Name: Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu
Former Name: New Wave Jiu-Jitsu
Type: Elite Competition Academy
Founder & Head Coach: John Danaher
Founded: 2021 (as New Wave Jiu-Jitsu) • Rebranded to Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu in 2025
Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu is one of the world’s premier submission grappling academies, renowned for producing ADCC champions and some of the most technically accomplished no-gi competitors in history. Led by legendary coach John Danaher, the academy is built around a systems-based approach to grappling that emphasizes positional control, mechanical efficiency, and high-percentage submissions.
Originally established as New Wave Jiu-Jitsu following the breakup of the Danaher Death Squad, the academy rebranded as Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu while maintaining the same coaching philosophy and commitment to elite competition. Today, Kingsway is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most influential training environments.
History
Kingsway’s roots trace back to the legendary Danaher Death Squad (DDS), a group of athletes coached by John Danaher at the Renzo Gracie Academy. The DDS revolutionized modern no-gi grappling through its systematic approach to leg locks, back attacks, and positional control.
Following the group’s split in 2021, Danaher established New Wave Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas, alongside athletes including Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon. In 2025, the academy adopted the name Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, reflecting its continued evolution while preserving the technical identity that had made the team one of the most successful in professional grappling.
Training Philosophy
Kingsway’s coaching methodology centers on understanding grappling as a collection of interconnected systems rather than isolated techniques.
Core principles include:
- Positional hierarchy
- Mechanical efficiency
- Concept-based learning
- Systematic problem solving
- Submission through positional dominance
Every technique is taught within a broader strategic framework, allowing athletes to adapt effectively during live competition.
Signature Systems
Kingsway has become synonymous with some of the most influential technical systems in modern no-gi grappling.
Leg Lock System
The academy’s approach to Ashi Garami positions, heel hooks, and leg entanglements has helped redefine submission grappling over the past decade.
Back Attack System
Kingsway athletes are known for exceptional back control, emphasizing wedges, hand fighting, body triangles, and methodical rear naked choke finishes.
Guard Passing
The team employs a pressure-based passing style featuring:
- Body-lock passing
- Half guard passing
- Knee-cut variations
- Headquarters passing
- Cross-face pressure
Rather than rushing through positions, athletes focus on eliminating defensive options before advancing.
Pin Escapes
One of the academy’s defining strengths is its detailed approach to escaping dominant positions through frames, wedges, and incremental movement, allowing athletes to recover without unnecessary risk.
Notable Athletes
Kingsway has developed and coached many of the world’s top submission grapplers, including:
- Gordon Ryan
- Nicholas Meregali
- Giancarlo Bodoni
- Helena Crevar
- Placido Santos
Many visiting competitors also train at Kingsway, making it one of the most respected high-performance environments in the sport.
Coaching Philosophy
John Danaher’s influence extends throughout every aspect of the academy.
Training emphasizes:
- Technical precision over athleticism
- Positional sparring
- Structured drilling
- Analytical problem solving
- Continuous refinement of systems
This methodical approach has helped produce champions across multiple weight classes and competitive rulesets.
Legacy & Impact
Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu represents the latest chapter in one of the most influential coaching lineages in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From the rise of the Danaher Death Squad to the success of New Wave and now Kingsway, the academy has consistently shaped the evolution of modern no-gi grappling.
Its emphasis on systems-based learning, technical efficiency, and submission-focused competition has influenced coaches and athletes around the world. Many of today’s elite competitors have incorporated elements of the Kingsway methodology into their own games, particularly in leg locks, back attacks, and positional strategy.