Leg-Lock Fundamentals
A 2–3 hour working seminar covering entries, finishes, and the first layer of ashi-garami that every student should own.
Train With Steve
Three continents.
Three continents.
One standard.
Subculture trains out of three regular locations and a steady seminar schedule in between. Here's where Steve is, what each group looks like, and how to get on the mats with him.
01 — Headquarters
Sierra Nevada
PRIVATE / INVITE · RETREAT-STYLE
Sierra Nevada
California.
PRIVATE / INVITE · RETREAT-STYLE
Steve's home mountain base. The Sierras are where Subculture started and where the deepest work happens — small group camps, private coaching, and retreat-style weeks for students who are serious about accelerating.
Because the Sierra space is private and small-group, attendance is by invitation or application. If you've trained with Steve before, or have a referral through one of his students, reach out through the contact form.
FORMAT
Private & Retreat
One-on-one, small groups of 4–8, or multi-day retreat weeks.
ACCESS
By Invitation or Referral
Best path in is a student who can vouch for you, or a track record of serious training.
WHEN
Most of the Year
Sierra is HQ — Steve is there when he isn't in India or on a seminar tour. [Schedule TBD]
02 — Satellite
Lake Oswego
STEVE VISITS SEVERAL TIMES / YR
Lake Oswego
Portland, OR.
STEVE VISITS SEVERAL TIMES / YR
The Portland-area group trains out of Lake Oswego. Steve has family in the area and visits several times a year to run full training blocks — seminars, open mats, focused leg-lock camps, and private sessions for the regulars.
Between visits the crew keeps sharp with the usual rhythm of team training, and Steve stays involved remotely — film review, written breakdowns, Q&A sessions inside the Inner Circle.
FORMAT
Open Group + Camps
Regular team training with Steve's visits as the anchor. Seminars and camps are open to outside guests case-by-case.
ACCESS
Inquire for Mat Fee
Drop-ins welcome for visits and seminars. Steady training is a team conversation — reach out.
LOCATION
Lake Oswego, OR
[Exact gym address & map — to be added]
03 — International
India.
ANNUAL RESIDENCY
India.
Four months a year.
ANNUAL RESIDENCY
Steve spends roughly four months a year in India with his long-standing group of students. It's not a seminar swing — it's a residency. Full curriculum, daily training, live rolls, and the kind of repeated mat time that actually moves someone's game.
The India crew is arguably the deepest application of Subculture's method outside the U.S. They carry the curriculum year-round, and Steve comes in for long stretches to push it forward.
FORMAT
Full Residency
Daily training, private coaching, team camps, and open seminars while in-country.
ACCESS
Visitors Welcome
Traveling grapplers can arrange drop-ins and seminar spots. Reach out ahead of time.
WHERE
India — Student Group
[Specific city / partner academy — to be confirmed]
04 — Seminars
Bring Steve to
Bring Steve to
your mats.
Steve regularly travels for seminars — no-gi fundamentals, leg-lock systems, competition prep. If you run a gym or train with a serious crew, inquire about a date.
Advanced Leg Chains
For black belts and active competitors. Heel-hook sequences, counter-defense, match film review of the chains in live use.
Custom Curriculum
Tell Steve what your team needs — guard, passing, top-pressure, competition prep. The seminar is built for your group.
05 — Privates
Private Coaching.
Private sessions with Steve are the fastest way to move a specific problem in your game. He'll pull film if you have it, break it down, drill the correction, and build a homework plan you can actually keep running after you leave.
Privates run at HQ in the Sierras, at Lake Oswego during Steve's Oregon trips, in India during residency, and sometimes alongside seminars. Virtual film-review sessions are also available.
06 — FAQ
Common Questions.
Do I need to be a black belt to train with Steve?
No. Steve trains serious students at every level — white belts included. What matters is that you train hard and train honest. Seminars are almost always all-levels.
Are the Sierra camps open to the public?
Sierra is Steve's private base and is usually by referral or application. If you've trained with Steve before or come in with a student, it's an easy conversation. Seminars at the Oregon and India groups are more open.
How do I book a seminar at my gym?
Send a note through Contact with your gym location, rough date window, team size, and the tracks you're interested in (leg locks, fundamentals, competition prep). Steve typically replies within a week.
Can I train with Steve while he's in India?
Yes — traveling grapplers are welcome at the India residency. Reach out in advance so Steve can confirm dates and the hosting academy can prepare for a visitor.
Ready to roll?
Private, seminar, satellite training, or a residency visit — all inquiries come through the same inbox. Steve answers them himself.
Contact Steve