GZ Culture

Ground Zero CBD:

Established in 1999 Ground Zero is the biggest BJJ academy in Melbourne CBD.  We specialise in authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and have branches in Point Cook, Mooroolbark, Brunswick and Adelaide. Regardless of where you train the academy will be friendly, clean and professional with the highest standard of instruction available.

With over 150 dedicated Jiu Jitsu students in the City Academy alone there are always plenty of people your grade to train with and to ensure quality tuition we have a variety of class times for you to choose from.  If you are wanting to chat to any of our students feel free to join the Ground Zero Facebook Group.

Our Ideal Student:

Our ideal student is one who is primarily looking for real world self defence in a supportive, motivating environment. You don't need to be fit to start, athletic or strong. It's our job to motivate you to accomplishing your goals; whatever they may be. If you have specific needs you can utilise private lessons to discuss your goals. Our trainers wil provide you with qualified advice and direction.

"We were all beginners once. We are all on the same ladder. I know who is above me on it and those who are below but we are all climbing. As long as you train intelligently you will always move up"  Rob Williams

 Are all BJJ schools alike?

Just as in football where each team has their own unique way of playing so it is also in Jiu Jitsu. Some academies specialise in playing from the guard (on their back) which may have advantage in competitions yet be limited for application in self defence. Others are keenly self defence orientated yet lack technique focus specific to sports competitions.

At Ground Zero we pride ourselves on producing students who are confident and effective in the competition arena or if need be in the street. To be good at throwing, fighting from top and bottom positions equally and striving to become complete. Sure, sometimes it takes a little longer to grade as our standards are high but our students know they can wear their belt anywhere in the world and feel confident.

BJJ Positions

Basically there are three 'tiers' of positions in BJJ.

Top Tier (most dominant)

• Mount
• Side Mount
• Back Mount and
• Half Guard Back Mount

Middle Tier (past the belt but on the outside of the opponent)

• Top Control
• Side Control and
• Knee Ride.

Bottom Tier (least dominant but still able to attack and sweep from)

• Half Guard
• Closed Guard and
• other variations of Guard.

Strategically you want to move up the tiers and prevent your opponent from controlling you in dominant positions. Learning to escape the Top Tier positions is very important. Often it is not a magical reversal of position but even just moving so your opponent controls you with  a lesser dominant position is smart and allows you to intelligently make your way back into the fight.

Conversely, once in a dominant position your focus should be in maintaining it and not moving backwards and allowing the other person to make their way back into the fight.
  

Belts and Grades

Blue Belt - The first major grade and the focus is on movement, escapes and basic submissions. The premise is ' If you can escape everything you can't be beaten' and to have one escape and submission from each of the basic positions (Mount, Guard, Half Guard, Back Mount and Top Control) and two throws. As well as being able to do the basic submissions you also have to be able to escape them and regain control of the fight.

Purple Belt - Purple Belt is about developing your Guard to a high degree, with combinations in all positions whether in attack or defense being the norm. It's really when you start to feel the efficiency of the art as you start to create traps for your opponent. Taking the favourite technique you used on the way to Blue Belt you now add a complementary technique creating pairs of techniques you can use to confuse and disorient your opponent and hide your true intentions.

Brown Belt - If Purple Belt is about developing favourite combinations then Brown is about forgetting them and 'have no favourite technique'. You will have many different options and will strategically and tactically examine your opponent looking for weaknesses and will choose the most appropriate technique (even if it's not your favourite) as it is the easiest to apply for the given situation at hand. For Purple developing your Guard for a strong defence was important, now for Brown the challenge is to take that knowledge and use it against the Guard fighter as you focus on your Guard Passing.

Black Belt - While it may sound silly Black Belt really is just mastering the basics. You will have good escaping from gaining your Blue Belt, good combinations and defense with Purple Belt and strong Guard Passing and technique selection from your Brown belt and then Black Belt is about TIMING.

Choosing the right technique is difficult but it may be impossible to execute if done at the wrong time and that is what Black Belt is about. Listening (to your opponents breathing), watching (for signs of their intentions) and feeling (weight distribution and force) for the right time to do it. Granted ten years is a long time to train consistently but the rewards are worth it. It is one the greatest challenges of the Martial Arts World and if you want it you too can tie one around your waist.