Gracie Fundamentals
Street readiness in 23 lessons. The 40 most important techniques in all of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, divided into 23 one-hour lessons you can take in any order.
A network of academies and certified instructors teaching the self-defence system of Grand Master Helio Gracie to adults, children and women, with a structured curriculum, safe classes and every lesson on video.
Who is it for?
Men and women of any age. Start with the 40 essential techniques of Gracie Fundamentals, then Intermediate and Advanced on the path to Black Belt.
Adult programmesNever let your child be bullied again. Gracie BullySafe is the non-violent answer to bullying for ages 3 to 13, taught through games.
BullySafeLadySafe: women-only classes that teach you to escape the 20 most common attacks and gain total confidence.
LadySafeThe Network
The Gracie Foundation Jiu-Jitsu Network was founded in Watford in 2014 by Ben Tippen, a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt promoted by Ryron Gracie. Every academy that carries our name teaches the same structured curriculum, holds its instructors to the same certification, DBS and safety standards, and gives its students the same online video library.
Two minutes inside our founding academy.
Why train with us
Of more than 2,000 techniques in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, studies of real fights show 40 are used more often, and more successfully, than all the rest combined. Beginners master those first.
Every Fundamentals lesson is cooperative, so nobody gets hurt, embarrassed or thrown in at the deep end. Sparring comes later, when you have the tools, and always with safety first.
A published calendar tells you exactly which techniques are taught in each class, and you can start on any lesson. An attendance card tracks your progress to every belt.
Students of network academies get the online video library free: review last week's techniques, prepare for the next class and watch the belt-test demonstrations from any device.
Every instructor has passed our Instructor Certification Programme, an enhanced DBS check, and is fully insured. No exceptions.
Most schools let you try one class. We give you ten consecutive days of unlimited classes, with a loaned uniform, so you can make a fully informed decision.
Programmes
Street readiness in 23 lessons. The 40 most important techniques in all of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, divided into 23 one-hour lessons you can take in any order.
25 classes to Blue Belt. After the Fundamentals you know how to beat a bigger, stronger, unskilled attacker.
Seven chapters to Black Belt. Hundreds of advanced techniques organised into seven positional chapters - Mount, Side Mount, Guard, Half Guard, Back Mount, Leg Locks and Standing - each studied for several months.
Front, rear and weapon attacks. The standing self-defence requirements for Blue, Purple, Brown and Black Belt: grabs, chokes, headlocks, bear hugs, sucker punches, knife, stick and gun defences, and the fight philosophy behind every weapon defence..
Give your child the gift of confidence. Verbal assertiveness to deter bullies and non-violent, leverage-based techniques to stay safe if attacked - no punching or kicking.
Neutralise the 20 most common attacks. A women-only, 10-lesson programme teaching you to escape the most common attacks a woman faces, from a hair grab to being pinned to the ground, using leverage, technique and timing rather than strength.
Online video library
Every technique in Gracie Fundamentals, Intermediate, Advanced and Standing Self-Defence, the BullySafe children's programme, LadySafe for women and narrated sparring, filmed by Ben Tippen and streamed to any device.
Free for students at a network academy. Available to anyone else as individual courses.
Blue Belt and above? Our Instructor Certification Programme, the full curriculum, the video library and hands-on support from the founding academy give you everything needed to open your own affiliate academy.
Find out howStudent & parent reviews
"The classes for young children are exceptionally well structured, engaging, and age-appropriate. What sets these classes apart is the strong focus on character development alongside martial arts training."
Magdalena, parent"As a woman and beginner I would really recommend this place. Here there is a clear detailed curriculum with emphasis on technique, safety, inclusion and respect for each other. The women's self defence classes are truly mind blowing."
Stephanie, LadySafe & Fundamentals"I started as a complete beginner. There is a clear curriculum, techniques are well drilled and taught thoroughly, and after a certain number of classes more advanced sessions open up. I have found the structure very supportive."
Alastair, adult student"This is the best place to begin your BJJ journey if you're a beginner. What I love most is the structure you're provided with. Ben Tippen has worked very hard to bring the structure from America to the UK."
Douglas, adult student"Our kids have been going here for three years and they've both learned so many excellent techniques to defend themselves as well as excellent character building skills."
Susthama, parent"My 8yo son and 6yo daughter attend 2 sessions a week. Ben gives great pep talks on anti-bullying and how to deal with it and takes genuine interest in his students. My kids love it."
William, parentCommon questions
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, not just young males who like rough and tumble. Every technique is learned slowly and cooperatively, so there is almost no chance of getting hurt, and we match you with a partner who fits the type of person you are. There is no competitive sparring at all until you have earned your Fundamentals Belt. Above all it is important that everyone has fun - that is the best environment to learn in.
You may think you will never use the skills we teach, but in fact you will use them every time you speak. How? Confidence. Knowing you can comfortably defend yourself increases your confidence enormously, and that makes you a better parent, partner, business person and human being.
You do not need to get fit first. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a fantastic way to get healthy and fit, and compared with the gym it is great fun.
Like the Gracie Academy headquarters in California, our academies have a no-barrier policy between men and women. We understand this can be a problem for women who are new to the art, so we recommend starting in the women-only LadySafe classes. When you are ready you can move to the main adult classes and learn the full system. LadySafe covers the techniques that protect you from a sexual predator rather than the whole art, but it is an excellent introduction to it.
Even if your child has not been bullied, that is no reason not to prepare them. Eventually someone at school will try to take advantage of or be unkind to your little one, and a child who trains with us will be ready when that time comes. And if you think your child is tough and does not need it: there is always someone tougher. We do not just teach children to defend themselves, we teach them to be good human beings who respect each other and use their power to help others.
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Ten consecutive days of classes, completely free, at any academy in the network. Adults, children from age 3, and women-only classes.
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