HomeDelawareDover › Meia Guarda Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Dover

Meia Guarda Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Dover

4.7 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Dover, Delaware

BJJ gym Affiliated Kids & teens 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

  • Membership memberships run around $150/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule delawareselfdefenseacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 302-531-6147

Hours

Monday 6–8 pm
Tuesday 10 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6–8 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9–11:30 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 Meia Guarda Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Dover, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 12 mentions

“My children are in his class I am a 23yr Army Veteran a serious skeptic and I trust him to teach my children properly.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“Ronnie is a phenomenal competitor and a genuinely nice person.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 8 mentions

“Not only have they grown in their knowledge with self defense and confidence, but the discipline has carried into them being successful in school and sports programs.”

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 Meia Guarda Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Dover — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA

“If you are looking for great self defense, sport or MMA training then this is the place to go.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 5 mentions

“She enjoys learning the self defense moves, but most of all she has fun and is in a no judgment learning environment.”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“So glad we found this academy, our children love it here and are learning skills they will use for a lifetime.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 3 mentions

“The people that train there are wonderful and you will not find a Professor more dedicated to Gracie jiu-jitsu, his schools, and students.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 7 mentions

“Not only have they grown in their knowledge with self defense and confidence, but the discipline has carried into them being successful in school and sports programs.”

From the reviews

Delaware Combat Sports is led by one of the best Gracie Jiu Jitsu practitioners I have ever met and had the pleasure of training with. Ronnie is a phenomenal competitor and a genuinely nice person. If you are looking for great self defense, sport or MMA training then this is the place to go.

★★★★★ — Saad, Nov 2017

My whole family trains at DCS and we love it! It brings us great piece of mind that our daughters are learning self defense techniques. The people that train there are wonderful and you will not find a Professor more dedicated to Gracie jiu-jitsu, his schools, and students.

★★★★★ — Wendy, Apr 2017

Ronnie was taught by the real deal and he is the real deal!. My children are in his class I am a 23yr Army Veteran a serious skeptic and I trust him to teach my children properly..

★★★★★ — Ricardo, Jun 2017

I have two boys, ages 11 and 7, who are in year 3 of training. Ronnie is a great teacher and mentor who cares for his students. Classes are very well instructed and organized.

★★★★★ — Angel, May 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

Your first BJJ class at Meia Guarda Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Dover

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 Meia Guarda Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Dover

4134 B N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE19901

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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.