No-Gi BJJ in Berkeley, CA
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is grappling without the traditional kimono. Instead of collar and sleeve grips, practitioners use body positioning, underhooks, overhooks, and clinch work to control, sweep, and submit opponents. It is fast, dynamic, and closely related to wrestling and submission grappling.
At Lycan Jiu Jitsu in Berkeley, our No-Gi program is built around a technical, problem-solving approach. Head instructor Joe Monroe emphasizes understanding the why behind each position — not just memorizing techniques, but learning the mechanical principles that make them work regardless of your size or athleticism.
What You'll Train
No-Gi classes at Lycan cover a complete submission grappling curriculum:
- Takedowns and wrestling entries — single leg, double leg, body lock, trips, and snatch singles
- Guard play without fabric grips — butterfly guard, single leg X, seated guard, guard retention
- Leg attack systems — straight ankle locks, heel hooks, knee bars, and leg lock defense
- Back takes and finishing — seat belt control, body triangle, rear naked choke
- Upper body submissions — guillotines, darce chokes, arm triangles, kimuras from top
- Positional escapes — getting out of mount, side control, and turtle position
Curriculum is structured so that beginners can follow along while experienced practitioners are constantly challenged with details and higher-level concepts.
What a Class Looks Like
No-Gi classes run 90 minutes. Here is how a typical session is structured:
- 15 minutes — Movement warm-up: shrimping, bridging, sprawls, level changes, and dynamic drills
- 45 minutes — Technique instruction: two to three connected techniques taught with context, then partner drilling with reps
- 30 minutes — Live sparring: positional rounds and free sparring, with coaching throughout
Coach Joe walks the mat during sparring, offering corrections and helping students connect techniques to live situations. The atmosphere is collaborative — students are encouraged to ask questions and work through problems together rather than just drilling in silence.
Who Is No-Gi BJJ For?
No-Gi BJJ at Lycan is a good fit for a wide range of people:
- Complete beginners with no grappling background — no experience required to start
- Wrestlers looking to add submission skills and guard work to their game
- MMA fighters developing their ground game and submission defense
- Gi BJJ practitioners wanting to sharpen their no-gi skills and improve their base game
- Anyone interested in self-defense — no-gi grappling translates directly to real-world situations where there is no collar to grab
Our gym in Berkeley draws students from across the East Bay, including Oakland, Emeryville, Albany, and El Cerrito. All body types, fitness levels, and experience levels are welcome.
Schedule and Location
No-Gi classes at Lycan Jiu Jitsu:
- Tuesday 6:30pm – 8:00pm
- Thursday 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: 2905 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
We offer a free trial week for new students. Come in any Tuesday or Thursday and introduce yourself — no sign-up required for your first class.