Positional Control - Side Mount
Your objective in a ground fight should be to neutralize the threat and subdue your opponent with the lowest level of force necessary. To achieve this, you’ll want to rely on one of many fundamental ground control positions, not the least of which is Side Mount. This position gives you unparalleled control of your opponent with the lowest energy expenditure due to the inherently strong base in provides the top person and the rate at which it depletes the bottom person. In this lesson you will start by learning how to counter the most common escape attempts that a larger opponent is likely to use, and then you’ll learn how to transition to the mount position once they have exhausted all their energy.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Double Leg Takedown (Aggressive Opponent)
The advantage of establishing an upper body clinch is that once you take your opponent down you end up in the very dominant mount position, and you can disengage from the clinch if necessary (e.g., in a multiple attacker situation). If you anticipate difficulty in establishing the clinch, however, the Double Leg Takedown is a great alternative. In this lesson you will learn the basic mechanics of the Double Leg Takedown, and then you will learn how to apply it against opponents of varying levels of aggression.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Positional Control - Side Mount
Your objective in a ground fight should be to neutralize the threat and subdue your opponent with the lowest level of force necessary. To achieve this, you’ll want to rely on one of many fundamental ground control positions, not the least of which is Side Mount. This position gives you unparalleled control of your opponent with the lowest energy expenditure due to the inherently strong base in provides the top person and the rate at which it depletes the bottom person. In this lesson you will start by learning how to counter the most common escape attempts that a larger opponent is likely to use, and then you’ll learn how to transition to the mount position once they have exhausted all their energy.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Double Leg Takedown (Aggressive Opponent)
The advantage of establishing an upper body clinch is that once you take your opponent down you end up in the very dominant mount position, and you can disengage from the clinch if necessary (e.g., in a multiple attacker situation). If you anticipate difficulty in establishing the clinch, however, the Double Leg Takedown is a great alternative. In this lesson you will learn the basic mechanics of the Double Leg Takedown, and then you will learn how to apply it against opponents of varying levels of aggression.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Headlock Counters - Mount
The goal in a fight is to achieve the mount where you can control and exhaust your opponent with relative ease. Once you accomplish this, your opponent will panic and desperately attempt to escape. One of the most common escape strategies used by unskilled individuals is to establish a headlock and throw you off of them. The Headlock Counters from the mount will keep you from getting rolled off of a larger opponent, and prepare you to take advantage of the submission opportunities that will inevitably arise. First, you will learn how to prevent the escape attempts, and then you will learn how to finish the fight in two different ways.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Standing Headlock Defense
Once you establish the clinch on your opponent, there is a good chance that they will get desperate and try to catch you in a headlock. Without the proper escape strategy, the Standing Headlock can be a very painful and demoralizing experience, but with the proper technique you can turn the tables and use their hold to your advantage.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Headlock Counters - Mount
The goal in a fight is to achieve the mount where you can control and exhaust your opponent with relative ease. Once you accomplish this, your opponent will panic and desperately attempt to escape. One of the most common escape strategies used by unskilled individuals is to establish a headlock and throw you off of them. The Headlock Counters from the mount will keep you from getting rolled off of a larger opponent, and prepare you to take advantage of the submission opportunities that will inevitably arise. First, you will learn how to prevent the escape attempts, and then you will learn how to finish the fight in two different ways.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Standing Headlock Defense
Once you establish the clinch on your opponent, there is a good chance that they will get desperate and try to catch you in a headlock. Without the proper escape strategy, the Standing Headlock can be a very painful and demoralizing experience, but with the proper technique you can turn the tables and use their hold to your advantage.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Reflex Development - Guard Focus Class Previe
In this class we'll bring together all of the guard controls, escapes, and submissions with some extra details, bonus slices, and scripted fight simulation drills that will help prepare you for your transition into Master Cycle!
Gracie Combatives Test - Drill 2: Guard Techniques
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Reflex Development - Guard Focus Class Previe
In this class we'll bring together all of the guard controls, escapes, and submissions with some extra details, bonus slices, and scripted fight simulation drills that will help prepare you for your transition into Master Cycle!
Gracie Combatives Test - Drill 2: Guard Techniques
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Striking a larger, stronger assailant in the face with punches has limited effectiveness and may cause you to break your hand. In this lesson, we teach you how to use a Super Slap to disrupt the attack and facilitate your escape. First we will teach you how to maximize power with a solo preparation drill, and then we’ll discuss how to apply the Super Slap in combination with previously learned techniques. In this lesson, we teach you additional variations of this critically important technique to ensure your survival against an attacker trying to punch, pin, or choke you.
