Family.
Welcome the new person. Learn their name. Take care of the partner who trusts you.
Brazilian jiu jitsu & grappling
East Alton, Illinois
WE BUILD
WARRIORS.
Serious training. A team that takes care of you.
Learn the skill. Do the work.
Find your people.
Next on the matsTuesday · 6 PM Fundamentals
TUE + THUFundamentals. Advanced. Rounds.
SAT + SUNGi class. Open mat.
NEW TO JIU JITSU? START HERE
Your first class.
A place to begin.
You do not need to arrive knowing what to do with your hands. Fundamentals teaches the core positions, movement and techniques, with time to ask questions. New, returning or already experienced? We will help you find your starting point.
One class free trial. View training fees
What to expect and bring
01
Choose a starting point.
Use the planner, then ask a coach to confirm the class.
02
Contact us before visiting.
View the training fees, then message us to confirm your first visit, arrival time and where to enter.
03
Come ready to learn.
Bring water. Ask what to wear and whether to bring a gi. Let the coach know you are new.
Expect instruction and partner practice. Ask the coach how live rounds are introduced for your experience. No gi means grappling without the traditional jacket and pants.
MAKE YOUR FIRST MOVE
Find your class.
YOUR SUGGESTED STARTING POINT
Ask about your first class
FUNDAMENTALS
Tuesday or Thursday at 6 PM
Start with the basics. Let the club know this is your first class so we can help you get ready.
The planner suggests a class. It does not book a place. Message the club to confirm your first visit and ask about your training plan.View training fees
OUR CLUB / OUR RIVERBEND
Built on the mats.
Built for each other.
We take the training seriously. We take care of each other.
Established in 2024 in East Alton, Illinois, Oddfellows Grappling Club brings people together through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and grappling. Different starting points. Shared effort. A responsibility to help the people beside you improve.
Read our story and meet our purpose
Dedication.
Keep showing up. Stay teachable. Do the work within the life you actually have.
Strength.
Develop skill and composure. Handle pressure. Use control responsibly.
FAMILY. DEDICATION. STRENGTH.
THE TRAININGKEEP GETTING BETTER
Understand it.
Practice it. Apply it.
New, returning or already experienced? Drill the details. Practice with useful resistance. Learn to make decisions when the first answer fails.
01
START HERE
FUNDAMENTALS
Start here if you are new. Fundamentals means the core positions, movement and techniques, with time to ask questions and learn to train responsibly.
02BUILD YOUR GAME
ADVANCED
Connect reactions, counters and transitions. Understand why a technique works and what to do when your partner changes the problem.
03PUT IN THE ROUNDS
COMPETITION ROLLS
Live practice rounds focused on competition preparation. Ask a coach about the expectations and whether these rounds fit your experience before joining.
WEEKEND TRAININGKeep a place
See the scheduleKeep a place
in your week.
GI CLASS
The gi is the traditional training jacket and pants. Saturday is another opportunity to study and practice with your partners.
See class details See the scheduleOPEN MAT
Time for partner practice and rounds. Contact the club before visiting to confirm attendance and supervision arrangements.
See class detailsCLEAR INSTRUCTION. REAL ATTENTION.COACHING AT ODDFELLOWS
MEET THE HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Andrew Carr
HEAD INSTRUCTOR | SECOND DEGREE BROWN BELT
Andrew Carr is the Head Instructor at Oddfellows Grappling Club and a second degree Brazilian jiu jitsu brown belt under Keith Steinacher of Strategic Jiu Jitsu, a black belt under Kyle Watson.
For Andrew, jiu jitsu is about far more than learning how to fight. It is about developing the ability to think under pressure, solve problems, overcome adversity and continually improve.
His teaching philosophy emphasizes technical understanding, attention to detail and the importance of developing a game that works against real resistance. Rather than simply memorizing techniques, Andrew encourages students to understand the mechanics, principles and decisions that make jiu jitsu effective.
Read Andrew’s full biography
As a husband, father of three and owner of Prime Health Chiropractic, Andrew understands the responsibilities that exist beyond the mats. He volunteers his time as Head Instructor because he believes in giving back to his community and helping build something meaningful.
He takes pride in creating an environment where beginners feel welcomed, experienced grapplers are challenged and everyone is held to a standard of respect, discipline and accountability.
