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Black Flag Jiujitsu
5 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Rockford, Illinois
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 (ages 5–17) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- 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 blackflagjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 815-905-5557
Hours
| Monday | 8–9 am, 12–1 pm, 5–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 8–9 am, 12–1 pm, 5–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8 pm |
| Friday | 8–9 am, 5–8 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 1–3:30 pm |
The classes they run
“Sitting on the bench you feel a bit like the non cool kid watching all the cool guys have fun but that doesn't last long everyone is inviting and kind and always joyful.”
“I Highly recommended coming here if you’re interested in getting into Jiujitsu to either learn self defense or to compete.”
“Updated 6 month Review: Shortly after the open mat I decided to switch to coming the Black Flag full time.”
“I Highly recommended coming here if you’re interested in getting into Jiujitsu to either learn self defense or to compete.”
“Very welcoming to everyone even people who are beginners/new.”
Other martial arts here
“Just finished a workout with Black Flag BJJ and I stayed for the Judo session afterward.”
What members say
“Everyone was super welcoming and friendly and I hope to be back soon for more!”
“Black Flag JiuJitsu is the place to be if you’re looking to sharpen your blade, begin your grappling journey, and join an amazing family of skilled grapplers.”
“I Highly recommended coming here if you’re interested in getting into Jiujitsu to either learn self defense or to compete.”
“friendly laid back gym culture, safe clean space, good people, skilled competitive grapplers.”
“They are a competition focused and teach with the eco approach.”
From the reviews
Updated 6 month Review: Shortly after the open mat I decided to switch to coming the Black Flag full time. In the last 6 months I've see considerable growth in my game.
This is the best place to learn grappling in the rockford area. This gym goes above and beyond by bringing out some of the best talent in the business regularly to help it's students and the Rockford jiu-jitsu community in general get better. My daughter has gotten so much better since we started coming to blackflag.
Exceptional gym with a great environment. This gym is a great choice wether you’re a 285 pound man or 110 pound women, black flag has partners for you who are happy to help you learn and improve. Open mats are the busiest day of the week but also the best time to drop in and meet some new people.
I can't say enough amazing things about all the coaches at black flag. I'll admit it's a bit intimidating first coming in and not getting in the mats. Sitting on the bench you feel a bit like the non cool kid watching all the cool guys have fun but that doesn't last long everyone is inviting and kind and always joyful.
New to BJJ? Start at Black Flag Jiujitsu
Black Flag Jiujitsu 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 Black Flag Jiujitsu
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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