5 Things You Should Know About Our Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals Curriculum

A Training Plan for Jiu-Jitsu Beginners

By Prof. Flavio Almeida

Did you know Master Carlos Gracie Jr., the founder of Gracie Barra, is the main person behind the Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense Fundamentals Curriculum?

This Curriculum serves as the foundation of the learning experience provided not only here at Gracie Barra North Phoenix, but on over 700 Gracie Barra Schools all over the World.

The experience of each class is not isolated. It ties into a 16 weeks training plan for beginners that has allowed dozens of thousands of  students to learn the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense and earn the ranking of Blue Belt.

5 things you should know abou the GB Fundamentals Curriculum

The first thing you should know is that the Fundamentals Curriculum is offered only at the GB1 Classes you see on our class schedule below:

Here is a list of 5 important things you should know about the GB Fundamentals Curriculum

1. We offer two different classes per week. They are complementary, but they are different. Class A is taught Mondays and Tuesdays, Class B is Taught Wednesdays and Thursdays.
2. Saturdays is a day of review. We pick the techniques from both days to review and make sure everyone is comfortable with them.
3. The curriculum is 16 weeks long, but it is not linear. This means if you miss a week or two, you will still be able to take the following classes.  For example, what we teach on week 2 does not require you to have attended classes on week 1 and so on.
4. The GB Fundamentals Curriculum evolves through all major positions of Jiu-Jitsu ground fighting: Guard, Side Mount, Full Mount, and Back both from the offensive and the defensive perspectives. This will allow yo to gain a 360 degree understanding of the art of Jiu-Jitsu in a short period of time.
5. All three phases of combat for defense and street fighting are addresses frequently by the curriculum: Striking, Clinch / Take-Downs, Ground. This creates a balance of emphasis on the three core aspects of Jiu-Jitsu  helping students develop a comprehensive strategy for self-defense.

Making the Most of the GB1 Classes

Based on what was mentioned above, it is very important for you to organize your training schedule to come to class at least twice a week. Make sure to come for class A, earlier in the week, and class B, later in the week, as much as possible.

Also, download a copy of the curriculum from our Facebook Group and mark the classes you have attended. Over the period of 4 months you are likely to miss a few classes. If you mark them, you can make up when the curriculum resets in a few weeks.

Try to fit at least one BarraFIT class per week in your schedule. The Jiu-Jitsu specific physical drills and fast paced class will not only get you fit faster but also build an important foundation of coordination, speed and flexibility that is certain to accelerate your learning.

As soon as you earn your third stripe on your white belt, join us for the live training sessions. This is not only the most fun part of Jiu-Jitsu but also the type of training you will be improving on the most. The freedom of live training will help you connect important dots and develop a strong sense of improvisation that is critical for every grappler.

Remember to stay focused on your own progress and resist the temptation of comparing yourself to others. Everyone has a different journey in Jiu-Jitsu and the only comparison you should make is with yourself yesterday.

Lastly, Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously. Welcome mistakes and even the awkwardness you will feel at first. Nothing is essentially hard, difficult is on the perspective of those who have not practiced enough.

See you on the mats.

– Flavio