About Gracie University
Our training is guided by the world-renowned Gracie University curriculum, founded by the Gracie family — the creators of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
The Story Behind the Garage
Upon arriving in the United States in 1978, Rorion Gracie's mission was to spread his family's system of self-defense to the world. After being turned away by every martial arts school, he rented a small house with a two-car garage in Hermosa Beach, California, lined the floor with grappling mats, and began teaching private classes.
Solely by word of mouth, students multiplied rapidly. By 1985, his brother Royce joined to help teach. By 1989, they were instructing 130 active students with 80 more wait-listed — which led to the opening of the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, California.
From that legacy, Gracie University was born — an online platform that organizes 600+ techniques into a linear curriculum, enabling students worldwide to learn from the source. Today, Gracie Garages carry on that original spirit: informal, community-led training groups following the official GU curriculum.
⚠ Important Disclaimer
The Garage Gators is a Gracie Garage — we are not a Gracie University Certified Training Center (CTC) and do not have any GU-certified instructors on staff. We are a community group that trains together using official Gracie University instructional videos as our primary source of instruction. For certified instruction and official belt promotions, please visit a GU Certified Training Center near you.
Gracie Combatives®: 36 Essential Self-Defense Techniques
The Gracie Combatives® 2.0 curriculum taught by Ryron and Rener Gracie is the foundation of all training at Garage Gators. It consists of 36 battle-tested self-defense techniques organized into a logical, progressive sequence designed for anyone—regardless of age, size, or prior martial arts experience.
Instead of learning a random technique each class and rolling immediately, we break down each technique into smaller building blocks. We drill the fundamentals with precision in a safe, friendly environment. Only when you've mastered the basics do you put techniques together and progress to the next level. This is structured learning — you earn the right to roll.
This approach has proven effective for real-world self-defense and builds genuine confidence in your ability to defend yourself, not just athletic reflexes.
How We Use the GU Curriculum
▲ The Gracie Combatives® program is the foundation of every training session. Participants are expected to have reviewed the relevant GU lesson video on their own time before arriving — training sessions are for drilling and refinement, not for watching videos together on the mat.
▲ GU videos may be referenced briefly during a training session for a specific technique clarification or mechanical detail, but they are not screened in full during mat time.
▲ Students who have earned their Gracie Combatives® Belt through official GU testing, or who already hold a Blue Belt or higher, progress into the Master Cycle® curriculum.
▲ Belt testing and promotions follow official Gracie University standards.
▲ For children ages 7–12, we run Jr. Combatives® training sessions following the official Gracie Bullyproof® curriculum — non-violent self-defense and confidence building.
▲ Safety and teamwork remain the highest priorities at all times.
Register Free on Gracie University
It's 100% free to create a GU account — no credit card required. You'll get instant access to 30+ free lessons from Gracie Combatives®, Master Cycle®, Gracie Bullyproof®, and Women Empowered, plus the Gracie Combatives® Self-Defense Handbook.
Reviewing the relevant lesson before each training session is how you get the most out of your mat time — and how you show up as a capable training partner for everyone else on the mat.
You have everything to learn and nothing to lose.
Create Your Free GU Account →Official Gracie University Resources
Gracie University – Home
The official home of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu online learning, with 600+ techniques organized into a structured curriculum.
Gracie Combatives®
The 36-lesson beginner program covering the most essential techniques for real-world self-defense.
Master Cycle®
Advanced curriculum for blue belts and above, organized by position with hundreds of technique lessons.
Gracie Garage Program
Learn about the official Gracie Garage program and how to find or start one near you.
Certified Training Centers
Find a Gracie-certified school near you for in-person instruction and belt testing.
Gracie Bullyproof® (Kids)
The official kids' self-defense program for ages 3–12. Non-violent techniques to build confidence and stop bullying.
Belt Testing & Promotions
Learn how Gracie University belt testing works and how our students earn promotions.