Maddog Performance Institute · Ballito
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ) In Ballito.
Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for complete beginners through to competitive grapplers — coached by BJJ Black Belt York Lawrence, Head Coach of BJJ at Maddog Performance Institute.
BJJ Ballito
Gi & No-Gi Training
Black Belt Coached
All Levels Welcome
Your First Class Is Free
Fight Gym KZN
BJJ Ballito
Gi & No-Gi Training
Black Belt Coached
All Levels Welcome
Your First Class Is Free
Fight Gym KZN
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
BJJ Training
Book Your Free BJJ Trial
BJJ Training
In Ballito.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Maddog Performance Institute is coached by York Lawrence, a BJJ Black Belt awarded in 2023 by multiple-time world champion Penny Thomas. Our programme covers both Gi and No-Gi formats, taking students from their first roll through to structured competition preparation.
BJJ is a ground-based martial art built on leverage, timing and technique rather than size or strength — which is exactly why it works as both a serious self-defence system and one of the most effective, low-impact full-body workouts available. Complete beginners are always welcome; you'll start with fundamentals and controlled partner drilling before any live rolling.
- Gi and No-Gi formats — a complete, well-rounded ground game
- Fundamentals track — positions, escapes, submissions and defence
- Live rolling, introduced progressively and always supervised
- Competition pathway for students who want to grade or compete
- Integrates directly with Maddog's MMA programme
BJJ Ballito
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu KZN
Gi & No-Gi
All Levels
Our affiliations — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Maddog is affiliated with the Carlson Gracie lineage and Grand Master Marcus Soares — so every belt promotion carries a recognised, traceable lineage. See all Maddog affiliations.
Pricing
Monthly
R900 / month
Single discipline membership
Drop-In
R150 / class
Single session, no commitment
Combine Disciplines
2 Disciplines
R1,600 / month
Combine any two disciplines
3 Disciplines
R2,000 / month
Combine any three disciplines
Additional Discipline
R650 / month
Add another discipline to your membership
Combine any of: MMA, BJJ, Kickboxing and Wrestling.
Why Train BJJ
The Benefits of
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
BJJ is often called "human chess" for a reason — it's as much a mental discipline as a physical one. Here's what regular training builds, on and off the mat.
Self-Defence
Real Ground Control
The majority of physical altercations end up on the ground — BJJ gives you the tools to control and neutralise a situation regardless of size difference.
Mindset
Problem-Solving Under Pressure
Every roll is a live puzzle. BJJ sharpens your ability to stay calm, think clearly and solve problems while under physical stress.
Fitness
Full-Body Strength & Mobility
Grappling builds functional strength, grip endurance and joint mobility that's hard to replicate in a conventional gym session.
Stress Relief
A Genuine Reset
Training demands total focus, which makes it one of the most effective ways to switch off from work and daily stress for an hour.
Discipline
Visible, Earned Progress
Belt and stripe progression gives you a clear, honest measure of improvement — there's no faking your way up in BJJ.
Community
A Team That Trains Together
You can't train BJJ alone — every session builds relationships with training partners who push and support you in equal measure.
BJJ Head Coach
Coached by a
Coached by a
Black Belt.
York Lawrence is the Head Coach of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Maddog Performance Institute. With a lifelong foundation in martial arts, York transitioned from Karate and Kickboxing to BJJ in 2005, training at Novagen BJJ — one of South Africa's pioneering academies.
In 2023, York was awarded his Black Belt by multiple-time world champion Penny Thomas. What began as a small group of students during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into Maddog's full BJJ programme — and in 2025, York launched the dedicated Kids BJJ programme.
BJJ Black Belt · 2023
Training Since 2005
Head Coach, BJJ
Meet the Full Coaching Team
Timetable
BJJ Class Times.
See the full class timetable for MMA, Kickboxing and every other discipline on our Training hub.
Monday
18:00
BJJ
All Levels
Wednesday
18:00
BJJ
All Levels
Friday
17:00
BJJ Open Mat
All Levels
Saturday
09:00
Open Mat
All Levels
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions.
What's the difference between Gi and No-Gi BJJ?
Gi BJJ is trained in the traditional kimono, using grips on the fabric as part of the technique. No-Gi is trained in rashguards and shorts, which changes the grip game and speeds up scrambles. We teach both, so you build a complete game either way.
Do I need to be flexible or strong to start BJJ?
No. BJJ is built on leverage and technique, not size or strength — that's the whole point of the art. Flexibility and strength both improve naturally the longer you train, but neither is a prerequisite to start.
Is BJJ safe for complete beginners?
Yes. Beginners train fundamentals — positions, escapes and controlled partner drilling — before any live rolling, and every session is coached so newer students are paired and paced appropriately.
Is BJJ effective for self-defence?
Yes — it's one of the main reasons people take it up. BJJ is built around controlling and neutralising an opponent using leverage and technique rather than size or strength, which makes it one of the most practical martial arts for real self-defence.
Can I compete in BJJ if I want to?
Yes. Under Head Coach York Lawrence — a BJJ Black Belt awarded in 2023 by world champion Penny Thomas — students who want a competitive pathway are supported through grading and tournament preparation. Most members simply train for fitness and skill, and that's equally welcome.
How much does BJJ cost at Maddog?
BJJ membership is R900 per month for a single discipline, R1,600 for two disciplines or R2,000 for three, or R150 per drop-in class with no commitment. Your first class is free.
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Start Today
Your First Class
Is Free.
No experience needed. No gi required for your first class. Just show up, roll, and see why Maddog is Ballito's home for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.