels · adults
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for adults of every level, in both gi and no-gi. All-levels and foundations classes run all week, plus a free Saturday session open to everyone.
Kids BJJ
Youth Jiu-Jitsu
Ages 4 – 12
Age-grouped kids classes (4–5, 6–8, and 9–12) that build confidence, focus, and discipline through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — every weekday afternoon.
No-Gi · Competition
Youth Competition Team
Ages 4+ (by invitation/interest)
No-gi competition training for motivated young grapplers, split into ages 4–8 and 9+. Friday evenings.
BJJ · 1-on-1
Private & Semi-Private Lessons
All ages
Personalized private and semi-private training by appointment — accelerate your progress with focused, one-on-one coaching.
How we train
Our Method
We teach with the constraints-led approach (CLA) — a method rooted in modern learning science. Instead of having students memorize techniques in a vacuum, we put learners in realistic, goal-driven scenarios where they have to problem-solve and adapt. Movement solutions emerge naturally when grapplers face meaningful challenges, producing athletes who are more creative, confident, and effective when it counts.
01
Guided discovery
Active exploration over passive instruction-following — you learn by solving real problems against live resistance.
02
Structured constraints
Each session uses specific limitations — starting positions, grips, or objectives — that guide discovery without stifling creativity.
03
Scalable for every level
Beginners build confidence through clear concepts like balance and leverage; advanced students explore creative adaptations for their own body and strategy.
Popularized by Greg Souders & Kyvann Gonzalez
About
Why train at Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu
Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu brings authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the greater Sacramento region. Led by Professor Ryan Rich — a 3rd-degree black belt under 7th-degree black belt Master Ralph Gracie — the academy is certified by Master Carlos Gracie Jr.'s IBJJF, Master Rickson Gracie's JJGF, and Master Robson Gracie's FJJRio. Children, teens, and adults learn real self-defense, build confidence, and get a great workout in a clean, safe, family-friendly environment. Our curriculum blends Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (gi and no-gi) with judo and wrestling, and we teach using a modern constraints-led approach so students develop instincts that hold up in live situations — not just memorized techniques. Every new member receives a free gi, and members 16+ enjoy complimentary cold-plunge access for recovery.
A coach who invests in how you learn
At Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu, our coaches are serious about being the best they can be — so they've
joined a community of forward-thinking coaches, led by Greg Souders, who train with the
constraints-led approach: a modern, games-based method grounded in
motor-learning science. You learn by solving real problems on the mat — and build skill faster.
Founder & head instructor. A 3rd-degree black belt under 7th-degree black belt Master Ralph Gracie, Professor Ryan brings over 30 years of martial arts experience and more than 20 years of grappling. He ran the Sacramento State Jiu-Jitsu program for over five years and has consulted with the Sacramento and LA County police departments.
Canyon Twer
Instructor and elite fitness expert with 25+ years in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Marc Kriegsman
Instructor, auto expert, and small-business owner.
Brandon Pressly
Instructor. PhD, MBA.
John Blazevic
Instructor with 15+ years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience.
Tim Friese
Instructor and Army Ranger with 20 years of experience.
RA
Ron Agredano
Instructor with 15+ years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience.
Schedule
Weekly class schedule
Find a class that fits your week. New students and drop-ins always welcome.
