About the Network

Who we are, where we come from, and what it means to train at a Gracie Foundation academy.

Our story

From a garage in California to a network in Britain

In 1978 Rorion Gracie left Brazil to teach his father Helio's art from his garage in California. From that garage came the Gracie Academy, the UFC, and the worldwide demand for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Rorion's son Ryron Gracie promoted Ben Tippen to Black Belt, and in 2014 Ben opened the Watford Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy to bring that same structure and philosophy to Hertfordshire.

A decade on, the academy has certified its own instructors, filmed its whole curriculum, and grown a community of adults, children and women who train every day of the week. The Gracie Foundation Jiu-Jitsu Network exists so that other instructors can open academies built on the same foundation.

Helio Gracie
Rorion Gracie
Ryron Gracie
Ben Tippen

What we stand for

The foundation in Gracie Foundation

Self-defence first

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is taught as a complete fighting system for the street, including strikes, weapons and the standing phase, not as a points sport. To see it in action, watch UFC 1 to 4.

Safe, friendly, cooperative

While many schools promote an egotistical "tough guy" atmosphere, our academies make every trip to the mat safe, fun and encouraging, especially for beginners. Students who cannot respect that are not welcome.

A structured curriculum

Fundamentals, Intermediate, Advanced, Standing Self-Defence, BullySafe and LadySafe: numbered lessons, published calendars, attendance cards and clear belt tests. You always know where you are.

Certified, DBS-checked instructors

Nobody teaches under our name without completing the Instructor Certification Programme, an enhanced DBS check and insurance.

Character as well as technique

Children follow a six-chapter Character Development programme (responsibility, health, respect, citizenship, manners, caring) and earn their way to Gracie Game Day.

Efficiency, patience, control

The three principles Carlos and Helio Gracie believed held the key to success in a fight and in life. Read the Gracie philosophy.

Membership

What every Gracie Foundation academy provides

For students

The same curriculum and belt standards at every academy, so your rank travels with you.
Free access to the online video library for the programmes you train in.
A free 10-day trial with a loaned uniform before you commit.
Instructors who are certified, DBS-checked and insured.
Seminars and events across the network.

Find an academy

For instructors

The Instructor Certification Programme: manual, videos, a 4-day training event and assessment.
The complete curriculum: lesson plans, calendars, attendance cards and test standards.
The video library for your students, branded materials and a listing on this site.
Ongoing support from the founding academy and a network of fellow instructors.

Open an academy

People