The way Royce Gracie has chosen to communicate his opinion
to the public is puzzling. Reading the statement by Royce, I found it is very
generalized, not well thought out, or articulated well. Royce offers no
specifics to support his claims. And he does not offer a published Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Curriculum of his own with a “proper” Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Philosophy to counter
what Rener and Ryron have published on Gracie University. It is sad that he, for whatever reason, decided
to make some very alarming claims about the two sons of his brother Rorion
(whom allowed Royce to live with him, in his home, after first arriving in
America to spread jiu-jitsu to a new place).
It seems Royce just decided to throw his family under the bus without
offering any evidence to support his harsh accusations toward them; and without
offering a better published curriculum of his own, either in print or online.
We need to ask some questions and Royce needs to answer. Why
does Royce claim the curriculum developed by his nephews' is not a true
representation of the teaching methods taught to him by his father? Is it
because the techniques are incorrectly presented? Is there a valid reason or does
Royce simply disapprove of the delivery modality?
Royce asserts the belt grading system does not meet the
standards set forth by Grandmaster Helio Gracie. How does he line this
statement up with a video of GM Helio approving of the system? This video is
published on Gracie University for everyone to view. I have more to mention
about belt grading, but will get back to it later.
It seems as though the one thing that triggered this off for Royce was a statement made by Rener Gracie
about “some” students finding the online linear curriculum better than trying
to learn from a group class where beginner blue belts are being taught together
with purple, brown, and even black belts. Maybe Royce, like many people
commenting on the various threads, misunderstood Rener, believing he meant
others can’t teach GJJ properly or effectively. If this is the case, he is wrong. Here is how
I know: After earning a blue belt from a BJJ training
center where I live, for personal reasons, I decided to learn from Gracie
University. I have also completed the
Instructor Certification Program through the Gracie Academy, as well as trained
with Rener, Ryron, and Rorion in person on other occasions. In doing so I have
listened to Rener and Ryron speak in great depth about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Philosophy and Teaching Methodologies. Specifically, I heard Rener use the same quote
(that Royce responded to) comparing online learning to class room learning. However,
he elaborated with much greater detail than the short quote found on the
twitter account of @realroyce. Rener explained
that students need to be on the mat constantly experimenting with technique,
and “learning between the lines”. Rener stated his online instruction and/or
classroom instruction could provide 50% of what students need at best. The rest
is learned through practice on the mat. He also encouraged rolling with both
the gi and no gi, in addition to practicing techniques against striking
opponents wearing gloves.
What is more important, and I recall both Rener and Ryron
saying this on more than one occasion, is the statements I heard them make
about other black belt instructors, especially those from their own family.
They asserted that everyone in their extended family understands and knows how
to teach Pure Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Moving on.
There is a lot of confusion about belt promotions related to Gracie University. First off, everyone reading needs to understand that it is impossible for anyone to be ranked above a “Gracie Combatives” blue belt via video submission through Gracie University. Students test for stripes, but not belts. And this is designed to get them ready for the live, face to face, evaluations for purple, brown, and black belts. To gain a purple, or brown belt, students must be tested by a Designated Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. And this happens in person. This does involve all forms of sparring and rolling. To test for black belt, students must be tested by Rener or Ryron themselves. Finally, GU students must train on the mat, preferably a GJJ CTC. Otherwise the progress toward other belts will never happen. It would be impossible.
There is a lot of confusion about belt promotions related to Gracie University. First off, everyone reading needs to understand that it is impossible for anyone to be ranked above a “Gracie Combatives” blue belt via video submission through Gracie University. Students test for stripes, but not belts. And this is designed to get them ready for the live, face to face, evaluations for purple, brown, and black belts. To gain a purple, or brown belt, students must be tested by a Designated Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. And this happens in person. This does involve all forms of sparring and rolling. To test for black belt, students must be tested by Rener or Ryron themselves. Finally, GU students must train on the mat, preferably a GJJ CTC. Otherwise the progress toward other belts will never happen. It would be impossible.
