Ben Poppleton Seminar & Summer Grading at Havering Jiu Jitsu Academy

We were proud to welcome our head coach, Ben Poppleton, back to Havering Jiu Jitsu Academy for another outstanding seminar, followed by our Summer Grading.
Ben spent the evening breaking down his approach to half guard passing, focusing on the concepts that make pressure passing so effective. Rather than teaching endless techniques, he showed how controlling the head, winning key positions and applying consistent pressure can make passing the half guard far more reliable against skilled opponents.
The attention to detail was exceptional, with every movement explained in a way that students of all levels could understand and immediately begin applying to their own game. It’s always a privilege to learn from someone who has spent decades refining their jiu-jitsu.
The evening concluded with our Summer Grading, recognising the dedication, consistency and hard work shown by our students on and off the mats.
Congratulations to:
🥋 Pascal – Blue Belt
🥋 Richie – Purple Belt
🥋 Billy Hedden – Purple Belt
🥋 Lewis – Black Belt
Lewis’ promotion to black belt was a particularly special moment. Surrounded by his teammates and our coaching team, he spoke about loyalty, commitment and the journey we’ve shared together. Character is what defines your legacy, and Lewis has shown that in abundance throughout his time at the academy.
It was also an honour to have Adam Edwards, Steve Brand and myself alongside Ben, representing another generation of English-born Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts. Moments like these remind us how far the sport has come and the responsibility we have to continue passing on the highest standards of coaching to the next generation.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, trained and supported the evening. Nights like these are what make Havering Jiu Jitsu Academy one of the most established academies in the area, and we’re excited to see everyone put these lessons into practice over the coming weeks.