What is BJJ?
Brazilian jiu jitsu, or BJJ, is a martial art and combat sport based on grappling and ground fighting using leverage, position, and technique to achieve submission of an opponent. Unlike other martial arts that focus on strikes and/or kicks, jiu jitsu uses close-contact holds and techniques such as chokeholds and joint-manipulations.
A core idea of BJJ is that a smaller, less physically imposing person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger opponent which makes BJJ perfect for kids especially in bullying situations. BJJ is also known as the “gentle art” not only because of the translation of jiu jitsu to English as such, but because of the emphasis of controlling an opponent without blunt force like striking.
What age is BJJ for?
While we would like to say BJJ is for all ages, there are, of course, limitations to keep in mind which have led us to set our children’s class minimum age to 5 years old.
Children younger than 5 typically are still developing many gross motor skills that might prevent them from being able to complete the more complex movements involved in jiu jitsu. Ages 4 and under are also still fairly egocentric meaning they are less aware of people and things occurring outside of themselves. This sport requires working with partners, respect for others, and good self control. Additionally, we’ve found that often the class length is difficult for young children to remain focused and engaged until the end.
As you wait for your child to reach the age minimum for our kids classes, we recommend the highly valuable toddler and preschool aged gymnastics, tumbling, and “ninja” classes available at several gyms around town. They are an excellent way for young children to develop coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility – all important skills they’ll need once they join our BJJ program.
Why should kids learn BJJ?
1. Fitness
The most obvious and most health beneficial reason is that BJJ is a sport and offers a great way for kids to be active. Training jiu jitsu means your son or daughter will be working on cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. Encouraging early habits of exercise and physical activity are core values in all youth sports and jiu jitsu stands is no exception. Not only is BJJ an excellent workout and sport in its own right, it is also complementary to many other sports. The basic skills and movements practiced every day in BJJ can directly impact and improve performance in other sports.
2. Self defense
With bullying at the forefront of so many conversations about school-aged children, it’s common to see many parents turn to martial arts for their children in an effort to “bully-proof” them. Not only can most martial arts provide defensive skills, they can boost a child’s self confidence making him less of an easy target. BJJ teaches kids to control their space so they can maintain a safe zone while de-escalating the situation. BJJ teaches kids how to safely break their falls, so they run less of a risk of injury when falling or being pushed down. BJJ teaches kids to break free from holds, even from larger and stronger people, so they can escape. BJJ teaches kids to perform controlled, submission chokes and holds to neutralize the aggressor without escalating the situation with punches or kicks.
3. Friendship
Group activities have always been a way for social bonding, and BJJ can help every member, adult, teen, or child, create long lasting friendships. BJJ requires frequent partnership through drills and sparring encouraging cooperation and teamwork. Nothing builds camaraderie like cheering on your teammates at a jiu jitsu tournament and celebrating lessons learned or victories earned together.
4. Discipline
Martial arts are well known for their emphasis on respect, self control, and discipline. In BJJ, we ensure each member shows and receives equal respect on and off the mat. While the acts of bowing to enter the training mat, friendly fist bumps with partners before sparring, and making eye contact and giving a firm handshake to each person at the end of class may seem small, they instill respect for others, respect for the art, and respect for oneself. Kids learn responsibility for their actions especially when they have the chance of hurting themselves or someone else reinforcing self-discipline with every class.
5. Hard Work
Possibly the most important reason we believe children should train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is to learn the value of hard work. BJJ is not easy. It takes perseverance and dedication to improve and stick with jiu jitsu. Kids will learn from their failures just as much as their successes. They will learn goal setting and achievement while they train. Challenge offers growth. Difficulty encourages strength.
Through hard work, your child will thrive.
The obstacle becomes the way.
