Welcome to
Smith Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
Smith BJJ Academy is one of Georgia’s premier martial arts academies in Mcdonough.
With 4000 sq ft dedicated space to train with the best mat, we offer programs for men, women and children specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Fitness and Self Defense. Whether you have experience or never been on the mat, you will find a family friendly, professional academy ready to help you achieve your Fitness and Martial Arts goals. We ensure that you and your family will have a safe and fun experience.
We invite you to come check us out and see all we have to offer. We look forward to meeting you.
Mission Statement: "To help people build a skill set, that will perfect self-defense while also giving them the confidence to live a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally".
-Phillip A. Smith, Ph.D.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
BJJ is a martial art whose central theme is to control a resisting opponent in ways that force him to submit. Due to the fact that control is generally easier on the ground than standing up, much of the technique of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is centered on taking an opponent down to the ground and wrestling for dominant control position. The ground techniques allow the jiu-jitsu practitioner to subdue the opponent, Controlling your opponent is key. This is done by utilizing superior leverage, grip and technique. Students of the sport gain a deep understanding of the workings and limits of the human body. The path to this knowledge is physically and mentally demanding. Students benefit from greatly increased physical fitness, problem-solving ability, self-knowledge of their body and mind and the many social benefits of working within a large group of like-minded fellow students as you learn and have fun together. The practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a sport, however, is strongly separated from MMA. Daily classes do not feature kicking or punching. The focus is on safe grappling technique that can be done on a daily basis with no more fear of injury than any other contact sport. They feature a strength and endurance building warm-up, followed by demonstration and practice of techniques after which students engage in live wrestling with other students of their own level. It is a truly demanding workout with a strongly cerebral aspect and a sense of purpose and skill that will truly capture your imagination. I am confident that jiu jitsu will become one of the most cherished and enjoyable aspects of your life. It will give you a confidence, knowledge and body-dexterity and fitness that few people will ever know.
-John Danahar, Ph.D. (Renzo Gracie Black belt).
Benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Walk into any academy and ask some of the students who have just started training Brazilian jiu jitsu and ask what benefits have they received in training? The fact that Brazilian jiu jitsu will change your body cannot be denied. You can physically see your body changing with every day or week. What you can’t see is the improvements in your overall health as a result of training. BJJ teaches you how to use your body as one unit. In our current society where most of the day is spent sitting, driving, or working at a computer, the body develops some strange and unnatural movement patterns. The body awareness that BJJ teaches you is priceless. With an increase in strength and mobility you will see improvements on the mat and in the weight room. Improvements in mobility show up during techniques and drills that at first were difficult to complete but now you are able to move better and your overall health will be better!