It depends a little on each child. The youngest we recommend is ~3 ½ yrs old. That said, some kids are ready then and sometimes it takes a little longer for them to have the focus to make it through a class. With a little individual work we can get them there.

For older kids, what we have found is that after around 12-13 yrs it becomes really important to keep them in a closely related peer group. Then, by the time they are ~16 we find an adult class that fits them well.

So we have rough guidelines but it almost always comes down to the individual. We break down ages in the following groups;

~ 3 ½ to ~ 6 ½

7 to 9 (ish)

9 (ish) to 11 (ish)

Teens

The kids choose to get on the mat. This may seem obvious to adults, but we have found that it is pretty empowering to kids. From the first visit our goal is to help the child understand and navigate their environment.

Formalities, (such as taking off your shoes, putting on your gi, and bowing on the mat), all represent little decisions to participate in class. What we have found is that when this is presented correctly and followed through on, the kids do a great job of deciding they want to participate, and then doing so, (or not).

This is one of the main goals of self defense, (do I wish to be here - if not, how do I leave). We believe that the sooner the child is given, (and accepts), agency over decisions, the sooner they thrive.

If you are worried about your child not engaging with the class, know that that is a common concern and one we are almost always able to overcome when the child has time and context to understand.

There is no punching or kicking in our kids program. Jiu Jitsu is a grappling based martial art, similar to wrestling, however Jiu Jitsu allows more options and opportunities to win and is thus more technique driven. While this gives less athletic students more tools to succeed, we are always working to increase the athleticism of the kids while helping them learn how to balance technique with physicality.

These guard rails help direct the training. Since there is no striking and we remove techniques that might injure, the kids get a chance to spar/wrestle with the technique and truly make it their own. It is hard to do that with most traditional martial arts or those that are under the umbrella of functional striking arts; (Boxing, Muay Thai, etc.).

We teach kids a blend of old school Jiu Jitsu, (positional defense first), with modern style - more competition based Jiu Jitsu. It is taught in a manner that allows the kids to effectively spar. This combination allows kids to develop skill and confidence fairly quickly.

All of this combined means that the Jiu JItsu kid will be exposed to productive sparring much earlier in their path to becoming a martial artist. The sooner, and more productively they can spar - the better they will be.

We follow the IBJJF belt graduation guidelines. This is the gold standard for Jiu JItsu belt promotions and the only one that is followed for legitimate competitions and competitors.

Belt promotions are not the focus of the academy, but rather the yardstick we use to make sure that our promotions are in line with the highest standards. Working through the belts allows both kids and adults to breakdown a large goal into manageable chunks and work towards an end.

What I think children appreciate most is for them to look back and remember earning the color belt most closely associated with their age. With consistent attendance they will get enough exposure to earn the rank. They will also feel like, and know, they earned it. This is a HUGE confidence booster for kids.

If, by the time of their 16th birthday, they are ready for their first adult colored belt, blue belt, they will be in a very small, (an enviable), group. Our goal isn’t the belt promotion - it’s the skill it represents and the hard work it took to get there. Small consistent steps help them get there.

No, neither can anyone else. Side stepping any semantic differences between resistant and proofing, I think the whole bully and bully proof thing is a little overplayed.

It is healthy for kids to recognize when someone is trying to push them around verbally or otherwise. That said when you yourself, as an adult, are caught off guard by an overwhelmingly rude, belligerent, and/or violent person……. are you really able to detach from the emotion of the moment and reflect back on prior training that helps you correctly identify that person as a “bully” and then recall the directions you were “taught” and then effectively engage that person? Neither can a 7 year old.

Unless you have a lot of experience and training in that specific arena, what you are going to be doing is what we in the industry commonly call “reacting”. That is what kids will do also. If the child has a good sense of self and has been in a solid Jiu Jitsu program they will have significantly better reactions.

Jiu Jitsu helps all kids, (those prone to being bullies and those prone to being bullied), socialize better and recognize/respect people and their boundaries very well.

Martial Arts is about mutual welfare and respect. This helps everyone get along better and gives your kids some good tools to react more favorably when others don’t show the same regard.

Moving well, playing well, and developing as much practical skill with the art as possible.

We don’t prioritize one element of the art; (competition, self-defense, etc.) over the others. Developing skill with Jiu Jitsu takes a lot of practice. Our aim is to make that as engaging as possible - then get out of the kids way and give them room to explore what they can do with the art.

We do run classes in a fairly strict manner, however the aim is to help the kids navigate the art. To that end we meet each group of kids where they are at, then help them develop and grow skill from there.

What this looks like in practice is that your kid(s) will be exposed to a cluster or group of techniques that we focus on until the class makes progress. Before they get bored with the material and games that comprise that cluster of techniques, we move on to a closely related, but different, focus.

Life has enough competition - they don’t have to compete in Jiu Jitsu also. Unless of course the kids want to and/or it would significantly help them.

Competition would actually help a large number of kids. That said, a lot of kids and parents don’t want to compete - we at the academy aren’t there to talk you into something you don’t want to do, (see above: getting on the tatami for the first time).

If your kids want to compete there are a few good options in the area. If your family is interested just let us know and we can start talking prep.

In the class though you won’t see a “competition” practice. You will often see a competitive practice. You will often see a competitive element. Actual, legitimate, Jiu Jitsu competitions though are their own unique animal - unless your kids, and you want that, we aren’t going to push it.

Not if you don’t have qualified instruction and supervision.

The party line answer to this is supposed to be a hard no, however, for those who actually have kids you understand that children are naturally curious, like to explore boundaries, and can get out of control if given the opportunity. As a teacher I don’t like simplistic answers that avoid obvious truths - like, can kids get hurt playing sports.

That said, kids don’t get injured in our classes because we match their abilities and tendencies with the activities. They have phenomenal supervision and instruction. They also, being kids, play too hard some times and naturally get sad at the outcome. We use this opportunity to help them learn how to play well together - even if things don’t go their way.

I haven’t seen a legitimate Kids Jiu Jitsu injury yet, however I have seen a lot of tears. The tatami is a healthy and safe place for kids to cry if and when it should ever happen. Kids can certainly get hurt if the play isn’t overseen in a thoughtful manner. Occasional tears though is all you should see in a good room. There should be enough fun and joy in the training in general, that any tears that may come dry up quick as we get back to play.

No - not until they have a good handle on the basics of positioning and control. This is related to the comment about qualified instruction and supervision above.

Gymnastics has back flips. Basketball has slam dunks. Jiu Jitsu has submissions. In each of those endeavors you have to learn the basics - well - before you move on.

Once they know the basics well and have had a good introduction to, and experience with, sparring in general, we will sprinkle in the submissions as is appropriate for each age range.

We build to it, not start with it.

One of the hidden secrets of martial arts is that a large amount of the practice is about concession, or how to physically compose oneself when things don’t go your way. Jiu Jitsu helps kids turn frustration into focus. Focus of effort and energy is what allows technique to happen.

We do want our kids to develop the ability to aggressively apply themselves to a task or mission. Part of that development is also developing the ability to meter or control your output. Wasted energy doesn’t help you get there faster.

Martial Arts are about self control. The confidence comes from that control. So while you might see a child become more confident, competitive, and have an increased ability to stay on task - you won’t see them become a rage monster that just wants to train. Not in a good school anyway. Good training makes better people.

A quality Jiu Jitsu academy helps all people become easier to get along with, (and harder to push around). Jiu Jitsu helps kids learn to play together better - not beat other people up.