The Universal Misunderstanding (Gracie Philosophy)

[@JulianGudger]

When I started watching Gracie Breakdowns, I thought Ryron was timid and Rener was confident, but the more I watch Ryron, he's got that quiet power that master teachers (in any discipline) have. Very good philosophy. Lessons to be learned in losing when things are playful pay off when you gotta win or losing means dying.

[@sayadclothing]

Ryron is a beast, when he talks, he throws only laser sharp words.

[@Liefvikerson]

He seems like a real good teacher and warrior . I wish he woudnt have been so timid against Andre Galvol ,I believe he could have beaten him if he tried to win instead of trying not just survive.

[@powerboon2k]

Ryrons understanding of jiu jitsu is frigging deep. Full Yoda style.

[@delmarsimpson25]

Na...rickson was the Yoda....ryron was a jedi

[@axzxxzxa8613]

This is absolutely true. Until my 5th day of BJJ, I was terrible when in someones guard. I would always get submitted because of the pressure to pass the guard. A purple belt told me to just chill and focus on base, posture, arms, and to just wait and watch for the opponent to make a move. My skill from someones guard rose instantly and exponentially. Everyone white belt should watch this video.

[@afeagzajeaff]

+Axzx xzxA I'm guessing you're not really talking about your 5th "day", right? :p

[@HiFisch94]

+Pierre Bouché I think he actually is. I mean, you don't know how long he has been training to refer to exponential growth, but he is talking about it being good advice for a white belt.

[@leviswm]

Are you still training?!!!

[@johnthree1611]

What belt are you now? Eight years later.

[@DavidRamirez-fl7dm]

All the film I studied of Rickson Gracie this is one part of the essence of Gracie ju jitsu. I do this now! He creates submission situation by feeding there over zealous need for his opponent to tap him! Fantastic!

[@sikwheelie]

Great philosophy. I've seen a lot of misunderstanding of the art at schools. I think more instructors should include this thought in their instruction.

[@tekshow]

I love the keep it playful mindset! I've been a guest at clubs doing exactly what you're talking about. Pedro Sauer has influenced me on this as well. And I usually give up the control when I meet new people. One thing I learned quickly is that the top person will expose their game and try all their best stuff when they get frustrated early on. It's a lot of fun, because you're just sitting there defending and they can't do anything. The survival really comes out, the self defense mode. I have

[@imaturtleur2]

Ryron's philosophies are much like the ones I learned being a Halo champion. You cannot lose if you do not get killed. Because this is an absolutely defensive philosophy in a win/loss scenario, I had to be confident in my offensive ability. It is really interesting hearing Ryron explain this in a more practical arena than video games.

[@GrapplersQuest]

Great work by the Gracie Brothers for spreading new philosophies and theories - keep pushing forward guys!

[@MrPotatoesLatkie]

My Judo instructor told class a few weeks ago that the fear if getting thrown is often why people get hurt. He said one must embrace the fall and, expect to get hurt, even hope to get hurt and, said that one that's in your mind, come back and, tell me how it worked out. He followed that by having each student throw the other in one long line. Some throws were fast and, technical, while others were slower and, strength based. The result was that no one got hurt, as we all knew how to fall.

[@CaptPostmod]

I'm a student in a non-Gracie University school. But I feel like Rener and Ryron are my main professors. Because the things you guys teach have proven the most helpful in my jiu-jitsu journey and kept me going.

[@tcards4941]

I've seen a lot of beginner videos as a beginner, but I've never heard wiser words. Thank you.

[@Hextin]

I can relate. Im 141. I was grappling a guy who was 190. He had mount with my arm across my body to the other side so i literaly couldnt move at all. I just laid there and waited for him to make a move and when her did i dont quite remember what happened but i some how teleported behind him from underneath and got a rear naked choke and he tapped.

[@reptizzle4020]

Wow good to know people as old as 190 can still roll!

[@bmckenzie69]

He does a great job of explaining the importance of patience. When I was training a few years ago, the big thing we stressed was to pause and breathe. When you take a moment to just protect yourself and breathe you conserve energy and cause your opponent to use energy. As he said, you learn a lot too. Great video.

