Gracie Combatives ® is our beginner program for adults. In this program, you will learn the 36 core techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (also known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ) 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 Gracie 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® 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® .
Free Online Access & Satellite Training Privileges
Upon enrolling in the Gracie Combatives® program, , you will receive a free subscription to Gracie University Online. Through our interactive online platform, you will have access to detailed video instruction on every technique in the course enabling you to study the lessons on any computer or mobile device 24 hours a day! Furthermore, all active students at a Certified Training Center qualify to train at any other Gracie Certified Training Center around the world. Since the curriculum is the same at all Certified Training Centers, you will receive credit for every lesson on your Gracie Combatives® attendance card when you return home!
10 DAY Free Trial!
Beyond Gracie Combatives belt, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu consists of hundreds of advanced techniques organized into a clearly defined, systematic curriculum called the Master Cycle® . The Master Cycle’s® unique structure simplifies the journey to black belt by organizing all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) into seven positional chapters (Mount, Side Mount, Guard, Half Guard, Back Mount, Leg Locks, Standing), each of which is studied for several months before moving on to the next chapter.
If you've achieved the rank of Gracie Combatives belt or higher in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and you would like to continue on the path to
BJJ black belt in a safe, structured, and friendly learning environment, the Master Cycle® is for you!
Review/Warm-Up
Every Master Cycle® lesson begins with a 15-20 minute review/warm-up period during which you will review previous lessons or explore techniques you may have learned online through Gracie University. During the review period, we encourage you to collaborate with your training partners and ask questions of the instructors.
Technical Instruction
After the review, the instructor will present 2-3 new techniques from the current chapter of study. Then, you will practice the techniques with a cooperative partner until the movements become natural.
Focus Sparring
At the end of class, you will have a chance to test your skills against a variety of training partners in a variety of controlled training exercises, such as: Rapid Mastery Drills, Focus Sparring Exercises and Fight Simulation Drills. Safety is the primary concern during these sparring exercises, and any students who do not train in a safe and productive manner will not be allowed to participate. Sparring is 100% voluntary for Master Cycle® students.
Free Online Access
There is a remarkable difference in the rate of progress between students who study in their off time and those who don’t. As an active member of the Master Cycle® program at any Certified Training Center, you qualify for a free subscription to Gracie University Online, which gives you unlimited online access to the Master Cycle® video-based curriculum. Use this resource to review past lessons, learn new techniques, and prepare for future belt tests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any computer or mobile device! Take advantage of this powerful tool and take your technique to the next level!
Train Anywhere in the World
As an active student in the Master Cycle® you qualify to train at any Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center around the world. If you travel to a city with a Certified Training Center, simply let them know that you’re a family member, and you can participate in any class for free!