Opening a Certified Training Center through the GJJ Academy
is a strict process. Those wishing to open a school must first have their rank verified by Rener and Ryron. A level 1 school is the lowest ranking, where students can
only be white belts and achieve blue belt under a verified blue belt instructor. Any student at a CTC must have their blue belt test reviewed by a designated Gracie Academy Instructor before the promotion happens--it can happen face to face or video upload. However, blue belt is the only promotion where video evaluation is allowed, the rest are face to face and overseen by black belts. Also, during the first year, new training centers are on level 1 probation. Instructors must complete many steps
for the probation to be lifted or they lose instructor and school status. As
instructors advance and prove their worthiness to Rener and Ryron, the
certification levels are increased accordingly. Rener and Ryron are active by visiting
CTC locations to conduct seminars. Just like with Gracie University Online, students at level 1, 2, 3, or 4 schools cannot be promoted to purple, or brown belts unless
tested by a black belt belt in person. And those students testing for black belt must be
tested by Rener or Ryron in person. So video upload is an option at the blue belt level only and is the minimum requirement for all who are testing for blue, whether it is an online student or a CTC student.
Ironically this is information I found on the Royce Gracie
website about the way Royce handles affiliate schools. It seems very similar to
what Rener and Ryron are doing, except without the video curriculum to help
students learn. And maybe without a solid written curriculum, but I can’t speak
to this for sure. Once you read what Royce is doing, ask yourselves why he is
upset with his nephews for simply adding an extra layer to the delivery process
of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Maybe his motivation isn’t pure. I don’t know.
MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
ROYCE GRACIE JIU-JITSU NETWORK ™
MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
ROYCE GRACIE JIU-JITSU NETWORK ™
It is hereby agreed that the
person(s) signing this agreement has been selected to be the
representative(s) of the said
chapter of the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™. It is further
agreed that such chapter of the
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ shall abide by the
terms and conditions set forth
in this “Membership Agreement for the Royce Gracie Jiu-
Jitsu Network™”.
REQUIREMENTS
Outlined are the basic
requirements in order to be eligible and or establish a Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
1. Any person(s) establishing
the network must be ranked as a Blue Belt and/or
higher in the art of
Brazilian/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu®1. Belt ranking must be issued and
or confirmed by Royce Gracie.
2. Any person(s) establishing
the chapter must prior to submitting the application
attend and/or part take in a
Group/Private Class and or a Seminar with Royce
Gracie, unless such person has
already been ranked by Royce Gracie.
3. Any person(s) establishing
the chapter must have minimum of 40 (forty) students
ready to join such chapter
and/or already training.
4. There must not be an already
established chapter of the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ within 50 miles of the
applicant’s location.
5. Any person(s) establishing
the chapter must host a minimum of 1 (one) Royce
Gracie seminar per calendar
year and be willing to host on-site classes with Royce
Gracie and/or another certified
instructor a minimum of two times per year.
However, no guarantee is made
that Royce Gracie will be present at each location
on a yearly basis.
6. A person(s) establishing the
network must conduct a minimum of 2 (two)-class
sessions during a calendar
week.
7. A person(s) establishing the
network must have adequate facility to conduct such
classes including, but not
limited to, a matted area sufficient to hold the current
number of students.
8. Any person(s) establishing
the network must have and/or be willing to purchase
adequate liability insurance
coverage for the facility, students and any on-site
visitors and/or instructors
including but not limited to Royce Gracie. Proof of
such insurance must be
submitted with this application.
BELT RANKING
Any person(s) who has attained
a rank of a Blue Belt or higher in Brazilian/Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu may apply to become
the network representative of the Royce Gracie Jiu-
Jitsu Network™. In the event
that such person(s) did not receive his/her ranking from
Royce Gracie, it is required
that Royce Gracie confirm such ranking.
If you did not receive your
belt from Royce Gracie and wish to become a network
representative of the Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ you must either attend a
Royce Gracie Seminar and/or
part take in a Group/Private Class with Royce Gracie,
at
which time your belt ranking can be confirmed.
CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVE
CLASSIFICATION
The Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ has established a system by which the
network representatives are
classified.
Coach
A coach is any Royce Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu Network™ representative who has been ranked
and/or confirmed as a Blue Belt
by Royce Gracie.
