About Tetris Jiu-JitsuA family academy built on structure and respect.
Tetris Jiu-Jitsu is a family-owned academy on International Drive, led by Professor Helder Franklin Soares and Coach Duda Franklin. We help kids, teens and adults become stronger, more confident and more capable, on and off the mats.
- 5.0 ★ Google · 47 reviews
- Orlando, FL
- Family-owned
Definition
Tetris
/ teh-tris / · noun
A game of fitting the right piece into the right place, under pressure, one move at a time. The longer you play, the calmer you get and the more the whole board makes sense.
Every piece has its place.
Nothing fits by force. You read the shape, you stay calm and you put the piece where it belongs. Jiu-Jitsu works the same way. Technique, leverage and timing beat size and strength, and every class teaches you to think, adapt and grow a little more under pressure.
Our story
Three decades on the mat.
Professor Helder Franklin Soares started in Judo in 1988 and built a career in Jiu-Jitsu as a competitor with multiple championship titles and as a referee for some of the most recognized federations in the world. Off the mats, he served as a police officer, which still shapes the calm, practical way he teaches self-defense.
Tetris is the academy he built with his family. Coach Duda Franklin, a brown belt and active competitor, coaches alongside him, and the room is full of parents, kids and adults who started from zero. Under Helder's leadership, we teach students how to think, adapt and grow.
What we believe
What we stand for.
Jiu-Jitsu is a system for personal growth. These three ideas decide how every class at Tetris is run.
- 01
Confidence
Techniques that once seemed impossible become second nature. The confidence you build on the mats carries into school, work, family and everyday life.
- 02
Discipline
Structured classes, clear technique and steady progress. Students learn to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally, and to handle challenges with self-control.
- 03
Community
Teammates from every background with one common goal: becoming better than yesterday. Many students join for fitness or self-defense and stay for the friendships.
The academy
Bright, clean and built for training.
Students mention it in review after review: beautiful mats and a spotless room. It's the first thing you'll notice when you walk in.
- Where
Second floor, Suites 2A3 & 2A4, on International Drive
- Mats
A wide, bright mat space under the Tetris wall
- Families
Kids and adult classes back to back on weekday evenings
- Day one
No uniform needed for your trial, loaners available
- Drop-ins
Visiting grapplers from out of town are always welcome
Community
Beginners, families and drop-ins, one team.
From three-year-olds on their first day to grapplers visiting Orlando from out of town, everyone trains in the same room, with the same respect.
“It’s the perfect spot for the whole family. The coaches are fantastic… it has given our child a huge boost in confidence and discipline.”
Our promise
No experience needed. Ever.
Most people never try Jiu-Jitsu because they picture chaotic training and aggressive partners. That's not how we teach. Every class is structured, every beginner is guided, and the coaches meet you exactly where you are.
Reviews
Welcome from the first minute.
5.047 Google reviews
“Helder and Duda are amazing people! From the moment I walked in, they greeted me and made me feel welcome as a drop-in. The gym is very clean, has great vibes, and everyone was friendly.”
Your first class is free
Your journey starts here.
Pick a program and we'll text you to set up your free class. Every class is open to first-timers, and the coaches will guide you from the very first minute.
- No experience or fitness needed
- Just wear comfortable workout clothes
- Coached by a 30-year martial artist
Prefer to talk? (321) 399-2991