Frequently asked questions

Book a free one-day trial, select a class, and complete the online waiver. New to jiu jitsu? Choose Foundations or contact us for help selecting your first session.

Yes. Ground Game Theory offers a free one-day trial for local Miami-area residents. No credit card or commitment is required. Out-of-town visitors can purchase a day pass instead.

No. Complete beginners, returning students, recreational grapplers, and experienced competitors are welcome. You do not need to learn techniques or understand jiu jitsu terminology before attending your first class.

Yes. You do not need to reach a particular fitness level before starting. Coaches adjust the training to your experience, and you can sit out a round whenever you need a break.

Foundations is our recommended starting point for adults who are new to jiu jitsu or returning after a break. Beginners are also welcome in all-levels sessions. Check the class schedule before booking.

You meet the coach and take part in guided partner activities with specific goals and rules. Rather than memorizing a long sequence, you work on manageable grappling problems, with the difficulty adjusted to your experience.

Your first class includes live training against a resisting partner, not an expectation to perform in a full-intensity match. The coach sets appropriate goals and rules, and you can pause or sit out.

Wear a rashguard or close-fitting athletic shirt with shorts that have no pockets or zippers. Bring water and sandals or other footwear for use off the mats. You do not need a gi or gym-branded clothing.

Arrive a few minutes before class to meet the coach and get oriented. Everyone must complete a waiver before training; trial students complete it during online booking.

Ground Game Theory teaches no-gi jiu jitsu exclusively, for both adults and kids. No-gi is grappling practiced in athletic clothing rather than a traditional gi uniform. We do not offer gi classes.

We use a constraints-led approach: coaches design live games with clear goals and rules so students learn by solving problems against a resisting partner. Coaching helps you recognize opportunities and adapt, rather than simply reproduce a memorized sequence. Beginners receive guidance; they are not left to figure everything out alone.

Our co-founders and head instructors are jiu jitsu black belts Carlmichael Leiva and Keanoush Amirizadeh. The coaching team also includes instructors for Foundations, kids jiu jitsu, and MMA. Visit Meet the Team for individual backgrounds and coaching roles.

Yes. Our no-gi program includes takedowns alongside pins, reversals, escapes, and submissions. Training develops the ability to control an opponent both standing and on the ground, rather than treating jiu jitsu as ground-only practice.

Yes. No-gi training is available seven days a week, with coached classes during the week and community open mats on weekends. Morning, lunchtime, and evening options vary by day; the schedule shows each session.

Adult classes last 60 minutes, with approximately 40 minutes devoted to live training. Most classes also have an optional 30-minute open mat afterward. Weekend community open mats have their own scheduled durations.

A manageable starting point is two or three classes per week, provided that fits your recovery and schedule. This is a suggestion, not an attendance requirement. Choose a routine you can sustain before adding more sessions.

Yes. Experienced students can attend all-levels training, Advanced classes, and open mats. Advanced classes are listed for students with at least 1.5 years of experience. Speak with a coach about the sessions best suited to your background and goals.

No. Recreational students are welcome alongside competitors. You can train to develop skill, stay active, or enjoy the sport without entering tournaments.

Yes. Private lessons are available for beginners and experienced students, usually lasting 60–90 minutes. Sessions focus on your goals, and a training partner can join when arranged with the instructor. Visit our private lessons page for details; rates and availability vary by coach.

Ground Game Theory offers kids no-gi jiu jitsu for ages 4–12, with separate groups for ages 4–6 and 7–12. For a teenager, contact us before booking so we can discuss an appropriate class.

Yes. Children do not need previous martial arts experience. Our coaching emphasizes positive reinforcement and interactive games. Let us know before the first class about any concerns or support your child may need.

Children practice grappling while developing coordination, focus, cooperation, and sportsmanship. Classes use live games with clear objectives, giving kids opportunities to solve problems, work with partners, and build confidence through participation.

Classes are organized by age group and led by coaches in a structured, supportive environment. However, jiu jitsu involves physical contact, and injuries remain possible. Discuss any concerns with the coach before your child participates.

Yes. Local Miami-area children can start with a free one-day trial. Choose the appropriate age group when booking so your child joins the right session.

A fitted athletic shirt or rashguard and shorts without pockets or zippers are suitable. Kids classes are no-gi, so no traditional uniform is needed. Bring water and footwear for walking off the mats.

Ages 4–6 train on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 30 minutes. Ages 7–12 train on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for 45 minutes. Check the live schedule for start times and any changes.

Yes. Parents are welcome to watch the first session from the side of the mat and see how the coaching and partner activities work.

