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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

On this page I have compiled the lists and charts that help me study Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

The first list shows the order the basic techniques taught at the dojo. The thirty-six Gracie Combatives techniques are taught through a cycle of twenty-three classes. Carefully planned pedagogy allows students to enter the cycle at any time, without needing to know techniques from other classes.

The next list repeats all of the techniques from the aggressor's perspective. A knowledgeable partner will know all of these indocators to "feed" you clear opportunities to practice every technique during unscripted fight simulations.

This flowchart describes how the basic techniques work together.

There are four big drills (1, 2, 3, 4) that make great practice and exercise. These drills are also used for blue belt testing.

There is etiquette for rolling. Keep it playful. Keep it real. Keep it safe.

For further reference, the entire Gracie Combatives manual is online here or here.

Gracie Combatives Class List

Half of this game is ninety percent mental.

    - Yogi Berra

The beginner's curriculum includes thirty-six techniques, each of which has a few variations. At the dojo these are arranged into twenty-three classes so that each class can have both stand-up and on-the-mat portions.

Below is how the techniques fit into the classes, for my own archival use. When I was newer to the material, this list helped me by showing me which techniques to review at home on DVD before class. That really helped me learn the material.

(There are not twenty-three distinct stand-up techniques, so many of these are seen twice during the cycle of lessons.)

The Gracies do not have examples of these techniques freely available (except for lesson one). The best introduction I have found to share some of the basic positions and techniques with someone unfamiliar with the martial art is Stephan Kesting's BJJ Roadmap PDF.

Gracie Combatives Indicators

They always remember the bad guy.

    - Brion James

A helpful partner playing the role of the aggressor during unscripted practice sessions will provide clear opportunities for his or her partner to practice every technique. This list describes all of the "feeds" for every variation of the thirty-six techniques of Gracie Combatives.

Both Standing

• Advance aggresively yet without an attack—Clinch for Conservative Opponent
• Advance aggresively yet without an attack—Double Leg Takedown for Conservative Opponent
• Advance aggresively with a jab or cross punch—Clinch for Aggressive Opponent
• Advance aggresively with a jab or cross punch—Double Leg Takedown for Aggressive Opponent
• Advance aggresively with a haymaker punch—Haymaker Punch Defense
• Advance aggresively with extended arm to threaten/grasp/push—Standing Armlock
• Rush to tackle and allow tap—Guillotine Choke, Standing Variation
• Rush to tackle but do not allow tap—Guillotine Choke, Guard Pull Variation
• Start with headlock—Standing Headlock Defense
• Start with guillotine—Guillotine Defense

Standing, Inside Clinch

• Thrust back hips—Pull Guard
• Surrender hips, legs in narrow base—Body Fold Takedown
• Surrender hips, legs in wide base—Leg Hook Takedown
• Surrender hips, frame the back of their neck—Rear Clinch
• Stay in rear clinch—Rear Takedown

Aggressor Standing, Partner on Back

• Successfully move legs to pass guard and attempt side mount—Shrimp Escape, Block and Shoot Variation
• Unsuccessfully move legs to pass guard—Punch Block Series Stage 5, Rollover Technique

Top Mount

• Posture up and grab at the chest or neck with one or both hands—Trap and Roll Escape, Standard Variation
• Posture up to throw punches—Trap and Roll Escape, Punch Block Variation
• Hold headlock and grapevines—Trap and Roll Escape, Headlock Variation
• Hold headlock and roll to side—Headlock Counter, Prevent the Getup Variation
• Wide base with light knee and no hooks—Elbow Escape, Standard Variation
• Wide base with light knee and hooks—Elbow Escape, Hook Removal Variation
• Wide base with heavy knee and no hooks—Elbow Escape, Fish Hook Variation
• Wide base with heavy knee and slippery hooks—Elbow Escape, Heel Drag Variation

