Gracie Barra Programs
At Gracie Barra San Diego, we strive to help students get the most out of their training. For students who are consistent and dedicated, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes a life-style, a means of self-improvement.
Working from the assumption that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu must be embraced as a lifelong journey, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. has designed an effective program of study that allows students to systematically progress from white belt to black belt. Thus, classes and their respective curricula are not isolated from one another but are elements of a larger structured learning plan called “Programs.”
Gracie Barra Programs are composed of six main elements:
- Curricula: A set of coordinated techniques logically organized to facilitate the learning process. All Gracie Barra curricula are 16 weeks in duration.
- Pre-requisite: The minimum skill level a student must attain in order to enroll in a specific program.
- Class: The defined period of time during which the student learns the techniques that comprise the curricula.
- Training Methods: Specific drills and training practices designed to transform the knowledge gained in class into usable skills. These methods ensure that students are able to apply newly-acquired techniques in real or authentic conditions.
- Minimum Attendance: Minimum attendance required for students to progress through the GB Curricula.
- Belt System: Hierarchical rank structure designed to represent student progress according to individual potential. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) ranking system is used for all Gracie Barra Programs.
All Gracie Barra students have the dream of becoming black belts. However, this is not an easy goal and a great deal of consistency and dedication is required. To facilitate the learning process, Gracie Barra Programs are structured logically to keep students motivated to learn, practice, and perform.
A typical Gracie Barra student starts with an introductory lesson, where he or she will learn the overall self-defense strategy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Afterwards, the student will enroll in the Gracie Barra Fundamentals Program. After four months of training and learning all the techniques within the Fundamentals curriculum, the student will be recommended to join the Gracie Barra Advanced Program. After eight months of training and experience, the student will have the maturity level and required knowledge to enroll in the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program. In the Black Belt Program the student will be exposed to a variety of training dynamics, including MMA, BJJ No-Gi, and high level BJJ-Gi. This wide range of exposure ensures that each individual develops his or her own unique Jiu-Jitsu style.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a beautiful art and everyone is capable of learning it and enjoying its many benefits. Gracie Barra Programs are a reflection of more than thirty years of Master Carlos Gracie’s teaching experience. His teaching methods have succeeded in improving the self-esteem, discipline, health, and overall quality of life for thousands of individuals around the world, as well as building some of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters ever known.
