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Longwood's BJJ Program for the newbie and the 35-plus crowd!
The Longwood Jiu-Jitsu Club (LJJC) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program based inside Elite Krav Maga's Longwood, FL training facility. We offer BJJ classes for adults 18 and older — with a specific focus on creating a safe, welcoming environment for beginners, recreational practitioners, and anyone over 35
who wants to train without the ego or injury risk of a high-intensity competition gym.
If you've been searching for jiu-jitsu classes near Longwood, Orlando, Lake Mary, or Altamonte Springs, LJJC offers a genuinely different experience: intelligent, technique-focused grappling training in a community that prioritizes your long-term development over short-term wins.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most effective self-defense arts in the world. It teaches you how to control, submit, and escape opponents regardless of size — using leverage and technique rather than brute strength. At LJJC, we teach BJJ the way it was meant to be learned: methodically, safely, and with an emphasis on understanding over memorization.
Our classes are not structured around competition or sparring dominance. Live rolling (sparring) at LJJC is conducted with a 'control, not conquer' mindset. You will be challenged, but you will never feel unsafe. This is the jiu-jitsu program for the rest of us — and that's something we're proud of.
Our Instructors
Mark Tagami — Purple Belt, Head Fundamentals Instructor
Mark began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in 2020 and has been leading fundamentals classes since 2022.
As a self-described jiu-jitsu hobbyist, Mark brings a practitioner's perspective to his teaching: he understands what it's like to be new, to be sore, and to feel overwhelmed — and he structures every class to meet students where they are.
Mark's focus on thoughtful, intentional movement makes him an ideal instructor for beginners and recreational grapplers training in the Longwood area.
Samantha "Sammy" Rider — Black Belt, Lead Instructor
Sammy has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2008 and holds a black belt — one of the highest certifications in the sport.
With nearly two decades on the mat, Sammy brings both technical depth and a genuine passion for developing new practitioners.
Sammy's teaching philosophy centers on building comfort, fostering personal growth, and making jiu-jitsu accessible for everyone regardless of background or athletic ability.