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Art of Takedowns - Judo & Grappling Academy
5 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Escondido, California
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule artoftakedowns.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 760-896-1159
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 10:15–11:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10:15–11:30 am, 4–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–2:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My 5 year old and 7 year old absolutely love the classes here, sensei Johnny has a patient and firm manner with the kids and gives great instruction.”
“If you train at AOT, you’ll be lightyears ahead of 95% of competitors on the feet and ultra competent on the ground.”
Other martial arts here
“My son had a huge improvement in his attitude as well as while Judo is a physical activity it is also a mental one that requires fortitude and it showed in his day to day life.”
“He’s an elite judoka, but has devoted his life to studying and training the main grappling arts together-judo, wrestling, and bjj.”
What members say
“I was very apprehensive to do any kind of martial arts especially something as physical as judo, But he was very patient and gave me great instructions.”
“The community of adults and children at the school is welcoming and friendly, making it a great place to learn and grow in the sport of Judo.”
“also great with kids and teens.”
“If you train at AOT, you’ll be lightyears ahead of 95% of competitors on the feet and ultra competent on the ground.”
From the reviews
Been looking for a real Judo in the area and finally found it. Great Instructor and reasonably pricing.
I joined the AOT with my 9 y.o. son about a year ago and it has been a fantastic experience so far. Johnny Guerrero, the coach, is truly amazing. He is incredibly patient and has a gift for working with kids. Johnny teaches the authentic Japanese style of Judo and his passion for the sport is contagious.
Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero is a genuinely rare and special talent in grappling. He’s an elite judoka, but has devoted his life to studying and training the main grappling arts together-judo, wrestling, and bjj. What he’s doing in blending the different arts together is brilliant.
I've been going here for about 7 months now. Sensei Johnny is truly top notch and takes the time to develop you as a Judoka and an athlete. The people who practice here are all extremely friendly and supportive. Always a pleasure to attend class!
New to BJJ? Start at Art of Takedowns - Judo & Grappling Academy
Art of Takedowns - Judo & Grappling Academy 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.
Your first BJJ class at Art of Takedowns - Judo & Grappling Academy
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.
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