Gracie University

The 32 Principles

Of Jiu-Jitsu

The Universal Principles of Jiu-Jitsu that separate the "naturals" from the rest and that every black belt wishes they learned at blue belt.

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

Faster Learning

Reduce the time it takes for Jiu-Jitsu to click for you.

Less Confusion

Eliminate the confusion from trying to memorize countless techniques.

Better Jiu-Jitsu

Get rid of frustration from techniques not working as planned.

Respected BJJ Black Belts
Hold The 32 Principles in High Esteem

Ryron and Rener were always amazing teachers but this time they outdid themselves.

— Renzo Gracie

Watch Testimonial Video

Respected BJJ Black Belts Hold The 32 Principles in High Esteem

Ryron and Rener were always amazing teachers but this time they outdid themselves.

Renzo Gracie

Watch Testimonial Video

I’m so excited and so happy that Ryron and Rener put the Principles in a way that anyone could understand.

Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro
7-Time World Champion, Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu

Watch Testimonial Video

With The 32 Principles created by Ryron and Rener, I’m positive you’re going to level up your Jiu-Jitsu. I wish I had this explained to me in this way when I was a white belt.

Tom DeBlass
UFC Veteran & BJJ Black Belt

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In a world where everyone’s looking for the newest and coolest techniques, these 32 principles are outside of that. It’s a beautiful concept that transcends technique.

Nate Orchard
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

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INTRODUCING

The 32 Principles of Jiu-Jitsu

Principles 1-8

Now Available

Principles 9-16

Now Available

Principles 17-24

Now Available

Principles 25-32

Now Available

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

INTRODUCING

The 32 Principles of Jiu-Jitsu

Principles 1-8

Now Available

Principles 9-16

Now Available

Principles 17-24

Now Available

Principles 25-32

Now Available

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

The 32 Principles are broken down into 4 parts

PART 1

Principle 1: Connection

Principle 5: Creation

PART 2

Principle 2: Detachment

Principle 6: Acceptance

PART 3

Principle 3: Distance

Principle 7: Velocity

PART 4

Principle 4: Pyramid

Principle 8: Clock

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

The 32 Principles are broken down into 4 parts

Principle 1: Connection

Principle 2: Detachment

Principle 3: Distance

Principle 4: Pyramid

Principle 5: Creation

Principle 6: Acceptance

Principle 7: Velocity

Principle 8: Clock

Principle 9: River

Principle 10: Frame

Principle 11: Kuzushi

Principle 12: Reconnaissance

Principle 13: Prevention

Principle 14: Tension

Principle 15: Fork

Principle 16: Posture

Principle 17: False Surrender

Principle 18: Depletion

Principle 19: Isolation

Principle 20: Sacrifice

Principle 21: Momentum

Principle 22: Pivot

Principle 23: Tagalong

Principle 24: Overload

Principle 25: Anchor

Principle 26: Ratchet

Principle 27: Buoyancy

Principle 28: Head Control

Principle 29: Redirection

Principle 30: Mobility

Principle 31: Centerline

Principle 32: Grandmaster

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

Limited Time Bonuses

Purchase Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 and
you’ll also receive:

Street Choke Mastery Seminar
(value $85)

Mini-Masterclass: The Power of Principle-Based Learning
(value $37)

The 32 Principles Handbook
(value $27)

Street Choke Mastery Seminar (value $85)

In this one-of-a-kind video seminar (recorded live at GU headquarters), not only do Ryron and Rener prove that the gi is more “street” than no-gi, but they make a strong case that a t-shirt is the most “chokeable” article of clothing in any wardrobe. In addition to all the most effective t-shirt chokes, you’ll also learn how to put someone to sleep whether they’re wearing a jacket, blazer, button-up shirt, tank top or any other article of clothing. If you ever end up in a street self-defense situation you do NOT want to be without these Street Chokes!

