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Programs

Overview:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been tested and proven as an efficient, effective “real-world” system of self-defense, both through amazing successes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship as well as in the introduction of ground grappling into the training regimen of nearly every major martial art worldwide.

At Gracie Barra Centurion we strive to help students get the most out of their training. For students with consistency and dedication, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes a life-style and students can readily enjoy all the benefits of the Jiu-Jitsu or the "Gentle Art", which places emphasizes on ground fighting techniques involving joint-locks and chokeholds. The premise is that most of the advantage of a larger, stronger opponent comes from superior reach and more powerful strikes, both of which are somewhat negated when grappling on the ground.

BJJ permits a wide variety of techniques to take the fight to the ground after taking a grip. Once the opponent is on the ground, a number of maneuvers (and counter-maneuvers) are available to manipulate the opponent into a suitable position for the application of a submission technique. Achieving a dominant position on the ground is one of the hallmarks of the BJJ style, and includes effective use of the guard position to defend oneself from bottom, and passing the guard to dominate from top position with side control, mount, and back mount positions. This system of maneuvering and manipulation can be likened to a form of kinetic chess when utilized by two experienced practitioners. A submission hold is the equivalent of checkmate in the sport. However, it is possible for a combat situation to continue even after a proper submission is performed.

Working from the assumption that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu must be embraced as a lifelong journey, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. has designed an effective learning plan or program of study that allows for students to naturally progress from the white belt to the black belt. Thus, classes and their respective curriculum at Gracie Barra are not isolated from one another, but elements of a larger structured learning plan called "Programs".
 

Gracie Barra Programs are comprised of six (6) main elements: • Curriculums: Set of coordinated techniques organized in the best possible way to facilitate students' learning processes. All Gracie Barra curriculums are 16 weeks; • Pre-requisite: The minimum level a student must possess or have accomplished 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 using several different training methods or appropriate instructional techniques; • Training Methods: Specific drills and training practices designed to convert the knowledge represented in the curricula and taught by the instructor into knowledge and skills, insuring that the student is able to apply their knowledge and techniques under real circumstances (or under authentic conditions); • Minimum Attendance: minimum attendance required from the student so him or her can progress and be updated with the GB Curriculums; • Belt System: Hierarchical rank structure designed to represent students' progress, according to their own 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 a black belt. However, this is not an easy goal and a lot of consistency and dedication is required. To fulfill the promise of facilitating students' learning, Gracie Barra Programs are structured logically to keep students motivated to learn, practice and perform.
A typical Gracie Barra student starts with an introductory class, where he or she will learn the overall self-defense strategy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and afterwards enroll in the Gracie Barra Fundamentals Program. After four (4) months of training and learning all the techniques comprising the Fundamental's curriculum, the student will be recommended to join the Gracie Barra Advanced Program.

With eight (8) months of training and experience, the student will have the maturity level and enough knowledge to enroll on the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program. It is in the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program where he or she will be exposed to all kinds of training dynamics, including MMA, BJJ No-Gi and high level BJJ-Gi, so that the student develops his or her own Jiu-Jitsu game, strategy and technique(s).

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a beautiful art and everyone is capable of learning it and enjoying its many benefits. Gracie Barra Programs reflect more than thirty (30) years of Master Carlos Gracie 's teaching experience and have succeeded in improving the life quality, self-esteem, discipline and health of thousands of individuals around the world, as well as building some of the best BJJ fighters ever known.

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Fundamentals:

The Gracie Barra Fundamentals Program is designed to teach the overall self-defense strategy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Within 32 classes, you will learn the 60 Gracie Barra Fundamental Technique Groups, which include more than 200 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

After four months, you will develop the physical and mental skills to successfully apply BJJ techniques that could literally save their lives during a confrontation. Along with learning practical self defense skills, you will discover huge improvements in your discipline, confidence, and self-esteem, the benefits of which will last a lifetime.

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Advanced:

Once you get the 3rd stripe of your white belt, you can move up to the Advanced Program, in addition to continued study in the Fundamentals Program. The 16-week Advanced Program curriculum focuses exclusively on learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the Gi, and will allow you to further your study of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling techniques.

In conjunction with the ground techniques, you will learn the major and most effective throwing techniques which will enable you to transition from the feet onto the ground. In addition, the Advanced Program is more than a series of isolated techniques - the curriculum includes a unique approach, which allows you to understand the links, combinations, and transitions between techniques, improving your reaction time and refining your skills. During the Advanced Program, you will discover strengths and weaknesses of your technical mastery, and begin to create your individualized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game.

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Black Belt:

With the experience, knowledge and skills built over 1 year of training, you will be ready to join the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program. Every Gracie Barra student's goal, no matter their age or technique level, is to join this program because it is the final path for them to become a Gracie Barra Black Belt.
The Black Belt Program is designed to expose the student to several different classes and a variety of training experiences, allowing the student to develop a unique style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and to further your mastery of the art. As a result, in the Black Belt Program, more techniques are taught, the pace of the class is faster and more exciting, the level of the training partners is higher, and last but not least, the focus on little details and timing is what will assist you to take your progress to the next level.

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Kids and Juniors:

Discipline, self-confidence, respect, integrity, teamwork and responsibility are some of the core principles for personal success. These values, however, are rarely taught to children in schools. At Gracie Barra, the practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is seen as a means to individual development, and our Kids and Juniors Program emphasizes development of these important life skills.
The kids and Juniors Jiu-Jitsu program is designed to:
• Teach a complete self-defense system that will give children a high degree of self-confidence.
• Teach children how to intelligently cope with bullying and peer pressure.
• Teach positive social values such as respect, honesty, humility and dignity. Help children get along with others and to treat others with respect.
We offer fun and instructional classes for kids. The kid's program integrates sport and self-defense techniques with conditioning and skill oriented games aimed at improving your child's coordination, motor skills, agility and flexibility.

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IBJJF Belt System

16 years old and up
Important: Student's progress is based on a minimum attendance of twice a week. Gi training is a mandatory requirement for promotion.

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