[@kaiceecrane3884]

This is a great video the watch and refer back to. I like coming back to this after a couple of years and seeing where and how my understanding has progressed. When I first saw this video I thought he was speaking about knowledge on how to behave in various sinerios, a key guide that is simple to explain to use. Well, just because it is simple doesn't mean it's not difficult. Coming back to this video now I see he is talking the understanding of being in a position, how and when to move and not. He is referring to the intimate knowledge you only gain with experience in doing. There is nuance to everything, and small tiny details within it all. Yes, if you don't move at all who ever of any skill will do what they want with you all they want, but if you move too much you leave too many gaps open for too long and someone will exploit them. With experience you can learn proper pace, what that is, and to control it. You learn how and when to move in any moment and when not to. With every who, what, when, where, why, and how you discover an understanding along side the knowledge you already have. Stay patient, exploit mistakes, create mistakes in your opponent. Stay calm and comfortable, breathe and relax, focus. Ryron know what he saying, his understanding of it is great. I think this is something everyone should refer back to from time to time

[@FelipeSantos-uk8ub]

Thank you guys! This class made a huge diference already. Na minha academia não aprendemos isso, é uma boa academia, mas não temos esse tipo de aula.

[@chrysaliscamps3838]

Great eyes opening video! The defend-escape-control-submit philosophy and the importance of the passive stages, challenge so much the philosophy found in regular competition-based martial arts, it's mind boggling... It's easy to get lost in just drilling techniques and fitness and neglect the mindset that should guide the whole thing... I really like the phrase in the description "How you think determines how you act", and I'd like to add that furthemore than influencing one's mastery of the art, how you act will shape your life in the current way it is... "All that we are is the result of what we have thought" - Buddha ;)

[@davespellen1596]

Top-notch stuff - you just made me realise that BJJ is the sport for me - very insightfully inspiring. Cheers fella.

[@Justsayin-p5g]

I finally found what I’ve been looking for in GJJ. I started this BJJ (“Journey “) 20+years ago. I’ve earned my Blue belt twice from two different schools. What I’ve learned is what Ryron is explaining. My instructor and training partners would get frustrated with me because my jiu-jitsu wasn’t in line with the sport aspect of jiu-jitsu.

[@razor84man]

I thought i was the only one who thought this way . I have been doing this for a while now , and thought that i was alone in thinking this way . I am so happy that i found this video!! Its gratifying to know i am doing it right . THANK YOU Ryon ,THANK YOU .

[@vincentscheiss]

i had hurtn my knee, because i wasn´t escaping right..but with my ego under controll and the philosophy of ryron gracie in my mind all the time in life and jiu jitsu i become a better defense and offence player, relaxing more burn not so much energie.. and i don´t get hurt a lot!! thankx to the gracie university specialy to ryron, his mindset changed a lot for me on the ground!!

[@Mastaflo]

This makes so much sense. I'm glad I came across this video. Will be applying this philosophy into my jiujitsu journey. Thank you.

[@jesusthroughmary]

This is the most that I have seen Ryron talk.

[@duncansutherland47]

I have to keep reminding myself this. Thank you Professor Ryron!

[@JiuJitsuIT]

Tap more, lose less. One of the best video ever Ryron.

[@rickdavis202]

Every one my students in the my kids classes needs to watch this. As a Pedro Sauer Academy we focus on smooth and defensive competency, but the mindset here is the answer to why

[@KenpoKid77]

I think what he's trying to say is with enough patience and awareness, one can escape any position, even a so-called bad one. Granted, he's talking about non-competitive situations where points and time are not factors, but he's really speaking to how people get hasty because of fear and pride. We have a saying in karate that correlates to this: Don't tell yourself, "I have to win;" Rather, tell yourself, "I don't have to lose..."

[@орчлонертөнццонх]

thank you for this golden mindset before i begin my training! so excited to start my first lesson next week!

[@ChloeDunIT]

Thank you so much Ryron for the video! As myself I am barely a week into BJJ and will start to use this mindset!

[@TheLockon00]

That bit at the end about embracing being tapped was awesome.