Limited Time Bonuses

Purchase Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 and
you’ll also receive:

Street Choke Mastery Seminar (value $85)

Mini-Masterclass: The Power of Principle-Based Learning (value $37)

In this one-hour Mini-Masterclass, Ryron and Rener will help you establish the mental framework that will allow you to unlock the power of Principle-based Learning in your Jiu-Jitsu. If you're like 99% of the BJJ student population, and you've never learned how to learn, this will likely be the single most important class of your life!

The 32 Principles Handbook (value $27)

A breakdown of all 32 Principles conveniently condensed into a downloadable PDF handbook for quick reference on the mat and off. You’ll be first to know all 32 Principles before they are fully released, and you can access the Handbook from any computer or mobile device.

You're all too familiar with the Jiu-Jitsu Struggle

The Pain of Memorizing Techniques

You’ve had to painstakingly memorize countless Jiu-Jitsu techniques, some with 15 steps or more, and just when you feel like you finally memorized one, you get slammed with countless others.

Moves Not Working in Sparring

When you do finally memorize a technique, it doesn’t work in live sparring because the opponent is resisting in a manner different than what you expected.

Using Athleticism as a Crutch

When you land in an unfamiliar position during sparring, you make up random techniques (mostly reliant on your athleticism) because the specific techniques you learned don’t address the constantly changing circumstances of live sparring.

Snail-Moving Progress

You’re stuck in a rut and feel like your game has only marginally improved after a long time of training.

You’re ready for Jiu-Jitsu to click for you in less time, with less frustration and less plateauing along the way.

What if you stopped forgetting techniques the day after you learned them and started internalizing the core principles of each technique after the first exposure?

The State of Learning Jiu-Jitsu in 2022

"Learning" Moves on YouTube

You go to YouTube and search for “Jiu-Jitsu techniques” and try to learn as much as possible. But you always watch more than you can remember and the vast majority of what you watch is forgotten almost immediately.

Limited Personalization in Group Classes

Group instruction can be frustrating because instructors often tailor the classes to the most advanced students leaving the rest of the students confused or overwhelmed.

Partial Context in Paid Instructionals

Most of the paid instructional material on the market doesn’t provide sufficient context for the techniques, leaving it up to you to decipher and personalize what is being taught.

1-on-1 Training is Costly

If you want to learn Jiu-Jitsu effectively, one-on-one privates are a great option. But the costs for one-on-one instruction can add up very quickly.

Jiu-Jitsu should be more than technique overload, frustrating plateaus and random guesswork.

No more “memorizing” techniques

Learn the "Jiu-Jitsu" way to learn Jiu-Jitsu

Using “Principle-based Learning” you will:

Learn and deconstruct new techniques more easily
Retain techniques more effectively
Improvise when sparring more naturally

How will this change your Jiu-Jitsu?

Principle-based Learning will help you make sense of every technique you are exposed to past, present, and future.

You’ll waste less time in the frustration zone, and spend more time in the flow zone.

INTRODUCING

The 32 Principles of Jiu-Jitsu

The universal Jiu-Jitsu principles that separate the “naturals” from the rest and that every Black Belt wishes they learned at Blue Belt.

By Gracie University

Upon learning The 32 Principles, your relationship with Jiu-Jitsu takes on an entirely new form. It will...

Simplify the process of learning new techniques
Streamline the process of applying techniques while sparring
Strengthen your ability to improvise in situations for which you haven’t learned a specific technique

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

Here’s what Respected Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts have to say

Fabrício Werdum

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, 4-Time World BJJ Champion

Gui Mendes

4-Time World BJJ Champion, Art of Jiu-Jitsu

Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles

6-Time World BJJ Champion, Alliance Jiu-Jitsu

For the first time, we’ve identified
The 32 Foundational Principles of Jiu-Jitsu

We organized them into an easy-to-learn curriculum so that anyone can learn them.

