Principle 4: Pyramid

Lead Instructors:  Rener GracieRyron Gracie
 Access:  Public   Status:  Active   Lesson:  Part of Course

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 attack angle, our goal is to teach you to maintain optimal base and control in every position.

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This Lesson is part of The 32 Principles: Part 1 (Principles 1-8) (11 Lessons).

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 Pyramid Principle
  2. Research Objectives
  3. Pyramid 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.

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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)

Part 1 Intro Class

Welcome to The 32 Principles of Jiu-Jitsu. Efficiency is the “Apex Principle” of jiu-jitsu, but there are 32 “Micro Principles” that make efficiency possible in every position and technique. No matter what rank you hold in jiu-jitsu, once you learn these 32 Principles your relationship with j...

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.

Principle 2: Detachment

Achieving optimal efficiency in transitions through deliberate disconnection from your opponent. You have to know when to let go.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Part 1 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.