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Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 111 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Southlake, Texas

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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 (ages 4–14) — 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
  • 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 sampsonjiujitsuacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (817) 320-8513

Hours

Monday 12–1 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM
Tuesday 4–8:30 PM
Wednesday 12–1 PM, 4:30–8:30 PM
Thursday 4–8:30 PM
Friday 12–1 PM
Saturday 10 AM–1 PM
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 Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 25 mentions

“They create a positive and supportive environment where young kids can learn discipline, confidence, and respect while having fun.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

💪 Women's BJJ

“As a woman, I was looking for a contact sport to feel safer and for health and fitness, but I had my reservations, as many of us do.”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

“Jason did disagree with the ref and passionately voiced his concerns trying to protect one of his kids, but then took it up with the head ref and tournament organizer.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“My boyfriend brought me to Sampson’s with the simple idea of teaching me self defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners

“I love how they coach all levels of experience with Excellence and Enthusiasm.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

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

🏟️ MMA

“I previously owned a MMA gym and when we had issues with the reliability of our head instructor the Jiu Jitsu community stepped up to help.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🤸 Wrestling 3 mentions

“Wrestling was my sport and I have tried my youngest in wrestling the last 3 seasons and he pretty much refused to do anything.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 111 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“It is a combination of great coaches, especially Jason, coach to student ratio, and their class setup.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Susan, Neal, Skyler, and Professor Sampson have all been super helpful and welcoming each time I've seen them and really create a great environment to be around.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 13 mentions

“Susan, Neal, Skyler, and Professor Sampson have all been super helpful and welcoming each time I've seen them and really create a great environment to be around.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“With a passion for teaching and seeing his pupils grow, he really goes in depth with technique making sure everyone is getting quality top notch lessons.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My son is almost 7 now, and he loves Jiu Jitsu in no small part because of Jason Sampson and the other coaches here.”

active competition team 6 mentions

“Jason did disagree with the ref and passionately voiced his concerns trying to protect one of his kids, but then took it up with the head ref and tournament organizer.”

From the reviews

I previously owned a MMA gym and when we had issues with the reliability of our head instructor the Jiu Jitsu community stepped up to help. Jason Sampson was one of those guys. When we sold our gym I told Jason that if he ever opened a gym that we would be there. He did and we came.

★★★★★ — John, Jun 2019

Ever since May this gym has been my second home. My boyfriend brought me to Sampson’s with the simple idea of teaching me self defense. Little did I know, 5 months later I would be winning my first ever gold medal in my first Jiu jitsu tournament. Jason is the most passionate coach you will ever find.

★★★★★ — Becky, Nov 2017

My four-year-old son has been attending Jiu-Jitsu classes at Sampson Jiu Jitsu, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience! Professor Neal and Coach Aaron are incredibly patient, caring, and knowledgeable.

★★★★★ — Kelsey, Jan 2025

Our 4 YO is full of energy and we didn’t want him to learn to fight (I.e. martial arts) so someone recommended us Jiu Jitsu and we found Sampson academy near us. We couldn’t be happier, our kid enjoys, has fun, is able to express himself in an ambiance of respect and kindness.

★★★★★ — Melissa, Feb 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 111 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy

Sampson Jiu Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Sampson Jiu Jitsu 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.

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 Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy

280 Commerce St Ste 175, Southlake, TX76092

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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.