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Gracie Combatives
2 year(s) ago • 3471 views • 53 replies
MMBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Very interesting,
To perform well in a discipline, you need appropriate physical, technical, tactical, mental and regulatory preparation.
Before talking about preparation, we must evaluate the individual, physically. Determine in which regulation he will fight? MMA, sports Jui-Jitsu, self-defense...
The goal is for the individual to achieve a maximum level of efficiency in a minimum amount of time.
The Gracie Combative program selected 36 techniques from over 600 listed techniques because they have been used more often and with more success than all other techniques combined. But not in a tournament. In real fights.
Helio Gracie began learning Jiu-Jitsu by watching his brother Carlos. One day, Carlos arrived late for his class. Helio suggested to Carlos' student that he will teach him the lesson himself. That's how he became a teacher. He then modified the techniques by adapting them to his size.
I started Jiu-Jitsu in 1997. At that time, only Rorion Gracie's videos allowed you to learn Jiu-Jitsu from abroad. I saw the evolution clearly. Osvaldo Alves was Technical Director of the IBJJF. My brother got his black belt from Osvaldo in 2008. Osvaldo is the originator of numerous techniques adapted to sporting competition.
In 2007, I trained at the Gracie Academy for 1 year. The techniques are not 100% adapted to competition. They are more suited to one-on-one street combat without weapons. Rorion and his father Helio wrote a book together. The techniques proposed are pure self-defense with or without weapons. Self Defense Unit is Helio's program with improved details from Rickson Gracie.
I really think that the Self Defense Unit and Gracie Combatives programs are fundamental. Rorion Gracie videos are always trending.
The Internet and YouTube have evolved disciplines such as MMA, Jiu-Jitsu and Self-defense. But for me Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has a founder. It's Helio Gracie !
Sports Jiu-Jitsu continues to evolve. New techniques are created every day. The question to ask is this. Are these techniques adapted to a real situation?
The answer is not so obvious when you don't have a filter. By focusing too much on sporting competitions, some participants do not have enough knowledge to make a difference. This is something I have observed for several years now.
If today you cannot distinguish techniques adapted to competition from those adapted to the street, it is because your training is incomplete.
To perform well in a discipline, you need appropriate physical, technical, tactical, mental and regulatory preparation.
Before talking about preparation, we must evaluate the individual, physically. Determine in which regulation he will fight? MMA, sports Jui-Jitsu, self-defense...
The goal is for the individual to achieve a maximum level of efficiency in a minimum amount of time.
The Gracie Combative program selected 36 techniques from over 600 listed techniques because they have been used more often and with more success than all other techniques combined. But not in a tournament. In real fights.
Helio Gracie began learning Jiu-Jitsu by watching his brother Carlos. One day, Carlos arrived late for his class. Helio suggested to Carlos' student that he will teach him the lesson himself. That's how he became a teacher. He then modified the techniques by adapting them to his size.
I started Jiu-Jitsu in 1997. At that time, only Rorion Gracie's videos allowed you to learn Jiu-Jitsu from abroad. I saw the evolution clearly. Osvaldo Alves was Technical Director of the IBJJF. My brother got his black belt from Osvaldo in 2008. Osvaldo is the originator of numerous techniques adapted to sporting competition.
In 2007, I trained at the Gracie Academy for 1 year. The techniques are not 100% adapted to competition. They are more suited to one-on-one street combat without weapons. Rorion and his father Helio wrote a book together. The techniques proposed are pure self-defense with or without weapons. Self Defense Unit is Helio's program with improved details from Rickson Gracie.
I really think that the Self Defense Unit and Gracie Combatives programs are fundamental. Rorion Gracie videos are always trending.
The Internet and YouTube have evolved disciplines such as MMA, Jiu-Jitsu and Self-defense. But for me Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has a founder. It's Helio Gracie !
Sports Jiu-Jitsu continues to evolve. New techniques are created every day. The question to ask is this. Are these techniques adapted to a real situation?
The answer is not so obvious when you don't have a filter. By focusing too much on sporting competitions, some participants do not have enough knowledge to make a difference. This is something I have observed for several years now.
If today you cannot distinguish techniques adapted to competition from those adapted to the street, it is because your training is incomplete.
EMBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Love Gracie Combatives! Highly recommend The 32 Principles as well. It has opened my mind to Jiu-Jitsu in many ways. I can’t stop thinking about principals when I roll now. 🙏🏼
![Slideyfoot [jun]](userimg/5e25cf311adfd.jpg){kind=small}
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Helio Gracie began learning Jiu-Jitsu by watching his brother Carlos. One day, Carlos arrived late for his class. Helio suggested to Carlos' student that he will teach him the lesson himself. That's how he became a teacher. He then modified the techniques by adapting them to his size.
That's an invented story Rorion has been pushing for decades. It is quite silly: Helio didn't modify anything major,if indeed he really changed anything.
The idea that Helio had to greatly change a martial art developed by Japanese people (not exactly renowned for their huge size) for smaller people is ridiculous.
The idea that Helio had to greatly change a martial art developed by Japanese people (not exactly renowned for their huge size) for smaller people is ridiculous.
SLBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Na, you can keep combatives. Not for me.
BNPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
...Many schools do not teach self-defense against a knife or gun... The idea here is to offer a basic program that addresses self-defense, MMA and sports Jiu-Jitsu. Afterwards everyone is free to join or not. The question is simple. Either we have a common basic program created directly by the founding members. Either we let schools develop as they see fit ?
Self defence is something I feel that is important, in general. But gun defence in martial arts quickly devolves in unrealistic nonsense.
If somebody is a professional BJJ athlete. Of course they will focus on the sports aspect. That's their career. That's ok too.
Rener and Ryron are deeply integrated in Jiu jitsu, but it's a bit much to refer to them as founders. They are not the founders. They are not the gatekeepers of jiu jitsu.
If the question is whether "we need a common basic program created directly by the Rener and Ryron (styled as the 'founding members')"
I thin the answer is a clear no. It is not the 1950s were a group of brothers can claim to control all jiu jitsu technique. Encouraging that rhetoric is detrimental to progression alongside modern jiu jitsu.
If somebody is a professional BJJ athlete. Of course they will focus on the sports aspect. That's their career. That's ok too.
Rener and Ryron are deeply integrated in Jiu jitsu, but it's a bit much to refer to them as founders. They are not the founders. They are not the gatekeepers of jiu jitsu.
If the question is whether "we need a common basic program created directly by the Rener and Ryron (styled as the 'founding members')"
I thin the answer is a clear no. It is not the 1950s were a group of brothers can claim to control all jiu jitsu technique. Encouraging that rhetoric is detrimental to progression alongside modern jiu jitsu.
BNPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Its more a philosophical thought about what seperates the arts in general. It is my impression that blue belts from 'sports' jiu jitsu are held to different standards to Gracie Jiu jitsu. Like mentioned a 'regular' purple belt can be evaluated and adopt the Gracie Combatives purple belt. It is my opinion that its not so much the techniques that seperate arts, but I couldnt tell you exactly what does. It seems the Gracie school likes to seperate themselves from 'sports' BJJ. Whether its for marketing purposes or something else.
It's not a case of Gracie University vrs Sports Jiu Jitsu. That's the kind disinformation that people roll their eyes at.
There are endless schools outside of GRACIE UNIVERSITY that are not sports focused. Entire lineages where there is a focus on Jiu jitsu for as it pertains to MMA, self defence, without sports specific considerations.
That is definitely not a separate art unique to Gracie University.
Ironically, the largest organisation in Sports JiuJitsu is a Gracie organisation.
and the largest school focused on Sports JiuJitsu is a global Gracie affiliation.
There are endless schools outside of GRACIE UNIVERSITY that are not sports focused. Entire lineages where there is a focus on Jiu jitsu for as it pertains to MMA, self defence, without sports specific considerations.
That is definitely not a separate art unique to Gracie University.
Ironically, the largest organisation in Sports JiuJitsu is a Gracie organisation.
and the largest school focused on Sports JiuJitsu is a global Gracie affiliation.
SLBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
…….Gracie Barra and Gracie JJ are two very different organisations with very different styles of jiujitsu though aren’t they?
MMBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
…….Gracie Barra and Gracie JJ are two very different organisations with very different styles of jiujitsu though aren’t they?
