HomeSouth CarolinaRock Hill › TAP Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

TAP Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 123 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Rock Hill, South Carolina

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

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
  • Membership memberships run around $160/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
  • 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 tapbjjacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (803) 721-8040

Hours

Monday 11 AM–1:30 PM, 3:20–9 PM
Tuesday 3:20–9 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–1:30 PM, 3:20–9 PM
Thursday 3:20–9 PM
Friday 10 AM–6 PM
Saturday 12–6 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 TAP Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 28 mentions

“I traveled from London to train at Tap because I’m preparing to open my own Jiu-Jitsu academy back home, with a special focus on teaching kids.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Both the instructors have dedicated their life to jujitsu and have accomplishments in the highest BJJ tournaments in all belt levels.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been an amazing activity for my son to learn about discipline, respect, and self-defense.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Also You (adult beginners)would train with multiple time world champion couches(there is not many black belt couches train with white belts).”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 123 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Great instructors, great facilities, and very welcoming.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Also You (adult beginners)would train with multiple time world champion couches(there is not many black belt couches train with white belts).”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“But what truly stands out is the incredible dynamic of Thalys and TAP in teaching the kids while maintaining a calm, quiet, organized, and family-friendly environment.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“I’m leaving with new techniques, teaching strategies, and a fresh perspective on how to build a strong kids’ program in my own academy.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been an amazing activity for my son to learn about discipline, respect, and self-defense.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“Both the instructors have dedicated their life to jujitsu and have accomplishments in the highest BJJ tournaments in all belt levels.”

From the reviews

Awesome environment for kids and adults. World class Jiu Jitsu instruction from tremendous role models. What more could you ask for? Lots of classes available. Classes are structured very well. My kids and I love it here.

★★★★★ — Craig, Oct 2021

TAP is a top-notch Jiu-Jitsu academy led by distinguished professors who bring exceptional expertise and achievements to the mat. Their innovative teaching methodology ensures every student—from kids to adults—progresses effectively at their own pace.

★★★★★ — Gabriel, Mar 2025

My kids love this place! It is another avenue for them to stay active and interact with other kids. Thalys and Abbigayle are both extremely knowledgeable and patient in their instructions. I have seen big improvements in Jiu-Jitsu skill since starting here!

★★★★★ — Truexperience, Jul 2021

TAP is amazing, we would recommend anyone coming here if you are looking to get into BJJ. Both Pofessor Thalys and Coach Abbi know what they are doing and love teaching kids and it shows. The facility is top-notch and very clean. Great job, yall are the true Champions!!!

★★★★★ — Shaun, Nov 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 123 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at TAP Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

TAP Brazilian 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at TAP Brazilian 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 TAP Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

1539 Celanese Rd Ste 103, Rock Hill, SC29732

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near Rock Hill

Top Martial Arts Rock Hill (Rock Hill BJJ)

5 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

489 S Herlong Ave #6, Rock Hill, SC

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

3.9 miles away

3.9 miles away

Lucas Lepri Jiu Jitsu Academy Fort Mill

5 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

1852 SC-160 #105, Fort Mill, SC

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

4.3 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Rock Hill, SC →

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.