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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)

Gracie Combatives is our beginner BJJ curriculum for adults. In this program, you will learn the 36 core techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a fun, safe, and cooperative environment. Each one-hour lesson addresses one standing and one ground self-defense technique, which are further broken down into simplified drills. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience and, since safety is our number one concern, there is no competitive sparring in this program.

The Founding Principles of Gracie Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu was originally developed in Japan. However, Grand Master Helio Gracie had to adapt what he had learned in order to accommodate his small size. Ultimately he honed his craft to focus on techniques that were 1) applicable in real life situations against striking opponents, 2) practical against opponents who are bigger or faster, and 3) reliable without requiring difficult contortions or uncomfortable body positions.

 

Accordingly, he began modifying the art to ensure that every technique was fully street applicable, energy efficient, and based on natural body movements. Using these principles as a guide, he spent several years developing a complete system of self-defense consisting only of techniques that he could successfully apply against larger opponents. Confident in his adaptations, he spent the next thirty years of his life proving his system's effectiveness by using it to defeat numerous challengers, including several opponents who outweighed him by as much as 100 pounds.     

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Guideline #1 Street Applicability

All of the techniques we will learn develop into street applicable concepts and principles. Everything has application. Though we practice on padded mats and work slowly at first to develop confidence, the end goal is always in mind, to keep ourselves ready for a real confrontation. 

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Guideline #2 Energy Efficiency

Any technique that relies on speed and power rather than leverage and timing is not energy efficient. In a real fight there is no time limit, so you must learn to save your energy. The only reliable way for you to defeat a larger, more athletic opponent is to utilize techniques that cause your opponent to exhaust energy, while simultaneously preserving your own. Before adding any technique to your arsenal, you must verify that it is more reliant on leverage and proper timing than on your athletic capabilities. Do not trust techniques based on strength or speed as they are unlikely to work against a larger, stronger attacker.

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Guideline #3 Natural Body Movements

Any technique that requires you to move your body unnaturally is likely to fail in the heat of battle. Natural body movement is the best foundation on which to build the instinctive reflexes needed in a real fight.

BJJ BEGINNER POSITIONS

  1. Standing

  2. Mount

  3. Back Mount

  4. Guard

  5. Side Mount

Beginner Skill Requirements

Here are the techniques that must be learned in order to graduate from white belt to blue. 

1. Trap and Roll Escape

2. Americana Armlock

3. Positional Control

4. Take the Back

5. Rear Naked Choke

6. Leg Hook Takedown

7. Clinch (Aggressive Opponent)

8. Punch Block Series (Stages 1-4)

9. Straight Armlock

10. Triangle Choke

11. Elevator Sweep

12. Elbow Escape

13. Positional Control

14. Body Fold Takedown

15. Clinch (Conservative Opponent)

16. Headlock Counters

17. Double Leg Takedown

18. Headlock Escape1

19. Straight Armlock

20. Double Ankle Sweep

21. Pull Guard

22. Headlock Escape 2

23. Guillotine Choke

24. Shrimp Escape

25. Kimura Armlock

26. Standing Headlock Defense

27. Punch Block Series (Stage 5)

28. Hook Sweep

29. Rear Takedown

30. Haymaker Punch Defense

31. Take the Back

32. Guillotine Defense

33. Elbow Escape

34. Standing Armlock

35. Twisting Arm Control

36. Double Underhook Guard Pass

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If you’d like more information about BJJ, get in touch today

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