Gracie BullySafe
Give your child the gift of confidence.
Give your child the gift of confidence
We teach your child to use verbal assertiveness to deter bullies and several non-violent self-defence techniques to stay safe if physically assaulted. Importantly, we don't teach how to punch or kick, since that often does more harm than good. Instead we use leverage-based control holds to neutralise threats without violence. Numerous schools have embraced the defensive nature of the Gracie BullySafe techniques as a reasonable, non-violent response to bullying. The bottom line: we prepare your child to defend themselves against bullies without turning them into one.
If you're interested in instilling your child with unshakable confidence while reinforcing positive values and good character, Gracie BullySafe is for you.
Critical confidence
Studies suggest bullying may be the leading cause of low self-esteem in children, and according to some surveys fewer than 15% of children report acts of bullying. A child's inability to stand up to a bully is rooted in fear for their personal safety. Ironically, the victims know they must confront the bully and would like nothing more than to stand up to them, but they cannot follow through for fear of the physical harm that backs the bully's every action. The answer is simple: teach the victims to defend themselves against physical attack, and the rest follows.
Fighting fire with water
Most martial arts programmes rely on striking the attacker with violent punches, kicks, knees and elbows. In Gracie BullySafe all the techniques are purely defensive and use no strikes. We teach children how to defuse confrontations with words and never to initiate physical aggression; if attacked, we give them techniques to neutralise the threat and gain control until help arrives. The programme prepares your child with a three-pronged approach:
- Increased awareness. Harassment comes in many forms, and a victim often doesn't take a stand because they can't tell "joking" from "bullying". We teach your child to differentiate harmless play from harmful harassment, so they know precisely when and how to act.
- Unshakable confidence. A confident child is a BullySafe child. Bullies seek easy targets. We arm your child with the tools to overcome physical, verbal and psychological harassment, so that no bully will try.
- Total responsibility. We emphasise discipline, responsibility and respect throughout, and teach five Rules of Engagement to ensure they never abuse their power.
Perfect programmes for every age
Nearly all Jiu-Jitsu schools bunch all their youth students into one class. Gracie BullySafe is one of the only youth programmes that separates children by age and experience level, so every child gets the perfect balance of fun and challenge. All children begin in super-playful entry-level programmes for their age group and are promoted as soon as they reach a certain level of maturity.
| Programme | Ages | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny Titans | 3-4 | Parents join their little ones on the mat for specially designed parent-child games that build bonds while introducing foundational self-defence concepts. Children advance to Little Grapplers once they show they understand the games. |
| Little Grapplers | 5-7 | Using our time-tested Gracie Games, children learn basic self-defence techniques and the principles of leverage and control, all through fun that keeps them coming back. Children advance to Junior Grapplers after mastering all ten Gracie Games. |
| Junior Grapplers | 8-13 | 33 non-violent self-defence techniques that teach children to "neutralise and negotiate" with bullies. Verbal assertiveness is a major part of the curriculum. No experience needed, and a noticeable increase in confidence within a few weeks. |
| Black Belt Club | Invitation | Our most advanced youth programme, open to Junior Grapplers who excel and demonstrate the traits of a future black belt: discipline, respect, courage, leadership, loyalty and compassion. Joining is the highest honour for any young Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. |
Little Grapplers: the class guide
| Class | Games |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle the Giant · SpiderKid · Crazy Legs / Horse |
| 2 | Verbal Jiu-Jitsu · Tackle the Giant · SpiderKid |
| 3 | Power Push · Clinch (3 Hs) · Bulldozer |
| 4 | Front Grab (2 Snakes) · Snake Bite · Shark Bite |
| 5 | Tackle the Giant · Crocodile Control · Crazy Legs |
| 6 | Front Bear Hug (Under) · Guard Monster · Sit-up Sweep |
| 7 | Rear Bear Hug (Over) · Tripod Sweep · Crazy Legs / Horse |
| 8 | Front Neck Grab · Tackle the Giant · SpiderKid |
| 9 | Rear Bear Hug (Under) · SpiderKid · Crazy Legs / Horse |
| 10 | Rear Choke Defence · Clinch Leg Trip · SpiderKid |
| 11 | Stranger Danger: Distance · Base / Help · Wrist |
Junior Grapplers: the class guide
| Class | Ground | Standing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Mount Control | Double Leg (Trip) |
| 2 | Americana Armlock | Clinch & Trip |
| 3 | High Mount Control | Single Hand Grab Defence |
| 4 | Twisted Arm Control - TAC Back Lift | Standing Rear Choke Defence (Arm Slip) |
| 5 | Side Mount Control - Americana (Side) | Double Leg (Trip) |
| 6 | Scissor Sweep - Chop Base | Rear Bear Hug Defence (Under Arms) |
| 7 | Modified Mount (Back - Armlock) | Rear Takedown |
| 8 | Headlock Escapes (Frame & Roll) | Distance Management |
| 9 | Mount Escape (First Leg - Back Take) | Front Choke Defence (Two Hands) |
| 10 | Triangle Choke (Solo - Finish - Entry) | - |
| 11 | Guard Stage 1 - Double Ankle Hook Sweep | Double Leg Trip |
| 12 | (Mount) Take the Back - RNC (Negotiate) | Power Push |
| 13 | Re-Mount | Verbal Jiu-Jitsu - Double Leg Trip |
| 14 | Take the Back (Guard) | Pull Guard |
| 15 | Release Head - Armbar | Standing Headlock Defence (Fall Back) |
| 16 | Guard Pass - Break Guard | Guillotine Defence - Head Slip |
| 17 | Tripod Sweep | Rear Bear Hug Defence (Over Arms) |
| 18 | Side Mount Escape - Guard | Clinch & Trip |
| 19 | Kimura Armlock (Guard) - Sit-up Sweep | Double Leg (Trip) |
| 20 | Guard Punch Block Stages 1 & 2 | Wrist Grab Defence |
Rules of Engagement
Just as much as they fear school punishment, your child fears the punishment they will receive from you, their parents. Only if your child knows they will not get in trouble at home for defending themselves will they embrace the Rules of Engagement as their own. Your academy will talk them through with you at your child's first classes.
Beyond the mat
Every BullySafe child also follows the Gracie Character Development programme and learns Gracie KidSafe stranger awareness. And every academy offers a free 10-day trial: find your class, turn up, take part in the full lesson with a loaned uniform, and only join if your child wants to come back. Book a trial.