by JiuJitsuMag | Mar 11, 2013 | Uncategorized | 1 comment

From Issue 13 of Jiu-Jitsu Magazine…Ronis Gracie is the 26 year-old grandson of Carlos Gracie, Sr. and son of Karla Gracie. Ronis, like every Gracie, began training jiu-jitsu at a very early age, entering his first competition at the age of 9. After taking some teenage years off from dedicated training, Ronis burst into the competitive ranks with two Brazilian National Championships, a second place finish at the 2010 Worlds, and other podium placements at various jiu-jitsu tournaments. Ronis was awarded his blue belt by his uncle Rilion Gracie, and his purple and brown by his uncle Carlos Gracie, Jr. By the time this issue hits the street, he will have received his black belt from his uncle Crolin Gracie in Brazil. In 2012, Ronis opened his own school under the Gracie Gym banner. His decision to break away from Gracie Barra was a business decision, but the split has caused some personal strife between him and some family members. His new role as school owner and teacher has called for some adjustments, but Ronis is making it work. There are now five Gracie Gym's in the United States, and eight in Brazil, with the schools in Brazil being overseen by his uncle Crolin. For this article, we asked Ronis about his take on side control, its application, and execution from the position. When it comes to side control, Ronis doesn't rush the process; he makes sure that he has the position stabilized and is in total control. When in side control he likes to always have a first target and a back up plan. Most of his attacks from side control concentrate on the arms and neck. When the elbows are up, the option to go for the mount is often wide open. Many times getting to the mount is a byproduct of working a submission from the side. Ronis maintains "tightness" at all times when working from side control. Ronis is going to walk us through both simple and tricky submissions from side control, along with an escape. www.jiujitsumag.com