In the late 1920's Grand Master Helio Gracie created Gracie or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after he realized that he was physically too frail to utilize the traditional Japanese techniques. Proven over the last 80 years to be the most reliable system for a smaller person to defeat a larger, more athletic opponent, the techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are based on precise timing and effective use of leverage so that virtually anyone can do them, man or woman, regardless of their size or athletic ability.

Although Gracie Jiu-Jitsu consists of over 600 techniques, studies of the fights conducted by members of the Gracie family have shown that 36 have been used more often and with greater success than all the other techniques combined. Originally developed for the US ARMY, Gracie Combatives is the only course that is entirely dedicated to the mastery of these essential 36 techniques.