Once you’re exposed to The 32 Principles, you’re going to wish you learned them much sooner in your life.

Remember

When you learn techniques you understand Jiu-Jitsu. When you learn the principles, you become Jiu-Jitsu.

Respected BJJ Black Belts
Hold The 32 Principles in High Esteem

I thought I was special. And now they’re making a hundred of you guys, or a million of you guys, and I just got @$$ed out of the photo!

— Brian “T-City” Ortega

UFC Fighter & GJJ Black Belt

Watch Testimonial Video

Respected BJJ Black Belts Hold The 32 Principles in High Esteem

I thought I was special. And now they’re making a hundred of you guys, or a million of you guys, and I just got @$$ed out of the photo!

Brian “T-City” Ortega
UFC Fighter & GJJ Black Belt

Watch Testimonial Video

If I had to choose between techniques and principles, I would spend my time on the principles.

Ed O’Neill
Actor & BJJ Black Belt

Watch Testimonial Video

Coming up, I had to learn the hard way. I wish I had this explained to me in this way when I was a white belt.

Rubens Charles “Cobrinha”
6-Time World BJJ Champion, Alliance Jiu-Jitsu

Watch Testimonial Video

As in life, we follow the principles to avoid making mistakes.

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Machida Karate

Watch Testimonial Video

The Secret is to Open a “Bank Account” for Each Principle

Learn The 32 Principles and open a unique “bank account” for each Principle

The same way that when you buy a car you suddenly “see it everywhere;” once you learn a principle you see it in every technique.

Make Training “Deposits” into the Principle

Every time you have a conscious interaction with a technique (watching, learning, drilling, etc) that utilizes the principle, it will count as a “deposit” in that principle’s account.

Make Training “Withdrawals” from the Principle

Any time you end up in a challenging position or situation for which you haven’t learned a specific technique, you can make withdrawals from your accounts to come up with reliable solutions that utilize one or more of The 32 Principles.

The 32 Principles will strengthen your ability to improvise in any situation, and as your “bank balance” increases, so will the quality of your improvisations.

What's Included

Full Access to the First 8 Principles

Each Principle comes with a dedicated video breakdown so you can start internalizing the Principles.

Sparring Guidelines for Every Principle

Know how to incorporate the principle into your rolling sessions for maximum growth each day.

Research Objectives for Every Principle

Increase retention while helping you get more out of every technique you’ve ever learned.

24/7 Video Streaming

Watch from any computer, mobile device or tablet.

Downloadable Lesson Printouts

Get a summary of the concepts, techniques, research objectives, and sparring recommendations for each Principle.

Personalized Student Profile

Add your Rank and Affiliation and keep track of progress through Gracie University's online platform.

Downloadable Video Option

Have download access to watch and learn offline.

3-D Motion Graphics

Enjoy 3-D Motion Graphics in every lesson for maximum clarity and retention.

“Ask the Gracies” Instructor Moderated Forum

Have access to active forums for any questions you might have on the principles.

The 32 Principles: Part 1

Principle 1:

Connection

Preventing, promoting or predicting your opponent’s movement using the 32 methods of connection.

Principle 2:

Detachment

Achieving optimal efficiency in transitions through deliberate disconnection from your opponent.

Principle 3:

Distance

Neutralizing the application of a technique against you by disrupting the optimal distance from which it is applied.

Principle 4:

Pyramid

Optimizing connections with the ground and with your opponent to maximize balance and control at all times.

Principle 5:

Creation

Using targeted actions to force specific reactions in your favor.

Principle 6:

Acceptance

Being first to accept the inevitability of an action so that you are best prepared for the outcome.

Principle 7:

Velocity

Constantly changing your operational speed to confuse and overwhelm your opponent.

Principle 8:

Clock

Disrupting the anticipated timing of your opponent’s techniques to reduce or eliminate their effectiveness.

