About & FAQ
For those of you who are serious about having more, doing more, giving more and being more, success is achievable with some understanding of what to do, some discipline around planning and execution of those plans and belief that you can achieve your desires.
Delivering high quality instruction since 2002.
About Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu is a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. It focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, gaining a dominant position and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was first developed in the 1920s by Brazilian brothers Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr, George and Hélio Gracie after Carlos Gracie was taught traditional Kodokan Judo by a travelling Japanese judoka Mitsuyo Maeda in 1917 later going on to develop their own self-defense system named Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
BJJ eventually came to be its own defined combat sport through the innovations, practices and adaptation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, becoming an essential martial art for MMA with Governing bodies such as the IBJJF work worldwide, setting the rules and standards for BJJ competitions.
FAQ
WHAT MAKES BJJ DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MARTIAL ARTS?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts in that it provides solutions for all possible stages of combat. Other disciplines like Tae Kwon Do or Karate focus on striking and rely on a person’s strength and speed to deliver damage, but speed and strength doesn’t matter when you’re on your back. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts fundamentally. While other martial arts rely heavily on strength and speed, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on superior technique and leverage.
WHAT’S A GI?
A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The material in which the three pieces are made is specially reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice. Many Jiu-Jitsu players regard their Gi in the same way a knight would their armor. Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi cite the more technical aspect of grappling with a Gi.
WHAT ARE THE BELT RANKINGS IN JIU-JITSU?
As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts where Black Belt marks a person’s proficiency in a style, in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu the rank of Black Belt is conferred to individuals who have mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The belts in order are: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. Often schools award four stripes for White through Brown belts. Black Belts are typically awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes. There are special classifications for Black Belts fighter and instructors. Instructors have Black Belts with Red bands and Black Belt fighters have White Bands. Typically, Black Belt instructors are not allowed to promote others up to Black Belt rank until they receive their first stripe. The ranks for children are different. Blue belt and higher ranks have age requirements so children have the following ranks beginning with White, Yellow, Orange and Green. Each belt has 4 stripes. These belts are utilized until age 16.
HOW LONG UNTIL I GET MY BLACK BELT?
Typically, it takes anywhere from 8 to 15 years to attain the rank of Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt (with the exception of Blue) takes about 2-5 years of dedicated practice; Blue Belt can often be attained in about a year of dedicated study.
IS JIU-JITSU SAFE?
At Gracie Gulf Coast safety is paramount. Accidents may happen, however, lack of seriousness during training and the resultant careless application of technique or counters contribute greatly to injury. Careless practice is disrespectful to the spirit of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
WHAT’S A TYPICAL CLASS LIKE?
We begin class with some light calisthenics and stretching. Following our warm-up we then begin drilling technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed then we begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.
WHO CAN LEARN JIU-JITSU?
Practically anyone can utilize the techniques created by Carlos Gracie. Carlos Gracie, when he created his revolutionary system, weighed no more than 135 lbs. The core principle of Gracie Jiu-jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.
IS BJJ GOOD EXERCISE?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. The resistance encountered while rolling provides you with a good base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout, increase your muscle tone, and reduce you body fat while improving your balance, bodily coordination, cardio vascular capacity, and muscular endurance.
WHAT DO I WEAR MY FIRST TIME (INTRO CLASS) TO CLASS?
The best thing to wear to a first class is a shirt and shorts.
A mouthpiece is also recommended.
It is recommended that guys wear an athletic support.
What are your age ranges?
From age 4 and up.
How are classes taught?
In person 1-on-1, and group Sessions.
Do you offer private lessons?
1-on-1 Training is Available. Please contact for Private Lessons.
TYPICAL BENEFITS OF TRAINING WITH US:
+ Great for Self Defense
+ World Class Instruction
+ Friendly Atmosphere
+ Excellent Training
+ Great Cardiovascular Conditioning
+ Increase Muscle Tone
+ Rapidly Reduce Body Fat
+ Increased Self Confidence
+ Supreme Stress Reducer
+ Develop flexibility
+ Improve your overall health
+ Increase your energy
+ Expand your awareness
+ Focus your concentration