Gracie Combatives Dvd -
1. The "Dirty Dozen" Structure The course breaks down exactly how to survive the most common street scenarios: getting punched in the mount, defending against a bigger opponent in your guard, and escaping the headlock (the #1 attack in high school fights).
2. Reflex Development This isn't just a highlight reel. The Gracies invented "Reflex Development Drills." You watch a technique, then drill it with increasing resistance. By the end of lesson 3, you aren't thinking—you are reacting.
3. The "Maintain Order" Mantra Rorion Gracie constantly says, "Maintain order." This is the gold of the DVD. It teaches you to breathe, relax, and find the structural frames even when a 200lb man is on top of you. That is a lesson you can't get from a self-defense book.
Many newer apps offer "BJJ fundamentals." However, these are often filmed by purple or brown belts with varying teaching abilities. The Gracie Combatives DVD features the direct lineage of Helio Gracie. The system has been battle-tested for nearly 100 years. Furthermore, the Combatives curriculum is a closed system. It doesn't randomly add "Cool new techniques" that confuse the beginner. It focuses on the 36 essentials and repeats them relentlessly until they become instinct.
The DVD series often includes segments on applying techniques in real-life scenarios, demonstrating how to adapt techniques to different types of attacks and situations. This practical approach helps students to better prepare for the unpredictability of real-life encounters.
Does the Gracie Combatives DVD replace training at a live gym? No. Is it the best insurance policy for someone who can't train at a live gym? 100% Yes.
Think of it like a fire extinguisher. You hope you never need it. But if the fire starts, and you’ve watched these 30 lessons, you won't freeze. You won't panic. You will "maintain order."
Rating: 4.8/5 (Loses .2 points for the hilariously bad intro music).
Have you tried the Combatives course? Let me know in the comments—did the Trap and Roll save you in a real situation?
Gracie Combatives is a comprehensive self-defense program that goes beyond teaching physical techniques. It offers a holistic approach to personal safety, combining practical techniques with mental preparation and strategic thinking. The program aims to empower individuals with the skills and confidence needed to protect themselves and their loved ones in a variety of situations. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced martial artist, Gracie Combatives provides valuable insights and skills that can enhance your self-defense capabilities.
The Gracie Combatives DVD series, led by Ryron and Rener Gracie, is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive foundational programs for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). The course focuses on 36 essential techniques designed to take a beginner from "potential victim" to "street ready". Key Features & Content
Fundamental Focus: The program prioritizes high-percentage, street-applicable techniques rather than sport-specific moves.
Structured Curriculum: It follows a highly organized path, grouping moves into lessons that build on one another.
Dynamic Reflex Development: A unique training method used to help students develop instinctive reactions through repetitive, varied drills.
Promotion Path: Mastering these 36 techniques makes a practitioner eligible to test for their Gracie Combatives Blue Belt. Pros
Instructional Quality: Reviews frequently highlight the exceptional detail and clarity provided by the instructors.
Low Impact: The techniques emphasize leverage over athleticism, making them accessible to older students or those with physical limitations like arthritis.
Home-Friendly: Designed for "Gracie Garages," the program is manageable for those without local access to a formal academy. Cons
Lack of Live Rolling: Some critics argue that the program’s delayed introduction of live sparring (rolling) can slow down timing development compared to traditional gyms. gracie combatives dvd
Online vs. DVD: While the DVD content is identical to the online version, it lacks interactive features like the "Ask the Gracies" forums and digital PDF notes. Final Verdict
The Gracie Combatives DVD is an excellent investment for beginners or those focused on self-defense. While sport-oriented practitioners might find it basic, its systematic approach to the "essential 36" provides a solid technical foundation that is often missing in standard, competition-focused schools.
If you are looking to purchase, you can find the Gracie Combatives DVD set on eBay or access the latest curriculum digitally via Gracie University.
