Since 2024

Forged on the Northside

Train with world-class competitors at Asheville's premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy. From your first day on the mats to your first medal — the path runs through here.

Asheville · North Carolina (828) 279-3404

Begin the Saga

Three steps onto the mat

No experience required. No ego at the door. Just a path forward — the same one every Northside athlete has walked before you.

Reach Out

Call, text, or fill the form. We'll answer the same day and set up your free trial — no pressure, no contract.

First Class

Show up, borrow a rashguard if you need one, and learn the basics in a welcoming, beginner-friendly class.

Find Your Path

Fundamentals, competition, kids, women's — your coach helps you choose the program that matches your goals.

The Programs

Four paths.
One academy.

From your child's first roll to your next IBJJF medal — every program is built on the same fundamentals, taught by the same competition-tested instructors.

Beginner Welcome

Adult Fundamentals

A structured curriculum that teaches the language of jiu-jitsu from day one. Positions, escapes, submissions — the foundation every Northside athlete stands on.

Begin

Ages 5–12

Kids Program

Confidence, discipline, and character — built through movement, games, and age-appropriate technique. The skills they learn here outlast the mat.

Enroll

Invite + Open Mat

Competition Team

For athletes ready to test themselves on the biggest stages. Coached by an IBJJF-ranked Black Belt with a decade of high-level competition.

Compete

All Levels

Open Mat

Drill with training partners, sharpen what you're working on, and roll with the wider Northside crew. Where techniques become instincts.

Roll

The Schedule

Step on the mat

Six days a week. Morning, midday, evening. Adult Gi, No-Gi, Kids, Competition Class, and Open Mat. Show up — the first one is on us.

Claim Your Free Trial
Time Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
6:00 AM Adult Gi Adult No-Gi Adult Gi Adult No-Gi Adult Gi
10:00 AM Competition Class
11:00 AM Open Mat
12:00 PM Adult Gi Adult No-Gi Adult Gi Adult No-Gi Adult Gi
5:00 PM Kids Kids Kids Kids Kids
6:00 PM Adult Gi Adult No-Gi Adult Gi Adult No-Gi Adult Gi

The Coaches

Taught by competitors

Lineage matters. Every coach on these mats has put their game on the line at the highest levels — and brings that experience back to every white belt who walks in.

Black Belt · Owner Paddy Dodd, Head Instructor

Paddy Dodd

Head Instructor & Owner

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Master Shaun Dillon, training since 2011. Paddy relocated to Asheville in 2014 and opened Northside in December 2024 with a simple mission: build the academy he always wished he'd trained at.

Known for a creative, effective, and engaging teaching style — one that meets brand-new white belts and seasoned competitors with equal care.

  • 5th — IBJJF Heavyweight Brown Belt (World Ranking)
  • Black Belt under Master Shaun Dillon
  • 13+ years on the mats
  • Active IBJJF competitor
Purple Belt · Kids Lead Caleb "Peanut" Hansley, Assistant Instructor

Caleb "Peanut" Hansley

Assistant Instructor

Peanut is a purple belt with a sharp, methodical, and creative mind for the game. Caleb leads the kids' program — patient, disciplined, and beloved by the youngest grapplers in the room.

If your kid trains at Northside, there's a good chance Coach Peanut is the reason they keep showing up.

  • Methodical, disciplined teaching style
  • Lead instructor — Kids Program
  • 3+ years of dedicated training
  • Trusted by Northside families
Purple Belt · Assistant Reed Powell, Assistant Instructor

Reed Powell

Assistant Instructor

Reed is a purple belt known for his explosive game. He has a deep wealth of knowledge and is a staple in the adult class, helping students adjust the fine details and mechanics of the game.

If you're working on a position and can't find the leak, Reed is the coach who'll find it for you.

  • 5+ years of dedicated training
  • Assists across adult fundamentals
  • Active competitor
  • Open mat regular

Before you step on

Questions, answered

None at all. Most of our students walk in with zero martial arts background. Our Adult Fundamentals class is built specifically for day-one beginners, and you'll be greeted, paired up, and taken care of from the moment you walk in.

For your free trial, athletic shorts and a t-shirt or rashguard are perfect — anything you'd wear to a workout. We have loaner gear if you need it. Once you're enrolled, we'll get you set up with a gi.

Yes — when taught properly, BJJ is one of the safest martial arts a kid can train. Our kids program (ages 5–12) emphasizes control, partnership, and respect. Coach Peanut runs it personally, and parents are always welcome to watch.

We keep pricing simple and honest, with family rates and package options. The best way to talk pricing is in person — come in for your free trial, see if Northside is the right home for you, and we'll lay out the options that fit your goals and schedule.

Kids ages 5–12 in our Kids Program, and adults of every age and background in Fundamentals and Competition Team. We've got grandparents on the mats and we've got five-year-olds on the mats — everyone has a place here.

No. Live rolling is something you opt into when you're ready — usually after a few weeks of fundamentals. Your first class is about learning movements and getting comfortable, not getting thrown to the wolves.

Claim Your Spot

Your first class is free

Drop your details and we'll text you back the same day with a class time that fits. No pressure, no contract.

Prefer to talk? Call or text (828) 279-3404