If you’re looking for high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction in the heart of Ocean Beach, San Diego, OB Jiu-Jitsu Collective is the place for you. We offer top-tier gi and no-gi classes taught by experienced instructors, including guest professors who bring diverse perspectives from around the world. Led by black belt Andres Cervantes, with over 14 years of experience under world-renowned coach Andre Galvao, our academy blends technical excellence with a strong emphasis on community and personal growth.

At OB Jiu-Jitsu Collective, we welcome practitioners of all skill levels. Whether you’re here to learn self-defense, improve your fitness, or take your Jiu-Jitsu to the next level, you’ll find a supportive, inclusive environment where your peers and instructors help you succeed every step of the way.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting and submission holds. Made famous by Royce Gracie in the early days of the UFC, BJJ emphasizes technique and leverage to control and submit opponents, regardless of size or strength. Submissions are achieved through joint locks or chokes, forcing an opponent to tap out or become incapacitated.

At OB Jiu-Jitsu Collective, we teach these techniques in a structured and supportive environment, helping students develop strong fundamentals and a deeper understanding of the art.

In Gi Jiu Jitsu members wear a two piece garment consisting of a jacket and loose fitting pants that are tied together by a belt. The color of the belt denotes the practitioner’s skill level. The techniques used in this style of jiu jitsu are largely centered around using the Gi as a tool. In the Gi, grabbing onto the Gi pants, using the lapels or tails, or using your belt are all viable options that practitioners take advantage of to gain a favorable position. Gi users will often complete movements, guard passes, or chokes by utilizing their own Gi or their opponents Gi. This differs greatly from some of the techniques used in No Gi jiu jitsu, where users wear tight clothing. Furthermore, Gi competitions have stricter rules than No Gi in that certain techniques, such as heel hooks are banned. 

NoGi Jiu Jitsu is characterized mainly by the absence of a Gi. Instead, members wear tight fitting rash guards and some form of athletic shorts or more often, grappling shorts. This prevents users from grabbing onto the clothing of their opponents and in turn, speeds up the pace of sparring and competitions. Heel hooks and twisting knee locks are allowed under most rulesets in No Gi Jiu Jitsu. As a result the lower half of the body is a much larger focal point for No Gi techniques and submissions. 

While the techniques and rulesets between Gi and No Gi can vary greatly, many who do jiu jitsu practice both in order to become more well rounded. For those that would like to learn the details of jiu jitsu as a whole, this is certainly recommended. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an incredible martial art for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, focusing on technique and strong fundamentals to control opponents of any size or strength. OB Jiu-Jitsu Collective in Ocean Beach, San Diego offers gi and no-gi classes for adults and kids, with instruction rooted in technical precision and real-world application.

Our classes provide a solid foundation in Jiu-Jitsu, helping students build confidence, expand their understanding of the art, and steadily improve their skills in a welcoming and supportive environment.

As a beginner, the most important thing is long term sustainability. While it is easy to tell yourself that you can commit to 2 hours a day, 6 days a week when you’re just starting out, it is much more difficult to make that a reality. Factors such as psychological and physical burnout play a large role in whether or not you continue with your training in the long term. For this reason, it is recommended that beginners start slower, to instill good training habits before they start to push their limits. Thus, a good schedule for a beginner would be roughly 1 class a day, 3-4 days a week, for the first 6-12 months.

This depends on what type of Jiu Jitsu you will be practicing. 

For Gi Jiu Jitsu, you will need to train in a Gi. Our uniform policy for Gi Jiu Jitsu is an any color Gi and any color rash guard or athletic shirt worn underneath the Gi jacket. 

For No Gi Jiu Jitsu, members are expected to wear a rash guard, and athletic/grappling shorts. 

The IBJJF recognizes the following belt ranks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

White Belt

The starting rank for all beginners in Jiu-Jitsu. There are no prerequisites for this belt.

Blue Belt

The second rank in Jiu-Jitsu. At this level, students build a broad technical foundation and gain extensive mat time to refine their skills. This is typically when practitioners begin to understand and implement a wide range of techniques.

Purple Belt

An intermediate rank in Jiu-Jitsu. Purple belts possess significant experience and knowledge of the sport. At this stage, many practitioners begin to assist in teaching lower-level classes.

Brown Belt

The final rank before black belt. Brown belts are highly skilled and often take on teaching roles within an academy.

Black Belt

The rank of expert in Jiu-Jitsu. Black belts are commonly referred to as professors or coaches. Beyond the black belt, practitioners can earn additional degrees based on their years of experience and contributions to the sport.

Black Belt Degrees
1st Degree Eligible after three years of proven activity as a black belt.

2nd Degree Eligible three years after the previous degree or six years as a black belt.

3rd Degree  Eligible three years after the previous degree or nine years as a black belt.

4th Degree Eligible five years after the previous degree or 14 years as a black belt.

5th Degree Eligible five years after the previous degree or 19 years as a black belt.

6th Degree Eligible five years after the previous degree or 24 years as a black belt.

7th Degree (Red and Black Belt) Eligible seven years after the previous degree or 31 years as a black belt.

8th Degree (Red and White Belt) Eligible seven years after the previous degree or 38 years as a black belt.

9th Degree (Red Belt) – Eligible ten years after the previous degree or 48 years as a black belt. This rank is reserved for those who have reached the pinnacle of the art.

10th Degree (Red Belt) – Reserved for the original pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Carlos, Oswaldo, George, Gastão, and Helio Gracie.