Tactical BJJ Instructor Certification &
Affiliate Program
Bring Authentic, Structured BJJ into Your School
As part of the Tactical Mixed Martial Arts Association (TMMA) ecosystem: Tactical BJJ is a lineage-based, high-standard affiliation pathway for both traditional BJJ academies and martial arts schools adding BJJ for the first time.
For decades, one of the biggest challenges faced by martial arts school owners has been integrating authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into their programs.
Many schools don’t have access to qualified BJJ instructors in their area.
Others hesitate to join a competitor school or start again as a beginner, despite already being highly experienced martial artists with black belts in other systems.
Some students start their BJJ journey with a different organisation, but later find that their progress becomes limited or they encounter challenges along the way.
Tactical BJJ™ was created to solve exactly these problems.
Our mission is simple: make high-quality, self-defence-focused Jiu-Jitsu accessible to every school and every community, without politics, without gatekeeping, and without compromising the integrity of the art.
Through the Tactical BJJ Instructor Certification Program (ICP) and our flagship Affiliate School Program - Tactical BJJ Foundations™, dedicated practitioners can now develop legitimate BJJ skills, teach a proven curriculum, and eventually qualify to operate a fully Certified Tactical BJJ™ Branch.
Why Tactical BJJ Exists
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most effective martial arts on the planet, but it traditionally suffers from three major problems:
1. Lack of Structure
Many BJJ schools still teach techniques randomly, with no planned curriculum. Students don’t know what to learn, how to progress, or what is required for promotion.
2. Politics and Ego
Cross-training is often discouraged. Experienced martial artists from other styles are treated like beginners, creating unnecessary tension and preventing growth.
3. Limited Access
In many regions, there simply aren’t enough qualified instructors to run legitimate BJJ programs.
Tactical BJJ fixes all three problems.
We’ve created a clear, detailed, step-by-step curriculum and framework from White Belt to Black Belt... and a pathway for instructors to learn, train, teach, and grow in a supportive, structured environment that emphasises:
Real-world self-defence
Cooperative learning
Progressive curriculum design
Zero politics
High teaching and safety standards
Options to compete for those who wish to enter into sport BJJ
Whether you’re a school owner, an instructor, or an independent martial artist, Tactical BJJ gives you a pathway to add BJJ to your life or school... ethically, effectively, and professionally.
It all starts with Tactical BJJ Foundations™.
Two Pathways to Bring Tactical BJJ
to Your Community
There are two levels of recognition for instructors and school owners:
Pathway 1. Tactical BJJ Affiliate School
Perfect for martial arts schools wanting to add BJJ immediately.
Affiliate Schools are existing dojos or academies that wish to integrate Tactical BJJ training into their classes while the head instructor is still building their BJJ rank through the online training system and in-person events, training and evaluations.
The Tactical BJJ Affiliate program is built upon The Tactical BJJ Foundations™ Curriculum. This is a comprehensive blueprint of over 40+ battle-tested high-percentage Jiu Jitsu techniques.
To become an Affiliate School, the Head instructor must:
Hold a credible senior rank in a recognised martial art (Black belt preferred, but equivalent experience considered)
Complete the Tactical BJJ Foundations™ Curriculum (or demonstrate equivalent competency through our assessment process)
Achieve a minimum Tactical BJJ Blue Belt (or recognised prior learning - subject to TMMA verification)
Deliver the curriculum using professional judgement in accordance with minimum safety expectations
Affiliates promote students under TBJJ’s certification verification system and are expected to comply with safety, conduct, and policy frameworks as outlined during onboarding.
*Equivalent competency may be recognised for instructors with verifiable Blue Belt or higher rank from another BJJ organisation, or students who have been certified in Tactical MMA.
Note: Tactical BJJ is a subsystem within Tactical MMA's ecosystem of professional curriculums.
Affiliates Receive:
Access to Tactical BJJ Foundations™ (video & written)
Access to the intermediate and advanced Tactical BJJ curriculum (video & written)
Instructor training modules
Access to Affiliate Online Community
Monthly coaching and support
Discounts for live in-person workshops and gradings
TBJJ issues certification verification that authorises delivery of the curriculum under the TBJJ system.
Use of Tactical BJJ Affiliate branding
Who This Is Best For
Martial arts schools wanting to start teaching Jiu Jitsu safely and legitimately
Academies adding BJJ for the first time (including those with striking, traditional arts, or MMA programs)
Instructors seeking a structured, ego-free pathway
Schools wanting to grow revenue and student retention through a validated BJJ pathway
Experienced practitioners seeking a professional teaching framework
Pathway 2. Fully Certified Tactical BJJ Branch
For instructors who want to operate an Official Tactical BJJ Academy.
