A Curriculum Built Over
Four Decades.
Available Here.
Master Carlos Gracie Jr. founded Gracie Barra in 1986 with a mission that required something no other BJJ school had built: a consistent, structured curriculum that could deliver the same quality of instruction anywhere in the world.
What he built has been refined across four decades and 1,000+ schools on six continents. This is that curriculum — on this mat, in Centennial, Colorado.
Kids Programs
Four distinct age-specific programs. Each has its own curriculum, class length, teaching approach, and developmental goals built on the Gracie Barra global kids curriculum.
Confidence, Discipline, and Jiu-Jitsu for Every Age
Kids classes follow the same structured Gracie Barra teaching method, scaled for each developmental stage. Students learn jiu-jitsu, self-control, focus, respect, and safe movement through age-appropriate instruction.
Four Stages, One Clear Path
Each age group has the right class length, pace, and coaching style for where the child is physically, socially, and emotionally.
Foundation and readiness program for 3 and 4-year-olds. Focuses on body awareness, listening skills, and preparing children to be great students when development is ready.
Structured introduction to jiu-jitsu fundamentals with age-appropriate techniques, games, and character development for young beginners.
Progressive skill development with more complex techniques, live drills, and introduction to controlled sparring in a safe environment.
Advanced kids curriculum with competition preparation, leadership opportunities, and preparation for transition to adult classes.
Skills That Carry Beyond the Mat
- Body awareness, coordination, and safe falling mechanics
- Listening, focus, discipline, and respect for coaches and teammates
- Age-appropriate self-defense and confidence under pressure
- Progressive jiu-jitsu technique taught through structured repetition
Strong kids become confident students, teammates, and leaders.
Not sure which group fits your child? Age is the starting point, and coaches help place each student where they can learn safely and progress with confidence.
GB1 — Fundamentals Program
Where every black belt begins. GB1 is the structured entry point for adults and teens with no prior experience, all fitness levels, and anyone returning to the mat after time away.
The Foundation of Everything
Every GB1 class follows the same proven format used in Gracie Barra schools around the world. You are not figuring it out as you go. You are following a path that has produced black belts on six continents.
How Each Class is Structured
Every GB1 class follows a clear four-part format, so you always know where you are and what you are working toward.
Warm-Up
Fundamental BJJ movements like shrimping, bridging, technical stand-up, and positional transitions.
Self-Defense & Takedowns
Strike defense, headlock defense, clinch control, takedowns, and guard entry.
Sport Jiu-Jitsu
Core grappling positions and transitions: guard, side mount, back, turtle, mount, and knee-on-belly.
GB1 Drill or Specific Training
Controlled drilling and positional scenarios that help technique become instinct.
Cool Down & Closing
A short GB1 talking point on Gracie Barra culture, history, etiquette, or the belt system.
Is GB1 Right for You?
- Complete beginners with zero martial arts experience
- Athletes from other sports adding grappling to their training
- Adults who want structured fitness and self-defense
- Anyone who has tried jiu-jitsu before but never had a real foundation
Win or learn. There is no losing on the mat.
Professor Robert Goodloe leads Gracie Barra Centennial. His black belt traces directly to the original Gracie Barra school in Rio de Janeiro through his instructor, Professor Rafael Oliveira.
GB2 — All Levels
The next level of the adult curriculum: deeper positional study, more live resistance, and a clear bridge from fundamentals into a complete jiu-jitsu game.
The Next Level Starts Here
GB2 builds on the foundation developed in GB1 with a wider range of standing techniques, deeper positional study, and structured training rounds that pressure-test your technique.
How Each Class is Structured
GB2 runs a deeper class format than GB1: three full technique demonstrations with practice time, followed by structured training rounds.
Warm-Up
Movement drills and positional preparation that build athleticism and prime the body for technical work.
Techniques & Practice
Three technique blocks: four minutes of instruction and five minutes of partner practice for each technique.
Specific Training or Drills
Three structured rounds of positional sparring or targeted drills to put the techniques into resisted practice.
Cool Down & Message
A closing message from your instructor on technique, mindset, the GB journey, or the lessons from class.
Stand Up & Self-Defense
- Transitions to the guard
- Sacrifice throws
- Hip throws and hand throws
- Leg grabs
- Foot throws
Ground Technique
- Guard bottom
- Guard top
- Side mount
- Mount and knee on belly
- Back and turtle
GB2 builds directly on the GB1 Fundamentals Program. Start with GB1 when you are still building your foundation.
Better than yesterday. Every single time you step on the mat.
GB3 — Advanced
The highest level of the Gracie Barra curriculum: demanding advanced training for experienced practitioners committed to mastery on the mat.
This Is Where Champions Train
GB3 uses the same proven class format as GB2, but the depth, pace, resistance, and expectations are higher. This is where your jiu-jitsu is refined.
How Each Class is Structured
Three advanced technique blocks with dedicated practice time, followed by live positional rounds or targeted drills at a higher level of resistance.
Warm-Up
Movement drills and positional preparation calibrated for advanced practitioners.
Techniques & Practice
Three advanced technique blocks with deliberate partner practice. At this level, details matter.
Specific Training or Drills
Live positional sparring or targeted drills at full resistance with experienced training partners.
Cool Down & Message
A closing message on technique, competition, the black belt standard, or the lessons the mat surfaced.
Stand Up & Self-Defense
- Advanced guard entries and transitions
- Sacrifice throws
- Hip throws and hand throws
- Leg grabs
- Foot throws
Ground Technique
- Advanced guard attacks
- Guard passing systems
- Side mount control and finishes
- Mount and knee on belly
- Advanced back and turtle control
GB3 builds directly on the GB2 program and is designed for students ready for the black belt standard of training.
The black belt is a white belt who never quit.
GBF — Women's Program
A dedicated fundamentals class for women: structured, welcoming, and built around real jiu-jitsu, practical self-defense, confidence, and community.
Built for Women. Built to Last.
The GBF curriculum follows the same proven fundamentals structure used across Gracie Barra schools worldwide, taught in a focused environment alongside other women.
How Each Class is Structured
GBF follows the same four-part class structure used in GB1 Fundamentals, with sparring introduced progressively as comfort and confidence grow.
Warm-Up
Fundamental BJJ movements: shrimping, bridging, technical stand-up, and positional transitions.
Self-Defense & Takedowns
Practical self-defense, strike defense, headlock defense, clinch control, takedowns, and guard entry.
Sport Jiu-Jitsu
Core grappling positions from the ground up: guard, side mount, back, turtle, mount, and knee-on-belly.
GBF Drill or Specific Training
Focused drilling or controlled situational practice so technique starts to become instinct.
Cool Down & Closing
A short discussion on technique, Gracie Barra culture, or the lessons the mat brought up that day.
More Than Jiu-Jitsu
Women who train consistently describe the same shifts: confidence under pressure, practical self-defense skill, stronger problem-solving, and a community that helps them keep showing up.
Coach Traci
Coach Traci leads the GBF Women's Program at Gracie Barra Centennial, creating a focused and welcoming space where women of every background can learn real jiu-jitsu.
The mat does not care about your size, your background, or your experience. It only asks you to show up.