Programs
At Gracie Barra Springfield we strive to help students get the most out of their training. For students
with consistency and dedication, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes a life-style and students can readily
enjoy all the benefits of the Jiu-Jitsu or the “Gentle Art”.
Working from the assumption that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu must be embraced as a lifelong journey, Master
Carlos Gracie Jr. has designed an effective learning plan or program of study that allows for students
to naturally progress from the white belt to the black belt. Thus, classes and their respective
curriculum at Gracie Barra America are not isolated from one another, but elements of a larger
structured learning plan called “Programs”.
Gracie Barra Programs are comprised of six (6) main elements:
1. Curriculum: Set of coordinated techniques organized in the best possible way to facilitate
students’ learning processes. All Gracie Barra curriculum are 16 weeks;
2. Pre-requisite: The minimum level a student must possess or have accomplished in order to
enroll in a specific program;
3. Class: The defined period of time during which the student learns the techniques that comprise
the curricula using several different training methods or appropriate instructional techniques;
4. Training Methods: Specific drills and training practices designed to convert the knowledge
represented in the curricula and taught by the instructor into knowledge and skills, insuring that
the student is able to apply their knowledge and techniques under real circumstances (or under
authentic conditions);
5. Minimum Attendance: minimum attendance required from the student so him or her can
progress and be updated with the GB Curriculum;
6. Belt System: Hierarchical rank structure designed to represent students’ progress, according to
their own potential. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) ranking system is used
for all Gracie Barra Programs.
All Gracie Barra students have the dream of becoming a black belt. However, this is not an easy goal
and a lot of consistency and dedication is required. To fulfill the promise of facilitating students’
learning, Gracie Barra Programs are structured logically to keep students motivated to learn, practice
and perform.
A typical Gracie Barra student starts with an introductory class, where he or she will learn the overall
self-defense strategy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and afterwards enroll in the Gracie Barra Fundamentals
Program. After four (4) months of training and learning all the techniques comprising the Fundamentals
curriculum, the student will be recommended to join the Gracie Barra Advanced Program. With eight
(8) months of training and experience, the student will have the maturity level and enough knowledge to
enroll on the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program. It is in the Gracie Barra Black Belt Program where he or
she will be exposed to all kinds of training dynamics, including MMA, BJJ No-Gi and high level BJJ-Gi,
so that the student develops his or her own Jiu-Jitsu game, strategy and technique(s).
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a beautiful art and everyone is capable of learning it and enjoying its many benefits. Gracie Barra Programs reflect more than thirty (30) years of Master Carlos Gracie ’s teaching experience and have succeeded in improving the life quality, self-esteem, discipline and health of thousands of individuals around the world, as well as building some of the best BJJ fighters ever known.
The table below represents the Gracie Barra Programs and all of its elements:
