More BJJ bullshido - The Gracie Combatives Licensing Program™

[wingchundo]

I don't think anyone is shocked by BJJ bullshido at this point. I've read enough about it. Just wanted to add the latest to the pile which, again is not shocking given what we know about some of the Gracies' marketing and business practices. But, at least it's new.

From the "Gracie Insider" e-mail (don't even remember signing up for it, but ok):

"Attention All Martial Arts Instructors

Become an official Gracie Family Representative

Get Certified to Teach in 2 Weeks

No Previous Grappling Experience

Turn your school into a (image of Gracie Combatives Certified Training Center)"

Then some history and horrific hyperbole like this:

What the fuck does that even mean?

Well, there's more craptacular information here.

Lineage is unfortunately going to grow even more and more important in BJJ. Hopefully, we're a few hundred years away from a full on _ing _un lineage war. Because we all know that BJJ was created by a Portugeuse nun who's name means "homely fall" and who had to fight several men to get one to marry her.

[JKDChick]

This makes me sad and ill and must be ruthlessly stamped out.

[JohnnyCache]

Oh come on J

The world needs more quick fixes - and more watermelon juice.

[Vince Tortelli]

Dear God:

Please kill everyone responsible for this in painful, drawn out ways. I personally think the Ebola virus would be best, but you in your infinite wisedom can probably choose the exact means and method.

Vince

[MSphinx]

Anyone who completes the instructor course gets an automatic blue belt? Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it take a few years to even get a blue?

At the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, a blue belt is awarded to anyone who perfects their understanding and execution of the Gracie Combatives techniques. Since you will be licensed to offer the complete Gracie Combatives course to your students, you will be authorized to promote them up to fourth degree white belt level. Up to two (2) times per year you can arrange to have a Gracie Academy Head Instructor visit your training center to evaluate all fourth degree white belt holders and award blue belts to those who qualify.

[frodo]

Ya, they are apparently giving out blue belts like candy. I just read about this. Check out their "exclusivity" requriements:

What the fuck? Would you like fries with that? That you have to sign a NDA amuses me. All the "techniques" and "technologies" are already in US Army Combatives. I could just read my brother's manual and have him teach me all the techniques for free. What a joke.

[slideyfoot]

Reminiscent of the Jerry Laurita IBJJA program that generated a huge thread on here a couple of years ago (not to mention the 'speedjiujitsu' tapes, which claimed to get you ready for blue belt in about two weeks). That also spilled over on JJ Gear (though there was plenty of support for Laurita): I've not yet seen a thread on this 2 week blue belt Gracie Combatives thing on there, but would expect them to pick it up.

I've only been doing BJJ a year or so, but I'd imagine this looks familiar to those who remember the original Gracie tapes from some time in the 90s which included some kind of belt certification (IIRC).

Also interesting that using the Wayback Machine would appear that the Gracie Academy had a similarly named program a decade ago to certify as an instructor, but that took rather longer:

The only instructor certification program in the United States endorsed by Helio Gracie is located at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA.

Following is some basic information about the program:

Participants choose either a full year program or one of three part-time training schedules: 1 month continuous training 3 times per year; 2 weeks X 4 times per year; or 1 week X 6 times per year.

Training is 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, plus four 4 hours on Saturday.

Level 1 certification may take one year or longer of continuous training; part-time participants can expect to train several years before achieving certification.

Cost for training only is $600 per month for full time students; $750 per month for monthly part-time students; $250 per week for weekly part-time students. Participants are responsible for housing, transportation and other living expenses.

Anyone wishing to be considered for this program, please call The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy at 310-782-2708.

[MadeOfOlives]

So upon completion of the program, you would be a blue belt in Gracie Combatives? And would then tell people that you are a blue belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and then mumble an additional word?

Its up to the holders of whatever trademark to dilute their brand as they see fit, I suppose. At least there is a slightly different name associated with the program. At least they are not, yet, giving out a black belt, which still has more impact on the public.