From Inside Top Mount

• Push partner sideways—Top Mount Positional Control, Anchor and Base
• Wrap a posted arm—Top Mount Positional Control, Low Swim
• Vigorously push straight up—Top Mount Positional Control, High Swim
• Wearily push straight up—Straight Armlock, Standard Variation
• Expose arm while partner is low—Americana Armlock, Neck-hug Variation
• Roll to knees—Take the Back
• Roll to side—Straight Armlock, Side Variation
• Protect face from slaps or punches—Americana Armlock, Standard Variation
• Protect face from slaps or punches—Twisting Arm Control

From Inside Twisting Arm Control

• Do roll to knees—Twisting Arm Control, Back Mount Finish
• Do not roll to knees—Twisting Arm Control, Striaght Armlock Finish

Side Mount

• Maintain side mount without punches—Shrimp Escape, Shrimp and Shoot Variation
• Maintain side mount with punches—Shrimp Escape, Punch Block Variation
• Transition to mount by sliding knee across partner's stomach—Elbow Escape, Knee Drive Variation
• Transition to mount by flipping hips to face south then hopping leg over partner—Elbow Escape, High Step Variation
• Headlock can be framed and released and scissors works—Headlock Escape One, Standard Frame Escape Variation
• Headlock can be framed and released but scissors fails—Headlock Escape One, Scissor Failure Variation
• Headlock can be framed but not released when scissored—Headlock Escape One, Super Lock Variation
• Headlock cannot be framed but can be rolled—Headlock Escape Two, Leg Hook Escape Variation
• Headlock can neither be framed nor rolled—Headlock Escape Two, Super Base Variation
• Headlock cannot be framed with punching—Headlock Escape Two, Punch Block Variation

From Inside Side Mount

• Bridge and roll—Side Mount Positional Control, Roll Prevention
• Push hip or knee to try for guard—Side Mount Positional Control, Guard Prevention
• Wearily stop moving—Side Mount Positional Control, Mount Transition
• Frame the side of the partner's neck by your hips—Modified Side Mount
• Release headlock and roll to knees—Headlock Counter, Back Mount Finish Variation
• Maintain headlock—Headlock Counter, Armlock Finish Variation

From Inside Modified Side Mount

• Frame the side of the partner's neck by your neck—Side Mount

Guard

• Wearily open legs—Open Guard Pass
• Forced to open legs—Double Underhook Pass

From Inside Guard

• Weight heavy and punch—Punch Block Series Stage 1
• Weight heavy, after pushed back try to punch—Triangle Choke, Giant Killer Variation
• Wearily heavy, no punch—Kimura Armlock, Forced Variation
• Weight back and many punches—Punch Block Series Stage 2
• Weight back and single punch—Triangle Choke, Stage 1.5 Variation
• Posture up to punch—Punch Block Series Stage 3
• Stand up with weight forward and both legs back—Punch Block Series Stage 4
• Stand up with weight forward and only one leg back—Hook Sweep
• Stand up without weight forward and feet far from to partner—Punch Block Series Stage 5
• Stand up without weight forward and feet close to partner's hips—Double Ankle Sweep, Knee Thrust Variation
• Stand up without weight forward and feet close to partner's hips, but too tall for knee thrust—Double Ankle Sweep, Kick Variation
• Headlock and post one leg—Elevator Sweep, Headlock Variation
• Weight forward and post one leg—Elevator Sweep, Standard Variation
• Weight forward and post both legs, forearm on partner's throat—Take the Back, Head and Arm Control / Achieve the Angle
• Weight forward without posting legs, forearm on partner's throat—Straight Armlock, Low Variation
• Posture up to grab chest or throat—Straight Armlock, High Variation
• During armlock attempt pull arm out—Straight Armlock, Triangle Transition Variation
• Posture up to post with weight back—Kimura Armlock, Rider Variation

From Inside Back Mount

• Fall toward over-hooked arm—Rear Nake Choke, Strong Side Variation
• Fall toward under-hooked arm—Rear Nake Choke, Weak Side Variation
• Hips escape over partner's lower leg—Take the Back, Remount Technique

Gracie Combatives Flowchart

It's like three-dimensional chess.

