--- title: "When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?" url: https://gbthousandoaks.com/when-does-the-competition-team-hold-its-specific-training-sessions-at-gracie-barra-jiu-jitsu-thousand-oaks-california/ author: graciebarrajiujitsuthousandoaks date: 2026-05-11T09:20:06-08:00 categories: [When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?] tags: [When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?] --- # When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California? # ***When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?*** If you have been spending enough time on the mats at our academy on Rancho Conejo Boulevard, you eventually start to feel that itch to see how your skills hold up when the intensity gets cranked to the maximum. Our competition team sessions are not just another class on the schedule; they are the heart of the school where the brotherhood and sisterhood push each other into the red zone. These specific sessions are usually carved out during the week, often late in the evenings or on Saturday mornings, specifically to give our athletes the space to sharpen their timing, their gas tanks, and their mental toughness without the usual structure of a fundamentals class. [![When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/add2-21-300x163.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** In my opinion, joining the competition team training is less about winning a plastic medal and more about discovering what you are actually made of when you are exhausted. We tend to hold these sessions at times that allow for longer rounds and a much higher pace of live drilling. Because our community in Thousand Oaks is so active in the regional tournament scene, these classes are the place where the elite technical details come out. You will see purple, brown, and black belts working with the more ambitious blue belts to troubleshoot specific positions. It is a persuasive level of focus that you just don’t get during a standard technical hour. I have always believed that you don’t necessarily have to have a tournament on your calendar to benefit from these sessions, but you do need to have the right mindset. The competition team training is where we leave the small talk at the door and get to work. We usually structure these around the major IBJJF or local tournament cycles, so the volume and intensity will ramp up as we get closer to a big event. If you are a white belt who has already completed a good chunk of the GB1 curriculum and you are looking to take that next leap in your development, I highly suggest talking to the professors about when you can start joining the “comp class” rotation. One of the best things about the Thousand Oaks team is that even though the training is incredibly hard, the culture of safety and mutual respect never wavers. We are trying to sharpen each other, not break each other. You will find that the people who push you the hardest during these sessions are the same ones who will be screaming their lungs out for you from the sidelines when you finally step onto the tournament mats. It is a unique kind of bond that is forged through those extra rounds of sparring when the air in the room is thick and everyone is digging deep to find their second wind. If you are ready to find out what your [**jiu jitsu**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/belt-promotions/) looks like under real pressure, you need to find out the current week’s specific comp team hours. It is easily the most transformative training we offer at the academy. You will walk out of those sessions feeling like you can handle anything the world throws at you, because you’ve already survived the toughest hour of your week with your teammates. Check the board in the hallway or just ask anyone wearing a heavily patched gi; they will tell you that the comp team is where the real magic happens. Gracie Barra [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/jiu-jitsu-nationals-gbto-result/) Thousand Oaks | 1011 Ranc Conejo Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States 📞 (805) 721-6776 Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks represents a unique intersection in the martial arts world: it is a local, family-oriented academy that operates with the facility standards and championship pedigree of a professional athletic training center. Located inside the renowned Sports Academy (formerly Mamba Sports Academy) in Newbury Park, it offers a distinct “University of [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/jiu-jitsu-nationals-gbto-result/)” experience led by one of the most successful active competitors in the sport’s history. - World-Class Leadership The primary draw for students—from hobbyists to professional fighters—is the caliber of instruction. Professor Gabriel Arges: The academy is owned and led by Gabriel Arges, a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion. In the BJJ world, this is the equivalent of learning basketball from a current NBA All-Star. His leadership ensures that students learn modern, battle-tested techniques rather than outdated methods. The Romulo Barral Lineage: Arges is a black belt under the legendary Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra Northridge). This connection integrates the academy into a powerhouse regional network, granting students access to elite seminars and high-level training partners from across Southern California. - A Professional Athlete Facility Unlike