Does the Gracie Combatives DVD replace training at a live gym? No. Is it the best insurance policy for someone who can't train at a live gym? 100% Yes.
Think of it like a fire extinguisher. You hope you never need it. But if the fire starts, and you’ve watched these 30 lessons, you won't freeze. You won't panic. You will "maintain order."
Rating: 4.8/5 (Loses .2 points for the hilariously bad intro music).
Have you tried the Combatives course? Let me know in the comments—did the Trap and Roll save you in a real situation?
The Ultimate Guide to Gracie Combatives DVD: Unlocking the Secrets of Self-Defense
In today's world, personal safety is a top concern for many individuals. With the rise of violence and crime, it's essential to have the skills and knowledge to protect oneself and loved ones. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through Gracie Combatives, a renowned self-defense system developed by the Gracie family. In this article, we'll explore the Gracie Combatives DVD, a comprehensive training program that brings the art of self-defense to your living room.
What is Gracie Combatives?
Gracie Combatives is a self-defense system that originated from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art developed by the Gracie family in Brazil. The system focuses on teaching individuals how to defend themselves against larger and more aggressive attackers, using technique over strength. Gracie Combatives is designed to be practical, efficient, and easy to learn, making it accessible to people of all ages, sizes, and skill levels.
The Gracie Combatives DVD: A Comprehensive Training Program
The Gracie Combatives DVD is a comprehensive training program that consists of 13 instructional DVDs, covering a wide range of self-defense techniques and scenarios. The program is designed to take you from a beginner to an advanced level, teaching you how to:
Key Features of the Gracie Combatives DVD
The Gracie Combatives DVD program offers several key features that set it apart from other self-defense training programs:
Benefits of the Gracie Combatives DVD
The Gracie Combatives DVD offers numerous benefits for individuals looking to improve their self-defense skills:
Who is the Gracie Combatives DVD Suitable For?
The Gracie Combatives DVD is suitable for individuals of all ages, sizes, and skill levels, including:
Conclusion
The Gracie Combatives DVD is a comprehensive training program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to defend themselves and loved ones. With its practical, efficient, and easy-to-learn techniques, the program is suitable for individuals of all ages, sizes, and skill levels. Whether you're looking to improve your physical fitness, build confidence, or simply learn effective self-defense techniques, the Gracie Combatives DVD is an excellent choice. So why wait? Order your Gracie Combatives DVD today and start unlocking the secrets of self-defense!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the duration of the Gracie Combatives DVD program? A: The program consists of 13 instructional DVDs, with a total runtime of approximately 13 hours. gracie combatives dvd
Q: Is the Gracie Combatives DVD suitable for beginners? A: Yes, the program is designed to be easy to follow and learn from, making it suitable for beginners.
Q: Can I train with a partner using the Gracie Combatives DVD? A: Yes, the program includes partner drills, allowing you to train with a friend or family member and improve your skills.
Q: Is the Gracie Combatives DVD a substitute for traditional martial arts classes? A: While the program can be used as a standalone training program, it's recommended to supplement your training with traditional martial arts classes or private instruction for a more well-rounded education.
Q: Can I purchase the Gracie Combatives DVD online? A: Yes, the Gracie Combatives DVD can be purchased online through the official Gracie University website or through online retailers such as Amazon.
For a comprehensive breakdown of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Combatives
program, the most detailed community-driven review and discussion can be found on Reddit's BJJ community
. It covers the transition from the original DVD set to the modern online curriculum, offering perspectives from practitioners who have used the course for home study and in-person training. Key Aspects of the Program
The program was originally designed for the U.S. Army to teach effective hand-to-hand combat in a short timeframe. It focuses on the 36 core techniques found to be most successful in real-world fights. Instructional Style
: Highly regarded for its "linear learning" approach, where each lesson logically builds on the previous one, making it accessible for absolute beginners. Self-Defense Focus
: Unlike many "sport" BJJ programs, this focuses 100% on high-probability street scenarios, including headlock escapes and defending against strikes. Curriculum Structure
: Lessons use "Dynamic Reflex Development," starting with "Technical Slices" (simplified drills), moving to "Reflex Development Drills," and ending with "Fight Simulation Drills". The "2.0" Update
: The latest version includes 36 additional bonus techniques, 4K video quality, and "Street Tips" covering terrain, multiple attackers, and legal considerations. Pros and Cons (Community Consensus)
What it is
Curriculum & structure
Key concepts emphasized
Typical techniques covered (examples)
Audience and suitability
Formats & availability
Pros and cons (brief)
Credibility & lineage
How to get the most from it
If you want, I can:
Here’s a short, useful story that illustrates the value of the Gracie Combatives DVD set—not just as a product, but as a tool for real-world confidence.
Title: The Late-Night Elevator
Mark was a 34-year-old software engineer. He wasn’t weak, but he wasn’t a fighter. After a close call in a parking garage—a guy screaming nonsense and shoving him for “looking at him wrong”—Mark realized his cardio and “hoping for the best” weren’t a self-defense plan.
He didn’t have time or money for a traditional gym. Between work, a toddler, and a second kid on the way, a 6 PM BJJ class was a fantasy. Plus, he was intimidated. The idea of getting crushed by a 22-year-old wrestler named “The Kraken” didn’t appeal to him.
Then he found a used Gracie Combatives DVD set online.
The box looked old-school. It promised “36 lessons” and a “street-effective” system—no sport moves, no fancy inversions. Just survival: punch blocks, takedown defense, escapes from mount and headlock, and control positions.
Mark was skeptical. “A DVD can’t teach you to fight.”
But the first video changed his mind. Rener Gracie didn’t just show a move—he showed why it works, where it fails, and how to drill it with a partner. He used common English, not Portuguese jargon. He even addressed the “untrained aggressor’s” most common moves: the wild hook punch, the bear hug, the shirt grab.
