Gracie Breakdown

Poor control often results in unnecessary escalation of force, and in some cases it turns a non-lethal event into a lethal one. Washington DC Metro Police Sergeant Kiel Tilley speaks to some of the tactical deficiencies of conventional prone restraint and shares his thoughts after his first exposure to the SafeWrap System. If your agency isn’t teaching SafeWrap, you’re falling behind. SafeWrap instructor certification is now included in all Gracie Survival Tactics Level 2 Courses. For a list of upcoming instructor courses, visit https://www.GracieSurvivalTactics.com

There are only two safe distances in a fight: all the way in or all the way out. Ladies, Join us at our FREE 2.5-hour Women’s Self-defense Seminar on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Torrance, California! The skills you learn will change how you think about self-defense. This fun, hands-on workshop is the perfect introduction to jiu-jitsu for women. Ages 12 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No experience necessary. Visit https://www.GracieGirls.com to register.

Ladies! Join us at our FREE 2.5-hour Women’s Self-defense Seminar on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Torrance, California! The skills you learn will change EVERYTHING regarding how you think about self-defense. This safe and fun workshop is the perfect introduction to jiu-jitsu for women with no previous experience. Ages 12 and up (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Bring a friend (or two) if you’d like. For those who don’t live in Southern California, visit https://www.GracieGirls.com to find a free seminar location near you!

Suspect refused to leave IHOP when asked. Police officers arrive to take him into custody, he resists, SafeWrap deployed, situation handled. No serious injuries reported. Hope is a function of progress. The SafeWrap System allows for such immediate and effective control that suspects stop fighting much sooner than with conventional restraint methods. SafeWrap is proprietary restraint system and does require a license for institutional use. The license is free for law enforcement agencies and can only be obtained upon completion of the SafeWrap instructor certification. SafeWrap certification can be completed in a standalone 2-day course, and is also included in all Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) Level 2 courses. SafeWrap is being used in healthcare, for both clinical and security staff, in some of the largest hospitals in the U.S., including the University of California Health System. For upcoming courses, including our first-ever instructor course in Europe, visit http://www.SafeWrapSystem.com.

In 2021, Charlee Funes was violently attacked in middle school. We tracked her down and trained her in the Gracie Bullyproof program for one summer at our Certified Training Center Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Elgin. Here she is 5 YEARS later about to graduate high school! 🥹 A little jiu-jitsu at the right time can completely change the course of someone’s life. If your child is struggling with confidence, bullies or boundary setting, send them to the Gracie Bullyproof Summer Camp at our headquarters in Torrance, California, or at one of many certified camp locations worldwide. Learn more and register today at https://www.BullyproofSummerCamp.com

“I will accept the detainment and I’m prepared to relax.” Bellevue PD (WA) - Officer Igo and Officer Barnett took a 250-lb male trespassing suspect into custody. When additional officers arrived on scene, their control was so effective that there wasn’t much left to do. SafeWrap® changes everything… -Control was immediate and effective. -Communication was calm and clear. -Lateral Handcuffing™ was simple and safe for all. The suspect sustained no injuries and when asked if force was used on him, he stated “Not excessive.” The SafeWrap System is a proprietary system of restraint that requires a license for institutional use. A SafeWrap license can only be obtained after instructor certification. SafeWrap instructor certification is included in all Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) Level 2 instructor courses and all Gracie Medical Defense instructor courses. For upcoming courses, or to inquire about hosting a course at your organization, visit https://www.SafeWrapSystem.com. For the first time ever SafeWrap and GST are coming to Europe! Don’t miss the opportunity to get certified in Germany on September 2026! 🇩🇪 Check the website for details.

“I will accept the detainment and I’m prepared to relax.” Bellevue PD (WA) - Officer Igo and Officer Barnett took a 250-lb male trespassing suspect into custody. When additional officers arrived on scene, their control was so effective that there wasn’t much left to do. SafeWrap® changes everything… -Control was immediate and effective. -Communication was calm and clear. -Lateral Handcuffing™ was simple and safe for all. The suspect sustained no injuries and when asked if force was used on him, he stated “Not excessive.” The SafeWrap System is a proprietary system of restraint that requires a license for institutional use. A SafeWrap license can only be obtained after instructor certification. SafeWrap instructor certification is included in all Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) Level 2 instructor courses and all Gracie Medical Defense instructor courses. For upcoming courses, or to inquire about hosting a course at your organization, visit https://www.SafeWrapSystem.com. For the first time ever SafeWrap and GST are coming to Europe! Don’t miss the opportunity to get certified in Germany on September 2026! 🇩🇪 Check the website for details.