A Certified Tactical BJJ Branch is an independently operated academy with TMMA verification to deliver the full Tactical BJJ curriculum and progression, with verified rank pathways and affiliation branding.
Requirements to Become a Certified Branch:
Minimum Tactical BJJ Purple Belt (Brown Belt preferred)
Completion of the full Tactical BJJ Instructor Certification Program
Demonstrated curriculum delivery competency
Compliance with safety & conduct standards
Facility meets minimum mat, safety, and space requirements
Who This Is Best For
Instructors wanting to operate a full BJJ academy with Tactical BJJ branding
High-level martial artists committed to long-term ranking and teaching standards
Schools positioned to become regional leaders in Tactical BJJ
Instructors who have also completed Tactical MMA* Instructor Certification
Branch designation is independent, with TBJJ providing verification and licencing rights. Daily operations remain the affiliate’s responsibility.
*Tactical BJJ is a sub-system of Tactical MMA International. If you would like to operate an official Tactical MMA Academy Click Here.
What Makes the Tactical BJJ ICP Different
Unlike traditional BJJ instructor pathways which often rely on politics, club loyalty, or subjective impressions, the Tactical BJJ Instructor Certification Program ( ICP ) focuses on:
1. Technique Preservation
Ensuring every instructor teaches the curriculum accurately, safely, and with the correct emphasis on the foundation of real-world application.
2. Teaching Method Mastery
You'll learn:
How to break techniques into slices
How to teach beginners safely
How to run cooperative technical classes
How to introduce resistance progressively
How to structure student development
Deep insight into Budo and Bujutsu (The 7 Elements Method)
3. Character, Leadership & Integrity
Instructors represent more than a system; they represent our values:
Humility
Discipline
Service
Professionalism
Personal Freedom
4. Clear, Measurable Standards
You progress because you meet the standards, not because of politics or popularity.
5. Support at Every Step
From online learning to live evaluations, deep subject matter coaching, and ongoing development, you’re never left figuring things out alone.
Why Instructors Love This Program
No need to join a competitor academy
No need to “start from scratch” if you already have black belt experience
Follow a clear structured pathway to legitimate BJJ ranking
A ready-made curriculum that students can follow
A powerful new revenue streams for your school
A supportive, progressive community
Profound insight into Martial Arts and the cultivation of Mind Body & Spirit
The possibility to evolve from Affiliate → Certified Branch
Options to evolve from Tactical BJJ → to Tactical MMA Certified Branch
Affiliates benefit from structured policy support and minimum expected standards that help build safe, responsible, and reputable schools
Affiliate Expectations:
What We Ask of Your Academy
As part of the TMMA / Tactical BJJ affiliate community, affiliates agree to:
Comply with TMMA’s Policy Framework (safety, conduct, safeguarding, weather training standards, social media, harassment/discrimination, etc.)
Maintain appropriate insurance for your jurisdiction
Operate independently and responsibly
Use Tactical MMA/Tactical BJJ branding only in accordance with guidelines
Acknowledge and renew your affiliation annually
Ready to Add Tactical BJJ to Your School?
👉 Start with Tactical BJJ Foundations™ — your first step into TMMA affiliation.
From there we’ll guide you through:
Foundations™ competency
Instructor grading and certification
Affiliate status
Optional Certified Branch recognition
Tactical BJJ Foundations™
Online Instructor Certification Training Program
40+ Essential Techniques
Tactical BJJ Foundations™ is our beginner-friendly program designed to give students a safe, structured, and effective introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Tactical BJJ Foundations™ curriculum covers ten core skill categories:
10 Core Skill Categories
Warm ups for combat sports
Awareness & Basic Self Defence
Positional Controls
Positional Specific Escapes
Passing The Guard
Straight Arm Bars
Rotational Shoulder Locks
Strangulations and Choke Holds
Sweeps and Reversals
High Percentage Takedowns
Progress is simple: for each stripe, students demonstrate a minimum one new technique from each category, building up to a minimum of 40+ essential techniques by the time the White Belt Foundations curriculum is complete.
Every module focuses on developing technique, broken down into easy, cooperative drills, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for beginners.
After completing the Tactical BJJ Foundations™ program, students of Affiliates can test to earn their Tactical BJJ Blue Belt and can advance into the Intermediate and Advanced Tactical BJJ programs.