The Gracie Combatives program is a comprehensive self-defense system developed by the legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family, the Gracies. It was created to teach people of all ages and skill levels how to defend themselves in real-world situations. The program is based on the core principles of leverage, timing, and technique, which are essential for effective self-defense. The goal of the program is to provide students with a complete set of skills that can be applied in any situation.
History of Gracie Combatives
The Gracie family has been teaching martial arts for over 100 years. The original founders, Carlos Gracie Sr. and Helio Gracie, developed their own style of Jiu-Jitsu in 1925 and opened the first Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since then, their sons have continued to refine and develop their art into what we now know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® (GJJ).
In 2006, Rorion and Royce Gracie (sons of Helio Gracie) created the Gracie Combatives program to make GJJ accessible to the United State Army. The program was designed to teach students how to defend themselves against larger opponents using leverage and technique rather than strength or size. Rorion’s sons, Ryron and Renor Gracie, further developed the program to be accessible to everyone. It consists of 36 lessons focusing on the most effective jiu-jitsu combative techniques for adults. Gracie Bullyproof includes modifications of these skills for kids. While the Gracie Combatives program is for both men and women, the Gracie Women Empowered includes additional scenarios that females are more likely to encounter. Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) includes additional scenarios and tactics for military and law enforcement personnel. Gracie Combatives is taught at Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers® (CTC’s) around the world and available online through GracieUniversity.com.
Gracie Combatives is our beginner program 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 or “slices” to facilitate the learning process. 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. Upon successful completion of the Gracie Combatives program you will earn your Gracie Combatives Belt which will qualify you for advancement into the Master Cycle program.
36 Essential Techniques
Although the art of jiu-jitsu consists of over 600 techniques, studies of real fights conducted by members of the Gracie Family have shown that 36 techniques have been used more often and with greater success than all the other techniques combined. Originally developed for the U.S. Army, Gracie Combatives is the only course that is entirely dedicated to the mastery of these 36 essential techniques. You need absolutely no experience to start this program. Our instructors conduct all classes in a cooperative training environment and are committed to ensuring that every new student has an informative, enjoyable experience regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.
Step 1: Learn the Techniques
We have divided the 36 Gracie Combatives techniques into 23 one-hour classes so that you can complete the course at your own pace. We designed each lesson so that you can start at any point in the course. As a result, you can complete the 23 lessons in any order without feeling overwhelmed or confused. Upon enrolling, we will issue you a Gracie Combatives attendance card on which we will track your progress every step of the way.
Step 2: Develop Your Reflexes
Once you complete each of the 23 Gracie Combatives lessons twice, you will qualify to participate in the Reflex Development (RD) Classes where you will learn how to combine the 36 techniques to address the most common occurrences in a real fight.
Step 3: Earn Your Gracie Combatives Belt
Once you complete each of the Gracie Combatives lessons three times, and you’ve completed at least 12 Reflex Development Classes, you are eligible to test for your Gracie Combatives belt! We will administer a 25-minute test to assess your ability to execute the 36 essential techniques individually and in combination. If your reflexes are sharp and your performance meets Gracie University standards, you will qualify for promotion, and you will be ready to transition into our advanced program, the Master Cycle.
Benefits of Learning Gracie Combatives
Learning Gracie Combatives can provide numerous benefits for both beginners and experienced martial artists alike. Here are just a few:
- Improved Self Defense Skills: The goal of the program is to teach you how to defend yourself against larger opponents using leverage and technique rather than strength or size. This makes it an ideal system for those looking for an effective self defense system that can be used in real world scenarios.
- Improved Physical Fitness: Learning the techniques taught in the program will help improve your physical fitness as well as your overall health and wellbeing. Not only will you learn effective self defense techniques but you will also get a great workout at the same time!
- Improved Mental Focus: Learning any martial art requires focus and discipline which can help improve your mental focus overall. This can be beneficial in other areas of life such as work or school as well as helping you stay focused during stressful situations such as confrontations or physical altercations.
- Improved Confidence: Learning how to defend yourself effectively can give you a boost in confidence which can help you feel more secure when faced with challenging situations both on and off the mats!
Conclusion
Gracie Combatives is an excellent self defense system that has been developed by one of the most renowned martial arts families in history – The Gracies! It teaches students how to use leverage and technique rather than strength or size when defending themselves against larger opponents making it an ideal system for those looking for an effective way to protect themselves from harm’s way! Not only does it provide excellent self defense skills but it also helps improve physical fitness, mental focus, and confidence – all while having fun learning something new!