They are indeed two different organizations. There are, however, many similarities. The Gracie Academy offers the entire community the opportunity to integrate self-defense into education. Many schools do not include this component because they focus almost 100% on competing and playing a sport.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
…….Gracie Barra and Gracie JJ are two very different organisations with very different styles of jiujitsu though aren’t they?
It's a fairly good example of (one of, there are a bunch and it's a biiiiig family ;) ) the splits in the Gracie family.
Gracie Barra came about after Carlos Gracie Jr (known as Carlinhos) took over the school which his relatives Carlson and Rolls had been running together since the late 1960s/early 1970s, following the tragic death of Rolls Gracie in 1982. Two years later, Carlos Jr was able to escape the crowds and noise by moving the school to what was then a small town, Barra da Tijuca. As he was not the only Gracie training there, he decided against the obvious name of Carlinhos Gracie Academy. Instead, he named it after the location: Gracie Barra.
That gradually developed into the massive organisation it is today, with Carlos Jr also heading up the IBJJF, a money making business selling comps that likes to pretend it is a governing body. Carlos Jr has financially benefitted greatly from the growth of BJJ competition, and indeed he's been an important part of popularising the sport of BJJ over the last four decades or so.
Gracie Jiu Jitsu, on the other hand, which you could arguably split across multiple brands of BJJ that market themselves as 'self defence' (Gracie University and Valente Bros especially), have defined themselves against what they have dubbed 'sport' BJJ. They can then market themselves as the real deal and gather up all the people who 40 years ago might have gone to an aikido school or karate. There are interesting hybrids of that strand of jiu jitsu, like Gracie Humaitá. That organisation was headed up by Royler Gracie, and has since produced countless top competitors (e.g., Leticia Ribeiro, Saulo, Xande, etc).
The people who are motivated by seeing 'self defence' in advertising are often the same people who may be put off by the prospect of competition. Rener and Ryron were big competitors back in the day, but they (Rener especially) are also shrewd businessmen, so they massively de-emphasised competition once they saw that groups like Carlos Jr's Gracie Barra were way ahead of them on that front. Not having to worry about strong performances in the big comps means Rener and others can focus fully on a different audience.
Naturally the irony there is that competition actually would serve most people who bang on about self defence far better than schools that claim THEY are ones teaching self defence. That's because competition is probably the safest way you can simulate some of the factors in a self defence situation that are hard to recreate, such as an adrenaline dump, somebody going 100% resistance on you, genuine risk of getting hurt, etc. It's also going pressure test your technique better than pretty much anything else, not to mention a regular competitor is probably going to be in better physical shape than the average person (and will definitely be better at handling stress).
Obviously a comp is still very, VERY different from a real self defence situation, as there you've got all sorts of other factors to consider (e.g., environment, legal ramifications, verbal de-escalation, etc). There is no safe way to recreate the feeling of somebody actually trying to kill you, rob you, rape you, etc. However, I'd still argue that in terms of a safe simulation, competition will generally serve you a lot better than the average class teaching bear hug escapes or knife defence.
Gracie Barra came about after Carlos Gracie Jr (known as Carlinhos) took over the school which his relatives Carlson and Rolls had been running together since the late 1960s/early 1970s, following the tragic death of Rolls Gracie in 1982. Two years later, Carlos Jr was able to escape the crowds and noise by moving the school to what was then a small town, Barra da Tijuca. As he was not the only Gracie training there, he decided against the obvious name of Carlinhos Gracie Academy. Instead, he named it after the location: Gracie Barra.
That gradually developed into the massive organisation it is today, with Carlos Jr also heading up the IBJJF, a money making business selling comps that likes to pretend it is a governing body. Carlos Jr has financially benefitted greatly from the growth of BJJ competition, and indeed he's been an important part of popularising the sport of BJJ over the last four decades or so.
Gracie Jiu Jitsu, on the other hand, which you could arguably split across multiple brands of BJJ that market themselves as 'self defence' (Gracie University and Valente Bros especially), have defined themselves against what they have dubbed 'sport' BJJ. They can then market themselves as the real deal and gather up all the people who 40 years ago might have gone to an aikido school or karate. There are interesting hybrids of that strand of jiu jitsu, like Gracie Humaitá. That organisation was headed up by Royler Gracie, and has since produced countless top competitors (e.g., Leticia Ribeiro, Saulo, Xande, etc).
