ABOUT US
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BJJ Coach Sheepdog LLC is an affiliate of Marcello C. Monteiro International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. Co-owned and operated by Grant Larsen and Conrad Reichert III, BJJ Coach Sheepdog offers public Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs for Kids and Adults.
Head Instructor and 1st Degree Black Belt Grant Larsen is assisted by IBJJF Purple Belt Conrad Reichert III to provide a high quality of training in Rushville, Indiana. Both Grant and Conrad are active law enforcement officers, and both hold defensive tactics instructor certifications from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
Our academy was originally created with a goal of providing extra training for law enforcement officers and first responders. This goal rapidly grew to include public classes for self-defense, competition, and overall self-improvement. With the assistance and support of fellow officers and students, we have grown from a few officers training privately to having a location for the public in southeastern Indiana.
Our mission is to continue growing the BJJ Coach family while bringing the multifaceted benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to our communities.
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PROGRAMS
Two Mat System
Kids and Fundamental classes run at the same time which allows for parents and kids to take advantage training together on separate mats while learning together. Classes follow similar curriculum in two different styles meeting the needs of both age groups.
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All Levels, No Gi, & Competition classes run on both mat systems for maximizing class size. The first half of class focuses on technical training and drill work. Second half of class transitions to live sparring. Front mat continues technical training while the back mat focuses on competition training meeting the needs of all ages, physical abilities, injuries, etc.
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Kids Jiu Jitsu (ages 8-12)
We make it our focus to help each child meet their expectations whether they desire to become a competitor, learn self-defense, improve self-confidence, make new friends, improve social skills, and/or just want to improve overall health. As a parent or legal guardian, you will have comfort in knowing that your child will receive proper instruction with a focus on respect, self-improvement, and character building.
BJJ Fundamentals (ages 13+)
Develop the foundations set in place in the white belt levels 1-3 curriculum. During this time, you will learn how to protect yourself, counter positions, and focus on the fundamental controls that prepare you for submissions and higher level techniques. This time frame is heavily focused on higher ranks (more experience) being paired with lower ranks (less experience). This provides our students with one-on-one attention, along with personal growth by aiding others in achieving their goals.
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Takedowns & Competition (13+)
Take your experience to the next level and challenge yourself to testing your knowledge. These classes are designed to prepare students for competitions, develop the strategies of the IBJJF point system, and promote cardio endurance. As competitions start from the standing position you will learn proper takedown defense and pulling guard set ups, transitioning into technical takedowns and throws.
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All Levels (ages 13+)
Now prepare for the white belt level 4 curriculum and above. You have now achieved the understanding and ability to not only control your own movements, but those of your opponents as well. This will help you to protect yourself and your training partner during live sparring and while preparing for competitions.
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No Gi (ages 13+)
Learn the transition of how Traditional Gi transitions to No Gi. In our No Gi class, you will learn how the concepts of control and position transfer to benefit into the growing popularity of No Gi Jiu Jitsu. This class will improve your overall game and prepare you for the Self Defense portion.
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WHY BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art highly focused on grappling techniques. BJJ is designed to utilize position, control, leverage, and submissions in order to enable a smaller weaker opponent to protect themselves from a larger stronger opponent. “Jiu Jitsu”, translated to “The Gentle Art,” allows for opponents to train with a fully resisting partner while minimizing the risk for injury. This provides an opportunity to build muscle memory and reflexes at real-time speeds that are often not available safely in striking arts.
The martial art is focused on protecting yourself by managing space and controlling your opponent with position, leverage, and body manipulation. Developing these skills teaches self-control, self-discipline, and de-escalation through verbal and physical communication.
Introduced to the world by Royce Gracie in the Ultimate Fighting Championship 1, he went on to show the effectiveness of jiu jitsu to the world and win the competition as the smallest opponent Gracie in the family. Since this time, the martial art has evolved into the two main branches of self-defense and sport.
