KIDS CLASSES
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s reliance on the use of technique, leverage and smooth movement as opposed to strength, makes it the perfect choice also for women and children. Children from the age of 5 will learn how to defend themselves, develop incredible coordination, flexibility, agility, and get super fit while having fun in the process.
Learning a martial art is widely regarded as being pivotal in the formation of children’s character and self-confidence, which they will carry with them all through their lives. Kids also want and need to be challenged, both physically and mentally, and guaranteed they will find that challenge in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
Kids classes are split into two age groups – Kids BJJ: 5 to 9 year-olds; and Teens BJJ: 10 to 14 year-olds. The kids curriculum starts with our Anti-Bullying Program. Here they will learn BJJ through the use of a range of fun games.
Curriculum
Normal Kids Classes run for 30 minutes, and are usually split into four components:
1 – An Initial demonstration of respect towards their coach (bowing) and their training partners, followed by a quick chat reminding them of the Anti-Bullying principles;
2 – Kids will then begin to warm up, and learn basic mobility exercises.
3 – The third part of the class is focused on the technique of the day, following the school curriculum. The best part of it is the kids won’t even notice that it is a class because they’re learning through games!
4 – At the end, the kids line up, and say goodbye, bowing to their coach and partners. Kids will not only become more confident individually, but they will also start feeling that they are part of a new family, their new BJJ family!
Anti-Bullying Principles
Throughout the program, they will learn the importance of our Anti-Bullying Program principles:
1
Becoming confident enough to a point where verbal abuse will no longer have any profound impact on them, let it go “in one ear and out the other”.
2
Learn to become confident enough to be able to communicate assertively both with the bully and with their teachers and parents;
3
And only as a last resort, if, and only if, the bully becomes physically aggressive, to be able to control the distance to a point where the bully’s strikes become ineffective, take the bully to the ground and without the use of strikes or any unnecessary violence, to be able to immobilise the aggressor and control the situation.
BELT SYSTEM | KIDS
Similarly to the adult belt system, all kids start as white belts. Depending on their dedication and progress they begin to receive stripes on their belt. After 4 stripes, the student is considered to be ready for the next belt.
The main difference between the kids and the adult belt systems is the number of belt colours. We understand the importance of being constantly valued and praised, especially at an early age, and having your hard work recognized. It is for this reason that kids go through a higher number of belt colours than adults usually have to.
The kids’ belt system, as recognized by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation is as follows: White, Grey, Yellow, Orange and Green, with three intermediate steps between each belt colour. This system is designed so that no teenager can reach his/her first adult belt (Blue) until they are 16 years old.