The people who are motivated by seeing 'self defence' in advertising are often the same people who may be put off by the prospect of competition. Rener and Ryron were big competitors back in the day, but they (Rener especially) are also shrewd businessmen, so they massively de-emphasised competition once they saw that groups like Carlos Jr's Gracie Barra were way ahead of them on that front. Not having to worry about strong performances in the big comps means Rener and others can focus fully on a different audience.
Naturally the irony there is that competition actually would serve most people who bang on about self defence far better than schools that claim THEY are ones teaching self defence. That's because competition is probably the safest way you can simulate some of the factors in a self defence situation that are hard to recreate, such as an adrenaline dump, somebody going 100% resistance on you, genuine risk of getting hurt, etc. It's also going pressure test your technique better than pretty much anything else, not to mention a regular competitor is probably going to be in better physical shape than the average person (and will definitely be better at handling stress).
Obviously a comp is still very, VERY different from a real self defence situation, as there you've got all sorts of other factors to consider (e.g., environment, legal ramifications, verbal de-escalation, etc). There is no safe way to recreate the feeling of somebody actually trying to kill you, rob you, rape you, etc. However, I'd still argue that in terms of a safe simulation, competition will generally serve you a lot better than the average class teaching bear hug escapes or knife defence.
RBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Ugh, the Helio story about how he allegedly invented BJJ by watching his brother teach sounds like the plot of a bad kung fu flick.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Ugh, the Helio story about how he allegedly invented BJJ by watching his brother teach sounds like the plot of a bad kung fu flick.
I'm so pleased that there is now loads of properly researched material (like 'Choque' ) out there which debunks the very made up Rorion version of the history.
I can understand why Rorion did it, effective marketing strategy (so effective there are still people who believe his propaganda). Hopefully that pretend version of the history will eventually fade away. :)
I can understand why Rorion did it, effective marketing strategy (so effective there are still people who believe his propaganda). Hopefully that pretend version of the history will eventually fade away. :)
Edited 2 year(s) ago
RBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I'm so pleased that there is now loads of properly researched material (like 'Choque' ) out there which debunks the very made up Rorion version of the history. I can understand why Rorion did it, effective marketing strategy (so effective there are still people who believe his propaganda). Hopefully that pretend version of the history will eventually fade away. :)
The same guy who sued his own family for using their own name. He did Carley Gracie dirty.
BVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Didnt Rorion want to trademark the triangle too, the shape I mean. So nobody was allowed to use a triangle in their logo any more. That is just silly to me, I mean... its a triangle.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Didnt Rorion want to trademark the triangle too, the shape I mean. So nobody was allowed to use a triangle in their logo any more. That is just silly to me, I mean... its a triangle.
I don't think he tried to trademark a triangle in terms of just the shape, but he DID trademark the 'Triangle Design Logo' that has two grapplers inside a triangle.
It is detailed in the court documents in Rorion's case against his cousin Carley Gracie (to be fair, Carley sued Rorion first), which was mentioned earlier. Wonderfully for those of us interested in BJJ history, that's archived online: http://web.archive.org/we[...]15672.html
To quote the specific bit I'm referring to:
"Rorion publicized his jiu-jitsu instruction business through national advertising which used the term 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the 'Triangle Design' logo, which consists of two grappling jiu-jitsu figures outlined by an open triangle. In 1988, Rorion applied for and obtained a California registration for the Triangle Design logo. In 1989, Rorion applied for and obtained federal registrations for the 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' service mark and the Triangle Design logo. Rorion has actively enforced his rights in 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the Triangle Design logo through litigation.
In December 1994, Carley sued Rorion, challenging the validity of the term 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the Triangle Design logo as service marks."
It is detailed in the court documents in Rorion's case against his cousin Carley Gracie (to be fair, Carley sued Rorion first), which was mentioned earlier. Wonderfully for those of us interested in BJJ history, that's archived online: http://web.archive.org/we[...]15672.html
To quote the specific bit I'm referring to:
"Rorion publicized his jiu-jitsu instruction business through national advertising which used the term 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the 'Triangle Design' logo, which consists of two grappling jiu-jitsu figures outlined by an open triangle. In 1988, Rorion applied for and obtained a California registration for the Triangle Design logo. In 1989, Rorion applied for and obtained federal registrations for the 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' service mark and the Triangle Design logo. Rorion has actively enforced his rights in 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the Triangle Design logo through litigation.