Assistant Instructor
An assistant instructor is any
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ representative who
has been ranked and/or
confirmed as a Purple Belt by Royce Gracie. An assistant
instructor must be actively
participating in training his network members and has to
exhibit advanced teaching
skills under the methods set forth by Royce Gracie.
Instructor
An instructor is any Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ representative who has
completed the
instructor-training program and has continuously trained under direct
supervision of Royce Gracie. An
instructor must be actively participating in training
his members and has to exhibit
advanced teaching skills under the methods set forth
by Royce Gracie
NOTE: Only Royce Gracie and/or
a person appointed by Royce Gracie may promote
students. If you do not train
with Royce in California you may be promoted at the
Seminars, Network Visits and/or
other classes conducted by Royce Gracie.
CLASS INSTRUCTION
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
representative will conduct a minimum of two
group classes during a calendar
week. In addition the chapter representative may
conduct private/semi private
classes in the event that the chapter members and/or
other students request such
classes. The payment schedule for such group as well as
private and semi-private
classes is outlined in the section titled “ Dues & Fees”
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
chapter representative may also conduct kids
group classes if approved first
by Royce Gracie. The minimum age for a child
allowed to participate in such
classes is 6 years old and there is to be a maximum of
twelve (12) students per class.
A chapter representative must have a consent form
signed by a parent and/or legal
guardian of a child prior to beginning any classes.
CLASS FEES & DUES
The Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ has established guidelines for membership
dues as well as training fees
that each chapter representative may charge. The
schedule for such fees &
dues is based on the classification of the chapter
representative.
CLASS FEES
Kids Classes
Classes for children ages 6-13
may be offered at a minimum of one (1) time per week
if so approved by Royce Gracie.
The chapter representative may charge up to $40 per
month for the kids class. All
children must have a consent signed by the parent or
guardian prior to beginning any
class. Children 14 and over may participate in the
adult classes upon
recommendation of the coach, assistant instructor or instructor.
Coach
A coach may charge the chapter
members the following training fees:
1.
A coach may charge up to $80 per month for regular group classes.
2. A coach may charge up to $30
per hour and/or $15 for ½ hour for a private
class.
3. A coach may charge up to $45
per hour for a semi-private class. There is a
maximum of 4 students per each
semi-private lesson.
Assistant Instructor
An assistant instructor may
charge the chapter members the following training fees:
1. An assistant instructor may
charge up to $80 per month for regular group
classes.
2. An assistant instructor may
charge up to $50 per hour and/or $25 for ½ hour
for a private class.
3. An assistant instructor may
charge up to $75 per hour for a semi-private class.
There is a maximum of 4
students per each semi-private lesson.
Instructor
An instructor may charge the
chapter members the following training fees:
1. An instructor may charge up
to $80 per month for regular group classes.
2. An instructor may charge up
to $80 per hour and/or $40 for ½ hour for a
private class.
3. An instructor may charge up
to $120 per hour for a semi-private class. There
is a maximum of 4 students per
each semi-private lesson.
A network representative must
offer new or potential students a free introductory class.
DUES
Upon first establishing a Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ it is required that an applicant
pay a one time registration fee
of $350. The registration fee includes:
1. Window Sign of the Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ Logo
2. A Certificate signed by
Royce Gracie affirming your association as an
official location of a Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
3. A certificate signed by
Royce Gracie outlining classification within the
Network as either a Coach,
Assistant Instructor or Instructor.
Each chapter representative
will thereafter pay the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ a
monthly membership fee of $200.00,
payable on the 1st of each month by credit card.
In the event that a network
representative operates more than 1 (one) location, such
locations and address shall be
presented to Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
administration and the chapter
representative shall pay an additional monthly due(s) of
$200.00 per location.
It is not allowed for a student
to continue regular training at the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ for longer than 15
days without becoming a member of the Network.
TOURNAMENTS & OTHER
COMPETITION
Each chapter of the Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ or any member there of may
participate in Jiu-Jitsu
tournaments and or other competitive events, including amateur
NHB/MMA events using the name
and affiliation to the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ with prior permission
by the network and Royce Gracie but not the name of
Royce Gracie directly.
