About Tampa
Jiu-Jitsu
The purest form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, taught by a black belt who learned it from the source — and learned how to teach it from the Gracie family itself. One student at a time.
Who We Are
The way we
teach is the
difference
Tampa Jiu-Jitsu specializes in the best, purest form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our Team Balance Basics program is the most effective way to learn Jiu-Jitsu self-defense — a curriculum designed so anyone can follow it, regardless of size, age, or fitness level.
Our certified instructors are trained to serve and coach in an organized, patient, and supportive manner. You'll learn through clear, step-by-step instruction at your own pace, with hands-on one-on-one attention — and get in shape while you do it.
More than anything, we're a family. Students here know each other's names, look out for each other on the mat, and stay long after they've earned the belt they came for. Whatever brought you in — self-defense, fitness, confidence, competition — we build your training around it.
The Instructor
Ryan Deichert
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Ryan Deichert has studied Jiu-Jitsu since 1993. He began training in Philadelphia at the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu association in America — an early East Coast home for authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction. A few years into his training, Ryan won the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tournament held on the East Coast.
He moved to Los Angeles to train with UFC legend Royce Gracie at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. There he trained daily alongside the Gracie family, competed successfully, and pursued his goal of becoming one of the first Americans to earn a black belt in the art.
Six years learning not just how to fight — but how to teach.
Ryan was accepted into the Gracie teacher training program under Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, Rorion Gracie, and Royce Gracie, spending six years learning how to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He also trained with other respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA champions throughout the Los Angeles area.
Ryan developed his teaching system after years of studying with some of the highest level Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the country. He moved to Tampa in 2003 and opened Tampa Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 to share that system and to expand the Team Balance International fight team into Florida. In October 2008 he earned his black belt under Relson Gracie black belt Phil Migliarese — whose standard required black-belt-level ability in self-defense, sport Jiu-Jitsu, character, and teaching. Ryan lives in Tampa and serves as Head Instructor of Tampa Jiu-Jitsu, where he still teaches on the mats himself — he knows his students by name and works with each one personally to build a path toward their own goals.
1993 · East Coast
Champion at
the first bell
Just a few years after stepping onto the mat, Ryan won the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tournament ever held on the East Coast — an early sign of the technical discipline that still defines his teaching today.
See our Team Balance roots
The Journey
From Philadelphia
to the Tampa mats
Begins training
Starts Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the first Gracie association in America, in Philadelphia — and wins the first East Coast Gracie tournament.
Trains with Royce Gracie
Moves to LA to train at the Gracie Academy in Torrance under Royce Gracie, and competes successfully.
Gracie teacher training
Accepted into the instructor program under Hélio, Rorion, and Royce Gracie — six years learning how to teach the art.
Moves to Tampa
Relocates to Florida, bringing the authentic teaching system he learned with him.
Opens Tampa Jiu-Jitsu
Founds the academy to share Grandmaster Hélio Gracie's system and expand Team Balance into Florida.
Earns his black belt
Awarded his black belt in October under Relson Gracie black belt Phil Migliarese.
The Curriculum
What you'll learn
Jiu-Jitsu at Tampa Jiu-Jitsu covers the full art — from fundamental self-defense to advanced competition — introduced at the pace that fits you, with hands-on coaching every step of the way.
On The Mats
Training at
Tampa Jiu-Jitsu
Kids and adults · one academy
“Everybody at Tampa Jiu-Jitsu is great. Ryan and the other instructors are so knowledgeable and patient to the point that whether you’re experienced or a complete beginner, you will find value in every class you attend. The atmosphere of the gym is great, very welcoming to everyone who steps through the doors. Highly recommended. 10/10”
Ready when you are
Train with Ryan Deichert
Your first class is free. Come meet the team, tell us what you want out of training, and see how authentic Jiu-Jitsu is meant to be taught.