[@fierwall5]

I hate being on my back like a lot. But this chill and take it easy advice might work for me. I like the idea of them setting their own trap intsead of making them give it to you. Every one messes up eventualy and if you don't do anything then you can't really mess up.

[@primate4]

Dang! Ryron is so insightful and has a cool way of explaining the obvious that none of us, including me, think about. Awesome instructor!

[@TheByrdHouse]

I'm a white belt, less than a year. I found myself doing this last week rolling, (before I saw this video) with another white belt who had over a year of training. I found myself comfortable giving my back, relaxing and defending and not getting submitted. It felt great and was a win for me. This makes sense to me, thanks.

[@PACIFICBboy]

As someone who is only a week into bjj, this is great advice. Whenever we do live rolling I find myself only concerned with getting off my back or passing guard. I'll have a new mindset next time I go to class. Thanks

[@JoeyMcPeace]

Gosh, I appreciate your conviction - give this video another listen but really let it penetrate. This is about training and the order of events that should take place - this is a very serious message. Imagine this - you are on the bottom of the mount in a street fight - so you try to stay close and hug his body. This is the split second that Ryron is pointing to - he's saying you should keep it close and defend THEM and upon defending, your escape is made available!

[@PrixGem]

Thank you Master Ryron for teaching the world generously.

[@PayatLumpia]

So insightful! Such priceless knowledge! Thank you, Ryron! This will change my Jiu-jitsu completely. I'm excited to try it out the next time I train!

[@SurveyofFilmMusic]

Ryon! BRILLIANT video! At the Valente Brothers (w/Jimmy Robertson), I do this EVERY private lesson. Respect!!!!!!

[@raulnsherah]

You're a Yoda. Dude. Make more of these

[@anthonyfabiano4827]

Ryron....thank you so much for this philosophy. Fabulous!

[@brysonz]

Best advice. Most time the best escape comes from your opponent when they get over zealous for a submission.

[@lathanaiwohi3248]

Ryron your the man I know EXACTLY WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT 🤙🏾 wise man. OSS

[@HonestTaiChi]

this same outlook in tai chi is known as "investing in loss" it's the root of that chillness and it's what gives you that greater understanding

[@KenpoKid77]

...Entire battles & wars have been won based on being still and observing enemy movement. Sun Tzu is considered one of the greatest authorities on war in history because he recognized how patience, stillness and conservation of energy can be used to defeat an overly aggressive and impatient opponent. Many other military and martial arts legends became legendary because they followed his advice, and this Gracie is doing the same. Takes a patient and humble person to understand such things.

[@chadmakinano3310]

I love this... that's exactly how I think...I was rolling against a high level Black belt and survived the round (5 minutes), best praise ever, he said "great defense". I was a 2 stripe purple at the time. In my opinion, it's better to survive against everyone than to tap everyone.

[@cunn1n6ham]

If you can stay calm under the onslaught of a BJJ black belt think how much control and chill you’d have against an untrained aggressor….99.5% of untrained would get dismantled. BJJ is so great

[@steve7309]

I heard the same speech in Ottawa, that's an amazing philosophy and i'm happy to hear it again, since repetition is the mother of skill. DANG !

[@CJfunctional]

I've given into that. The last two weeks I've been getting tapped like crazy. It was not fun the first week but, I wrapping my brain around it. Thanks

[@mikeharvey1597]

I'm a white belt, sorry, but I love to just make base and sit there, and wait, maybe try to distract him with grip fighting, wait for a sweep attempt....make him think he might have it, let him go a little, and go the other way. It works. Sometimes.

[@Evological]

mike harvey don't be sorry! There are white belts that tap me all the time. You have the right mindset :)

[@sergeymorozov7867]

Thank You Ryron. For keepitplayful mindset.

[@DavidMorrisgplus]

Great discussion about what is commonly referred to as Loss Aversion. Loss aversion is people's tendency to strongly prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring gains. Some studies suggest that losses are twice as powerful, psychologically, as gains. This cognitive bias was first convincingly demonstrated by Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman (i.e., we fear more about getting tapped out (a loss) than submitting someone else (a win).