If you'd like to dive deeper into specific parts of the program: List of the 36 techniques covered Differences between the DVD and online subscription Testing process for the Combatives Blue Belt
Gracie Combatives DVD collection is more than a simple instructional series; it is a foundational blueprint for self-defense that revolutionized how martial arts are taught and practiced globally. Developed by Ryron and Rener Gracie
, the course distills the vast landscape of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) into its most essential elements for real-world application. The Philosophy of "Street Readiness"
Unlike sport-oriented BJJ, which focuses on tournament rules and points, the Gracie Combatives program is rooted in the "Street Switch" philosophy. The primary objective is to move a practitioner from being a "potential victim" to being "street ready" in the shortest time possible. This is achieved by focusing on defensive positions and techniques designed to neutralize a larger, more aggressive untrained opponent. Core Curriculum and Structure
The 13-disc DVD set is meticulously organized to guide beginners through a logical progression of skills. Key features include: The 36 Essential Techniques
: These specific moves were identified through decades of Gracie family data as the most frequently occurring and effective techniques in real fights. Dynamic Reflex Development
: The course utilizes a specialized training method to help students build instinctive reactions rather than just memorizing static movements. Modular Learning
: The 36 techniques are divided into 23 one-hour classes that can be completed in any order, making it accessible for students with varying schedules. The Path to Blue Belt A unique aspect of the DVD program is the Blue Belt Qualification
. By mastering the material in the box set—often accompanied by a handbook and flowchart—students become eligible for promotion. This decentralized approach to martial arts education allowed individuals without access to a local academy to begin their journey toward mastery in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Impact on Martial Arts Education
While some traditionalists initially critiqued the idea of learning grappling via video, the Gracie Combatives DVD set is now widely regarded as one of the best introductory instructional series ever made. It bridges the gap between ancient combat principles and modern pedagogical techniques, ensuring that the self-defense "DNA" of the original Gracie system remains preserved and accessible to the public.
The Gracie Combatives DVD collection is a foundational instructional series designed to take a complete beginner to a "street-ready" level of proficiency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Originally developed for the U.S. Army, this curriculum focuses on the 36 most essential and high-percentage techniques identified through generations of Gracie family real-world combat experience. What is the Gracie Combatives DVD Set?
The original Gracie Combatives 13-DVD set contains over 18 hours of detailed instruction by Rener and Ryron Gracie. While the physical DVD sets have been officially discontinued to make way for digital streaming at Gracie University, they remain a highly sought-after "holy grail" for collectors and practitioners who prefer physical media. Core Philosophy: The 80/20 Rule of Jiu-Jitsu
The program is built on the principle that 80% of success in a real fight comes from just 20% of the possible techniques. Rather than overwhelming students with hundreds of complex sport-BJJ moves, the DVD focuses exclusively on 36 core techniques that work most often against a larger, more aggressive opponent in a street fight. Key Techniques Included
The curriculum is organized into 23 classes covering 36 essential techniques, including:
Escapes & Control: Trap and Roll escape from mount, elbow escapes from side mount, and positional control. Reflex Development This isn't just a highlight reel
Submissions: The "big three"—Rear Naked Choke (RNC), Americana armlock, and the triangle choke.
Street Defense: Haymaker punch defense, standing headlock defense, and clinching to neutralize strikes.
Guards: Detailed instruction on the Punch Block Series (levels 1-5) to prevent being struck while on the bottom. The Dynamic Reflex Development System
Unlike standard instructional videos that simply show a move and move on, the Gracie Combatives DVD set uses a proprietary teaching method:
Technical Slices: The move is broken down into simplified drills.
Reflex Development Drills: The move is combined with one other technique to build instinctive reactions.
Fight Simulation Drills: You practice the technique in the context of a simulated real-world fight. Rank Advancement: The Combatives Belt What is the 80/20 rule in BJJ? | MPower Gym & Academy
The Gracie Combatives DVD collection (and its updated online version, Gracie Combatives 2.0
) is the foundational beginner program for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) developed by the Gracie University. It is specifically designed to take individuals with no prior experience to a "street-ready" level of self-defense through the mastery of 36 core techniques. Core Curriculum: The 36 Techniques
The program identifies 36 techniques that were used more often and with greater success in real fights than all other BJJ moves combined. These are typically taught across 23 lessons, including:
Mount Techniques: Trap and Roll Escape, Americana Armlock, Positional Control, and Straight Armlock.