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

The 32 Principles: Part 1

Principle 1:

Connection

Preventing, promoting or predicting your opponent’s movement using the 32 methods of connection.

Principle 2:

Detachment

Achieving optimal efficiency in transitions through deliberate disconnection from your opponent.

Principle 3:

Distance

Neutralizing the application of a technique against you by disrupting the optimal distance from which it is applied.

Principle 4:

Pyramid

Optimizing connections with the ground and with your opponent to maximize balance and control at all times.

Principle 5:

Creation

Using targeted actions to force specific reactions in your favor.

Principle 6:

Acceptance

Being first to accept the inevitability of an action so that you are best prepared for the outcome.

Principle 7:

Velocity

Constantly changing your operational speed to confuse and overwhelm your opponent.

Principle 8:

Clock

Disrupting the anticipated timing of your opponent’s techniques to reduce or eliminate their effectiveness.

Here’s what Respected Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts have to say

Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro

7-Time World Champion, Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu

Nate Orchard

6-Time World Champion, Alliance Jiu-Jitsu

Brian “T-City” Ortega

UFC Fighter & GJJ Black Belt

Why us and why now?

Anyone who has been around Jiu-Jitsu for any period of time knows that the art is entirely governed by a relatively small number of universal principles. What is less known is exactly what those principles are and how a student is supposed to learn them.

Traditionally, instructors (including us) expose their students to thousands of techniques over several years with the expectation that, at some point, they will “figure out” what the principles are. The problem is that most students “drown” in techniques for years, and never decipher the principles with any degree of significance.

Why us and why now?

Understanding how important the principles were in our own development and seeing that there were no comprehensive video courses on the subject, we became inspired to produce the most extensive curriculum ever produced on the principles of Jiu-Jitsu.

Our hope is that by organizing The 32 Principles the way we have, students all over the world will learn more effectively and take ownership of their Jiu-Jitsu journeys in less time than was ever thought possible.

Respected BJJ Black Belts
Hold The 32 Principles in High Esteem

The principles of Jiu-Jitsu saved me countless times in MMA.

— Fabrício Werdum

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, 4-Time World BJJ Champion

Watch Testimonial Video

Respected BJJ Black Belts Hold The 32 Principles in High Esteem

The principles of Jiu-Jitsu saved me countless times in MMA.

Fabrício Werdum
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, 4-Time World BJJ Champion

Watch Testimonial Video

I have always liked Ryron and Rener's work with self-defense, but this course is much bigger than self-defense.

Gui Mendes
4-Time World BJJ Champion, Art of Jiu-Jitsu

Watch Testimonial Video

The 32 Principles that will really change your ability to understand Jiu-Jitsu.

Gui Valente
Helio Gracie Black Belt

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Jiu-Jitsu is the triumph of human intelligence over brute strength.

Pedro Valente
Helio Gracie Black Belt

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Yes! I want Lifetime Access to The 32 Principles: Part 1

One Payment of

$79

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

If you have any questions or concerns about the course, click here to contact us. We’re happy to help.

It took us over 30 years of Jiu-Jitsu to identify The 32 Principles so that the rest of the world doesn't have to

The 32 Principles are Natural Laws of Jiu-Jitsu. We did not invent them. We just identified them and organized them into a systematic curriculum so they can be learned by any Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, regardless of rank or current ability.

Jiu-jitsu is what we live for. For over 20 years we’ve created comprehensive Jiu-Jitsu curriculums around the world for: Military, Law Enforcement, Men, Women, Children.

Creating timeless Jiu-Jitsu curriculums of the highest quality is what we do best.

In fact, we have so much experience teaching Jiu-Jitsu, that today, much of our time is spent certifying instructors in every demographic listed above.

Our grandfather made it clear that he wanted us to make Jiu-Jitsu available to the people who needed it the most.

Distilling the art down to the core 32 Principles is the biggest step we’ve taken in the direction of simplifying Jiu-Jitsu for people who are in it for the long haul.