Mark bribed his brother-in-law, Dave (a similarly out-of-shape dad), with pizza. Every Tuesday and Thursday, they rolled out a yoga mat in Mark’s garage, watched one lesson (20 minutes), then drilled the technique for 20 minutes. No sparring yet. Just repetition: “Upa escape from mount.” “Trap and roll.” “Punch block series 1–4.”
After four months, they’d completed all 36 lessons. They tested themselves with the “Reflex Development” drills—Rener would call out a random attack, and they’d react without thinking. It was clumsy at first, then smooth. Mark felt something he hadn’t in years: prepared.
Six months later, the test came.
Mark was walking to his car after a late night at work. The parking lot was empty. From behind a van, a man stepped out—jittery, eyes unfocused, holding a broken bottle by the neck. “Give me your wallet. Now.”
Mark’s heart slammed. His old self would have frozen or thrown a wild haymaker.
But his body remembered. The man lunged with the bottle—a clumsy overhead swing. Mark’s hands shot up in a high guard (lesson 4), deflecting the arm. He clinched, dropped his base, and used a simple outside leg trip (lesson 18). The man hit the concrete hard, the bottle skittering away.
Mark didn’t strike. He pinned the man’s shoulders with his knees (lesson 12: “Mount control”) and yelled, “Stay down! I’m calling the police!” The man went limp, defeated.
Police arrived five minutes later. No one was seriously hurt. Does the Gracie Combatives DVD replace training at
That night, Mark looked at the dusty Gracie Combatives DVD case on his shelf. He smiled. He’d never compete in a tournament. He’d never wear a fancy gi. But he’d passed the only test that mattered—the unscripted, chaotic, real one.
The moral: The Gracie Combatives DVD isn’t about becoming a UFC champion. It’s about building a reliable, repeatable survival system for ordinary people with no time, no athletic background, and no desire to get punched in the face during practice. It works if you work it—one lesson, one garage session, one pizza at a time.
The Gracie Combatives DVD is a 13-disc instructional series that became a flashpoint in the martial arts world, bridging the gap between elite military training and civilian home study. Origin: From the Battlefield to the Living Room
The program was originally developed at the request of the U.S. Army. Military leaders wanted a hand-to-hand combat system that could prepare soldiers for survival in roughly 40 hours of training. The Gracie family analyzed three generations of real-world fights and identified 36 essential techniques that were used more frequently and successfully than all other moves combined.
For nearly 17 years, this curriculum was exclusive to military personnel. In 2008-2009, Rener and Ryron Gracie released the material to the public as the "Gracie Combatives" DVD box set, marking the official launch of what would become Gracie University. The "Video Belt" Controversy
The DVDs gained notoriety not just for their content, but for the Gracie Video Evaluation Process. For the first time, students who did not live near a school could film themselves performing the "Blue Belt Qualification Drills" and upload them for review by Gracie Academy instructors.
This sparked a massive debate in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) community:
Before the rise of online video platforms like Gracie University, learning legitimate Jiu-Jitsu outside of a physical academy was nearly impossible. The Gracie Combatives DVD set was designed to bridge that gap. It is a home-study course certified by the official Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
The course focuses specifically on "Combatives"—the 36 most frequently occurring positions in a street fight. According to Gracie research, if you master these 36 techniques, you will be prepared for 99% of the physical confrontations you are likely to encounter.
Unlike sport BJJ, which relies on a gi (the traditional uniform) and complex point systems, Gracie Combatives is taught exclusively from a "self-defense first" perspective. The techniques are designed to work regardless of what you are wearing (shorts and a t-shirt) and assume your opponent is larger, stronger, and potentially throwing strikes.
What separates the Gracie Combatives DVD from other instructionals is the teaching method: Reflex Development.
Most BJJ instructionals show you a move, then a drill, and then live sparring. Gracie Combatives uses a "Problem, Solution, and Drill" format.
The DVD includes "Drill Instructions" for each technique. By following along with a partner (or even using a grappling dummy), you train your nervous system to react automatically. When the stress of a real fight hits your system, you don't rise to the level of your expectations; you fall to the level of your training. Reflex development ensures your training holds up under adrenaline.
The Gracie Combatives DVD stresses the importance of live training (rolling) and drilling. It encourages students to train with partners of varying sizes and skill levels to adapt the techniques to different scenarios. The methodology emphasizes slow and controlled drilling to build muscle memory and understanding of the movements.
One of the most compelling aspects of the Gracie Combatives program is the "Gracie Guarantee." The premise is simple: If you master the 36 techniques on the DVD (meaning you can execute them with competence against a resisting partner), you have a proven foundation in self-defense.
In fact, Gracie Academy Torrance allows students who learn via the DVD to test for their "Combatives Belt" (a belt of rank just below blue belt) by submitting a video or visiting the academy. You don't need to sign a long-term gym contract to get your first taste of ranking. While the DVD alone cannot award you a belt (you need a live instructor to verify your technique for safety), it provides the map to get there.
1. The "Dirty Dozen" Structure The course breaks down exactly how to survive the most common street scenarios: getting punched in the mount, defending against a bigger opponent in your guard, and escaping the headlock (the #1 attack in high school fights).
2. Reflex Development This isn't just a highlight reel. The Gracies invented "Reflex Development Drills." You watch a technique, then drill it with increasing resistance. By the end of lesson 3, you aren't thinking—you are reacting.
3. The "Maintain Order" Mantra Rorion Gracie constantly says, "Maintain order." This is the gold of the DVD. It teaches you to breathe, relax, and find the structural frames even when a 200lb man is on top of you. That is a lesson you can't get from a self-defense book. Key Features of the Gracie Combatives DVD The