Question: How does the INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM work if I don't live in Switzerland or Liechtenstein?
Answer: 1. Everyone who works with us—whether a teacher or a student—must have an annual license. The student license is valid from January 1 through December 31 of the current year.
2. You must register for the new year by November 1 at the latest; otherwise, an additional late fee (of CHF 20) will be charged. The student license costs EUR 60.00 or CHF 70.00 Swiss francs.
3. Live training sessions (abroad) with Professor Franco Vacirca are held regularly. Check out our seminar calendar. This also applies to all ICP seminars both in Germany and abroad.
4. Outside of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, we currently have the following ICP Ambassador locations in Germany that offer a monthly open ICP seminar:
- Maurice Wollny at Panda Gym Berlin
- Grigori Vinizki at the Samurai Fight Team Academy in Leipzig
- Gregor Bytomski in Schwäbisch-Hall
Question: Do I have to organize a seminar with Professor Franco at my school (as a partner school), and if so, why?
Answer: No! That’s not possible anyway, because Prof. Franco’s seminar schedule is already pretty full. He now only visits partner schools that have reached a certain number of members. It makes more sense to team up with other schools in your region and host an open seminar together.
Prof. Franco also visits his Gracie Concepts® Ambassadors, where participants are invited to take the black belt exam. For more information, please contact HQ at info@graciejiujitsu.ch.
Question: Are Gracie Concepts® BJJ belt ranks recognized? If so, by whom?
Answer: Professor Franco Vacirca is the highest-ranking BJJ instructor in Europe and has been awarded the prestigious 7th-degree gray Coral belt by Grandmaster Joe Moreira (red belt, 9th degree). Professor Franco has been working with Grandmaster Rickson Gracie since the founding of the JJGF/Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation in 2014. In addition, Prof. Franco is a founding member of the IBJJF/International BJJ Federation and is certified under Grandmaster Carlos Gracie Jr.
All belts and certifications awarded by Gracie Concepts® are therefore officially recognized by the BJJLF, USFBJJ, JJGF, and IBJJF.
Question: Are the Gracie Concepts® techniques (programs) the same as those taught at Gracie University?
Answer: No! We have adopted our own 54-lesson curriculum from our Grandmaster and mentor, Pedro Hemetério (10th-degree red belt). He was at Grandmaster Hélio Gracie’s side from the early 1960s until his death in October 2009, and ran his own school in São Paulo, Brazil.
The 54-lesson plan has nothing to do with the GU program. Please remember that the foundations were laid by GM Hélio Gracie. That's why you'll find (similar) things everywhere, but it's the details that make the difference. We strictly adhere to the teaching program specified by Professor Pedro, even though the techniques have been "further developed" by the Vacirca brothers and adapted to modern times.
Question: I am participating in the ICP course in Berlin. When I complete the ICP course, will I be a blue belt?
Answer: After completing the ICP course (regardless of where and with whom), you will be (re)evaluated based on your overall Gracie Jiu-Jitsu knowledge and your "time in belt" with us. The ICP course is designed to teach Gracie Concepts® instructors the entire 54-lesson plan so that they learn how to work with their students to teach authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Question: I'm a BJJ black belt from another BJJ team. Can I become a Gracie Concepts® instructor?
Answer: Regardless of your background (martial arts, BJJ, jiu-jitsu, or ju-jutsu) and your current belt level, all Gracie Concepts® instructors must have completed the entire ICP course.
There are no “shortcuts” when it comes to certifying our members. If you have BJJ experience, you can keep your (current) belt. Once you’ve completed the first part of the ICP course (Gracie Fundamentals), we’ll reevaluate your BJJ belt.
Question: Do I need to have competition experience? Do I have to participate in tournaments?
Answer: Participating in BJJ tournaments is not mandatory for you as an instructor or for your students. Each member decides for themselves what their priorities are! However, competition experience has never hurt anyone, so we encourage our BJJ athletes to participate in national, regional, and international BJJ events if they wish to do so.
Question: I come from a background in MMA! Can I become a Gracie Concepts® instructor?
Answer: Whether you’ve come to us from MMA, Wing Tsun, Krav Maga, BJJ, or any other martial art—as long as you follow our rules, you’re more than welcome! Everyone at Gracie Concepts® must follow the same rules and code of conduct and complete the same training program (curriculum) to ensure our high quality standards. We make no exceptions!
Question: What will I learn in the ICP courses over a weekend?
Answer: Typically, in Zurich, the Gracie Fundamentals (Lessons 1 through 23) are taught on Saturday, and the Gracie Intermediate and/or Gracie Advanced (Lessons 24 through 54) are taught on Sunday.
The weekends aren’t just about watching or practicing the individual classes or lessons; rather, they’re about giving participants the opportunity to interact with one another—under the supervision of the professors and ICP instructors—and to improve and refine the techniques. That’s why it’s highly recommended to attend an ICP course or seminar as a pair, so you can take home as many details as possible.
Question: Can I also take the ICP course in private lessons?
Answer: In some cases, the ICP course in Zurich can also be taken in a small group. We place great importance on the exchange among (future) ICP teachers. We recommend bringing a fellow trainee with you.
Question: How long does it take to get a black belt?
Answer: That depends entirely on you! It usually takes between eight and ten years to achieve a black belt in BJJ / Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Our 54-lesson plan ensures that our students receive a solid foundation and can continue to develop through additional training and teaching materials.
Question: If I (coach) start now as a blue belt, how long will it take to reach purple belt?
Answer: That depends entirely on you! As an instructor, you’ll need to attend ICP seminars and work through various scenarios. It usually takes about two years, but ultimately Professor Franco (along with your local instructor) will decide whether you’re ready for the next belt rank.
Question: How much are the registration and membership fees for schools? And are there also exam fees to pay for stripes and belts?
Answer: In the first year of membership, the registration fee for partner schools is 10 student licenses, which amounts to CHF 700 / EUR 600. Starting in the second year and every year thereafter, all of your BJJ/GJJ students must be registered through you as an instructor/partner school and purchase the annual student license for CHF 70 / EUR 60 (per person).
Question: Does the BJJ kimono (gi) have to be a certain color, or does it not matter?
Answer: The kimono must be white, blue, or black. The official Gracie Concepts® gi is white, as many masters, such as Grand Master Royce Gracie, only allow white gis during their seminars and training sessions.
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