I love teaching jiu-jitsu! https://www.GracieUniversity.com

From bullying victim to US Marine! Don’t believe in the power of jiu-jitsu, check this out! If your child is suffering from bullying, send them to the Gracie Bullyproof Summer Camp in Torrance, CA or at select locations worldwide. 5 days of training changes everything! Ages 6 and up, no experience necessary. Learn more and register today at https://www.BullyproofSummerCamp.com

Baltimore Police Department, one of the 10 largest agencies in the United States, has officially adopted the SafeWrap system and is preparing for a full department-wide rollout. In this video, Rener, Ryron, and Bernardo lead BPD’s very first SafeWrap in-service training, joined by special guests from the Philadelphia Police Department and Washington DC Metro PD. SafeWrap is a proprietary system that requires licensing for institutional use. To learn more about SafeWrap instructor certification, visit http://www.SafeWrapSystem.com.

Luckily, his mom wasn’t there. 😬

It all happens slowly - no flashy spin... but that doesn't make it any less effective. https://www.GracieUniversity.com

New York needs help. Last week, Timothy Brown was arrested in a Brooklyn liquor store in a case of mistaken identity. Within hours, the incident was labeled “extremely disturbing and unacceptable,” and the officers were placed on modified duty pending review. It was an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. But there is a bigger issue no one is talking about. In 2020, New York passed the “Diaphragm Law,” making it a crime for officers to apply pressure to a subject’s chest or back in a way that could affect breathing, even if unintentional and even if no injury occurs. The goal was safety. The result has been the opposite. By removing the most basic and historically safe control positions, officers are often left with fewer safe options, increasing the likelihood of escalation to strikes, Tasers, or worse. Rener warned about this in 2020. We are now seeing the consequences, in this incident and so many other like it. In 2024, we were brought in to train NYPD instructors in SafeWrap, a control system designed specifically for these situations. But after a leadership change, the program was never fully implemented. If we are going to tell officers what they cannot do, we must also give them safe, effective alternatives. SafeWrap is one of those solutions. Help get this message to Mayor Mamdani and Comissioner Tisch. We will share updates on next steps. http://www.SafeWrapSystem.com

Only. Every. Time. Key detail: Effective chopsticks 🥢 Visit http://www.GracieUniversity.com to access over 30 online lessons for free, along with a list of all our Certified Training Centers worldwide.

Still gets me every time. 🥹 All Luis needed was the confidence to set boundaries as the skills to back them up. It’s amazing how little jiu-jitsu it takes to change the trajectory of someone’s life. If you know a child who struggles to stand up for themselves, get them to the Gracie Bullyproof Summer Camp. 5 days, 1 goal, ages 6 and up. No previous experience needed! Join us at our headquarters in Torrance, CA from July 27-31, 2026 and save $100 when you register before May 1, or visit the website to pick from over 25 certified Bullyproof Summer Camp locations worldwide. http://www.BullyproofSummerCamp.com And for any family that is really struggling with bullies but cannot afford the camp, reach out to me directly and we’ll find a way to help. 🙏

We are very proud to announce an official partnership with the Baltimore Police Department aimed at drastically improving safety for officers and civilians during use of force encounters. We invented the SafeWrap System exactly two years ago (April 17, 2024) and effectively today, the system will be taught to all new recruits at the BPD police academy and to all in-service officers. SafeWrap was originally invented for hospital use on psychiatric patients, but as soon as we discovered how to apply handcuffs from the lateral restraint position it has spread rapidly throughout law enforcement in the US and abroad. Hundreds of agencies (federal, state, and local - law enforcement and corrections) have already adopted the system and many others are following right behind. The system is also being adopted by Fire/EMS personnel as well as several large hospital systems. Most importantly, not a single serious injury has resulted from its use (to date)! The SafeWrap system is proprietary and does require a license for institutional use. Learn more and get certified at http://www.SafeWrapSystem.com.

When it comes to chokes, deeper isn’t always better. Particularly with Anaconda and D’Arce chokes, I often see students struggle with “the squeeze.” Upon Anaconda investigation it’s almost always a case of the wrist/forearm on the choking arm penetrating too far past the vascular structures of the neck and into the subject’s armpit (as beginners we’re often taught that chokes need to be “as deep as possible” so it’s a very understandable mistake). One of the best ways to overcome this is to retract the elbow of the choking arm so that the forearm is directly compressing the neck, but this can be hard to do without losing control of the subject’s trapped arm. This is where the use of our legs makes ALL the difference. By using our top leg to limit the subject’s range of motion and escape potential, we can adjust the arms into a perfect choking position with minimal risk of losing control. If you’re ever in the Bahamas, stop by Bahamas Jiu-Jitsu and enjoy a free class on me!