Each network may additionally
form a competition team comprised of the Royce Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu Network™ network
members and/or members of Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ from other networks,
assuming that a representative of such network does not
object
to such alliance.
In the event that a network
representative wishes to organize and/or host a Jiu-Jitsu
tournament and use the name or
the affiliation with Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™,
he/she must notify and receive
expressed written permission from the Royce Gracie Jiu-
Jitsu Network™ administration.
All tournaments must follow the rules and regulations
set forth by Royce Gracie and
will be provided to the host prior to the tournament.
In the event that a network
member is willing or will participate in any professional
NHB/MMA event they must contact
the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
administration for additional
information. They may otherwise not use the name Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™,
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu™, Royce Gracie, RGTV™ and/or
any other name signifying a
direct or indirect association to Royce Gracie or any member
of his staff.
OTHER RULES & GUIDELINES
In the event that any Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ representative wishes to transfer
the network to another
person(s) he/she must notify the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ administration in
writing. Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ administration
must approve such a transfer
before it can take effect and we reserve the right to deny or
revoke the current network
affiliation.
In the event that a Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ representative wishes to cancel
his/her association with the
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ he/she must submit such
letter of cancellation to Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ administration in writing 30
days prior to cancellation to
avoid continuation of monthly fees being charges. Upon the
termination of such affiliation
the representative is responsible for removing Royce
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ logo
and certificate as well as any other material(s) including
but not limited to advertising,
written information about the school, website information
and/or any other materials
where Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ logo and/or
association to the Royce Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu Network™ is mentioned.
In the event that a complaint
is received by the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
administration about a network
representative and/or a member of the Royce Gracie Jiu-
Jitsu Network™, we reserve the
right to investigate such complaint(s) without prejudice
and the network representative
agrees to offer the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
administration any and all
information that is deemed necessary to resolve such
complain(s). In the event that
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™ administration receives
an excessive amount of
complaints about a network representative and/or a member of
the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ and upon investigation the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Network™ administration in its
sole discretion believes that such complaints have merit,
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
administration reserves the right to cancel such
Network Affiliation and/or
revoke membership.
In the event that a network
representative and or a member are found to be in violation of
this agreement the Royce Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu Network™ administration reserves the right to
cancel such network and/or
revoke membership.
It is not allowed for a network
representative to manufacture clothing with Royce Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu Network™ logo and or
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu™, RGTV™, ATTITUDE™
and/or any other logo that is a
trademark and/or a registered trademark of Royce Gracie
or KhonKhor Enterprises. All
clothing to be sold thru a network location that bears or
resembles affiliation with any
of the above names must be first approved by the Royce
Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu Network™ administration.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
The laws of the State of
California shall govern this agreement and each party signing
this agreement submits to the
jurisdiction of the State of California. Every part of this
Agreement will be considered
servable. If for any reason any part of this Agreement is
held to be invalid, that
determination will not impair the other parts of this Agreement
and the remainder of this
Agreement shall be enforced as if the part found to be invalid
were not contained in the
Agreement. In the event a dispute or controversy arises out of
or relating to this Agreement
such dispute or controversy shall be resolved through
binding arbitration to be
conducted in accordance with then current Commercial
Arbitration Rules of American
Arbitration Association or in accordance with such other
arbitration rules as the
parties may mutually agree upon. Judgment may be entered upon
any arbitration award in any
court of competent jurisdiction. Arbitration shall be held in
Los Angeles, California.
This agreement may be amended
by the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
administration, KhonKhor
Enterprises, Inc. and/or any other party authorized by
KhonKhor Enterprises, Inc. Each
chapter shall receive such amendment via Certified US
Mail and or United Parcel
Service with signature required. No amendment shall be
enforced on a network unless it
has been received by such network representative.
Both parties, as indicated,
have executed this Agreement on the date below the signature.
__________________________________
__________________________________
Signature Print Name
KhonKhor Enterprises, Inc.
Date _____/_____/_____
__________________________________
__________________________________
Signature Print Name
Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network™
Chapter Representative
Date _____/_____/_____
