Royce Miller — Head Coach, Ann Arbor BJJ
Ann Arbor BJJ · Head Coach

ROYCE
MILLER

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Margot Ciccarelli ↗.
Structured coaching. High standards. Long-term development.

Get Started · 13+ Get Started · Kids

Your first class is free. Hit Get Started to book it.

Rank

BJJ BLACK
BELT.

Earned July 2023 in Japan under Margot Ciccarelli ↗, after 17 years on the mat.

Belt Rank BJJ BLACK BELT Awarded July 2023 · Japan · Under Margot Ciccarelli ↗
Royce Miller BJJ black belt
Adult BJJ coaching at Ann Arbor BJJ
Adults

ADULT
COACHING

Modern Teaching Methods

Coach Royce offers modern and up-to-date scientific teaching methods for learning submission grappling. Every class is structured, intentional, and built for real skill development.

Royce coaches the noon All Levels class, the 6:30 PM Advanced class, and Leg Locks, and built the coaching framework every coach here teaches from. Training runs seven days a week — morning, midday, evening, and weekends — and every class is designed to be challenging, productive, and safe for all experience levels.

Learn About Adult Training →
Kids BJJ coaching at Ann Arbor BJJ
Kids

KIDS
COACHING

Early Childhood Education

A degree in Early Childhood Education — structure families can trust. Royce's academic background shapes every kids class: clear expectations, age-appropriate progressions, and intentional instruction.

Two classes, both Tuesday and Thursday: Little Kids 4–7 at 6:00 PM and Kids 8–12 at 5:45 PM. Our kids coaches teach them from a curriculum Royce designs and oversees. At 13, kids move up to the adult program — or stay in kids a little longer with coach approval if that's the safer fit.

For kids who want more there is the Kids Athlete Track, by coach approval: real strength training, coached by Royce, and daily skill work. See the Athlete Track.

Kids 8–12 → Little Kids 4–7 →
Royce Miller coaching at Ann Arbor BJJ
About Royce

A LONG-TERM
STUDENT OF
THE ART.

Royce began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2010, and his passion for the art quickly flourished. In 2012, he made the pivotal decision to relocate from Michigan to Florida to train at the renowned American Top Team.

Under the tutelage of Ricardo Libório ↗ — super-heavyweight champion at the first IBJJF World Championship in 1996 — Royce earned his blue belt.

He later trained primarily with brothers Kevin Mahecha ↗ and Brian Mahecha ↗, who together awarded his purple and brown belts.

Beginning in 2020, Royce started mentoring under Margot Ciccarelli ↗, ultimately earning his black belt from her in July 2023 in Japan.

For Kids & Adults

STRUCTURE
YOU CAN
TRUST.

Royce holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. That background shapes how Ann Arbor BJJ runs its kids classes: expectations are clear, progressions are age-appropriate, and instruction is intentional.

  • Clear structure and safe progression at every level
  • Task-based learning to keep kids engaged while building real skill
  • Confidence built on what they can actually do
Get Started · Kids
Kids BJJ training at Ann Arbor BJJ

COACHING
PHILOSOPHY.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is problem-solving under pressure — the teaching has to reflect that reality.

At Ann Arbor BJJ we train using the Constraints-Led Approach and Ecological Dynamics. Students develop skill by solving real grappling problems against resisting partners — from day one. Learn more about our method →

01
Train live against resisting partners.
02
Solve real grappling problems through focused tasks.
03
Develop problem-solvers who can adapt.
04
Culture matters.

Every class is coached with clear instruction, focused rounds, and high standards — while maintaining a professional, respectful training environment.

Included With Membership

MORE THAN
MAT TIME.

Members

STRENGTH + MOBILITY

A two-day strength program built on the research done on BJJ athletes, a mobility program, and a video for every movement.
Members

NUTRITION

A calculator for your calories and protein, an example day of eating for training, and the three supplements proven to make a difference.
Members

GYMDESK APP

Gym updates, class check-ins, upcoming tournaments and more, on your phone.
Coming soon

THE ANN ARBOR BJJ APP

Our curriculum, strength, nutrition and more, all in one place.

The strength and nutrition programs live on a members' page. It is password-protected, and members get the password.

Your First Class Is Free

HOW TO
GET STARTED.

From your first click to your first class — here's how it works.

HIT GET STARTED

Adults and teens 13+ or kids 4–12 — each has its own start page with everything you need to know about training here.

BOOK YOUR FREE CLASS

Pick a day and a class online. It takes about a minute, and your confirmation, the waiver, and where to park land in your inbox.

SHOW UP & TRAIN

Arrive a few minutes early in athletic clothes. A coach meets you at the door and gets you on the mat. No experience needed.

Get Started · 13+ Get Started · Kids
Ann Arbor BJJ

GET ON
THE MAT.

Your first class is free. Train under clear instruction, high standards, and a system built for long-term progress.

Get Started · 13+ Get Started · Kids

Downtown Ann Arbor · Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Adults and Kids · Serving Washtenaw County