Gracie Jiu-Jitsu – Martial Arts in Watford
Notice Board
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<--Notice Board !->
No Classes this Good Friday.
Classes run as normal on Easter Monday.
Welcome to Watford Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) Martial Arts School
The friendly environment of Watford Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. While most other Martial Arts schools promote an egotistical “tough guy” environment, which can be very unwelcoming and dangerous for the students, the Gracies are very concerned with making each and every trip to our school safe, fun and encouraging for all students, especially those with little or no experience. We expect all students to display the utmost respect and courtesy towards one another and to maintain safety as their first priority. Students who do not follow this code of conduct are not welcome at Watford Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Watford Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is one of only a handful of Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Centres in the UK; these centers are authorized to teach the incredible curriculum’s taught at the world famous Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in California.
Although Gracie Jiu-Jitsu consists of over 600 techniques, studies of real fights conducted by members of the Gracie Family have shown that 36 techniques have been used more often and with greater success than all the other techniques combined. Originally developed for the U.S. Army, Gracie Combatives is the only course that is entirely dedicated to the mastery of these 36 essential techniques. Absolutely no experience is necessary to get started; this program is specifically designed to be enjoyed by any new student regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.
We will teach your child to use verbal assertiveness to deter bullies and several non-violent self-defense techniques to stay safe if physically assaulted. Importantly, we don’t teach how to punch or kick like other Martial Art Schools in Watford, since this often does more harm than good. Instead, we use leverage-based control holds to neutralize threats without violence. Numerous school districts have embraced the defensive nature of the Gracie Bullyproof techniques as a reasonable, nonviolent response to bullying and some even host Gracie Bullyproof classes on campus! The bottom line is: we will prepare your child to defend themselves against bullies without turning them into one.
Most Martial Arts Schools let you try one or two classes before signing you up. However, we prefer you try it for 10 days, completely FREE with no obligation to join! Our trial is designed to:
- Allow you to fully experience our classes
- Learn about our programs and curriculum in great detail
- Meet your instructor
- Connect with everyone else in the class
- Allow you to make a fully educated decision about our school before signing up!
You get all this and pay absolutely nothing! Click the button below to book now or scroll down for more information!
Book a FREE 10 Day Trial NOW!
What have you got to lose? for Adults or Children
Common Questions
Latest News
Narrated Sparring No-Gi Feb19
Here is a narrated sparring video from Feb 2019.
Can Gracie Jiu-Jitsu really Empower the weak?
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Beyond the Technique: Discipline
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Animal Warm-up Competition
Gracie Games Day is coming up (Sunday July 5th 2-4 pm) and we're looking to introduce a few new animal warm-ups to our routine! We've given our Bullyproof kids forms to fill out with their [...]
Beyond the Technique: Focus
While there is a lot of technique involved in Jiu-Jitsu, the beauty of this gentle art, as it is known, is that many of the lessons are applicable beyond the intricate details of each move. [...]
Women’s Self-Defense Classes at Watford Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
When asked 'What would you do if you were attacked by a man?', the most common answer women give is, "I'd kick him in the groin." There is no doubt that this type of [...]
My son started attending classes led by Ben Tippen and I must say this is the best place for your child to gain confidence and life skills as well as fair bit of physical exercise. Its not just the value for money – it adds value to childs character and helps to shape a disciplined and focused personality. Me and my partner are so impressed. Highly recommended!!!
Both my daughter Holly (9 years) and my son Jack (7 years) have been attending Watford Gracie Jiu-Jitsu since it started in Nov 2103 and they thoroughly enjoy every minute of the 1 hour weekly sessions. At first I was apprehensive not because of the class itself but rather my experience of sending both Holly and Jack to an after school club, they start with every intention of going each week only to give it up by week 3! I am pleasantly surprised that after 4 months they not only continue to enjoy attending Watford Jiu-Jitsu classes but they also look forward to the next session, frequently asking throughout the week when it will be time to go again!
As a parent I do worry for my kids, my daughter has experienced bullying at school and my son is a prime target for being bullied in the future due to moderate learning difficulties. Ben not only teaches his students to be able to defend themselves physically but he also prepares and educates them mentally. I have seen a difference in both my children, they have become more responsible for what they do and I feel confident that I will see further developments in both their confidence and their accountability for themselves over the coming months. I would recommend that every parent with a young or older child take part in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Cheers,
Nikki
I would also like to thank Ben for giving up his time to run a session for us at our Summer Camp.
Ben presented a session of basic self defence groundwork techniques to an audience of predominantly long term Karate-ka (and so a fairly cynical bunch) and within very few minutes had them totally committed to learning what he had to teach.
The session fulfilled both aims of all the subjects covered over our weekend camp which was to a) learn new things AND b) to have fun. Ben provided both of those and then some.
I would fully endorse Ben as an instructor and recommend anyone to train with him, he knows his subject and, more importantly, how to teach it (not always the case). He has a clear and easy going teaching style which makes it easy to learn what he has to offer.
Bob D.