The standard adult membership costs $200 every four weeks, not per calendar month. Four-week billing means 13 billing periods over 52 weeks. Kids memberships are priced separately; select Kids on the pricing page to view those options.

Adult memberships include unlimited access to the adult no-gi jiu jitsu and MMA programs, subject to the experience level of each class. You do not need a separate MMA membership.

Yes. Adult options include $1,209 billed every six months or $2,288 billed annually. These offer lower overall rates than paying every four weeks. Compare the full charges and billing intervals on the pricing page.

Yes. Families enrolling more than one child receive 15% off the second child’s membership. Contact us if you are enrolling multiple children and we’ll help you set up the appropriate memberships.

The four-week membership has no long-term lock-in, and there is no sign-up fee. Longer billing terms are optional. Read the terms of your selected plan before purchasing, particularly its renewal and refund provisions.

Yes. You can freeze or cancel your membership through your Gymdesk account. Contact us for help making a change, and confirm the effective date before your next payment. Pausing or cancelling does not create a refund for previous purchases.

Our published policy is that memberships, classes, and other purchased services are non-refundable. Review the terms and conditions before purchasing. The free trial lets eligible local residents try training before choosing a membership.

Use the Ground Game Theory members app or web member portal to manage account details, update payment information, book sessions, and check into class. Visit the members app page for access, or contact us for billing assistance.

MMA classes run Friday at 6 PM and Sunday at 12 PM. Sessions are 60 minutes long. Check the schedule before attending in case of a holiday or other change.

Yes. Our MMA program welcomes adults and teens without previous martial arts experience. You do not need to be a competitive fighter; classes are also intended for people interested in fitness, self-defense, or learning a new skill.

MMA combines striking with wrestling and submission grappling. Our sessions use live drills and controlled sparring to practice connecting those skills. No-gi jiu jitsu focuses on grappling without punches and kicks. Review our MMA program before booking.

Yes. A $30 day pass covers classes scheduled that day. Purchase a pass online and check the experience requirements for your chosen session. The free one-day trial is reserved for local residents; weekend community open mats are a separate, free option.

Yes. Ground Game Theory hosts free no-gi community open mats on Saturdays and Sundays. They are self-directed training sessions rather than coached classes. See the open mat page and schedule before visiting.

Yes. Visitors from other academies are welcome at our weekend open mats. Introduce yourself to the coach, ask before starting a round, and agree on an appropriate intensity with your partner.

We recommend Foundations for your first session because it provides structured coaching. At open mat, participants choose their own partners and training activities. Starting in class gives you guidance before moving into more independent practice.

Jiu jitsu is a contact sport, and injuries can occur. Coaching, controlled training, and respect for partners are important precautions, but they do not eliminate risk. Raise concerns with the coach before participating.

Our rules prohibit slamming, spiking, flying submissions, jumping guard during sparring, and flying scissor takedowns. Joint locks must be controlled, not cranked. Tap early and prioritize your partner over winning a training round.

Train in clean clothing, keep fingernails and toenails short, and wear footwear whenever you leave the mats. Shower promptly after training and wash your training clothes after each use. Do not share towels or other personal items.

The mats at Ground Game Theory are vacuumed and thoroughly mopped three times every day. Keeping the training area clean is a priority, and students are also expected to wear clean training clothes, keep their nails trimmed, wear footwear off the mats, and stay home if they have a contagious illness or suspected skin infection.

Stay off the mats with a suspected contagious illness or skin infection, including ringworm or staph. Tell your coach and seek medical assessment for a possible infection. Follow healthcare guidance on returning to contact training; covering a suspicious spot is not a substitute for assessment.

A properly fitted mouthguard is recommended for contact training to help protect your teeth and mouth. Ask your dentist about fit, especially with braces, and check with your coach about equipment requirements for your session.

Tell your coach and training partners about relevant limitations before training. Ask your treating healthcare professional whether contact training is appropriate and what restrictions apply. Do not treat a modified activity or a coach’s advice as medical clearance.

Ground Game Theory is at 9766 SW 24th St, Unit 12, Miami, FL 33165, on Coral Way near SW 97th Avenue in the Westchester / University Park area. We are approximately five minutes from FIU, depending on traffic. The gym is upstairs, through the first door on the right.

Yes. On-site parking is available. Allow a few extra minutes on your first visit to find the entrance and meet your coach.

Call or text (305) 209-4932, email info@groundgametheory.com, or use our contact form. For your first visit, book a free one-day trial so we know which session you plan to attend.