In December 1994, Carley sued Rorion, challenging the validity of the term 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the Triangle Design logo as service marks."
SLBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
It's a fairly good example of (one of, there are a bunch and it's a biiiiig family ;) ) the splits in the Gracie family. Gracie Barra came about after Carlos Gracie Jr (known as Carlinhos) took over the school which his relatives Carlson and Rolls had been running together since the late 1960s/early 1970s, following the tragic death of Rolls Gracie in 1982. Two years later, Carlos Jr was able to escape the crowds and noise by moving the school to what was then a small town, Barra da Tijuca. As he was not the only Gracie training there, he decided against the obvious name of Carlinhos Gracie Academy. Instead, he named it after the location: Gracie Barra. That gradually developed into the massive organisation it is today, with Carlos Jr also heading up the IBJJF, a money making business selling comps that likes to pretend it is a governing body. Carlos Jr has financially benefitted greatly from the growth of BJJ competition, and indeed he's been an important part of popularising the sport of BJJ over the last four decades or so. Gracie Jiu Jitsu, on the other hand, which you could arguably split across multiple brands of BJJ that market themselves as 'self defence' (Gracie University and Valente Bros especially), have defined themselves against what they have dubbed 'sport' BJJ. They can then market themselves as the real deal and gather up all the people who 40 years ago might have gone to an aikido school or karate. There are interesting hybrids of that strand of jiu jitsu, like Gracie Humaitá. That organisation was headed up by Royler Gracie, and has since produced countless top competitors (e.g., Leticia Ribeiro, Saulo, Xande, etc). The people who are motivated by seeing 'self defence' in advertising are often the same people who may be put off by the prospect of competition. Rener and Ryron were big competitors back in the day, but they (Rener especially) are also shrewd businessmen, so they massively de-emphasised competition once they saw that groups like Carlos Jr's Gracie Barra were way ahead of them on that front. Not having to worry about strong performances in the big comps means Rener and others can focus fully on a different audience. Naturally the irony there is that competition actually would serve most people who bang on about self defence far better than schools that claim THEY are ones teaching self defence. That's because competition is probably the safest way you can simulate some of the factors in a self defence situation that are hard to recreate, such as an adrenaline dump, somebody going 100% resistance on you, genuine risk of getting hurt, etc. It's also going pressure test your technique better than pretty much anything else, not to mention a regular competitor is probably going to be in better physical shape than the average person (and will definitely be better at handling stress). Obviously a comp is still very, VERY different from a real self defence situation, as there you've got all sorts of other factors to consider (e.g., environment, legal ramifications, verbal de-escalation, etc). There is no safe way to recreate the feeling of somebody actually trying to kill you, rob you, rape you, etc. However, I'd still argue that in terms of a safe simulation, competition will generally serve you a lot better than the average class teaching bear hug escapes or knife defence.
I’ve got a pal who is a black belt in Gracie JJ. Would he be classed as a typical BJJ black belt? It has the iconic red tab.
I can’t see him being much of an issue for a good level purple belt from a ‘sports’ BJJ club if I’m honest.
I can’t see him being much of an issue for a good level purple belt from a ‘sports’ BJJ club if I’m honest.
BVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I don't think he tried to trademark a triangle in terms of just the shape, but he DID trademark the 'Triangle Design Logo' that has two grapplers inside a triangle. It is detailed in the court documents in Rorion's case against his cousin Carley Gracie (to be fair, Carley sued Rorion first), which was mentioned earlier. Wonderfully for those of us interested in BJJ history, that's archived online: http://web.archive.org/we[...]15672.html To quote the specific bit I'm referring to: 'Rorion publicized his jiu-jitsu instruction business through national advertising which used the term 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the 'Triangle Design' logo, which consists of two grappling jiu-jitsu figures outlined by an open triangle. In 1988, Rorion applied for and obtained a California registration for the Triangle Design logo. In 1989, Rorion applied for and obtained federal registrations for the 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' service mark and the Triangle Design logo. Rorion has actively enforced his rights in 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the Triangle Design logo through litigation. In December 1994, Carley sued Rorion, challenging the validity of the term 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' and the Triangle Design logo as service marks.'