Students start training in BJJ for many different reasons. Whether you want to get in better shape physically or mentally, learn self-defense, become a competitor, improve your skills in your career of law enforcement or military, or just join a positive family environment, BJJ is for everyone.
Our program follows the BJJ Coach International Association white to black belt curriculum designed by 5th Degree Black Belt Marcello C. Monteiro. Head Instructor and 1st Degree Black Belt, Grant C. Larsen designs the class structure at BJJ Coach Sheepdog. Students receive a high level of attention with the assistance of higher ranks who have met the qualifications required to assist in teaching.
When you join our facility, we will track your progress and evaluate every student individually. Our goal is to assist you in achieving your goals through our instruction, online tracking system, step by step curriculum, and by following the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) regulations to maintain your credentials. Our family continues to grow, and we hope you check out our “free trial” for a visit.
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU and LAW ENFORCEMENT
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Our mission is to bridge the gap between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve by providing a line of communication through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We want people to build relationships, experience improvements in mental and physical health, and increase their knowledge of physical tactics and self-defense.
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In February of 2018, BJJ Coach Sheepdog LLC was created with the goal of offering the benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to law enforcement officers in southeastern Indiana. Head Instructor Grant Larsen utilized his eight years of experience under 5th Degree Black Belt Marcello C. Monteiro to assist a group of proactive officers in developing a more efficient skill set that could be applied to their everyday lives.
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It was soon apparent that the techniques being taught were indeed a benefit to the officers involved. Within weeks, there were multiple reports from officers who had used their new skills to protect themselves and the public during physical altercations. The extra physical training also provided an improvement in the overall health of individual officers and began to build comradery between the different departments that were represented. As word started to spread about the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training being provided in the area, requests started coming in for public classes.
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In 2020 we became part of the Invictus LEO Collective, a group of law enforcement officers and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools that are focused on making BJJ a mandatory and consistent part of law enforcement training. Check out www.invictusleo.com for more information and access to the studies they have done on the benefits of BJJ for law enforcement.
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In 2021 we joined the Adopt A Cop BJJ movement. The aim of this movement is to get officers to train for FREE at least once per week. Adopt a Cop BJJ is a nonprofit, donation based program that allows active duty patrolling police officer's around the country to train at any Adopt a Cop BJJ affiliated academy and they will pay 100% of the officer’s membership until the officer reaches the rank of Blue belt. Blue belt is the second ranked belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and on average it takes between one and two years to achieve. For more information, or to get registered as an officer, go to www.adoptacopbjj.org .
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Head Instructor Grant Larsen was introduced to grappling in 2001 by joining the wrestling team at Columbia City High School. Wanting to continue grappling after graduation, he pursued freestyle wrestling for a brief time. Attending the University of Indianapolis starting in 2004, Grant eventually moved to Indianapolis in 2007.
In 2010 Grant started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under 5th Degree Black Belt Marcello C. Monteiro at his BJJ Coach International Association Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. ​Grant dedicated his free time to training and learning under Professor Monteiro. Competing from 2010 to 2013, Grant achieved gold at the International Pro Gear Tournament in 2011, silver at the Indiana Hoosier Open in 2011, and gold at the Kentucky Bluegrass Jiu-Jitsu Open in 2013.
In 2015, Grant relocated to Rush County, Indiana as an active law enforcement officer. Continuing his training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Marcello, Grant also provided his knowledge as a subject matter expert to his department for law enforcement defensive tactics training.
In February of 2018, Grant began training law enforcement and correctional officers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu privately under the name of Sheepdog BJJ Coach. In 2019, Grant became instructor certified by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, as well as a certified defensive tactics Instructor for his department.
While instructing law enforcement privately, Grant designed a law enforcement and correctional officer curriculum specifically focused on the application of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques within those fields. This curriculum was created and tested with the assistance of his students, among whom was soon to be co-owner Conrad Reichert III. Grant and Conrad both continue to dedicate themselves to making Brazilian Jiu Jitsu mandatory for law enforcement, and have joined the Invictus Law Enforcement Collective movement.