Super Slap:
View on GracieUniversity.com
Guard Get-Ups (Choke/Wrist Pin):
View on GracieUniversity.com
Striking a larger, stronger assailant in the face with punches has limited effectiveness and may cause you to break your hand. In this lesson, we teach you how to use a Super Slap to disrupt the attack and facilitate your escape. First we will teach you how to maximize power with a solo preparation drill, and then we’ll discuss how to apply the Super Slap in combination with previously learned techniques. In this lesson, we teach you additional variations of this critically important technique to ensure your survival against an attacker trying to punch, pin, or choke you.
Super Slap:
View on GracieUniversity.com
Guard Get-Ups (Choke/Wrist Pin):
View on GracieUniversity.com
Headlock Escape 1 - Side Mount
Besides punches, headlocks are the single most common form of aggression used by untrained individuals on the streets. Although they aren’t as effective as a true submission hold, getting caught in a headlock by a stronger opponent can be a very painful and demoralizing experience. The Frame Escape is the first of two headlock escape strategies that we recommend you perfect for use against larger adversaries in a ground fight. In this lesson, you will start by learning the Standard Frame Escape, and then you will see what to do if it doesn’t work.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Standing Armbar
Although we normally recommend you take the fight to the ground, sometimes your opponent will give you an opportunity to end the fight while standing. Many confrontations begin with an opponent pushing your chest with one or both hands unknowingly creating the perfect opportunity for you to apply the Standing Armlock. First, you will learn the Basic Application, then you will see how to use it in a more dynamic situation.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Headlock Escape 1 - Side Mount
Besides punches, headlocks are the single most common form of aggression used by untrained individuals on the streets. Although they aren’t as effective as a true submission hold, getting caught in a headlock by a stronger opponent can be a very painful and demoralizing experience. The Frame Escape is the first of two headlock escape strategies that we recommend you perfect for use against larger adversaries in a ground fight. In this lesson, you will start by learning the Standard Frame Escape, and then you will see what to do if it doesn’t work.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Standing Armbar
Although we normally recommend you take the fight to the ground, sometimes your opponent will give you an opportunity to end the fight while standing. Many confrontations begin with an opponent pushing your chest with one or both hands unknowingly creating the perfect opportunity for you to apply the Standing Armlock. First, you will learn the Basic Application, then you will see how to use it in a more dynamic situation.
Click here to view lesson on gracieuniversity.com
Predators often test their targets’ spatial boundaries to see how close they can get before initiating the assault. In this lesson, we teach you how to use verbal assertiveness to establish and enforce your personal space and what to do if the attacker crosses the boundary and physically assaults you. The natural tendency when being overwhelmed with strikes is to back away from the assailant while protecting your face and head. Once again, the intuitive response in this situation could be the most dangerous response. In this lesson, we further explore the distance management principles and learn how to minimize damage from aggressive strikes in a standing altercation.
Stop-Block-Frame (3 variations):
View on GracieUniversity.com
Punch Defense (Clinch Entry):
View on GracieUniversity.com
Predators often test their targets’ spatial boundaries to see how close they can get before initiating the assault. In this lesson, we teach you how to use verbal assertiveness to establish and enforce your personal space and what to do if the attacker crosses the boundary and physically assaults you. The natural tendency when being overwhelmed with strikes is to back away from the assailant while protecting your face and head. Once again, the intuitive response in this situation could be the most dangerous response. In this lesson, we further explore the distance management principles and learn how to minimize damage from aggressive strikes in a standing altercation.
Stop-Block-Frame (3 variations):
View on GracieUniversity.com
Punch Defense (Clinch Entry):
View on GracieUniversity.com
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Please let us know ahead of time if you are not able to make your scheduled time.
You are now on the waitlist. If a spot opens up we will notify you via Email.
Visit www.gracie-fresno/schedule for the Fresno location schedule.
Gracie BullyProof®- Little Champs - Ages 5-7
Gracie BullyProof®- Jr Grapplers - Ages 8-12
Gracie BullyProof®- Black Belt Club - Advanced kids
Gracie Combatives®(Tween/Teen) - 11-14 year old's
Gracie Combatives®- Co-ed beginners ages 13+
Gracie Combatives®-Test Prep - open to white belts with 4 stripes and Master Cycle Students
Master Cycle®- Advanced Gi and No Gi
Master Cycle ® Fundamentals - open to white belts with three stripes and pink belts
MMA - open to Gracie Combatives® belts
Reflex Development (RD) - open to white belts who have completed every class twice
Women Empowered®- Women only self-defense
2025 Closure Days
2025 Gracie Game Days (2-4pm)
Detailed Schedules:



Used under license from Gracie University.