Passed Gracie Combatives

February 4, 2025

It was a long journey, but I finally hit my first milestone.

In April 2023, I enrolled in a Gracie Jiu-jitsu gym. Now, after almost two years, I finally took the test and passed their Gracie Combatives program! This means I'm eligible for the Master Cycle which includes a lot more rolling (sparring), and an infinite number of new techniques.

The journey to this point has been a long one, and it was my own fault. I got bored with the program after about six months or so, and I was still a long way off from being permitted to take the test (I needed four stripes, and at that point I only had two). So, I left the gym to try some others.

I liked the other gyms, but the first one was way too intense. So, I decided to switch to a Gracie Barra location and I really liked it. However, I injured my bicep tendon again and after two classes, I had to stop all training, of any kind.

Returning to GJJ

While I was injured, I exchanged emails with my instructor who was super cool in answering my questions and addressing my concern. The injury ended up bringing me back to GJJ as it was a place that I would experience the least number of injuries. This is especially important as I get older yet plan to continue doing this activity for years to come.

The way GJJ is structured meant I could continue to learn, even with my injury. I began to participate as some of the pain subsided, and then I slowly incorporate private training sessions with the instructor around the July or August timeframe. I was about to take my test, but we ended up moving.

Once I got settled in the new place, I found another GJJ gym, and jumped right into the classes. I was ready. I took two private sessions to sharpen up some areas, and then I scheduled my test, which I took last night.

The test is broken up into five sections (guard, mount, side mount, standing, and light sparring). The point is to demonstrate all the techniques as they are called out on a passive opponent, and it all has to be done within a 25min time period. I ended up getting a 94 out of 100 (you need to get a 90 to pass). I was hoping to do better, but I made some silly mistakes. I still have some things to clean up. Nonetheless, I still passed, and I move on!

Moving to Master Cycle

Now that I have passed, I no longer have to take the slow-moving technique classes. I probably will still take them from time to time, and if I ever have a flare-up of my injury, then they are always an option.

Now I move onto Master Cycle. This class is about 30 minutes of instruction and drills, then 30 minutes of live sparring. More pressure testing, and a lot more tapping out.

I'm excited for this next stage as I continue my march towards achieving my blue belt.

#personal