Gracie Combatives Practicality

[mathnerdm]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so I apologize if this is in the wrong category. I've been training in Kenpo for about 7 years and I must admit my ground game is not where it should be. In my school we train basic grappling techniques like Upa's, armbars, and basic passes, but I know it's time to go deeper. There is no BJJ school near me nor could I afford both schools so I've been looking into Gracie Combatives. I know their "handing out" blue belts is quite controversial but I have no desire to test with them, just to train. My question is, is the material solid? If I'm focusing on street applicable techniques, is it a good place to start? Again, let me say I personally don't really agree with the online testing they do as I feel I could never be worthy of a blue belt in BJJ without hands on training from an instructor, but I just want the basic techniques and think this could be a good start. What do yall think of the course ignoring the controversial testing? Thanks!

 

[Sexy Pants]

For your reason only I would say Gracie Combatives are worth it. If you train Kenpo your more interested in Self Defense, so this is probably right up your alley.

Problem is you really have nobody to watch and fix your grappling mistakes. Your progression will take much longer.

 

[vcmmafan]

Either get combatives or Jiu Jitsu University in Video

I haven't used the latter but I have the book version and it's universally praised

 

[cms9690]

As long as you have opponents to actively spar and drill with, I don't see why it wouldn't be an okay thing to do.

You will probably still be tooled by white belts at an actual BJJ school, but you'll hold an advantage over most people when it comes to self defense.

 

[vcmmafan]

(deleted)

 

[EndlessCritic]

i think the techniques that they show in gracie combatives are very solid, and very well taught.

my personal opinion is that it's very very difficult to actually UNDERSTAND the techniques on your own without rolling with competent partners.

 

[LocalNmass]

IMO its by far the best option for your circumstances, do you have friends/training partners from kenpo that share the same interest as you have?

 

[BJJ_Rage]

really solid techinque.

 

[Marbig]

The techniques taught in the videos are legit. I also like how they teach.

With that said, without actual drilling and rolling, I don't know how much you can actually progress. Is there a judo/wrestling school near you?

 

[giatinu]

Yes. Its the best place to learn "real" street applicable jiu jitsu. Your learning straight from the source.

 

[RTD1]

Yes. Its the best place to learn "real" street applicable jiu jitsu. Your learning straight from the source.

And it has been properly Helio Filtered before you get it.

 

[SummerStriker]

I have mixed feelings about it. The punch block series from mount is vulnerable to the top guy cross facing you. The side mount series is vulnerable to their own Americana series.

Guard positions 1-2 are brilliant and perfect near as I can tell. I'm suspicious if 3-4.

Take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. I'm just a bullshit white belt.

When people learn to fight like a fighter, they learn to defend punches, block take downs, sweep and keep posture, and learning so much is armoring. Transitioning from a fighting mind to self defense is tactically avoiding being entangled, hiding behind straight strikes, or recovering the guard if needed.

Lots of martial arts, gracie combatives, Krav, kung fu, all try to do something about combat instead of engaging in combat. Some styles are closer to the truth than others, for sure. I just think the power of GJJ is in rolling.

The other thing GC gives is a god damned curriculum, which most grappling instructor need more than anything.

 

[jujijimmy]

any judo clubs around? fuck watching videos

 

[Babality**]

I have mixed feelings about it. The punch block series from mount is vulnerable to the top guy cross facing you. The side mount series is vulnerable to their own Americana series.

then you start getting into fighting a trained opponent which is not what the GC is really about (from what i heard)

 

[sauron0379]

Gracie Combatives is actually a modified version of Helio Gracie's original self defense fighting system. If your goal is to have a jiu jitsu that applies more street/reallife, my suggestion is to purchase Gracie Jiu jItsu the book, as well as Gracie Jiu Jitsu Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. But the biggest advantage in embracing Combatives or a Gracie Academy, is there is a set curriculum, set standards. This is missing in alot of sport BJJ schools, where the curriculum is basically "work on what we failed to do last tournament"

Keep in mind that if you trained at a tourney/sport BJJ school, the techniques used in Combatives may seem "dialed back", however the Gracie style doesn't condone any move that isn't able to defend from strikes. Hence you don't see alot of different guards due to the heavy reliance of grips and inversion of the body, which exposes the head and face. The Gracie style of self defense utilitizes alot of closed guard but in a much different way, primarily to tire the opponent and defend from strikes. This is the biggest difference I have noticed since moving to an official Gracie Academy. Bigger emphasis on standup. Different mindset due to no time limits or points or weight classes. I also noticed in Sport BJJ, creating space on the bottom is paramount fro escape, where as in GJJ closing distance to avoid strikes is more important. Same holds true for top. Its opposite

In the end, it all depends on what your goal is in your Jiu Jitsu journey. There is no sport BJJ is better or self defense BJJ is better, because both, given there environments, are perfect for what they are designed for.

 

[BJJChess]

I don't really understand why people think one can't learn without an actual instructor. Correcting mistakes? Gracie combatives are so well explained in details, I think if a person doesn't understand the techniques, then maybe the same person should not do Bjj. All those techniques are quite basic and require just a lot of drilling. Besides, it's not like you are gonna enter some gi bjj competition, it's for personal protection and self confidence.
I also believe that Mario Sperry's Vale Tudo DVD is great source since he gives you the whole plan what to do on the ground.

 

[Blackened]

You have a partner then it'll be worthwhile. Preferably someone that has as much grappling experience as possible

 

[BJJChess]

Also, people should not forget that Helio Gracie started to teach other people even though he never did any jiu jitsu, but learned just by observing and listening his brother Carlos.

 

[Calibur]

Also, people should not forget that Helio Gracie started to teach other people even though he never did any jiu jitsu, but learned just by observing and listening his brother Carlos.

Ugh. People are so full of shit.

 

[Alex88]

Also, people should not forget that Helio Gracie started to teach other people even though he never did any jiu jitsu, but learned just by observing and listening his brother Carlos.