Danaher Death Squad (DDS) was an American submission grappling team founded by John Danaher which was originally part of the Renzo Gracie Academy. DDS team is known for their usage of leglocks as well as its accomplishment in major grappling competitions such as the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship.
| Also known as | DDS |
|---|---|
| Date founded | 2011 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Founder | John Danaher |
| Current head | John Danaher |
| Arts taught | Grappling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu |
| Ancestor schools | Renzo Gracie Academy |
| Descendant schools | B Team Jiu Jitsu New Wave Jiu Jitsu |
Background
editDDS was established in 2011 when John Danaher took over one of the morning classes at Renzo Gracie Academy. Around the same time he started teaching, Eddie Cummings had just started training at the school. Cummings liked Danaher's approach to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and would attend all of his morning classes. Eventually a team was formed that would use a leglock system devised by Danaher. Further members would join the team.[1][2]
Former DDS member Ryan Quinn was the one who came up with the name 'Danaher Death Squad'. The name caught on and everyone within the BJJ world would start using it. However Danaher himself actually despises the name.[1][2]
In December 2020, DDS split from the Renzo Gracie Academy to become an independent gym. It opened a training facility on an island in Puerto Ricowhich could avoid the restrictions related to COVID-19 lockdowns.The idea was that putting the gym within a tropical paradise would help attract more athletes. However the project was scrapped after only a few months. One of the main factors was the COVID-19 pandemic which made it difficult for people to travel to the island.[1][2]
In July 2021, Gordon Ryan announced on Instagram that he was moving to Austin, Texas to start a new gym. Danaher followed up with a post of his own announcing that DDS was parting ways. It was reported while the team was in Puerto Rico there were some conflicts between members of the team such as differences in training philosophies and the failure of the new gym. After meeting together, the team decided the best thing for everyone to do was go their own ways.[1][2][3]
Two new teams would be formed from DDS which were both in Austin, Texas. Danaher, Ryan, and Garry Tonon would go on to form New Wave Jiu Jitsu while Craig Jones and Nick Rodriguez formed B Team Jiu Jitsu. The two schools are actually only a less than 15-minute drive from one another.[1]
Style
editDDS are standard-bearers of offense-based, submission-oriented grappling which has gathered interest from a large audience.[4]
Danaher's philosophy is to be constantly on the offensive but use a progressive attacking model and not do things just for the sake of them. One should have complete control and immobilization of an opponent before going for the finish. 50% of the team's submissions derived from a bottom playing stance, 73% of those being lower limb submissions such as leglocks.[2][4]
Notable members
editThe following were members of DDS: [1][2]
Grapplers
editMixed Martial Arts
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Wray, David (May 7, 2022). "Danaher Death Squad - The Jiu Jitsu Story". www.lowkickmma.com. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Danaher Death Squad - Everything About DDS - BJJ World". September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ Ogi (October 18, 2022). "Danaher Death Squad Split | Jiu Jitsu Legacy". Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Danaher Death Squad's Game Analysis | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved September 15, 2024.