What’s The Difference Between Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

A topic of discussion in Jiu-Jitsu especially with new students is, what’s the difference between Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? 

In Brazil, it’s just called Jiu-Jitsu. You have different teams or academies buts it’s still Jiu-Jitsu. 

The term Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was a term created by Rorion Gracie that he used when he came to America to distinguish the Jiu-Jitsu he was teaching (where the emphasis was on the ground) with the Jiu-Jitsu that was being taught in America at the time (where the emphasis was on standing joint lock techniques.)

As time went on and as the name Gracie Jiu-Jitsu became more well known and valuable (from a marketing standpoint,) Rorion copyrighted the name Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, as a way to differentiate his school and all the other schools teaching Jiu-Jitsu that were from Brazil, including other members of his own family.

The other Jiu-Jitsu instructors that were teaching Jiu-Jitsu from Brazil couldn't use that name so they coined the term Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a way to differentiate themselves from the other styles of Jiu-Jitsu that was being practiced in America.

So is there a difference between Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Yes and No. 

All Jiu-Jitsu from Brazil is the same meaning they all come from the same root. Each with their own minor difference depending on the instructor.

Over the last 10 years there has been a resurgence in the interest of the self defense aspect of Jiu-Jitsu from Brazil. During the 1990’s and early 2000’s hardly any of the Jiu-Jitsu schools in America focused on or even taught any of the self defense techniques of Jiu-Jitsu.

The Machados didn’t, Rickson Gracie didn’t, Royler Gracie didn’t, Joe Moreira didn’t, Claudio Franca didn’t, Carlson Gracie didn’t, Fabio Santos didn’t, Pedro Sauer didn’t, Nelson Monteiro didn’t, Gracie Barra didn’t, Nova Uniao didn’t and Alliance Jiu-Jitsu didn’t. 

They were all focused on the ground techniques because that’s what separated them from all other martial arts and is what allowed them to win against other martial arts styles in those early challenge matches and UFC's. Not to mention that's what the students wanted at the time.

The only schools that FOCUSED on teaching the self defense curriculum of Jiu-Jitsu was the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Reylson Gracie, Carley Gracie and the Valente Brothers (Late 90's.) With the exception of the Valente Bros the self defense curriculum was only being taught in private lessons.

However, as a lot of the Gracie family members have gotten older and aren’t fighting or competing anymore they are starting to talk more about and focusing on the self defense techniques of Jiu-Jitsu.

Today, the term Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has become synonymous with schools that focus on self defense as the core of their curriculum especially in the beginning stages and aren't as concerned about competition and scoring points. 

Whereas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools tend to be more focused on the sport side of Jiu-Jitsu, understanding the point system and developing strategies that give their students the best chance of winning in tournaments. 

Another thing that separates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu there are new techniques being developed (or maybe I should say re-discovered) as well as the influence from wrestling and other grappling styles.

Now, I am not saying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools don't teach the self defense techniques or that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu schools don't teach the grappling techniques. They can do both, but I think most schools focus either on self defense or sport.

I say this because the strategy is different for both, meaning some things that you do in sport might not be the smartest thing to do in a self defense situation and vice versa.

So which one is better? They are both good, like I said they both come from the same root, it just depends on what interests you more, self defense or sport. 

If you are more concerned about self defense and don't care about competing then learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. If you are not concerned about self defense and you want to compete then learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

At The Desert Dojo we teach Jiu-Jitsu as it was developed by the Valente Brothers under the guidance of Grandmaster Helio Gracie, as a complete self defense system where you learn and practice all the self defense techniques as well as the ground techniques on a regular basis.