I see thats a little bit less bad, but still pretty bad lol
BNPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
I’ve got a pal who is a black belt in Gracie JJ. Would he be classed as a typical BJJ black belt? It has the iconic red tab. I can’t see him being much of an issue for a good level purple belt from a ‘sports’ BJJ club if I’m honest.
Ryan Hall once quote in an instructional:
"The best purple belt is better than the average black belt, for sure. The average black belt is not very good."
I've no idea how good or average your buddy is. But the above quote is widely understood and should not be controversial. We literally seen it all the time from young phenoms went on to be black belt world champions. The guys they were beating were also significantly better than average.
"The best purple belt is better than the average black belt, for sure. The average black belt is not very good."
I've no idea how good or average your buddy is. But the above quote is widely understood and should not be controversial. We literally seen it all the time from young phenoms went on to be black belt world champions. The guys they were beating were also significantly better than average.
BNPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
The same guy who sued his own family for using their own name. He did Carley Gracie dirty.
Yeah, I mentioned that earlier. Also went to court with Rickson over the same. Now he's attached to the Gracie University brand.
It all goes back to business at the end of the day, and of course the Carlos Helio rivalry.
It all goes back to business at the end of the day, and of course the Carlos Helio rivalry.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Thank you for your answers. I think we need to go back to understand. It was Helio Gracie who modified Maeda's techniques. It was Rorion Gracie who popularized the UFC in 1993. He registered the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu trademark to protect his father's art. Jiu-Jitsu then took different directions. MMA, Sports Jiu-Jitsu and Self-defense. Each school is free to invent or imitate new techniques. But to preserve culture, effectiveness in combat and unify all of these schools it was necessary to create a common basic program. Self Defense Unit and Gracie Combatives are legitimate programs in that sense. I invite you to watch the Future of Jiu-Jitsu video : https://www.youtube.com/w[...]eRaWLVOuPQ I agree 100% with this video. And you ? Best regards
Mitsuyo Maeda never recognized the Gracie brothers as his students, when asked.
Maeda's chief non-Japanese Brazilian licensee was Donato Pires dos Reis.
There are some newspaper articles with pictures of the Gracie Brothers acting as assistant coaches in his gym.
Maeda's chief non-Japanese Brazilian licensee was Donato Pires dos Reis.
There are some newspaper articles with pictures of the Gracie Brothers acting as assistant coaches in his gym.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
All that being said, everything the Gracie University puts out, tends to have high production value.
And the techniques that I saw Ryron teaching when I visited the Gracie Academy to ask Rener about the purpose and intent of Gracie University,
reminded me very much of the Vale Tudo Jiu-Jitsu I learned in the nineties, etc.
It was a good class, a nice gym, and...
Rener and Ryron are both not small guys.
Seems like a traditional Helio Gracie curriculum.
There are competing methods, and more than one way to do things, but that is a solid curriculum.
(Yes, yes, I am not the biggest fan of the knife defenses....).
And the techniques that I saw Ryron teaching when I visited the Gracie Academy to ask Rener about the purpose and intent of Gracie University,
reminded me very much of the Vale Tudo Jiu-Jitsu I learned in the nineties, etc.
It was a good class, a nice gym, and...
Rener and Ryron are both not small guys.
Seems like a traditional Helio Gracie curriculum.
There are competing methods, and more than one way to do things, but that is a solid curriculum.
(Yes, yes, I am not the biggest fan of the knife defenses....).
JBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
I picked up the first Gracie Combatives DVD set when it first came out, back when I was a purple belt running a small college club. I haven’t seen the Combatives 2.0 set that was recently released, so these comments are about the original set. As others have stated, the production value of the videos is top-notch. also appreciate the fact that it’s not a mish-mash of random techniques like most BJJ videos, but rather a coherent, systematic approach to teaching an inexperienced person how to fight. Each technique is taught in “slices” that breaks it down into easily understandable parts and then integrates it into a skill set that neatly incorporates the other techniques learned up to that point. Rener and Ryron’s instruction is clear and scripted (not the rambling instruction you sometimes see in other videos). The techniques they teach are pretty standard BJJ, though striking defenses are also included (good for MMA and self-defense). If someone wants a set of clear videos to teach them the basics of BJJ, this set is a very good investment.
