TRAINING HANDBOOK

This site is a resource to assist you on your journey to complete the Gracie Combatives® Program.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

The weekly schedule is accessible through your member portal or the Ronin Athletics Website.

GRACIE JIU JITSU – RESPECT & CONSIDERATIONS

OFF THE MAT1) Arrive 10-15 minutes early to class.
2) Wear clean Gracie Jiu Jitsu branded uniform (Gi and No-Gi)
3) Whisper in the hallways. Sound travels easily & may interrupt the class.
4) Care for the facility like it’s your home, because it is.
5) Wash your hands before and after class.
6) Keep nails trimmed, hair tied back and remove all jewelry.
7) Always use footwear when using restroom facilities.
8) Children not participating in class must be supervised.
9) Never walk around shirtless outside the changing rooms.
10) Visit GracieUniversity.com to review yesterday’s lesson and prepare for tomorrow’s lesson.

ON THE MAT1) If you’re late, check-in with the instructor before entering the class.
2) Always respect, encourage and educate your training partners.
3) Watch with good posture, and communicate with respectful language.
4) Select training partners that make you feel safe and comfortable.
5) Never feel obligated to spare with anyone, listen to your body.
6) Tap early, Tap often and make youre partner’s safety a priority.
7) any inappropriate, unclean, or unsafe students to the instructor.
8) Report all injuries, abrasions, or skin infections to the instructor.
9) When nursing injuries, train less, watch more, but come to class.
10) Chase the knowledge, not the belt.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

Gracie Combatives Classes require a Jiu Jitsu Gi as part of its training tool.
Our Academy Policy Requires training to be done in White, Gracie University Branded, Jiu Jitsu Gis. There must be a T-Shirt or Rashguard worn beneath the Gi jacket.

WHY DO WE TRAIN IN A JIU JITSU GI?

1) Grip and Control: The Gi is made of a sturdy and thick fabric, which provides various gripping opportunities during training and competition. Practitioners can grip the Gi to control their opponent's movements, execute techniques, and establish dominant positions.2) Training Tool: The Gi introduces additional challenges in training, as practitioners must learn to adapt their techniques to work with the Gi's grips and friction. This enhances their understanding of leverage, timing, and control.3) Self-Defense and Real-World Application: While BJJ practitioners typically train with the Gi, the techniques learned can be adapted for self-defense scenarios, where an opponent may be wearing clothing that can be grabbed or controlled.4) Uniformity and Equality: Wearing the Gi levels the playing field, as it removes some of the advantages associated with physical attributes like speed and strength. This allows practitioners of different sizes and strengths to compete more evenly.5) Hygiene: The Gi provides a clean and easily washable layer between practitioners, promoting better hygiene during intense training sessions.It's important to note that not all of our program revolves around the Gi. In the advanced classes we incorporate "no-Gi" training, where practitioners wear rash guards and shorts. No-Gi training emphasizes a different set of techniques that rely more on controlling an opponent without the use of the Gi grips.

HOW TO PUT ON THE JIU JITSU GI

STEP 1 - HOW TO TIGHTEN YOUR JIU JITSU PANTS
Now that you have your Jiu Jitsu Gi you'll need to learn is how to tighten your Jiu Jitsu pants. Here's an old (and still entertaining) tutorial of our co-founder, Rener Gracie walking you through the process.

STEP 2 - HOW TO TIE THE JIU JITSU BELT
Now that you have your Jiu Jitsu Gi you'll need to learn is how to tie a Jiu Jitsu belt. Here's an old tutorial of our co-founder, Rener Gracie explaining the 3 variations: The Standard Variation, Hollywood Variation and Super-lock Variation. He's very charismatic and the video is quite entertaining - enjoy!

STEP 3 - LOG-ON TO YOUR ONLINE CURRICULUM
Included in your membership is FREE access to Gracie Combatives Online (normally a $35.00 per month subscription).You may Log-on by visiting GracieUniversity.com. Your USER ID is [your e-mail] and request a password reset to create a new password. Your Gracie Combatives content will appear under the Dashboard section.

