Authored by Coach Baiana
As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) coach with 13 years of experience and a rugby player for the past 2 years, I’ve experienced first-hand how naturally these two sports complement one another. While the rules and objectives differ, both demand body awareness, balance, timing, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Above all, they reinforce one important lesson: technique beats strength.
Recently, we welcomed NTU Women’s Rugby and Wolves Rugby to Flowartes for a three-day cross-training workshop. The sessions were carefully curated to develop transferable grappling skills that could be applied to rugby contact situations. Through breakfalls, pummelling, penetration steps, and single- and double-leg takedowns, players learnt how to move efficiently, tackle with confidence, brace safely for impact, and land more safely.
From my own experience, BJJ has made me a more confident rugby player. It has helped with my tackling, timing, body positioning, and ability to stay composed during contact. These are skills that extend far beyond the mats and benefit athletes across many sports.
At Flowartes, we believe that cross-training develops more complete athletes. Whether it’s BJJ for contact skills or Capoeira for agility, coordination, balance, and flexibility, stepping outside your primary sport can unlock new ways to move, learn, and perform.
If you’re an individual looking to broaden your skills or a team searching for a unique pre-season training experience, we invite you to experience how cross-training can elevate your performance—on the mats, on the pitch, and beyond.