Here’s the stuff I don’t like about the program (which might have changed in Combatives 2.0, to be fair). First, the videos talk about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as if it’s the only martial art you ever need to know. As a JKD practitioner in the Richardson/Inosanto lineage, I think this is problematic. Cross training in arts like Muay Thai, Judo, and Kali will help you be a well-rounded fighter (especially if self-defense or MMA is your goal). Second, they gloss over multiple attacker situations rather than giving specific strategies and techniques for dealing with them. Third, it seems like they don’t really do any sparring until blue belt. I understand they are trying to keep training safe, but I have no-stripe white belts do isolated sparring exercises all the time without injury. Fourth, I really don’t like the made-up Combatives belt with the stripe running through it. It’s better than giving an online blue belt (which they used to do), but it’s still not a standard BJJ belt.
I did have a student a few years ago who first studied BJJ through the Gracie Combatives program using the online videos. He traveled to California to test for his blue belt in person and he said the test was very rigorous (taking several days to complete). He had solid BJJ skills and was very technical, so the program seems to be doing a pretty good job of getting people started. I will say that this individual had some holes in his game: he wasn’t a well-rounded fighter (i.e., good on the ground and not on his feet) and he struggled a bit in sparring at first (though he got good quickly given his technical background).
Overall, I think the videos are worth watching even if the program has some drawbacks.
Here’s the stuff I don’t like about the program (which might have changed in Combatives 2.0, to be fair). First, the videos talk about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as if it’s the only martial art you ever need to know. As a JKD practitioner in the Richardson/Inosanto lineage, I think this is problematic. Cross training in arts like Muay Thai, Judo, and Kali will help you be a well-rounded fighter (especially if self-defense or MMA is your goal). Second, they gloss over multiple attacker situations rather than giving specific strategies and techniques for dealing with them. Third, it seems like they don’t really do any sparring until blue belt. I understand they are trying to keep training safe, but I have no-stripe white belts do isolated sparring exercises all the time without injury. Fourth, I really don’t like the made-up Combatives belt with the stripe running through it. It’s better than giving an online blue belt (which they used to do), but it’s still not a standard BJJ belt.
I did have a student a few years ago who first studied BJJ through the Gracie Combatives program using the online videos. He traveled to California to test for his blue belt in person and he said the test was very rigorous (taking several days to complete). He had solid BJJ skills and was very technical, so the program seems to be doing a pretty good job of getting people started. I will say that this individual had some holes in his game: he wasn’t a well-rounded fighter (i.e., good on the ground and not on his feet) and he struggled a bit in sparring at first (though he got good quickly given his technical background).
Overall, I think the videos are worth watching even if the program has some drawbacks.
BVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
All programs have draw backs of course. And a blue belt doesnt have to be complete yet. But going up to advanced ranks you should round out your game and i wonder if that program covers that.
JTPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
All programs have draw backs of course. And a blue belt doesnt have to be complete yet. But going up to advanced ranks you should round out your game and i wonder if that program covers that.
The master cycle does. The curriculum is great. I earned all my belts the traditional way, but used Grqcie U as a study tool.
JJBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
The things that I notice sometimes from Gracie Garages:
+ Safe environment.
+ Decent base fundamentals.
+ Normally enthusiastic people willing to learn.
- Lacks submission skills.
- Some stuff seems more like a kata.
- Not good at understanding timing/strategy. Lacks creativity/concepts.
- Not near as good against real random resistance. Can do things in slow motion but not at full speed against real resistance.
*** It's still jiu-jitsu. It's just not the fastest way to learn. But for some people it may be the only way and/or a safe/fundamental way to get started.
+ Safe environment.
+ Decent base fundamentals.
+ Normally enthusiastic people willing to learn.
- Lacks submission skills.
- Some stuff seems more like a kata.
- Not good at understanding timing/strategy. Lacks creativity/concepts.
- Not near as good against real random resistance. Can do things in slow motion but not at full speed against real resistance.
*** It's still jiu-jitsu. It's just not the fastest way to learn. But for some people it may be the only way and/or a safe/fundamental way to get started.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