Frequently Asked Questions by Jiu-Jitsu Enthusiasts

The 32 Principles are beneficial for all ranks, but depending on your level, they will impact you differently. If you’re newer to the art, the 32 Principles will streamline how you learn and apply new techniques.

If, on the other hand, you’ve been practicing for several years, the 32 Principles will enable you to classify and consolidate all the techniques you’ve learned into logical groups so that they are easier to recall when sparring and easier to share with others (if you’re an instructor).

In the official Gracie University Online Curriculum, the 32 Principles are officially taught at the Purple Belt level, and mastery of the principles is required for Brown Belt consideration.

Yes. The 32 Principles are universally effective whether your training objective is gi, no-gi, sport, street, MMA, or any combination thereof. No matter where your “Jiu-Jitsu car” is being applied, the 32 Principles are under the hood making it all possible.

If your school is teaching Jiu-Jitsu, they are teaching some or all of the 32 Principles (whether they know it or not). What the school is (probably) not doing, is identifying the Principles by name every time they are utilized, and this is why you’re not picking up on them (it’s hard to see that which you don’t know exists). One of the main reasons we created this curriculum was so that students all over the world could learn to identify the Principles on their own, so even when an instructor fails to point out a Principle when teaching a technique, the growth opportunity is not lost on the student.

Yes, absolutely. When you make the purchase you'll receive a unique Access Code that is redeemable for the course. You can use the code yourself or give it to a friend to redeem.

We will exceed your expectations, or your money back.

The 32 Principles of Jiu-Jitsu is the most important curriculum we've ever produced. If the content of this program doesn't meet or exceed your expectations for what a "Principle-based Curriculum" should be, just tell us how we fell short within 32 days, and we'll refund your money.

Here’s what Respected Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts have to say

Renzo Gracie

Tom DeBlass

UFC Veteran, Ocean County BJJ

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Machida Karate

What Jiu-Jitsu Students, Blue to Black Belt, from All Affiliations are saying:

David Melsom

Purple Belt - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tyson Kilbey

Brown Belt (11 Years), Kansas

Shaun Harrison

Purple Belt (10 Years), Queens, Australia

Jay Miller

Black Belt - Seattle, WA

Steve Joncas

Black Belt (18 Year), Ontario, Canada

Raymond Lee

Purple Belt (12 Years), North Vancouver, British Columbia

John Carter

Brown Belt (12 Years), South Carolina

Jonathon Vasquez

Purple Belt (8 Years), High Desert, Southern California

Jeremiah Hackerott

Brown Belt (11 Years), Kansas

Yes! I want Lifetime Access to The 32 Principles: Part 1

One Payment of

$79

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

If you have any questions or concerns about the course, click here to contact us. We’re happy to help.

What Jiu-Jitsu Students, White to Black Belt, from All Over the World are saying:

Carlos Leal

Brown Belt (11 Years), California

Samuel Funke

Blue Belt (6 Years), Nuremberg, Germany

John Coakley

Blue Belt (7 Years), Idaho

Sunny Yu

Brown Belt, Durham, North Carolina

Eric Biesenbach

Blue Belt (4 Years), Texas

Francis Robinson

Black Belt (10 Years), England

Adam Roberts

Purple Belt (20 Years), Oregon

James Doyle

Blue Belt (12 Years), Ottawa, Canada

Raphael Lafemina

Blue Belt, (8 Years), San Paolo, Brazil

Yes! I want Lifetime Access to The 32 Principles: Part 1

One Payment of

$79

Want the full set? Order the Complete Collection here!

If you have any questions or concerns about the course, click here to contact us. We’re happy to help.

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PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

Why us and why now?

Why us and why now?

What rank are the 32 Principles intended for?

Are the 32 Principles applicable for no-gi as well?

What if my BJJ school doesn’t teach the 32 Principles?

Can I buy this for a friend?