In my experience, I've found that the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) method really allows you to train in a fashion that prepares you for real fighting. We've had plenty of students in real street fights as well as NHB cage fights and they all did fine. The training allows you to build attributes for the street as well as the confidence that you know WHAT to do and you know WHEN to do it. GJJ focuses on gross body movement, which holds up well under stress. I also think the Gracie’s method of teaching is also responsible. There are no stances, no katas, no prearranged sparring drills. You just do it. You practice the techniques and then you get to use them in motion against an opponent who is not compliant. You get to practice at a level that is safe (most of the time you can even talk to your partner as you are wasting him), but it gives you the level of resistance and the definitive feeling of either catching someone with a technique – or being caught with a technique. You KNOW when it works. There is none of this:

"I could have torn your throat out"

"No you couldn’t"

"Could too!"

"Could not!

It is an enlightening experience to see (and feel) for yourself. Your confidence in the technique is increased.

As far as multiple attackers, don't let appearances fool you. We don't advocate immediately going to the ground with multiple attackers.

You will also learn the street version of some of the techniques that takes into consideration punches, kicks, headbutts, etc. You’ll quickly get to a level where you can defend yourself and then you’ll want to test some of that knowledge in some tournaments.

The ranking goes white, blue, purple, brown and black. There are four stripes on each belt before you go up to the next belt. However, there are no formal tests. The techniques are not named. You do not have to speak Japanese or Portuguese. There is no written curriculum. You do not test FOR a blue belt, you BECOME a blue belt. When you train and train in earnest, you start to act like, move like and think like the rank you are trying to attain. You become the rank. You don't have to worry about passing or failing some artificial test. In our system, there is no testing fee, no testing board, no pressure to succeed. You are the only one pushing yourself. In fact, Relson or Nathan might walk up to you and hand you a belt one night. He might even say, "now you can defend it".

Of course, all of your classmates are trying to improve themselves, so they are advancing as well. On the mat you are only interested in developing your jiu-jitsu skills. The ranks become obvious when you train. The blue belts easily dominate the white belts. The purple belts toy with the blue belts. The brown belts waste the purple belts and the black belts, well, the black belts are almost magical in their abilities. There are very few black belts in the U.S. and they are very special. You’ll find that, after a while, you lose interest in seeking an artificial rank. You just want to extend the range of your knowledge and continue learning.