[@UponGiantsShoulders]

Brilliant. Purpose, intent, the meta game between the minds of the fighters. Well reasoned.

[@MrGarky]

Great perspective, Ryron. Very true. How did I not think of this?

[@Jasonhimstedt1979]

Good stuff here. Many of us under Master Kenny Kim at Impact in Marietta, GA train this way often. Sometimes we put ourselves in a bad spot or give our partners something so we can learn to escape from it. Being tapped is not the end of the world. We keep it playful and friendly while still knowing how to challenge each other. We are a family and everyone getting better is the goal. We don't just congratulate the "winner". We do drills where we start off in a bad spot and learn how to defend

[@djrodriguez6582]

Thanks for the insight. I felt like doing this would be boring to the guy on top of me but now I see he has to think even more

[@TyHatfield]

I don't care if I an anyplace. I finish it no matter what and where. I had a guy talking to me exactly about that, he was like what do you do here. I was like "I win" that is that.... Called doing over and over and over.... gaining enlightenment :) thanks brother for sharing

[@khal9369]

Dear Ryron and Rener please if you can make a seminar in Regina Saskatchewan Canada that would be awesome

[@hotshot940]

Thanks for the excellent insight, Ryron. Looking forward to your seminar in Columbus this month!

[@kaorisuzuki3541]

I'm a new white belt in BJJ and this way of thinking is helping me to survive longer against my training partners in rolling. Thanks Ryron!

[@johnthree1611]

I'm 11 minutes into the video, as I post this comment. I've been doing jiujitsu for three months in around seven days. I was constantly taught and pushed to shrimp, and bridge out, whenever someone got on top of me. I really sucked at doing it, and couldn't get people off of me. I realized that I was claustrophobic, and wanted to fix that feeling. So I began embracing people smothering me, without freaking out. People began to tell me that I am free to tap, if I felt uncomfortable, and called me tough. I kept embracing being smothered, and only bridged, and shrimped, when I saw the possibility of getting the person off of me. I also made myself be patient, and worked on framing, and getting my arms and legs in better positions. People are telling me that I've become much better at jiujitsu, and I'm advancing quickly. I also embraced closed guard, and became good at that, and people told me that it's rare for people to embrace being on the bottom. I became so good at closed guard, that no one would allow me to get into closed guard, so I began embracing the top and side mounts, and have become much better at those things. I totally embrace this mentality that a person should learn to not be afraid while being mounted, because it appears to be paying off for me, as I've only been doing jiujitsu for three months. Embracing the bottom position was totally against what my professor, and all the teachers were telling me, but I'm the type of person who is strategic, and wants to get rid of my weaknesses, and will take some pain and agony to get there.

[@Gallagur-xz6fr]

In the video Ryron SPECIFICALLY discusses this. It's all about TIMING. If you are mounted in a street fight, and the person is ONLY focused on holding you there, it is foolish to waste your energy and attempt to explode out of the mount (you "chill"). You don't exhaust yourself like a trapped rat. Once this person tries to set up and start punching, they create the opportunity to escape. If you hit the ground and they immediately attack, that window is WIDE open and you immediately escape.

[@robertlee3805]

Ryron > has been fantastic at defense even when he was a blue belt at the Gracie academy > i’ve watched him in many tournaments and he’s a master of defense ! Enormous cardio as well >

[@joshmullins2473]

To be as young as ryron is I feel he is very wise. I really like this way of thinking. Being a scientist of JiuJitsu.. So awesome!!

[@tghill]

oh yeah, and I have way more fun since I am less worried about attacks & strategies - I see them coming from a mile away!

[@blackgatedef3]

I have a severe scoliosis, so When I used to " Keep it playful " I was brainwashed that It was ok to be on bottom. So what happened was that there was times, that I was laying down on my bed because I could barely move, or even lift a finger, with a pain free motion. So 220 pound guys where on top of me, and I almost quit Jiu-Jitsu because of the excruciating pain I experienced after every sparring session. Learning to pass, Learning to play and develop an unpassable guard, helped me to train PAIN FREE. I do get more tired on sparring sessions, but I got used to it, and now a I have a super good cardio. Keep it playful for me is not an option, if I want to keep training JJ of course. This is just my perspective, Being on bottom just got my scoliosis worst.

