Learn from the Best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructors in the Business – Specializing in Training Children, Families, Beginners, Adults and for Competition in Northern Virginia
Centreville Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Centreville, VA has some of the best instructors in the business. Our martial arts platform is designed for fun and learning for children, families, beginners and adults. Our experts emphasize self-defense with a focus on grappling, ground fighting and taking an opponent to the ground, chokes, escapes and submissions. Each instructor specializes in various areas of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and we will work with adults, parents and children to place you with an instructor that best suits your needs.
Meet Our Team
Below are a remarkable group of instructors that have years of experience helping students learn the martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We welcome students of all ages to join our family. Please call with any questions, concerns or comments.
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Leo Dalla
Founder Big Brother’s Affiliation North America
Master Dalla has dedicated his life to teaching martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In 2002 Master Dalla moved from Brazil and began teaching in the greater Washington, D.C. area. He teaches personally at his schools in Ballston and Woodbridge, VA every night and also instructs on a periodic basis at schools throughout Northern Virginia that are part of the BIG BROTHERS network run by a number of Master Dalla’s black belts.
Leo Dalla
Founder Big Brother’s Affiliation North America
Master Dalla has dedicated his life to teaching martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In 2002 Master Dalla moved from Brazil and began teaching in the greater Washington, D.C. area. He teaches personally at his schools in Ballston and Woodbridge, VA every night and also instructs on a periodic basis at schools throughout Northern Virginia that are part of the BIG BROTHERS network run by a number of Master Dalla’s black belts.
Scott Salb
Head Instructor
Scott first stepped on the mat in 1988 at the UCONN Judo club under the tutelage of Dr Andrew Yiannakis. After several years of training, he was awarded his first black belt. His passion for judo brought him to Japan where he continued his training. Upon returning home he moved to DC where he was later introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and started training under the world-famous Leo Dalla. In 2013 he was awarded his second black belt, this time in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Scott Salb
Head Instructor
Scott first stepped on the mat in 1988 at the UCONN Judo club under the tutelage of Dr Andrew Yiannakis. After several years of training, he was awarded his first black belt. His passion for judo brought him to Japan where he continued his training. Upon returning home he moved to DC where he was later introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and started training under the world-famous Leo Dalla. In 2013 he was awarded his second black belt, this time in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Ron Hicks
Assistant Instructor
Coach Ron Hicks was awarded the rank of Black Belt in November of 2021. He has been a student and competitor of BJJ since 2004. Over the past several years, he has become a well-known BJJ student in the region. He takes pride in visiting neighboring gyms and sparring with some of the best BJJ practitioners in the area. He also holds multiple medals from local, regional and international competition. Despite his size and experience, Ron can be seen gently sparring with our new students and children alike earning him the nickname “Lovable Panda”.
Ron Hicks
Assistant Instructor
Coach Ron Hicks was awarded the rank of Black Belt in November of 2021. He has been a student and competitor of BJJ since 2004. Over the past several years, he has become a well-known BJJ student in the region. He takes pride in visiting neighboring gyms and sparring with some of the best BJJ practitioners in the area. He also holds multiple medals from local, regional and international competition. Despite his size and experience, Ron can be seen gently sparring with our new students and children alike earning him the nickname “Lovable Panda”.
Robbi Cecil
Assistant Instructor
Coach Robbi Cecil was awarded the rank of Black belt in November 2023. Over the last several years, he has shown himself to be a fierce BJJ competitor. He holds multiple medals from local and regional tournaments. Coach Cecil is a dedicated student and instructor. His passion for teaching is contagious: he keeps students engaged, intrigued and motivated to learn more. We are delighted to have Robbi as one of our instructors here at Centreville BJJ. His personal discipline and passion also helped him to earn a doctoral degree in education. He is a successful competitor, teacher, coach and father!
Robbi Cecil
Assistant Instructor
Coach Robbi Cecil was awarded the rank of Black belt in November 2023. Over the last several years, he has shown himself to be a fierce BJJ competitor. He holds multiple medals from local and regional tournaments. Coach Cecil is a dedicated student and instructor. His passion for teaching is contagious: he keeps students engaged, intrigued and motivated to learn more. We are delighted to have Robbi as one of our instructors here at Centreville BJJ. His personal discipline and passion also helped him to earn a doctoral degree in education. He is a successful competitor, teacher, coach and father!
Amanda “Jack” Allen
Assistant Instructor
Amanda “Jack” Allen began her jiu-jitsu journey in 2017 under the instruction of Jeremy “Wild” West. She joined Centreville BJJ in 2018, earning the rank of Purple Belt in November 2022. She hopes to encourage more women to join the sport and help create an environment where everyone feels welcome on the mats. Off the mat, Jack can be found doing anything outdoors: the more active or extreme the better.
Amanda “Jack” Allen
Assistant Instructor
Amanda “Jack” Allen began her jiu-jitsu journey in 2017 under the instruction of Jeremy “Wild” West. She joined Centreville BJJ in 2018, earning the rank of Purple Belt in November 2022. She hopes to encourage more women to join the sport and help create an environment where everyone feels welcome on the mats. Off the mat, Jack can be found doing anything outdoors: the more active or extreme the better.
Derek Smarsh
Children’s Instructor
Coach Derek Smarsh joined the Big Brothers family in 2009 when he started training in Muay Thai kickboxing at Vanguard Gym. After 5 years he decided to give Jiu Jitsu a try, and from the first day he was hooked and switched to training in both gi and nogi. Coach Derek earned his purple belt in 2019 under Coach Doug Esposito. He began helping out in the family Jiu Jitsu classes he attended with his two kids, Mia and Kai. Since then, his role has grown and he enjoys sharing his knowledge of the sport with the kids’ classes.
Derek Smarsh
Children’s Instructor
Coach Derek Smarsh joined the Big Brothers family in 2009 when he started training in Muay Thai kickboxing at Vanguard Gym. After 5 years he decided to give Jiu Jitsu a try, and from the first day he was hooked and switched to training in both gi and nogi. Coach Derek earned his purple belt in 2019 under Coach Doug Esposito. He began helping out in the family Jiu Jitsu classes he attended with his two kids, Mia and Kai. Since then, his role has grown and he enjoys sharing his knowledge of the sport with the kids’ classes.
Mercedes Dillow
Children’s Instructor
Mercedes joined Centreville BJJ in December 2021 and fell in love with the sport ever since. She started teaching the children’s classes because her son is involved, but she grew a passion to teach kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has continued teaching both Saturday classes. Coach Mercedes is currently a white belt under Coach Robbi Cecil and Coach Scott Salb. When not at the dojo, Coach Mercedes can be found working as a pediatric nurse, weightlifting at the gym, or doing all kinds of sports with her boys.
Mercedes Dillow
Children’s Instructor
Mercedes joined Centreville BJJ in December 2021 and fell in love with the sport ever since. She started teaching the children’s classes because her son is involved, but she grew a passion to teach kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has continued teaching both Saturday classes. Coach Mercedes is currently a white belt under Coach Robbi Cecil and Coach Scott Salb. When not at the dojo, Coach Mercedes can be found working as a pediatric nurse, weightlifting at the gym, or doing all kinds of sports with her boys.