At Oddfellows, his mission isn’t simply to develop better grapplers. It’s to help build confident, capable people who take what they learn on the mats into everyday life.
WE BUILD WARRIORS.
OUR COACHING TEAM
Attention is part of the work.
Good coaching means noticing the question, the student who needs another explanation and the experienced grappler ready for a harder problem. Our team includes volunteer coaches who give their time and care to helping the next person improve.
Clear instruction. Honest feedback. Purposeful practice. Respect between partners.
- Jacob ChismCoach
- Zach KlockeCoach
- Mike DustCoach
- Ryan LaneCoach
- Brad HarmonCoach
- Keith SteinacherCoach
- Tim JonesCoach
- Tim AlbrightCoach
- Aaron MorganCoach
- Tony SpringmanCoach
- Lee BrousseauCoach
- Steve NiemeierCoach
THE WEEKLY SCHEDULEALL TIMES CENTRAL
MAKE TIME.
MAKE PROGRESS.
Find your class. Pick your day. Select a session to see the next date and add it to your calendar.
YOUR TIME ON THE MATS
COST OF
TRAINING.
Find the option that fits your training. Have a question before joining? Talk with the club and we will help you get started.
UNLIMITED TRAINING
- Adults UnlimitedUnlimited attendance
- $100
- Kids UnlimitedUnlimited attendance
- $75
MORE WAYS TO TRAIN
- All Access Punch Card10 classes
- $150
- Open Mat6 open mats per month
Classes are not included - $50
Do I need experience?
Fundamentals is the place to start if you are new to jiu jitsu. You do not need to know the techniques before you come. Message the club before your first visit so we can help you choose a class and get ready.
What should I bring?
Bring water. If you have a gi, bring it. If you do not, message the club first so we can help you prepare and confirm what to wear for the class you choose.
I already train. Where should I start?
Tell us a little about your experience when you message the club. A coach can help you choose the right place to join in, whether that is Fundamentals, Advanced, Competition Rolls or Open Mat.
What does membership cost?
Adults Unlimited is $100 and Kids Unlimited is $75. The All Access Punch Card is $150 for 10 classes. Open Mat is $50 for 6 open mats per month, with no classes included. View all training fees and first visit options. Message the club to confirm your plan and billing details before joining.
Where is the club?
You will find us at 515 E Airline Drive, East Alton, Illinois 62024. Get directions in Google Maps.
CLUB LIFE / IN PHOTOGRAPHS
The people. The practice.
A few moments from the club.
THE VIDEO ROOMWATCH. STUDY. TRAIN.
Build your MAT IQ.
MAT IQ means noticing what matters and making a useful decision. Practical lessons in position, timing and control, with ideas to take back to practice.
MAT IQ / A PURPOSE FOR YOUR NEXT ROUND
Choose one problem.
Start in a position you want to understand. Agree on the pace with your partner. Notice what stops your first answer, ask a question and try again. Useful resistance helps both people learn.
SLX Lapel Backtake and Back Mount Lapel Chokes
Watch on YouTubeLet’s Darce
Watch on YouTubeTrain from the Grey Zone
Watch on YouTubeAN ODDFELLOWS ORIGINAL
THE BLACK
BELT TRAIL.
Every black belt starts somewhere. Most journeys involve bad decisions, tournament fees, questionable injuries, and a lot of laundry.
THE LONG ROADFROM WHITE BELT TO BLACK.
ONE BORROWED GI. ZERO GOOD DECISIONS.Your next adventure is on the mats.BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY
Train. / Survive. / Compete. / Earn your belt.
PLAYABLE PROTOTYPEFREE IN YOUR BROWSER
History. Heritage. Lineage. Progression.
Know the art.
Respect its roots.
Jiu jitsu reaches our mats through generations of teachers, practitioners and communities. Explore its genuine history, trace our instructional heritage and learn what the belts mean.
OFFICIAL ODDFELLOWS GEAR
Wear your club
with pride.
Gis, No Gi gear and stickers are arranged with the club. Bella tees and premium hoodies are coming through Fourthwall.
Explore gear and orderingFROM THE CLUBPUBLISHED CLUB STORIES
Recently at the club.
Class updates, club life and what is happening on the mats. Follow along and stay connected.
COME FIND US
SEE YOU
ON THE MATS.
ODDFELLOWS GRAPPLING CLUB515 E Airline Drive
East Alton, IL 62024Get directions