This seems to me more like a turnkey program for existing school owners to claim they teach something similar to jiu jitsu, which goes on now anyway. Instead of sending your junior instructor to get a blue belt and then add BJJ to the list of styles taught at your school, now you can become a certified instructor, pay more money, and I would assume host a few seminars a year.

[Pandinha]

I don't think anyone is shocked by BJJ bullshido at this point. I've read enough about it. Just wanted to add the latest to the pile which, again is not shocking given what we know about some of the Gracies' marketing and business practices. But, at least it's new.

From the "Gracie Insider" e-mail (don't even remember signing up for it, but ok):


Then some history and horrific hyperbole like this:



What the fuck does that even mean?

Well, there's more craptacular information here.

Lineage is unfortunately going to grow even more and more important in BJJ. Hopefully, we're a few hundred years away from a full on _ing _un lineage war. Because we all know that BJJ was created by a Portugeuse nun who's name means "homely fall" and who had to fight several men to get one to marry her.

I don't see anything wrong. The 34 techniques are from their own street fight experience, as it's widely known, Helio, Carlos, and the Gracie family have fought.

I don't see where it says Blue Belt is awarded. As for the claims of teaching the FBI, ARMY, etc., that is true, and there is a plethora of data to support it.

[slideyfoot]

I don't see where it says Blue Belt is awarded.

On the main page, the testimonial a little way down mentions:

When students complete the course, they enter the next step in their training -- fight simulations -- during which the real effectiveness of the Gracie Combatives program becomes evident as they combine the techniques in a series of drills. Once the student is proficient in fight simulation, Ryron or Rener assess them for promotion to blue belt...again, not just any blue belt, but a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy blue belt. That alone is an amazing incentive for your students and it gives your program undeniable credibility regardless of your personal skill level as a jiu-jitsu practitioner. You don't need to be a jiu-jitsu black belt to offer this course. If you're a good teacher, then you can qualify to instruct Gracie Combatives.

The proviso on being "proficient in fight simulation" may be mitigating, if that means the student has to perform at a blue belt level in sparring before they get a blue belt, rather than as some kind of automatic certification after completing the course.

Similarly, there's a section that reads:

Official Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Belt Promotion
At the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, a blue belt is awarded to anyone who perfects their understanding and execution of the Gracie Combatives techniques. Since you will be licensed to offer the complete Gracie Combatives course to your students, you will be authorized to promote them up to fourth degree white belt level. Up to two (2) times per year you can arrange to have a Gracie Academy Head Instructor visit your training center to evaluate all fourth degree white belt holders and award blue belts to those who qualify.

[Pandinha]

On the main page, the testimonial a little way down mentions:


The proviso on being "proficient in fight simulation" may be mitigating, if that means the student has to perform at a blue belt level in sparring before they get a blue belt, rather than as some kind of automatic certification after completing the course.

Similarly, there's a section that reads:

Thanks for that. I'm wondering if the certification for blue is for Gracie Combatives vs Gracie Jiu Jitsu. It certainly reads that way.

I will call Gracie Torrance today to find out.

[MSphinx]

On the main page, the testimonial a little way down mentions:


The proviso on being "proficient in fight simulation" may be mitigating, if that means the student has to perform at a blue belt level in sparring before they get a blue belt, rather than as some kind of automatic certification after completing the course.

Similarly, there's a section that reads:

"Fight simulation" is described as "a series of drills". I wonder if the testing has any aliveness?

[Askari]

How many hours of instruction are being offered?

If it is in the neighborhood of 80 hours over the 2 weeks this is the norm for military combative instructor certifications.

The sales pitch is a bit over the top, but that is also the norm.

[wingchundo]

Even at 80 hours, that is the equivalent of, say, 14 weeks of BJJ class at six hours a week.

I've done a little more than double that and I barely have my white belt with stripes and I'm nowhere near ready to start teaching anyone anything other than the BJJ tournament point system, much less qualified for a blue belt. Now, I'm no phenom, obviously, but still. 80 hours seems a bit light.

[Cassius]

This is most likely the Gracie attempt at cashing in on Modern Army Combatives by marketing them to the civilian population. Color me not surprised.