    - Brian Van Slyke

The Gracie Combatives flowchart describes how the most basic techniques might be used in an actual self-defense situation.

When sparring with another jiu-jitsu practitioner there are far more possibilities.

Click on the image for a larger view.

You can also download a PDF version of this chart.

Gracie Combatives Position Drills

Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

    - classic saying

Videos of people doing these drills are online.

Drill One—Mount Techniques

Drill Two—Guard Techniques

Drill Three—Side Mount Techniques

Drill Four—Standing Techniques

Etiquette for Rolling

When Brazilian ju-jitsu folk spar they call it "rolling". These are the common expectations for rolling at a Grace jiu-jitsu dojo.

(These expectations are for the more formal rolling that is done while wearing a gi. Some dojos have slightly less formal etiquette for warming up before a class when not wearing a gi.)

Keep it Playful

I might work for the dominant position but as soon or before it is established I allow myself to get into an inferior position. I also allow my training partner to go for a submission and depending on how I feel I either attempt to defend the submission early, at the half way point or late. I risk being stuck in an inferior position or getting tapped out. I'm okay with this because the information that I collect from experiencing jiu-jitsu this way is different. Due to the KeepItPlayful approach I am less concerned with "winning" and instead looking to create / allow movement while observing my partners jiu-jitsu and therefore creating a greater understanding. If you allow yourself to spend time in all positions you build comfort in all positions, and if you do this, you win.

So, I guess I am very concerned with "winning" it’s just that my definition of winning is being comfortable in every position.

    - Ryron Gracie's blog

The motto "keep it playful" asks you to prioritize learning to be comfortable in every position, and slow down to develop optimal habits.

Comfort

Our bodies use a defensive mechanism called muscular bracing when anticipating danger. Adrenaline is relased to help us think and move quicker. Many muscles tighten, releasing muscular glycogen for a boost of energy. When a muscle contracts the opposing muscle does not completely relax, holding the joints more firmly to protect them.

However, muscular bracing is only healthy in short bursts. Too much adrenaline is bad for the body. Depleting muscular glycogen only leaves the body with liver glycogen, complicating the regulation of blood sugar. Joints held too firmly when opposing muscles do not completely relax suffer wear and tear when they move.

Keeping it playful will retrain the hypothalamus to minimize muscular bracing. You will teach your body to be poised and relaxed when in stress, not braced and tense. You will learn to use very little strength until you are attempting to create or escape from a submission—and then appropriately use a burst of muscle bracing.

Needless to say, this retraining will help your posture and quality of life even when not rolling. Any time you can relax your shoulders and feel the drop, you were doing a small amount of muscular bracing there. Imagine being free from that burden!

Habits of Muscle Memory

Keeping it playful also allows you time to focus on relaxing and applying techniques properly. You and your partner both "win" if you move carefully to best habituate your muscle memory.

Moving carefully often means slowing down and relying on technique instead of strength. Be sure that your resistance is also precise. Keep it playful does not mean to offer sloppy resistance that robs your partner of the feedback he or she needs to refine techniques. You can resist properly without full strength. You cannot resist properly without full dilligence

Rolling while keeping it playful is not competitive. You have a partner, not an opponent. You and your partner should both be sometimes fighting out of bad positions. You should both be attempting to create and escape from submissions.

You are drilling, not fighting. Your partner may even ask to devote a round to rolling without submissions to best practice reading what you both telegraph as you shift weight and move through escapes and sweeps.

Rolling with a partner of lesser skill is a great time to practice starting from weak positions. Or try repeatedly working toward a single goal: your less-skilled partner will notice the pattern and find ways to make you work different and more careful approaches.

Keep it Real

To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person.

