Principle 8: Clock

Lead Instructors:  Rener GracieRyron Gracie
 Access:  Public   Status:  Active   Lesson:  Part of Course
Purchase the complete Purple Belt Stripe 1-4: The 32 Principles of Jiu-Jitsu program and save over 20%.

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

Just as every technique has an optimal distance for execution, every technique also has an optimal timing for its completion. When you understand the techniques being used against you, you can take control of the “clock” to disrupt their timing and supplant their desired outcome with your own. Clock Principle applications are generally defensive, and you disrupt timing by either slowing down or speeding up your opponent’s clock. Often, disrupting your opponent’s clock by one or two seconds is enough to completely derail a technique!

Additional Purchase Options
Add Course to Cart
This Lesson is part of Purple Belt Stripe 1 Course (12 Lessons).
View Subscriptions
Subscribe today and get full course access for over 40% off after a 5-day free trial!

Lesson Specs

Lesson Goals

  1. Understand the Course Topic
  2. Refine your ability to execute the techniques presented in the Course
  3. Become familiar with the drills that can be used to develop your skills
  4. Achieve significant proficiency in the material

Instructions

  1. Watch the Lesson.
  2. Take notes on essential details.
  3. Bookmark key points in the videos for future reference.
  4. Ask questions in the Forum if you need help.
  5. Review the lesson multiple times to build confidence.

Lesson Slices

  1. The Clock Principle
  2. Research Objectives
  3. Clock Sparring

Lead Instructors

Rener Gracie

Gracie University Chief Instructor

Ryron and Rener Gracie are the eldest grandsons of Grand Master Helio Gracie, the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Their father is Rorion Gracie, one of the world’s foremost experts in self-defense. In 1993, Rorion created the Ultimate Fighting Championship to showcase the supremacy of the family’s self-defense system in a realistic “no holds barred” confrontation against all comers. Rorion’s younger brother, Royce, won 3 of the first 4 UFC tournaments proving that the leverage-based techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu provided the most reliable way to defeat a larger, more athletic opponent. Ryron and Rener were born into this family tradition of testing the art against all challengers.

Rorion introduced his sons to the art as soon as they could walk. As children, they watched him teach private classes in their garage in Southern California. But, it wasn’t until they observed their father and uncles – Royce, Rickson, and Royler – easily winning challenge matches that they began to comprehend fully the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Even more important, Ryron and Rener recognized the profound impact the family’s art had on all who studied it. The life changing transformations of Gracie University students motivated the brothers to teach the art. While constantly perfecting their physical techniques, they worked equally hard to master the powerfully effective instruction methods developed by their forbearers. In 2003, Grand Master Helio Gracie awarded Ryron and Rener black belts in recognition of their mastery of his unique techniques and teaching methodologies.

More...

Ryron Gracie

Gracie University Chief Instructor

Ryron and Rener Gracie are the eldest grandsons of Grand Master Helio Gracie, the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Their father is Rorion Gracie, one of the world’s foremost experts in self-defense. In 1993, Rorion created the Ultimate Fighting Championship to showcase the supremacy of the family’s self-defense system in a realistic “no holds barred” confrontation against all comers. Rorion’s younger brother, Royce, won 3 of the first 4 UFC tournaments proving that the leverage-based techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu provided the most reliable way to defeat a larger, more athletic opponent. Ryron and Rener were born into this family tradition of testing the art against all challengers.

Rorion introduced his sons to the art as soon as they could walk. As children, they watched him teach private classes in their garage in Southern California. But, it wasn’t until they observed their father and uncles – Royce, Rickson, and Royler – easily winning challenge matches that they began to comprehend fully the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Even more important, Ryron and Rener recognized the profound impact the family’s art had on all who studied it. The life changing transformations of Gracie University students motivated the brothers to teach the art. While constantly perfecting their physical techniques, they worked equally hard to master the powerfully effective instruction methods developed by their forbearers. In 2003, Grand Master Helio Gracie awarded Ryron and Rener black belts in recognition of their mastery of his unique techniques and teaching methodologies.

More...


Other Lessons in This Course

Free (Registration Required)

PBS1 Intro Class

Congratulations on earning your Purple Belt. You are now part of an elite group of jiu-jitsu students we call “lifers.” Less than 10% of students ever make it this far, and the fact that you are here is a strong indication that you will make it all the way to black belt!

Mini Masterclass: Principle-Based Learning

Learn what separates the “naturals” from the rest by unlocking the power of Principle-Based Learning with this Mini Masterclass on The 32 Principles.

Principle 1: Connection

Preventing, promoting or predicting your opponent’s movement using the 32 methods of connection. If jiu-jitsu is the language, then connection is the alphabet. There are at least 32 connections that we seek to optimize in jiu-jitsu. Once you master them, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. The purpo...

Principle 2: Detachment

Achieving optimal efficiency in transitions through deliberate disconnection from your opponent. You have to know when to let go. Timely detachments from your opponent can be used to maintain control, lure your opponent into a submission, survive an attack, build momentum, and more. The most challenging aspect of th...

Principle 3: Distance

Neutralizing the application of a technique against you by disrupting the optimal distance from which it is applied. We initially learn about distance in the context of a street fight: “Whoever manages the distance manages the damage.” This principle also applies in non-striking encounters. Once you unde...

Principle 4: Pyramid

Optimizing connections with the ground and with your opponent to maximize balance and control at all times. Successful employment of this principle requires constant awareness of your center of gravity and your connections to the ground and your opponent. Just like a pyramid that remains firmly grounded from every a...

Principle 5: Creation

Using targeted actions to force specific reactions in your favor. Jiu-jitsu is a game of counter-attacks. If your opponent gives you an opening, take it. If your opponent does not give you an opening, then create it with an action that triggers an exploitable response. Regardless of the form – direct threats, ...

Principle 6: Acceptance

Being first to accept the inevitability of an action so that you are best prepared for the outcome. Jiu-jitsu is a game of constant movement and endless transitions. In some cases, full resistance to the opponent's action is warranted. But, in cases where the opponent's action is unstoppable and the outcome is inev...

Principle 7: Velocity

Constantly changing your operational speed to confuse and overwhelm your opponent. If you’re always fast, you risk losing control of your opponent. If you’re always slow, your opponent can predict your next move. By frequently alternating between “fast and loose” and “slow and tight&r...

Principle 8: Clock

Disrupting the anticipated timing of your opponent’s techniques to reduce or eliminate their effectiveness. Just as every technique has an optimal distance for execution, every technique also has an optimal timing for its completion. When you understand the techniques being used against you, you can take contr...

PBS1 Outro Class

If you appreciate the lesson structure and teaching methodologies that Ryron and Rener use to present The 32 Principles, then you’re going to love the complete Gracie University (GU) online curriculum.

PBS1 Test - Introduction

Ryron and Rener introduce you to the PBS1 Test Drills.