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Alliance Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 104 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Leland, North Carolina

Part of Alliance

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule alliancejjwilmington.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (910) 249-4505

Hours

Monday 5:15–6:15 AM, 5:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 5–8:30 PM
Wednesday 5:15–6:15 AM, 5:30–8:30 PM
Thursday 5–8:30 PM
Friday 5:15–6:15 AM, 5:30–8:30 PM
Saturday 9–11 AM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Alliance Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 16 mentions

“The class size is perfect, the coaches are amazing, and Professor Johnny is not only extremely knowledgeable but he is also great with the kids and makes class enjoyable.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“perfect for sharpening up before a tournament.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“Came for an open mat on Friday evening and found some absolute great rollers and a clean gym.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“He’s not only learning self-defense, but also building confidence, discipline, and respect.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Alliance Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“Not to mention all of the other martial arts experts he brings in to give you a well rounded game(muay thai, judo).”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🤼 Judo

“Not to mention all of the other martial arts experts he brings in to give you a well rounded game(muay thai, judo).”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 104 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“The class size is perfect, the coaches are amazing, and Professor Johnny is not only extremely knowledgeable but he is also great with the kids and makes class enjoyable.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“Just did my first class, I am very impressed with this place, coaching was great and the group of people training there were skilled and easy to work in with as a new guy.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 26 mentions

“There are also many other styles of grappling and martial arts at shield, welcoming all types of fighters.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“The coaches are highly skilled, with years of experience, and they break down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand, no matter your skill level or age.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“The coaching staff is very professional and work wonderful with the kids, my daughter loves them.”

active competition team 5 mentions

“I dropped in at shield Bjj for the weekend to get some training in before an upcoming competition, and it was a great experience.”

From the reviews

Training at Shield BJJ has been nothing short of amazing. Johnny is such a skilled and passionate professor, offering detailed guidance that helps you grow technically and mentally. There are also many other styles of grappling and martial arts at shield, welcoming all types of fighters.

★★★★★ — Yoel, Feb 2025

Went to the beach for vacation and decided to visit a BJJ gym while I was down here. It was the first gym to actually answer the phone and talk to me. Once I arrived I saw the kids class having lots of fun! Professor Johnny was extremely welcoming and nice.

★★★★★ — Thomas, Apr 2025

Great people and great training!! If you’re looking to improve and become the best athlete and person you can be then this is the place to be. Johnny the professor is amazing. Also, all the higher belts are very patient and are willing to help with your every need on and off mat.

★★★★★ — Bryan, Feb 2025

My 8 year old son Eddie did a drop-in class while we were visiting family from out of town. Coach Johny and the other coaches were very kind, patient, and knowledgeable. All the kids who train there were very friendly and welcoming to Eddie. He enjoyed it a lot and asks about when we will go back.

★★★★★ — Kalani, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 104 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Alliance Jiu Jitsu

Alliance Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Alliance Jiu Jitsu

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Alliance Jiu Jitsu

141 S Navassa Rd, Leland, NC28451

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.