The Comprehensive Curriculum of Jiu-Jitsu University

Jiu-Jitsu University provides a clearly defined, systematic curriculum designed to guide students of all ages, genders, and athletic abilities from beginner to black belt. This curriculum, perfected over generations, emphasizes safety, structure, and a supportive learning environment. By organizing all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) into a logical sequence based on complexity and combat effectiveness, Gracie University ensures that students learn at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed or left behind.

Programs for All Ages and Skill Levels

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Jonesboro offers a range of programs tailored to different demographics and skill levels. No matter which program you choose, the goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for all students.

Gracie Combatives: The Foundation

For those new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Combatives serves as the official beginner program. This program teaches the 36 core techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in a fun, safe, and cooperative environment. Each one-hour lesson addresses one standing and one ground self-defense technique. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience. Since safety is the number one concern, there is no competitive sparring in this program.

Master Cycle: The Journey to Black Belt

Beyond the Gracie Combatives belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) consists of hundreds of advanced techniques organized into a clearly defined, systematic curriculum called the Master Cycle. 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! The Master Cycle 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.

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, collaboration with training partners and asking questions of the instructors is encouraged. 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. 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.

Read also: Leverage in BJJ

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! As an active student in the Master Cycle you qualify to train at any Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center around the world.

Women Empowered: Self-Defense for Women

Women Empowered is the official Gracie self-defense program for women based on the techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). In this 15-lesson program, you will learn how to neutralize the 20 most common attacks ranging from having your hair grabbed to being pinned to the ground by a weapon-bearing assailant. Each one-hour Women Empowered lesson addresses two techniques. You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience. Unlike most self-defense systems that rely heavily on strength, speed, and coordination, the techniques in the Women Empowered program employ leverage, technique, and timing, so anyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, can make them work against larger opponents.

The Women Empowered Instructor Certification Program is designed to equip you with the tools to teach Women Empowered in your community. You must score 95 or higher on the Pink Belt test to qualify. The world's leading self-defense program for women is based on the proven principles of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Gracie Bullyproof: Confidence for Kids

In the Gracie Bullyproof program, the goal is to instill your child with unshakable confidence so they can overcome bullies without violence. Due to the non-violent nature of the techniques, CNN, ABC, NBC, and Oprah have featured the Gracie Bullyproof program as one of the few effective counter-measures to bullying for children between the ages of 5 and 12. If you’re interested in instilling your child with unshakable confidence while reinforcing positive values and good character, the Gracie Bullyproof program is for you! Handed down over three generations, these playful exercises will engage your child in the learning process while simultaneously introducing them to fundamental self-defense principles of Gracie Jiu-jitsu. Jr. Empower your child against kidnappers and drugs with these six powerful mini courses: School Safety, Street Smarts, House Rules, Internet Danger, Emergency Escapes and Drug Defense.

Striking Skills: MMA Fundamentals

The Striking Skills program is designed for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of MMA striking-without the “meathead” culture. You’ll learn how to throw punches, kicks, elbows, and knees with control and confidence, emphasizing proper mechanics, distance management, and balance. Every technique is taught with safety first, without compromising real-world effectiveness.

Gracie Survival Tactics (GST): Defensive Tactics for Professionals

Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) is Gracie University's specialized Defensive Tactics program for law enforcement, military and first responders. In the Level 2 GST course, we teach 17 additional techniques including submission counters, multiple officer arrest/control tactics, vehicle extractions and edged weapon defenses. GST L2 is Gracie University's Advanced Instructor Certification Program for military and law enforcement professionals who have previously completed the GST L1 course. Through consistent, hands-on training GST Hybrid builds real skill, real confidence, and real connection.

Gracie Medical Defense (GMD): Workplace Violence Prevention for Healthcare

Violence in healthcare is real, and it’s getting worse. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers suffer 73% of all workplace violence incidents, and the vast majority go unreported. Too often, staff are left feeling unprepared and unsupported forced to choose between their own safety or organizational policy. That’s why we created Gracie Medical Defense (GMD), a complete workplace violence prevention program built specifically for healthcare.

The Gracie University Advantage

Structured Curriculum

Realizing that the key to global dissemination of pure Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® was the development of a formalized curriculum, Gracie University dedicated several years to organizing all the techniques in the most logical sequence based on their complexity and usefulness in combat. Lacking a standardized curriculum, it is common practice, at BJJ schools around the world, for techniques to be presented in complete randomness. Each day, the instructor shows up to class, having no clue what to teach, and asks the students: “What do you guys want to do?” as if the students know better than he does what should be practiced. Learning in such an unorganized environment can be extremely frustrating and overwhelming. New students almost always feel left behind since the techniques are usually tailored to meet the needs of the more advanced students. In most cases, students experience a sensation known as “Technique Overload” and end up quitting within 3 to 5 months of enrolling, and when they do, the instructor believes that the student’s lack of discipline is to blame.

Teaching Methodology

Aside from the unparalleled structure and organization of the curriculum, what makes Gracie University group class training programs unique is the way in which we present the techniques. Perfected over three generations, the teaching methodology used at all Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centers® allows students to learn at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed or left behind.

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!

Instructor Certification

The Gracie Instructor Certification Program give qualified instructors the tools and knowledge to excel in both the educational and business aspects of running a Certified Training Center. If you are passionate about sharing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and you live in a territory that doesn't already have a Certified Training Center, click on the button below to learn more about the Gracie University Instructor Certification Program. The Gracie University Instructor Certification Program is the most comprehensive instructor development curriculum ever developed for martial arts.

The 32 Principles

Efficiency is the “Apex Principle” of jiu-jitsu, but there are 32 “Micro Principles” that make efficiency possible in every position and technique. When you learn techniques, you understand jiu-jitsu; when you learn principles, you become jiu-jitsu. The stronger your relationship with the principles, the easier it will be for you to improvise in any situation for which you haven’t learned a specific technique. It was the Grandmaster relationship with the principles that enabled him to evolve jiu-jitsu so significantly over his lifetime. By learning the 32 Principles, you will evolve from a passive consumer of the art to an active contributor.

Special Programs and Seminars

Outside of the core Gracie University curriculum there is still lots to learn. In our Special Programs you will have a chance to learn from additional masters who’ve dedicated their lives to jiu-jitsu! Jiu-jitsu is what we make of it, and anyone who has spent several decades on the mat, can make it something very special. The objective of the Gracie University Seminar Series is to expose dedicated jiu-jitsu students everywhere to specialized mastery seminars from the most respected and experienced jiu-jitsu instructors in the world.

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