[@xGarrettThiefx]

You are on a one way street to being crippled in the long term dude.

[@blackgatedef3]

+xGarrettThiefx nope

[@kcwonder]

This man is a genius! Man, I wish I could train with this guy...

[@dc1976dc]

This is totaly true I believe in the reel in keeping it reel I tell my students that defense is key in frustrating the top guy and then working your game. I agree with not fearing anything but that only comes from understanding whats going on whether your on your back or on top. Make the best out of everything and say thank you if you get tapped.

[@michelpapineau8868]

Very wisely said...totally makes sense...it is amazing the amount of wisdom bjj brings...there is no challenge in life that cannot be used as a metaphor with bjj. In life as in bjj, you have to fail your way to success....great video!

[@jimp4love]

Good stuff. I like the "big picture" Aristotelian-approach by the Gracies (i.e., reason, logic and reality). As Ayn Rand once pointed-out: we're all guided by a philosophy whether we know it or not (so you might as well KNOW it and choose the RIGHT one if you value survival and happiness)...

[@DFMACK]

I think this advice is way deeper than you are giving it credit for. I suspect that you didn't watch the whole thing. I hope you give it a chance and watch the whole thing again.

[@jwillard911]

This is how I have came so far so fast. White to purple in 3y1m. I have held my on with high purple and browns as well. Every time I roll with jr's I take the time to work on all the new things I've leaned and polish them up. I have become a very technical 44yr old player.I probably spend 95% of my training playing Jits.

[@iansinclair6256]

This has to be one of the best video's you have made. Thank you. As a white belt, I appreciate the advice.

[@machinegunpreacher2469]

I have never heard some one take 6 minutes to say "Bait them into attacking so you can set up a pass". LOL. Good advice though. Newer guys need to learn to stay calm. One of the first and greatest "light bulbs" that ever came on in my jiu jitsu training was when I started thinking "now where is he making a mistake that I can exploit?". Just don't stand up and stack your partners on their necks when you're in their guard anymore. (Come on, you know we all did it in our first days of training :D )It's just not a good idea even though it is instinctive at first. That's one thing I have come to love over the years; jiu jitsu forces you to re-wire your instincts.

[@jnspinola]

Thanks Ryron! I really like the way you see and live Bjj. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@MegaLawngnome]

Said very well. Will use this in my sparring from now on.

[@mike-yp1uk]

This video help me to understand timing and timing is what makes bjj work so well. Gracie bjj is awesome.

[@HerbertCruz27]

My Jiu Jitsu mind has really expanded after this video, Thank you!

[@tghill]

For a while, I've been dealing with a shoulder injury (partially torn tendon).Eventually, I re-started grappling with care and tap out immediately if that shoulder is in jeopardy. I found that my grappling mentality has changed COMPLETELY, I am way more conservative, if I'm in a disadvantaged position, I wait for my opponent to make a move and then neutralize it and I capitalize on his mistakes. I get submitted WAY LESS than when I was gung ho ... a testament to what Ryron is saying here.

[@lsloewen2]

Ryron, your my hero. Come teach some seminars in Alaska.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

If you are talking pure grappling Ryron is correct. Add punches and you better be escaping the mount RIGHT NOW!

[@disagreewitheverything1474]

dragonballjiujitsu watch the end

[@julianaspinall2832]

whoever thinks what he is saying doesn´t make sense, watch his match vs 8 time world champ andre galvao. you will see haw he just mentally beats andre causing him to frustrate and gass out. mabe he didn´t tap him but technique wise he totaly defeat him, becuse he used half as much energy as andre used. that fight changed my perspective on jiu jitsu, one of the persons i most look up to. RYRON PLEASE HELP US FIGHTERS UNDERSTAND THE RIGHT WAY, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SAVE JIU JITSU!!!!!