PLANNING AND TRACKING YOUR PROGRESS

YOUR MONTHLY FORECASTEach month we will post a forecast of all the lessons in advance. This will allow you to proactively acquire the lessons you need to qualify to test for your Combatives Belt. You can access this monthly forecast on the google share drive link below.

• GC COMBATIVES MONTHLY FORECAST

COMBATIVES CARDYour Gracie Combatives Card is an important tool to track the lessons you've attended. The 36 Techniques and Reflex Development classes are marked on your card as you attend them. By completing your card, it will provide both the coaches and yourself guidance on how far along you are in your Gracie Combatives journey. It's important to note that 100% completion of the classes, only serves as a pre-requisite for the Gracie Combatives Belt examination. The coach and the student will communicate to determine if they are ready for the exam.

PROGRAM FRAMEWORK

Gracie Combatives is a streamlined self-defense program that distills over 1000+ Jiu-Jitsu techniques into 36 Fundamental Techniques, covering a wide range of realistic fight scenarios. This program is specifically designed to empower smaller and weaker individuals with effective Jiu-Jitsu techniques that leverage efficient body mechanics to defend themselves in physically threatening situations, even against larger opponents. Unlike some martial arts that demand 'Black Belt' level mastery, Gracie Combatives focuses on providing street-ready proficiency within a matter of months by concentrating on the most effective techniques. It equips individuals with the skills they need to survive and overcome potential threats.

The 4-Phases of a Fight
Below are how the 36 techniques are broken down into 4-Phases of a fight. Below is the visual framework to the techniques you'll be learning and incorporating.

PROGRAM CYCLE

The 23 Gracie Combatives Lessons
The 36 techniques are grouped together into 23 Lessons + Reflex Development Class

White Belts Stripes 1-4 Progression Explained
There is a Black portion of your White Belt. Each time you complete a cycle of 25 sessions*. Your coach will place a white stripe on your belt. You will need 4 stripes on your White Belt to qualify to test for you Combatives Belt.Note: you do not need to take the numbered lessons in order. This is strictly based on attendance.White Belt Stripes 1-2 - Ideally at this stage the student should focus on building successful training habits. Establishing a weekly schedule for training and focus on memorizing techniques. Execution shouldn't be a priority, but having a mental catalog of the techniques is suggested.

Reflex Development Class
Students who achieved 2-stripes on their White Belt can attend the Reflex Development Class.White Belt Stripes 2-4 - after achieving your 2nd Stripe. You will be invited to attend Reflex Development Classes. These are required classes for you to begin developing an understanding of how techniques are chained together and most important developing the sensitivity queues in a fight that will dictate the technical countermeasures you will need to finish the fight.

MEMBER PORTAL

In addition to this program, you may have questions on Membership Billing, Services and Supplemental Education. Follow the steps below to access your Member Portal:

Step 1 go to https://roninathletics.com/loginStep 2 Register. Use your e-mail as your User ID.*Be sure to use the e-mail you provided us when you joined.Step 3 Create and save your password

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Testing for your Combatives Belt will be based on the following Criteria. During the evaluation, you will start with 100 points and receive a 1-point deduction for each significant error in the following categories. A minimum 90 points is required to earn your Combatives Belt.

[CRITERIA #1] -
ACCURACY: Precise and correct execution of all techniques.
[CRITERIA #2] -
EFFICIENCY: Fluent, relaxed movements and efficient use of energy.
[CRITERIA #3] -
REFLEXES: instinctive and speedy response to all indicators

SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM

It's important to understand that determining your readiness to test for the Gracie Combatives Belt is a collaboration between you and the coaches. As a guideline, once you're at the conclusion of your Combatives Card, speak to the coaches to determine readiness or if they feel you need to focus on certain techniques that may need some polishing.Once you are both confident, you may schedule an evaluation session with the coach. You will be charged an evaluation fee of $155.00 per evaluation.