MASTER CYCLE HUB

Blue Belt Program (BBS1–BBS4), Purple Belt Program (PBS1-PBS4), and beyond.

This HUB exists to give you direction without limiting exploration—to offer a map while respecting that mastery is earned step by step, over years, not weeks.


Welcome to the process. the Master Cycle curriculum hub.
This page shows where we are, what to focus on, and where to go next.

📍 HOW THE MASTER CYCLE WORKS

  • One position for 12 weeks. Other positional chapters will come out, but there is one primary focus.

  • Each chapter covers Blue Belt Stripes 1–4, Purple Belt Stripes 1-4, and beyond (Black Belt)

  • Weekly lessons include:

    • Core techniques 🔹 (stripe-aligned, high priority)

    • Bonus techniques 🔸 (optional, enrichment, outside sources)

    • Rapid Mastery Drills, Fight Simulations, Positional Sparring, and more.

    • Videos are provided to support learning, not overwhelm it.

👉 Your job:
Focus on the current chapter + current week. It is totally fine to watch higher level videos.


🔔 CURRENT FOCUS

Current Chapter: Back Mount
Start Date: January 10th - early april (followed by leg locks)

  1. Please review the videos listed on the chapter page before class when possible (no stress if you can’t). In class, we’ll slow things down and have good conversations about what’s actually happening in each position. We’ll analyze techniques like a science class—looking at posture, angles, timing, and cause-and-effect. Expect problem-solving, questions, and guided experimentation, not just memorizing moves.

  2. This is a collaborative learning environment where training partners help each other refine understanding and build confidence. We train together, learn together, and improve together.

  3. Check back to the Chapter often. Videos may be added and additional notes could be added to the study material. Your questions, experiences, feedback, etc. can be a factor on the direction of the chapter along with analytical conversations.

  4. “There is no arrival point. There is no destination.”— Bruce Lee


📚 MASTER CYCLE CHAPTERS


Click the chapter we are currently training

🔹 Chapter 1: Mount

Focus: Control, escapes, submissions, pressure
Duration: 12 weeks
➡️ Go to Mount Chapter

🔹 Chapter 2: Side Mount (Side Control)

Focus: Pressure, pinning, escapes, submissions, and transitions
Duration: 12 weeks
➡️ Go to Side Mount Chapter

🔹 Chapter 3: Guard

Focus: Closed guard control, sweeps, submissions, advanced Combatives
Duration: 12 weeks
➡️ Go to Guard Chapter

🔹 Chapter 4: Half Guard

Focus: Frames, underhooks, sweeps, transitions
Duration: 12 weeks
➡️ Go to Half Guard Chapter

🔹 Chapter 5: Back Mount

Focus: Control, escapes, chokes, transitions, arm locks
Duration: 12 weeks
➡️ Go to Back Mount Chapter

🔹 Chapter 6: Leg Locks

Focus: Safety, control, straight ankle locks, counters, knee locks, heel hooks, toe holds
Duration: 12 weeks or less
➡️ Go to Leg Locks Chapter

🔹 Chapter 7: Standing Techniques

Focus: Striking and Stirking Defense, Takedowns, Throws, Helio Gracie Curriculum, Weapons.
Duration: 12 weeks
➡️ Go to Standing Techniques Chapter


🧠 IMPORTANT REMINDERS and goals!!!

  • You will see techniques ahead of your stripe level. That is intentional — exposure builds understanding

  • Core techniques 🔹 matter most (your stripe level)

  • Bonus techniques 🔸 are optional - these are typically moves from beyond our curriculum.

  • Feeling confused at times is normal and expected. You will feel like you are not progressing, we promise that you are.

  • The ultimate goal to set for yourself are the stitched on BBS stripes. You are encouraged to, at the very minimum, earn a BBS1 stripe. You should really have all 4 BBS Stitched Stripes before Black Belt. Again, no pressure. But, if you want a challenge and goal, this journey will benefit you more than you know.

  • Earning a BBS1 stripe before Brown Belt is a realistic goal for everyone. That stripe will go on which ever belt you have at the time.

  • Avoid “clicks”. We are all here to train together and improve the entire room. Gracie Jiu Jitsu is often the one place people can go where you are not put into groups of hierarchy. We have created a unique training room. Do everything you can to keep it that way and please report any behavior that could be deemed detrimental to our school vibe.

  • If you ever get discouraged, talk with a coach ASAP. You are in Master Cycle. This is the true journey now. There will be ups and downs, and how you respond to these reference points could ultimately be the biggest battle you will have. The benefits of GJJ practice, is that you have problem solving skills to help you in all areas of life. We learn who we are under pressure—but also when things are going well. Both test our character.

“A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at.”
— Bruce Lee

Chase the knowledge, not the belt.