Home › Texas › Dripping Springs › Joao Crus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Joao Crus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.8 ★★★★★ 98 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Dripping Springs, Texas
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule joaocrusbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 512-644-4560
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 2–5 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am–12 pm |
The classes they run
“Coach Joao Cruz strikes the perfect balance—he’s strict but caring, and you can see that he and the other coaches genuinely love teaching the kids.”
“This means learning new moves each class and actually practicing those moves in a “roll” in each class and in tournaments.”
“Self defense is secondary to discipline, respect, and perseverance.”
What members say
“Joao Crus and staff have been nothing but welcoming to our family as we started our son with Jui jitsu this summer.”
“I am very grateful to Coach Joao, and the other wonderful coaches in the program who have helped us so far and are so caring and supportive of my son.”
“Joao crus and the coaching staff are caring individuals, who hold accountability for themselves and parents in honoring the value of learning AND applying techniques.”
“After about 3 months of being in the program, my son has already displayed more confidence in himself, shows more respect for authority and has really enjoyed the sport.”
“The studio is kept very clean and there is a clear system and behavior expectations that allow the children to participate in the cleanliness of their space.”
“People talk about martial arts for strength and discipline, and there is that for sure, but I was drawn to the studio because I found out the ins structures were trauma informed.”
From the reviews
I have signed my 8 year old daughter up for a co-ed class after doing a year of Ballet. Not sure what she learned in Ballet. Jiu-jitsu has been the best thing I've done for you. She has gained alot of confidence. I really recommend these classes for any child.
My son and I have been members of Joao Crus BJJ gym for two years. We started jiu jitsu for my son at age 6, with the intention to help him build discipline and focus skills, while staying physically active. After nearly a year in, I also started jiu jitsu in an effort to build connection with my son in the sport.
Joao Crus BJJ has been an absolute game changer for my kids. Coach Joao’s approach is firm, yet patient and encouraging. Self defense is secondary to discipline, respect, and perseverance.
The Joao Cruz Gracie BJJ studio showed up on my Instagram thread about a year ago. People talk about martial arts for strength and discipline, and there is that for sure, but I was drawn to the studio because I found out the ins structures were trauma informed. (Read Joao’s book and Body keeps the Score!
New to BJJ? Start at Joao Crus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Joao Crus Brazilian 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.
Your first BJJ class at Joao Crus Brazilian 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.
More BJJ gyms near Dripping Springs
Gracie Barra Dripping Springs
5 ★★★★★ 107 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Stoic Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 77 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
JJ Machado Austin Jiujitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 18 reviews