In December of 2020, Grant was promoted to Black Belt by Professor Marcello C. Monteiro. Grant then competed in the 2022 IBJJF Indianapolis International Open and placed 2nd in his division. In December of 2023, Grant received his 1st Degree Black Belt by Professor Marcello C. Monteiro as he continues to pursue his mission in spreading Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Conrad Reichert III began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in August 2017 in Bright, Indiana as well as with the Pathfinder Jiu Jitsu Team in Madison, Indiana. Conrad began training privately with Grant Larsen in Milroy, Indiana during the spring of 2018.
He achieved the rank of blue belt in August of 2019 and advanced to rank of Purple Belt in December of 2023 under Grant as part of the BJJ Coach International Association. Conrad started a career in law enforcement in 2012 and became an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy certified physical tactics and ground combatives instructor in 2017.
Conrad has assisted Grant in the instruction of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2019. Dedicating himself to learning and competing, Conrad placed 2nd in the FUJI BJJ Kentucky State Championship in December of 2019 and 2nd at the FUJI BJJ Ohio State Championship in 2020. BJJ Coach Sheepdog continues to grow with the hard work and dedication of Conrad’s passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Jaylen Halcomb Jeremy McGuire Tyler Baker Chase Marsden
Meet our Assistant Instructors who will help guide you along your journey. Each of our Assistant Instructors above have committed to our goal of promoting the benefits of Jiu Jitsu throughout the area. Assistant Instructors Jaylen Halcomb and Jeremy McGuire are focused on assisting with our Kids Programs. Assistant Instructors Tyler Baker and Chase Marsden focus on creating the core foundation during Adult Fundamentals Classes to prepare you for the All Level Classes. As Owners Grant Larsen and Conrad Reichert III both continue to pursue their careers in Law Enforcement, each of our Assistant Instructors play a crucial role in continued growth and availability of Jiu Jitsu in the Rushville area.
Rush County
Corrections and Law Enforcement
"The Rush County Sheriff Department asked Grant and Conrad of BJJ Sheepdog to bring part of their Law Enforcement curriculum to our officers at a recent training held at our new jail facility. Their training was found to be extremely beneficial and well received by all officers who attended the training. As a 13-year veteran officer, I have attended numerous physical tactics classes and oftentimes find it to be difficult to retain what is taught. Grant and Conrad of BJJ Sheepdog have come up with a curriculum that is simplified and allows officers to retain what they are taught during the training. I would highly recommend other agencies incorporate this into their yearly training. I believe that it is time that all agencies incorporate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) into their regular training and BJJ Sheepdog has a curriculum that provides a great foundation."
Detective Randy M. Meek
Rush County Sheriff Department
Physical Tactics Instructor
BJJ COACH SHEEPDOG LINEAGE
Head Instructor of BJJ Coach Sheepdog LLC Grant Larsen, has dedicated learning Brazilian Jiu Jitu from 5th Degree Black Belt Marcello C. Monteiro. Grant started training under Professor Marcello Monteiro in 2010 at his Indianapolis Headquarters.
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Marcello C. Monteiro is a black belt under the legendary Ricardo De La Riva. Monteiro traveled to America in 1998 to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the way he learned it from the old masters in Rio De Janeiro, and is currently continuing to grow and spread his knowledge all over the world.
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Professor Marcello Monteiro has "the world's foremost online training facility" through his Step by Step White Belt to Black Belt Curriculum. This Curriculum has been designed by Professor Marcello Monteiro himself to provide you with the best quality of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and stucture.
PART OF THE "BJJ COACH" TEAM
Marcello C. Monteiro International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association
BJJ Coach Sheepdog is more than just a small town Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. Being an Official BJJ COACH Affiliate, we are part of 5th Degree Black Belt Professor Marcello Monteiro's dream of spreading his knowledge of BJJ around the World. With joining our growing family, you will become part of this team and discover the benefits of his life work dedicating himself to spreading BJJ.
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Click the Link to Follow "BJJCOACH" World Team