Choosing a martial arts school is about more than finding the closest gym. The coaching style, class structure, safety standards, student culture, and type of training can make a significant difference—especially for beginners and young children.

Oakley families have several martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu options, including traditional gi-based programs, no-gi schools, and academies that combine multiple martial arts. The right choice depends on what you or your child needs.

At Big Break Jiu-Jitsu, our focus is creating a safe, structured introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where students can build real skills, confidence, discipline, and resilience.

What Makes Big Break Jiu-Jitsu Different?

A Private Introduction for Every Child

Children ages four and older begin with a private, one-on-one introductory lesson before entering a group class.

This gives our instructor an opportunity to:

• Introduce basic movements and safety expectations

• Evaluate the child’s comfort level and ability to follow directions

• Answer the parent’s questions

• Help the child feel familiar with the instructor and academy

• Make the transition into a group class less intimidating

We do not believe a young child’s first experience with Jiu-Jitsu should be getting placed into an unfamiliar class without preparation.

Classes Divided by Age and Development

A four-year-old and a ten-year-old have very different physical, emotional, and instructional needs. That is why Big Break offers separate programs for Little Grapplers, children, and teens and adults.

Our youngest students work on coordination, balance, listening skills, safe movement, and confidence through age-appropriate instruction. Older children begin developing more detailed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, teamwork, self-control, and problem-solving.

Experienced, Local Black-Belt Instruction

Big Break Jiu-Jitsu is owned and operated by Oakley residents David and Samantha Dean.

Head instructor David Dean is a third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who began training in 2004. Samantha Dean is a first-degree black belt, an international competitor, and Oakley’s only female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black-belt instructor.

Students receive instruction from experienced coaches who are personally involved in the academy and the Oakley community.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Is Our Specialty

Some martial arts academies offer several different disciplines. Others specialize primarily in no-gi grappling.

Big Break is centered on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Students learn positional control, escapes, submissions, takedowns, safe falling, and live application of techniques in a structured setting.

Competition is available for students who want it, but it is never the only reason to train. Many of our members practice Jiu-Jitsu for confidence, fitness, self-defense, stress relief, friendship, or personal growth.

A Structured, Safety-Conscious Environment

Jiu-Jitsu includes close physical contact and live resistance, making safety standards and student behavior especially important.

We set clear expectations regarding hygiene, respectful training, listening to instructors, choosing safe partners, and protecting smaller or less-experienced students. We do not accept unrestricted drop-ins because we need to understand a participant’s experience level before allowing them to train with our members.

Transparent Membership Options

Our class schedule, membership prices, registration fee, and enrollment options are available on our website. We want families to understand the commitment before making a decision.

All memberships include unlimited access to the classes appropriate for the student’s age and program.

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Oakley families can choose from traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies, no-gi grappling programs, and martial arts schools that teach several different disciplines.

Rather than choosing based only on distance or an introductory offer, we encourage families to compare:

• The instructor’s experience and level of involvement

• Whether classes are divided by age and developmental needs

• How beginners are introduced to the program

• Safety, hygiene, and student-conduct expectations

• Whether the academy specializes in Jiu-Jitsu or divides its schedule among several martial arts

• Gi, no-gi, recreational, and competition-training opportunities

• Membership terms and pricing transparency

• The overall culture of the academy

 

The Big Break Approach

At Big Break Jiu-Jitsu, students receive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction from experienced black-belt coaches in a locally owned, family-centered academy.

Our youngest students begin with a private introduction before entering a group class. Classes are separated by age, safety expectations are clearly enforced, and students are taught to be respectful and responsible training partners.

Competition is available for students who want it, but it is not required. We welcome students training for confidence, fitness, self-defense, technical development, friendship, or competition.

Our schedule, membership options, and enrollment information are published online so families can understand the program before making a decision.

No academy is the right fit for every student. We encourage you to visit, meet the instructors, observe the environment, and choose the school where you or your child will feel safe, supported, and excited to continue training.

No single academy will be the perfect fit for every person. We encourage prospective students to consider the training style, instructor experience, safety practices, class atmosphere, schedule, and how comfortable they feel inside the academy.

Who Is Big Break Best For?

Big Break may be an especially good fit for:

• Parents who want their child personally introduced before entering a group class

• Children who benefit from clear expectations and structured instruction

• Complete beginners who feel nervous about starting Jiu-Jitsu

• Families looking for experienced male and female black-belt instructors

• Adults interested in fitness, self-defense, technical development, or competition

• Students who want Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to be the primary focus of their training

• Oakley, Brentwood, Antioch, and Discovery Bay families seeking a locally owned academy

Visit Big Break Jiu-Jitsu

The best way to compare martial arts schools is to experience the environment personally.

We invite you to meet our instructors, ask questions, and see whether Big Break feels like the right fit for you or your child.

Big Break Jiu-Jitsu
5351 Neroly Road, Suite C
Oakley, California 94561
(925) 398-3201

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