The strength of the wolf is in the pack.
The strength of the pack is in the wolf.

Welcome to Okami Jiu Jitsu

Okami Jiu Jitsu is a traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu club, but we’re more than that – we’re a pack, united by a shared commitment to bringing out the best in each other. We welcome wolves of all ages in South and West Yorkshire, training in dojos across Rotherham and Leeds.

Build strength, fitness and stamina.

Develop a positive mental attitude.

Learn discipline, patience and focus.

Grow in confidence, resilience and self-belief.

Make new friends and gain valuable life skills.

Take part in tournaments and fun events.

A place to train, grow and belong

Ōkami is the Japanese word for wolf – a symbol of loyalty, strength and unity. That spirit guides everything we do.

At Okami Jiu Jitsu, we believe the most important part of martial arts training is enjoying the journey. In classes centred on purpose, respect and positivity, our students learn techniques that develop both body and mind – skills that carry onto the mat, at competition level, and in everyday life.

Our junior classes are designed to build confidence, concentration and practical skills in a fun, supportive environment. It’s a great way for children to learn a new hobby, stay active and make new friends. For teenagers and adults, training focuses on self-defence, wellbeing and mastering the art of traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu.

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At the dojo, we use Japanese terminology where appropriate, and follow a rolling syllabus with gradings at the end of each block. Training includes striking, throwing, joint locking and ground control, as well as traditional Japanese weapons (kobudo). Adult students also learn pressure points, chokes and strangles as part of their progression.

Who you’ll train with

Okami Jiu Jitsu is a proud member of the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association (BMAMA), a national governing body for martial arts coaching, and we regularly participate in courses, competitions and training within the organisation.

At our Rotherham dojo, our head coach is Sensei Mike Priestley. In Leeds, our head coach is Sensei Tony Jamieson. Both are DBS-checked, First Aid trained and formally qualified coaches – and they are always happy to welcome new members.

We also maintain strong links with the Northern Martial Arts Association and its head coach, Sensei Steve Ainscough (8th Dan), whose guidance supports our students in continuing to improve their jiu-jitsu and experience different styles of the art.

Join our pack and be a better you

At Okami Jiu Jitsu, the strength of the wolf is in the pack, and the strength of the pack is in the wolf. This philosophy reflects the way we train – supporting one another to grow in confidence and proficiency – and our commitment, as a not-for-profit club built on strong values and high-quality coaching, to making jiu-jitsu accessible to all in our community.

Best jiu-jitsu academy
Emma Welsh profile picture
Emma Welsh
7 years ago
A fantastic, inclusive club with brilliant instructors. Each training session is different and fun, and always friendly.
My son has learned new skills that he's used in competitions for the club, as well as increasing his self confidence.
I highly recommend EMJJA Okami.
Jason Plant profile picture
Jason Plant
7 years ago
A fantastic and friendly club the instructors are very welcoming. There is a lot of support and encouragement by the instructors and other parents. There are a lot of children which are different ages and all the students are brilliant because no matter what age they all help each other out.
Naomi Plant profile picture
Naomi Plant
7 years ago
An absolutely brilliant club. If you are looking for a club then i would highly recommend this one. Our children attend 2 clubs a week. They have different days and venues available throughout the week. The instructor's are great and really inspire confidence and help build good self esteem. The club also offers lots of opportunities to enter local and national tournaments.
Sare Beecroft profile picture
Sare Beecroft
7 years ago
I cannot recommend this club enough. My son joined a couple of years ago and the level of well being this has provided him with is phenomenal. Discipline and fitness are only the start of it. The club has a real family feel to it with tremendous support both within and from the parents involvement too. My daughter has recently joined too, for them to have a mutual interest is somewhat rare so that speaks volumes for the way everyone is tailored to as an individual whilst also having a strong team bond.
Jenna Glossop profile picture
Jenna Glossop
7 years ago
Great friendly club for beginners and more experienced people. Very welcoming for children and adults. Professional and experienced instructors.
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Upcoming training sessions

Frequently asked questions

A jiu-jitsu dojo, also known as a jiu-jitsu gym, is a traditional training space for martial arts. It’s where students learn techniques that develop body and mind under the guidance of qualified instructors, building self-defence skills, discipline and physical fitness for use on the mat, at competition level, and in everyday life.

Jujutsu, jiu-jitsu and jujitsu are different spellings of the same Japanese martial art (柔術), which focuses on throws, joint locks and grappling techniques. “Jujutsu” is the modern way of writing the Japanese word in English, while “jiu-jitsu” and “jujitsu” are older Western spellings that are still widely used today.

Bushido is the traditional Japanese code of conduct associated with the samurai. In martial arts training, it usually refers to values such as respect, discipline, integrity and self-control that guide the way students train and treat one another.

Both are Japanese sword arts. Kenjutsu refers to classical samurai sword techniques, while kendo is a modern martial art based on sword training using protective equipment and bamboo swords.

If you’re looking for Japanese jiu-jitsu in South or West Yorkshire, Okami Jiu Jitsu runs classes at our Rotherham and Leeds dojos. We offer junior and adult sessions designed to support both physical and psychological personal development, alongside practical skills in self-defence, in a welcoming, supportive club environment focused on traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu.

The best jiu-jitsu academy is one that aligns with your goals and values. Okami Jiu Jitsu is a traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu club built on strong values, high-quality coaching and a commitment to keeping jiu-jitsu accessible to our community. We’re more than a club – we’re a pack, united in our shared purpose to bring out the best in each other.