    - Bruce Lee

The motto "keep it real" asks you to occasionally try one hundred percent, to take the measure of your ability as you roll with your partner.

Sometimes you need to stop drilling and try fighting. It is a safe and sportive contest. Yet it is still a fight that provides the chance to prove your ability against a partner who opposes you as fully as he or she knows how.

This is not the default attidue when rolling. If you want to try to "keep it real" tell your partner before you start that round. It would be quite rude to go full-effort without warning.

In certain transitions the amount of body weight put on the partner is heavy when keeping it real (but courteous when keeping it playful). For example, when moving from Side Mount to Mount the pressure as the shin slides across your partner's stomach is heavy when keeping it real.

Similarly, when keeping it real you may take advantage of superior weight or position to make your partner tired (this would be rude when keeping it playful). For example, maintaining side control with a partner you know cannot escape, simply to wear out that partner, provides no learning opportunities for you or your partner and thus would be rude when keeping it playful—but it is an acceptable (although immature) strategy when keeping it real.

Keep it Safe

Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.

    - William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part One

Always keep it safe.

One great advantage of Brazilian jiu-jitsu is partners can safely practice the same techniques that are useful for self-defense, without special gloves or padding. Here are reminders about how to stay safe while rolling.

Tapping

Tap out by tapping partner repeatedly with your free hand hard enough that he or she can feel it. (Do not tap the mat, since your partner may not hear that.) Tap as soon as you begin to feel the effects of a submission.

Tapping is not only for submissions. If you are too tired to continue, tap to end the round and say something like "I need a break".

Stop immediately when your partner taps.

After a tap you and your partner might start a new round from the prescribed staring positions. Or you might loosen the current position to keep going with a different flow of movement.

In other words, a tap means "Stop and redirect" instead of "I lost".

Force

An important part of several techniques is "crossfacing". You are allowed to push directly on your partner's face with moderate energy. (For example, this happens when positioning their head for the Rear Naked Choke.) But crossfacing should never be done needlessly, or with too much force. Be considerate.

Similarly, a common way to make space is to push your forearm against your partner's neck. This should never be done needlessly, or with too much force. Be considerate.

Be careful not to accidentally target your partner's pressure points. (This accident mostly happens when pushing down their leg to pass their guard.) It is legal but rude. Smothering you opponent with your body or gi is also legal but rude.

During a take-down, remember to stay close and keep control. Do not land on your partner the wrong way. Do not pick your partner up and throw him or her hard onto the mat.

Submissions

The submissions learned in the Gracie Combatives class are always allowed. You do not need to ask permission to do them. Notice they fall into three categories:

• bloodflow chokes - put pressure on the sides of the neck (Rear Naked Choke, Triangle Choke, Headlock Escape #1 Scissors)
• elbow locks - hold shoulder and forearm while bending elbow the wrong way (Straight Armlock, Standing Armlock)
• shoulder locks - use arm to torque shoulder (Americana, Kimura)

Other categories of submissions are illegal because they might harm to the partner. These include moves that twist or crank the neck, twist the feet, torque the knee, or target individual fingers and toes. Avoiding harm also means no creatively inventing submission. Of course, never jab or pinch your partner or otherwise deliberately cause pain or harm.

Do not put force on your partner's windpipe. The sole exception is when using the Guillotine Choke. Your partner has been trained to escape from this choke, so the pressure is relieved quickly and the "choke" is actually about transitioning positions.

Do not put force on your partner's jaw. If a blood choke is not aligned correctly and is squeezing the chin, pause to correct that error.

Advanced students with colored belts may know other categories submissions that are legal at their level. Their training allows them to safely administer a straight ankle lock, straight kneebar, wrist lock, figure-four foot hold, or "slicers" (compressing the elbow or knee joint around another limb). The etiquette for using these varies from dojo to dojo.

Thanks go to Balto's rolling etiquette for providing many of these safety details.