[@lippymuff1871]

Julian Aspinall Dude i know what you mean, that was the fight that i really started paying heavy attention to Ryron and Renner....These are 2 brilliant Masters of their craft, Their Knowledge of this martial art is crazy

[@Gyubriel]

I love this lesson

[@carloseduardonogueiraloddo8250]

Excellent advice! Thank you for that! How can we apply this in ordinary life situations? Could you expand on the point? Sometimes, it looks like we are so anxious to turn the tables, being at a situation which is not the best possible, that we tend to do huge mistakes, and end up falling into even worst situations... On the other hand, once we understand to conquer this inner focus, be it in training or in competition, we could try things, not as a result of any panic, but as a result of some sort of exploration of possibilities, keeping the focus, on a learning spirit, would you agree? Not taking huge risks, just to see the sort of reaction that this move will bring me to, even it it is to be tapped, but trying to be conscious of the process, and learning something from it... I mean, something different from an anxious attitude trying to turn the tables, bur more like a conscious move, in order to learn, even if it is from a mistake. Well, once we are secure, I mean... I know Hélio Gracie would say you can't lose, if you don't do mistakes. But also, I bet he would agree, once you learned to be in a secure mode, that you should explore some more active stand, in order to learn... How could we learn, if we never try and lose, and take some lesson from the experience? But I guess he would agree with that part, as well... Once you beat anxiety and conquer a consciously secure mode, now it is probably time to make some conscious efforts, and you will be in a good state of mind to learn from those. Helio Gracie's life was a tribute to consciously throwing himself into challenges, once he would need them. Even when he was way passed his prime! Anyways, this all is very useful stuff for life situations. Your advice just came in perfect timing, to me, anyways. Thanks so much!

[@KenpoKid77]

Your response is exactly what he's talking about - a gross misunderstanding. Such thinking is only concerned about what you can do to your opponent, no thought as to what he can do to you. What if their defense is better than your offense? Every attack has an opening, to think otherwise is foolish and dangerous. Even if you pull off all the moves, you can't do it forever because stamina doesn't last forever...

[@VelhaGuardaTricolor]

a TRUE MASTER! Thank you very very much Ryron! Thank you Helio!

[@andrewkim6037]

Great teacher, sage advice.

[@mowgli123456789]

ive been training for about 7 months. This has just started making sense to me recently :) This video now makes a lot of sense to now :)

[@chenzenzo]

Jiu Jitsu is peace put into action. The ability to plan, adapt and survive. Not fighting is the safest way to win, but if you have to fight, be ready to win or you will lose before you started.

[@xroth4855]

Good thinking Ryron Thanks

[@aznfoo108]

That thumbnail pic though!, Kron and Ryron rolling ??. Kron was my sensei before he moved to montana, is there a clip of that roll?

[@ErdoS845]

This is incredibly interesting, even for someone like me, an outsider to the Martial Arts world. Good stuff.

[@titogoose]

This is truly brilliant. Humility man.

[@Nola213]

very important concept. Thanks Ryron.

[@MrBelascoaranShayne]

Just continue training, buddy, dont worry. And i recommend the Gracie Combatives Curse, It has a lot of moves that someone unexperienced will try to do with you in a street fight, like the head lock you mention, Its like all the street basics of Gracie jiujitsu but very well explained.

[@sremvik]

First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability -Sun Tzu

[@BandakaKush]

This almost masochistic way of learning almost reminds me of the ancient Buddhist warrior monks who subjected themselves to intense training so harsh it would almost kill them. Ryron’s Jiu-Jitsu is incredibly good, he makes champion black belts look like beginners.

[@vmbrazilianjj]

I have been doing this ever since I started but in a fight I would battle to get the top position because of ground and pound but I would be patient

[@vadShubaev]

Exactly what i looked for! Brilliant information.. Thank you Ryron!

[@IainMcMullen93]

I feel like the reverse is also important. When you take the mount or the side mount, don't rush to go for the submission, chill and work on your control.

[@LiveGrappling]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom

[@Acemanofspades22]

This is awesome! I will start doing this as much as possible!

[@jpargentino]

I agree with Ryon when he said that the journey to BB should only take 6 years with focused and attentive training.... not this 10 to 14 year path. TIme in any field of practice does not always equate to quality of time spent.