Since day one in Ghent
Our mission is to build athletes
- 01 Norfolk, VA 222 W 21st St, in Ghent
- 02 No-Gi & Gi One membership opens both
- 03 Every Level Beginner to competitor
- 04 First Class Free Book it online in a minute
01The academy
One standard, and everybody is held to it
Most academies quietly pick a side: the hobby room or the competitor room. CPJJ runs one room at the competitor’s standard — the same curriculum and the same coaching for everybody, with partners matched to your experience rather than thrown at you.
Every body is unique. Your journey is unique to you, and you alone.
The CPJJ approach
Where to scooch to
222 W 21st St, Norfolk, VA 23517 — in the Jimmy John Plaza on 21st Street, across the street from Five Guys.
What we specialize in
Modern no-gi submission grappling, wrestling and self-defense sit at the center of the academy. Gi training runs alongside it because grips on clothing are how jiu jitsu actually shows up in the real world — people wear clothes.
One membership opens both. You are never choosing between the two.
How we coach
Class starts with technique instead of a traditional warm-up, so the hour goes into jiu jitsu rather than filler. The curriculum is set and tested — designed, in Clayton’s words, to make sure you cannot be bad at jiu jitsu.
Sparring is coached, not thrown at you. New athletes get partnered with people who know how to bring them along, so the pace climbs as fast as you can absorb it.
Who trains here
Kids, teens and adults, across every experience level. A family-friendly academy that supports youth growth, motivates teens, and gives adults and kids a place to push each other to become their best.
- Serious competitors chasing national mats
- Returning grapplers and wrestlers
- Teens training alongside older athletes
- Adults starting from zero
- Kids ages 6 and up, every personality
- Visiting athletes dropping in
Rooted in Norfolk
CPJJ is dedicated to strengthening the Norfolk community by creating meaningful partnerships, hosting local events and encouraging positive connections. Students come from Ghent, Downtown Norfolk, Larchmont, Ocean View, Colonial Place and East Beach.
02What is different
Four things you will notice in the first week
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01
The technique starts immediately
No traditional warm-up eating the first fifteen minutes. You are learning inside the first few minutes of class.
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02
The material is current
Clayton is constantly studying and implementing the most modern ways to win. The techniques on the board are the ones working right now.
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03
Competition sets the standard
Clayton travels the country with his athletes to compete at local, regional, national and international level. You are never forced onto a bracket, but that is the bar the whole room trains against.
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04
It is about the jiu jitsu
No gimmicks bolted on the side. As the academy puts it: people love this place because it is just about the jiu jitsu, and nothing else.
03Coaching staff
Coach bios are coming soon
Rather than pad this page with claims, here is exactly what we can tell you today: the academy is led by Clayton Phillips, the curriculum is his, and he takes his athletes to compete across the country and internationally — because he is genuinely driven to make each of them the best version of themselves.
Full coaching biographies are being written and will land on this page. In the meantime, the fastest way to judge the coaching is to stand on the mat during a free class and watch it happen.
Want to know who will coach your first class?
Call the academy on (757) 651-3004 and ask. Someone will tell you straight.
04Find us
Scooch on over to Ghent
We are on 21st Street in the Jimmy John Plaza, directly across from Five Guys — walkable from Ghent and a short drive from Downtown Norfolk. Drive, walk, or scooch.
The address
222 W 21st St
Norfolk, VA 23517
In the Jimmy John Plaza on 21st Street, directly across the street from Five Guys.
Across from Five Guys
- The landmark Jimmy John Plaza on 21st Street. Five Guys is directly across the road — if you can see it, you are one scooch away.
- Call ahead Ring (757) 651-3004 and tell a coach your experience level. They will point you at the right class on the right day.
- Your first class Free for new students. Book online and a coach will be ready to meet you at the door when you arrive.
Serving
- Ghent
- Downtown Norfolk
- Larchmont
- Ocean View
- Colonial Place
- East Beach
Your first class is free
Come and stand in the room before you decide
One free class at the standard the room actually trains at. Book online and we will have a coach ready for you.
$0First class