many BJJ schools located in small industrial warehouses, Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks benefits from being housed within a major athletic complex. The “Pro” Environment: Located at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, the academy is part of a 96,000 sq. ft. facility. It features professional-grade lighting, expansive mat space, and an atmosphere of high-performance athletics. Hospital-Grade Hygiene: Leveraging the standards of the Sports Academy, the mats are kept to a clinical level of cleanliness (“Red Shield” standard), drastically reducing the risk of skin infections common in lesser-regulated gyms. Amenities: Students have access to premium changing rooms, showers, and a pro shop, catering to the “Executive” crowd who need to head straight to work after morning training. - Adult Programs: Structure Meets Intensity The curriculum is designed to accommodate two distinct groups: the working professional who cannot afford to get injured, and the young athlete chasing gold medals. GB1 Fundamentals: This is the safe on-ramp for beginners. There is no live sparring in these classes. The focus is on self-defense mechanics, safe falling techniques (breakfalls), and core positional drills. This structure makes BJJ accessible to doctors, executives, and parents in the Conejo Valley. GB2 & GB3 (Advanced): Once students earn 3 stripes on their white belt, they unlock advanced classes. Here, the focus shifts to the “Arges Style”—dynamic guard play, modern leg locks (like the “Kneebarge”), and the strategic “Physical Chess” required for competition. Competition Team: Under Arges’s guidance, the competition team is one of the most successful in the region. Intense “comp classes” attract practitioners from Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Camarillo looking to test their limits. - The “Future Champions” Youth Program The youth program is a cornerstone of the academy, divided by age to ensure developmental appropriateness. Anti-Bullying Philosophy: The curriculum teaches children to neutralize bullies without violence. They learn to control an aggressor using leverage and pins (“negotiation from the top”) rather than striking, protecting them from both physical harm and school suspension. Age-Specific [**Classes**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/classes/): Little Champions (Ages 3–6): Focuses on motor coordination, listening skills, and “animal movements” to build body awareness. Juniors (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical grappling, partner drills, and the concept of leverage. Teens (Ages 10–15): A critical program for adolescents that combines self-defense with the athleticism of sport BJJ, helping teens navigate social pressure and build a [**health**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/health-and-bjj-after40/)y, disciplined peer group. - Culture and Atmosphere Despite the elite pedigree of its instructors, the culture is famously “no-ego.” The “Red Shield” Etiquette: The academy strictly follows traditional martial arts etiquette—bowing onto the mats, addressing instructors as “Professor” or “Coach,” and respecting training partners. Mentorship: Higher belts (“Big Brothers/Sisters”) are expected to guide and protect lower belts. It is common to see a World Champion competitor helping a Day-One white belt tie their belt. Family-Centric: The schedule often aligns adult and kids’ classes, allowing parents to train simultaneously with their children. Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks offers a premium martial arts experience where “World Class” is a reality, not just a slogan. Whether you are a parent seeking confidence for your child or an adult wanting to learn from a living legend, the academy provides a safe, clean, and highly professional environment to start your journey. Would you like me to find the current class schedule for a specific age group, or would you like directions to the Sports Academy facility? https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/ Gracie Barra [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/jiu-jitsu-nationals-gbto-result/) & Martial Arts Academy Thousand Oaks CA 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States Phone Number: +1 805-721-6776 Office Hours Mon. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Tue. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Wed. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Thu. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Fri. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Sat. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm Sun. Closed [![When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/When-does-the-competition-team-hold-its-specific-training-sessions-at-Gracie-Barra-Jiu-Jitsu-Thousand-Oaks-California02-300x122.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** [![When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/add1-21-300x169.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** - [Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/) ### Route Your location: No route could be calculated. ### Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA 1011 Rancho Conejo Boulevard Thousand Oaks, California 91320 United States (US)Phone: [+1 805-721-6776](tel:+18057216776) Secondary phone: [+1 805-721-6776](tel:+18057216776) # ***When does the competition team hold its specific training sessions at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?***