Is Gracie University Ruining Jiu-Jitsu?

Some love it. Some hate it. Some need it. Some fear it.

And some LIVE it.

Scott Butler found GU and decided for himself. You can do the same.

[CoachZahabi]

Great video. Gracie University is sharing the Knowledge with the world. What a gift it is  when someone is willing to share what they know and even more amazing to see a community come together and share in the Art.

[PauloBerni]

I have spent 14 years in the sportive BJJ realm, but began under a Gracie Academy certified instructor. After ordering their program to revisit the self defense aspect last year, I assert that this is the single best way to get a solid foundation in the art. That foundation can stand on its own, or provide an unbelievably excellent gateway to pursuing the more sportive BJJ taught in most school today, if one so chooses. Best instruction around.

[TheTardstrong]

My friend and I got our Blue Belts with them and flew to Cali and spent a week at their academy. Rener was gone but Ryron was there and they (the academy)could not have been more accommodating. I am glad this guy had a great experience like we did.

[hoppy]

Everyone has the freedom to choose how they want to learn Jiu jitsu. Someone learning via Gracie University can effectively defend themselves against an attacker. The whole concept of this is to get Jiu jitsu into the hands of those that want it. Who cares if they can train in an academy down the road. Not everyone wants that. Is it wrong to give them another choice? Is it wrong that some people get their schooling done online? It's all about the freedom of choice.

[GregBledsoe]

Let's be honest.  Most of the criticism the Gracie's get is for the sin of being successful, both technically and financially.   

Jealousy and ego are terrible things to carry around in life....

[flick]

I admire these guys! They made up their minds, made the time (5:30 AM with families - no joke), made it consistent and made it happen.
Way to go!

[averagehank]

Gracie University is way ahead of its time. 

[JeremyConnor]

As someone who lives in the country who has no BJJ option within 2 hours drive this guys case is exactly where I find myself (although he has clearly already solved the problem).. I will be starting GU soon, I need to create a space for sparring and find local people interested first.. For those out there naysaying, the guys shown in the video have used the GU knowledge themselves to train interpersonally (in person) using online knowledge; the only missing piece is a physical black belt instructor nearby, they do however have rolling partners and they learn from each other as they go, very impressive leadership shown by the individual who started the at-home gym.

[arama]

Some interesting debate here. 

From my personal experience (learning only from YouTube and applying myself) online information works, with reflection and repetition. 

Could I beat a blue belt at your school? Maybe not.

Could I defeat an unarmed, single opponent in a street fight? Confidently, yes.

I can apply sufficient pressure to put someone unconscious with a front and back choke;
 Sufficient leverage to break an arm, wrench a double wrist lock, and twist a heel the wrong way.

I can defend such manoeuvres.

I can also escape mount, side control and back control against larger, taller and heavier opponents. 

Such basics, intermittently "training" and spontaneous in nature, has taken me 5 years to somewhat "master" (though, of course, I am no blackbelt).

Gracie Breakdown has been a platform where I have probably learn't the most.

[dingdion]

I recommend the online classes, particularly as supplement. I did the Gracie Combatives (BB curriculum) online with friends at my house. I also simultaneously trained at a local BJJ school (unaffiliated). I can say that every video lesson noticeably improved my technique. I have a great in-person teacher but the instruction on the Gracie videos is truly excellent. The details are amazing. I earned my Blue Belt from my local school. On vacation, I also trained for a couple of weeks at a what was a Gracie Garage that had just turned into a certified training center. The guys there rolled really well and were equal in skill to the fellas I trained with locally. The cool thing about the online only students was that their technique was near flawless and used no brute strength. Some of the guys as my school often rely on explosiveness and force.

[ihavenohair]

I have been considering this online program and this video and others have convinced me to start. I think the program has matured to the point where we are seeing people who have been at it awhile and are on par with people who are training with a live instructor. I'm sure there are examples that prove the opposite. But anyone who has trained in a dojo knows plenty of people don't make it there either. It comes down to attitude and desire. 

[Reddragondiaries]

This is a great story of accomplishment despite circumstances.

[frontline]

I think its an amazing idea. I teach Filipino Martial Arts as well as Kenpo and I am going to be signing up for the Gracie university program because I believe in the effectiveness of the art and academic approach to the system.

[uroscion]

One thing that should be added to this whole debate is that the Gracie CTC's test for Blue Belt on a peer reviewed system. If you train at a CTC, your test is still video recorded and uploaded to the network of testers (which are other ctc certified instructors) for evaluation based on the performance of the moves. Your instructor doesn't pass or fail you, others who don't know you grade you. So whether you test online or at a ctc, you will be evaluated via video by the testing team. This means there is less bias, your instructor can't promote you just because he likes you or thinks you work hard, you must know the moves asked for. It eliminates the belt factory effect. It also means, you could be great at other moves and dominate on the mat, but if you don't know the moves on the test, you won't pass rank. Your rolling ability doesn't play into it and it also means they can't feel your pressure or tightness, just interpret from what they see. However, the instructor wouldn't probably wouldn't advise you to shoot the test if he didn't think you were ready. This is only for the blue belt, not for higher ranks as I understand it.

It's an interesting testing model that has upsides and downs, but I think it fits the purpose of the G. combatives training. I'd like to see people in other BJJ organizations discuss and consider the model. Just thought people should know as I saw some misconception below.

[dragonballjiujitsu]

I think its funny in a way and kind of sad also that the Gracie haters come out. They cannot argue the effectiveness of Jiu-jitsu anymore so they bash the Gracies for making a living off it...lol  You mean kinda like the McDojo Karate/Akidio/TDK/JKD bullshit has been making a killing off you assholes for years? Selling you some mystical garbage that will get you killed in a real fight. At least Jiu-jitsu works in real fights. If they can help people and make a living at the same time then why not? Most of you are just pissed that you have been wasting most of your lives training something useless. 

[SwordsmanRyan]

When you say "some hate it" what you mean is Uncle Royce hates it. Nobody likes Royce or respects his opinion. Everyone else is fine with GU. If people are learning BJJ (especially people that don't live in Brazil or near big schools like Torrance), what's the problem?

Keep it playful.

[Rickyw]

I train at a gym, but I supplement that with watching videos from the online university. There is no doubt in my mind that someone can learn Jiu Jitsu from home so long as they go to a gym when they can. The level of detail, and the organized lesson plans allow people to learn from home as long as they have a partner and are dedicated. Don't be close minded to new ideas. "The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones." -John Maynard Keynes

[vdeckerx]

I dont see a problem with learning jiu jitsu from an online stand point. I think everyone learns differently and the more accessible you can make jiu jitsu the better.

[DrReginaldFinleySr]

He's an amazing teacher. I'd love to have an update on his journey.

[snakehachi]

some ppl just cant afford martial arts period, like me. i admit, i cant even afford the dvds and was left with having to find a way to download them, but when i got to hang out with a cousin who lived far away and went to a gracie barra, i was at least able to hold my own. also just getting ppl over to train was awesome bcuz i made new friends and got to hang out often.