In the late 1920s Grand Master Helio Gracie created Gracie or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after he realized that he was physically too frail to utilize the traditional Japanese techniques.  Proven over the last 80 years to be the most reliable system for a smaller person to defeat a larger, more athleticopponent,the techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are based on precise timing and effective use of leverage so that virtually anyone can do it, man or woman, regardless of their size or athletic ability. Although Gracie Jiu-Jitsu consists of over 600 techniques, studies of the 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.  Soon after these studies were conducted the Gracies realized that the fastest way to effectively prepare any new student to defend themselves against a larger, untrained opponent was to focus entirely on teaching them these 36 essential techniques. This realization led to the birth of the Gracie Combatives course.  The techniques featured in this course have been adopted by the U.S. Army, Navy Seals, Secret Service, FBI, and countless other law enforcement agencies around the world.

What is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu:

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) was created by Helio Gracie, and was adapted from Japanese Ju Jitsu taught by a Japanese visitor, Mitsuyo Maeda,  in the 1920's. Helio was a frail man, and realized that he couldn't use strength against a larger opponent. So he discarded any moves that didn't work for him on the tough streets of Rio, and focused on efficient moves that used leverage instead of size or strength.  Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is one of the fastest growing martial arts known, because it works in the real world. It doesn't require speed, strength, or coordination so anyone can do it, male or female, big or small. Whatever your physical ability, you can defend yourself.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was pretty much unheard of until Rorion Gracie (Helio's oldest son) moved to the US. After issuing challenges to anyone that could beat him or his brothers, Rorion invented the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC to prove his families art.
The family member chosen to prove BJJ against others by using a lighter & weaker looking member of the family was Royce Gracie. There was no referee, no gloves, no time limit and only one rule - no eye gouging. Royce beat fighters twice his weight & brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the public eye. The UFC now has a bigger pay-per-view audience than all other American sports.

About Gracie Combatives™ Classes:

Here at Shotokan Karate Studio of Self-Defense we are proud to offer the Gracie Combatives program to our students, our prime objective & responsibility is to enable you, in the shortest possible time, to defend yourself against violent encounters in the street. With this in mind we teach the Gracie Combatives™  designed by Rorion Gracie for the US Military and Law Enforcement Agencies, the program has been adapted to give every student, regardless of size, strength or gender, the ability to defend themselves, in the shortest possible learning timeframe..  Our Studio is the First and only school within the New York City Area Certified to teach Gracie Combatives.  As  Certified Gracie Combative Instructors we  are proud to offer this program in a positive manner with an emphasis on following the curriculum exactly as it is taught at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California.
The Program consists of just 36 techniques, spread over 23 classes. The 36 techniques will enable you to defend yourself against the most common attacks, such as punches, kicks, headlocks, grabs and many more. All of the techniques we teach have been tested on the streets, in the ring, and on the modern day close quarter battlefield. Progress is made one degree at a time throughout the Combatives™ program. Once the program is completed and you are ready you will qualify to test for your Blue Belt and join the advance classes. When you embark on this course you will acquire, in the shortest time possible, the skills you will need to protect yourself and your loved ones in the dangerous world we live in.

GRACIE COMBATIVES® The Best of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu! (No Experience Necessary)

Step 1: Learn the Techniques

The 36 Gracie Combatives techniques have been strategically divided into 23 one hour classes so that you can complete the course at your own pace. Each lesson is taught using unique Gracie Teaching Methods so that no previous experience is required to participate in any of the 23 lessons.  As a result, you can complete them in any order.  Upon enrolling, you will be issued a Combatives Card on which all your progress will be tracked and each month you will receive a Combatives Calendar that depicts which techniques will be taught in each lesson throughout the entire month. 

Step 2: Develop Your Reflexes

Once you complete each of the 23 Gracie Combatives lessons two times, you will qualify to participate in the Reflex Development Classes.  In these classes you will learn to execute all 36 techniques in every possible combination by conducting carefully scripted Fight Simulation Drills.   Once you master all techniques in the context of the Fight Simulation Drills you will be considered “Street Ready”.

Step 3: Earn Your Blue Belt

Once you complete each of the Gracie Combatives lesson a third time and you master the 36 techniques in the context of the Reflex Development Classes, you will be considered for promotion to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt! The test for the blue belt is administered by a representative from the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, usually Ryron or Rener Gracie, and requires successful demonstration of each of the Gracie Combatives techniques in four drills and then in a freestyle fight simulation.