Origin JITZJUDO

An offshoot of AM JitzJudo

Born from AM JitzJudo, Origin JITZJUDO represents the next evolution of our grappling approach.

Alongside Northampton Judo Club, Origin JITZJUDO coaching is dedicated to technical excellence and intelligent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Head Coach – Alan Mineards

Origin JITZJUDO

Alan Mineards is the Head Coach of Origin JITZJUDO and one of Northamptonshire’s most accomplished grapplers, bringing together decades of experience in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to create a complete, modern grappling programme.

Alan is a 2nd Dan Judo Black Belt and an ex-British Judo Champion, proudly homegrown at Northampton Judo Club under the legendary Sensei Clive Douglas. His Judo background gives him a deep technical understanding of balance, timing, throwing strategy, and dominant top pressure—foundations that shape every session at Origin JITZJUDO.

Driven to expand his skills further, Alan began cross-training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, developing a fluid submission-focused style that complements his Judo pedigree. After years of training, competition, and coaching, Alan earned his BJJ Black Belt under Peter Olsson and Ed Ingamells, one of the UK’s most respected BJJ lineages.

At Origin JITZJUDO, Alan’s coaching blends the best of both worlds:

• Judo’s explosive stand-up and takedowns

• BJJ’s technical ground game and submission systems

• A modern, pressure-based approach to grappling

Alan’s philosophy is simple: train smart, train hard, and build a team where every student, beginner to competitor, can grow with confidence. His classes focus on high-quality technique, disciplined fundamentals, and developing a mindset built on resilience, respect, and continuous improvement.

As a coach, mentor, and lifelong martial artist, Alan is dedicated to raising the standard of grappling in the region and guiding the next generation through the same journey he started on the mats in Northampton.

BJJ Coaches Alongside Alan Mineards

Ricki Shortland

BJJ Brown Belt • 10th Planet Brown Belt
Ricki Shortland is an exceptionally talented No-Gi specialist, known for his fluid movement, creative transitions, and relentless submission-hunting style. As both a BJJ Brown Belt and 10th Planet Brown Belt, Ricki brings a modern, highly technical grappling system to Origin.
A true No-Gi assassin and an outstanding coach, he elevates every session with precision, innovation, and passion for the art.

Steve Freezer

Judo Black Belt • BJJ Brown Belt
Steve Freezer is a powerful hybrid grappler, combining the throwing expertise of a Judo Black Belt with the technical ground game of a BJJ Brown Belt. His coaching blends structure, discipline, high-level fundamentals & an outstanding lapel attack system, making him a cornerstone of the Origin coaching team.
Steve’s ability to merge Judo and Jiu-Jitsu gives students a unique advantage from takedown to submission.

At Origin JITZJUDO, students learn to hunt for position, create opportunities, and secure submissions through skill, control, and intelligence — not strength alone.

We train with purpose.
We move with intent.

Every class builds a sharper grappler:
step by step, position over submission, technique over force.

Whether you're beginning your Jiu-Jitsu journey, sharpening your skillset, or preparing to test yourself in competition, you’re welcome here.
Step onto the mat, take your space, and start the chase for constant improvement.

Origin JITZJUDO — Learn. Improve. Evolve.