Guard Techniques: Punch Block Series (1–5), Triangle Choke, Elevator Sweep, and Kimura Armlock.
Side Mount Techniques: Positional Control, Headlock Escapes, and Shrimp Escape.
Standing Techniques: Leg Hook Takedown, Clinch (Aggressive and Conservative), Guillotine Defense, and Haymaker Punch Defense. Training Methodology: Dynamic Reflex Development
Unlike traditional BJJ classes that may start with competitive sparring, this program uses a linear, cooperative learning system:
Technical Slices: New techniques are broken down into simplified, manageable drills.
Reflex Development Drills: You learn to combine techniques to address common fight scenarios.
Fight Simulation Drills: At the end of each lesson, you practice the techniques in the context of a simulated real-world fight. The Road to the Gracie Combatives Belt It emphasizes punch protection
Completion of this DVD/online course qualifies students to test for the Gracie Combatives Belt (a white belt with a black stripe), which serves as a prerequisite for the more advanced "Master Cycle" program.
Testing Requirement: At a Certified Training Center (CTC), students are typically required to complete each of the 23 classes three times before testing.
Video Evaluation: If you do not live near a school, you can record yourself performing the five required Blue Belt Qualification Drills (BBQDs) and upload them to the Gracie University Testing Center for official evaluation by a senior instructor.
Passing Score: A score of 90 or higher is required to earn the belt. Purchasing Information The standard Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Combatives DVD Package Go to product viewer dialog for this item. typically includes: 13 DVDs: Totaling over 18 hours of instruction.
65-Page Handbook: Includes blue belt checklists and training schedules.
Gracie Combatives Flowchart: A poster-sized visual guide showing how techniques connect.
Current Availability: While original DVD sets are frequently found on retailers like eBay for roughly $189 $150–$180, the most updated "2.0" content is primarily accessed through a digital subscription at Gracie University. FAQ - Gracie University
Gracie Combatives is the foundational beginner curriculum for the Gracie Academy, originally developed for the Budovideos focuses exclusively on the 36 techniques
identified as the most frequent and successful in real-world street fights Gracie University
. While the original 13-DVD physical box set was officially discontinued in August 2022 , the curriculum lives on through Gracie University Online and the updated Gracie Combatives 2.0 Gracie University Core Program Overview The 36 Essential Techniques
: Distilled from over 600 jiu-jitsu techniques, these are designed for maximum self-defense effectiveness against a larger, more athletic opponent Street-Ready Focus
: Unlike "Sport BJJ," this program prioritizes street survival over point-based tournament competition Gracie University
. It emphasizes punch protection, clinching, and escaping "worst-case" positions like the mount Gracie University Dynamic Reflex Development
: A teaching methodology that breaks techniques into "Technical Slices," then combines them into "Reflex Development Drills," and finally "Fight Simulation Drills" Safety First : The program is taught in a cooperative environment with no competitive sparring
, allowing beginners to learn without fear of injury before advancing to the "Master Cycle" Gracie University The Original 13-DVD Box Set Content If you are purchasing a used set from a marketplace like , a complete package typically includes:
: 12 discs containing the 36 lessons (approx. 90 minutes each) and a 13th disc dedicated to the Blue Belt Qualification Test 65-Page Handbook
: Includes a 108-day training schedule, a blue belt checklist, and note space for each lesson Gracie University Gracie Combatives Fight Chart
: A 24"x36" poster illustrating how the 36 techniques connect across the four phases of a real fight (Mount, Guard, Side Mount, and Standing) Gracie University Gracie Combatives 2.0 (The Modern Update) The updated 2.0 version, available via Gracie University , features several enhancements: High-Definition : Re-recorded in with 3D graphic overlays for clearer detail Bonus "Slices"
: Every lesson now includes a bonus technique for effectiveness against opponents who may have some grappling knowledge Gracie University Expanded Curriculum : Includes solo drills
for those training without a partner and "Street Tips" covering legal considerations, multiple attackers, and environmental hazards Certification & Testing