Foundation No-Gi / All Levels
Monday
6:00 – 7:00 AMAdult All Levels (Gi)
12:00 – 1:00 PMAdult All Levels (No-Gi)
4:15 – 5:00 PMYouth Ages 4–5 (Gi)
5:00 – 5:45 PMYouth Ages 6–8 (Gi)
5:45 – 6:30 PMYouth Ages 9–12 (Gi)
6:30 – 7:30 PMAdult Foundations (No-Gi)
Tuesday
6:00 – 7:00 AMAdult Foundations (No-Gi)
11:00 – 11:45 AMYouth Ages 4–12 (Gi)
12:00 – 1:00 PMAdult All Levels (No-Gi)
4:15 – 5:00 PMYouth Ages 4–5 (Gi)
5:00 – 5:45 PMYouth Ages 6–8 (Gi)
5:45 – 6:30 PMYouth Ages 9–12 (Gi)
6:30 – 7:30 PMAdult All Levels (No-Gi)
Wednesday
6:00 – 7:00 AMAdult All Levels (Gi)
12:00 – 1:00 PMAdult All Levels (No-Gi)
4:15 – 5:00 PMYouth Ages 4–5 (Gi)
5:00 – 5:45 PMYouth Ages 6–8 (Gi)
5:45 – 6:30 PMYouth Ages 9–12 (Gi)
6:30 – 7:30 PMAdult Foundations (No-Gi)
Thursday
6:00 – 7:00 AMAdult Foundations (No-Gi)
11:00 – 11:45 AMYouth Ages 4–12 (Gi)
12:00 – 1:00 PMAdult All Levels (No-Gi)
4:15 – 5:00 PMYouth Ages 4–5 (Gi)
5:00 – 5:45 PMYouth Ages 6–8 (Gi)
5:45 – 6:30 PMYouth Ages 9–12 (Gi)
6:30 – 7:30 PMAdult All Levels (No-Gi)
Friday
6:00 – 7:00 AMAdult All Levels (Gi)
5:00 – 5:45 PMYouth Competition Team Ages 4–8 (No-Gi)
5:45 – 6:30 PMYouth Competition Team Ages 9+ (No-Gi)
Saturday
9:00 – 10:00 AMAdult All Levels (No-Gi) — Free & Open to All
Gallery
Life on the mats
Real training, real people. Tap any photo to take a closer look.
What students say
Loved by our community
★★★★★5.0 from 126 Google reviews
“
The best BJJ academy in the greater Sacramento area... hands down. Ryan Rich has been my instructor for several years and has coached my oldest son (6 years old) for several years. My middle son (4 years old) has just recently started to train under Ryan and views him as a second father.
ZSZac S.Google review“
LIFE-CHANGING! Ryan and the granite bay jiu-jitsu family have been life-changing for both my 13-year-old daughter and for me (45-year-old).
FAFrank A.Google review“
I simply cannot recommend granite bay jiu-jitsu enough, as I have entrusted my whole family to the very capable hands of Coach Ryan... and you would not be wrong in doing so too.
DKDiana K.Google review“
I've known coach Ryan for a few years and I can say that he is always in a great mood. I'm so happy to see granite bay jiu-jitsu thriving — it's because of Ryan's positive energy and hard work. He can take a class of squirmy kiddos and guide them with firm discipline and boundaries, and they just think they're having a blast!
MHMichelle H.Google review“
My son is 6 and obviously knew nothing about the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A friend of mine gave me Ryan's name as a referral and we decided to give his classes a shot. In a nutshell, he loves the classes, he loves what he is learning, and thoroughly loves going to "train" with Mr. Ryan. As a parent, it is great to see your child develop relationships with positive role models, and Ryan is just that.
ANAdam N.Google review“
granite bay jiu-jitsu is by far my favorite place to train. As a business owner, my expectations are always high of how someone conducts business — Ryan is the first to truly exceed my expectations, so much so that I had my mother and grandfather take classes.
TATyler A.Google review
Contact
Come train with us
Questions before your first class? Reach out — we're happy to help.
No contract. No commitment. Just come train with us for a week and see what modern grappling instruction feels like. If it's not for you, no hard feelings.
★★★★★5.0 from 126 Google reviews
“The best BJJ academy in the greater Sacramento area... hands down. Ryan Rich has been my instructor for several years and has coached my oldest son (6 years old) for several years. My middle son (4 years old) has just recently started to train under Ryan and views him as a second father.”
— Zac S.
✓
You're in!
We'll reach out shortly to get you booked for your first free class. See you on the mats.
