Grayson County, Virginia

SAND
MANJiu-Jitsu - Free Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes in Independence, VA, serving Galax and Grayson County

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for every level. No fees, no catch - show up and train.

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01 / What We Offer

TRAIN
FREE.
TRAIN
HARD.

Gi and no-gi, from your first day to your first tournament.

01

TECHNIQUE TRAINING

Positions, submissions, and the small details that make them work - drilled step by step.

02

LIVE ROLLING

Live sparring every class. Put what you drilled to work against a resisting partner.

03

COMPETITION

Want to test yourself? We travel to local and regional tournaments - jump in when you’re ready.

02 / Weekly

TRAINING
SCHEDULE

Five sessions a week, gi and no-gi.

MON

Fundamentals NoGi

Coaches Caldwell & Poole

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WED

Devotional 6:00-6:30 / Gi Instruction

Coach Wilmore

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
FRI

NoGi Open Mat

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
SAT

Open Mat

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
SUN

NoGi Instruction

Professor Lorenz

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
03 / Gallery

OUR TEAM

Faces from the mats and the medal stand.

Sandman Jiu-Jitsu team with medals at the NAGA tournament in Hickory, 2024
Adults in gi warming up and drilling on the mats at the Grayson High School Annex training facility
No-gi grappling match in progress under a referee's watch at a NAGA tournament
01 / 19
04 / Leadership

OUR INSTRUCTORS

Black-belt coaching, with lineage to Marcelo Garcia and Pedro Sauer.

Professor Jared Lorenz and Coach Kelly Wilmore, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors at Sandman Jiu-Jitsu in Independence, Virginia

PROFESSOR JARED LORENZ

3rd Degree Black Belt under Marcelo Garcia

25 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience

Black Belt in Judo

Twenty-five years on the mats and a third-degree black belt under Marcelo Garcia. Professor Lorenz teaches the detail-first game his lineage is known for - and expects you to drill it until it works.

COACH KELLY WILMORE

Black Belt under Professor Jared Lorenz

Lineage:

• Started training under Scott Leighton and Ben Eaton of the Saulo Ribeiro school

• Blue and Purple belts under Dennis Hayes (Pedro Sauer black belt)

• Black belt under Professor Jared Lorenz

Coach Wilmore came up through the Saulo Ribeiro and Pedro Sauer systems before earning his black belt under Professor Lorenz. That mix shows in how he teaches - lots of angles on the same problem.

05 / Find Us

LOCATION

We train at the Grayson High School Annex in Independence, Virginia.

📍

Grayson High School Annex

100 Blue Devil Dr, Independence, VA 24348

🕐

Training Sessions

See schedule above for current training times

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Click to view detailed directions to our training area

06 / Questions

COMMON
QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know before your first class.

IS SANDMAN JIU-JITSU REALLY FREE?

Yes. Every class at Sandman Jiu-Jitsu in Independence, Virginia is 100% free - no membership fees, no contracts, no hidden costs. Show up and train.

DO I NEED EXPERIENCE TO START TRAINING?

No experience is needed. All skill levels train together at Sandman Jiu-Jitsu, and Monday's Fundamentals class is built for beginners. Your first class can be any class on the schedule.

DO YOU TEACH BOTH GI AND NO-GI JIU-JITSU?

Yes. Gi training uses the traditional kimono uniform; No-Gi is done in a rash guard and shorts with a faster, grip-free style. Wednesday evening is Gi instruction, while Monday, Friday, and Sunday sessions are No-Gi. Saturday morning open mat welcomes both.

IS JIU-JITSU DANGEROUS?

Jiu Jitsu is a contact sport and injuries can happen. We don't shy away from that reality. We keep the risk down by matching beginners with experienced partners, keeping rounds controlled, and teaching people to tap early. Take care of your partners and they'll take care of you.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY FIRST CLASS?

For No-Gi classes, wear a t-shirt or rash guard and athletic shorts without pockets or zippers. If you don't own a gi yet, start with any No-Gi class - no special gear is required.

WHERE DOES SANDMAN JIU-JITSU TRAIN?

We train at the Grayson High School Annex, 100 Blue Devil Dr, Independence, VA 24348 - about 20 minutes from Galax, VA and 15 minutes from Sparta, NC. for finding the training room once you arrive.

WHEN ARE CLASSES HELD?

Five sessions a week: Monday 6-8 PM (Fundamentals NoGi), Wednesday 6:30-8:30 PM (Gi), Friday 5:30-7 PM (NoGi Open Mat), Saturday 10 AM-12 PM (Open Mat), and Sunday 2-4 PM (NoGi).

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Just show up to any class at the Grayson High School Annex in Independence, VA - or reach out first through our Facebook page or GroupMe if you have questions.