Teaching children the life-long skill of Brazilian jiu jitsu can be a great way to instill discipline, self-confidence and respect. But, is it really for kids? Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks to see if your child should Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Why Should Kids Train Jiu Jitsu

Let’s look at the following considerations – ranging from physical preparedness to learning environment – that may help you make an informed decision about whether BJJ classes will be beneficial for your child. In addition, we’ll discuss:

• How practicing Jiu Jitsu differs from other forms of martial arts.
• How to determine if a school or class is suitable for kids.
• What safety precautions are necessary for teaching kids Jiu Jitsu.
• Some tips on how to make sure kids are still having fun while learning valuable skills.

Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Is Great For Kids

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a contact sport that offers numerous benefits for kids. Here are 4 key areas where BJJ will be is great for your kids:

• Physical Strength: jiu jitsu involves a lot of physical activity, which is great exercise for growing bodies. In addition to building strength through the application of ground techniques, children also develop cardiovascular strength and agility – both essential skills for general health and well-being.
• Mental Strength: Jiu Jitsu requires intense focus from participants in order to anticipate moves, remain disciplined during rolls, practice strategies safely, and remember key technical details from their jiu jitsu instructors. Over time this mental focus develops an impressive level of mental fortitude that serves children for many years to come.
• Teamwork: jiu jitsu has a heavy emphasis on working together harmoniously with opponents or fellow students. This team mentality teaches not only the art of cooperating with others but also understanding when to use strength versus finesse during grappling situations – something that all great martial artists need to understand in order to be successful in this sport.
• Self Defense: Ultimately one of the main reasons why people get involved in martial arts is because they want learn how to protect themselves if necessary. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will give children that knowledge while teaching them discipline so they understand when it’s appropriate to use their training in self-defense.
• Mental Benefits: Sparring helps with stress release, reduced anxiety and better problem solving ability due to increased confidence gained through regular sparring sessions – this will teach them how to think quickly under pressure when needed most!
• Competition Preparedness: In many cases kids competitively participate against one another or at tournaments outside of their Grappling Teams, such as Wrestling or Judo – here they will learn how to face opponents while also learning valuable sportsmanship qualities like respect & determination as well as resilience when overcoming adversity (losing round/match etc).

It’s important to note that these are just some of the benefits training BJJ can bring to you and your children; generally any rigorous physical activity (like many other martial arts) is beneficial but with trained instructors teaching proper techniques ensures safety first without neglecting progress towards physical & mental goals applicable outside jiu jitsu dojos too!

So while the physical aspect is important in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the mental aspect is just as important – if not more so – in allowing children to reach their full potential both on the mat and not.

The Different Types of BJJ Training for Kids

When researching the different types of training available for your child, there are several factors to consider. The age range, physical abilities and learning pace of your child all influence the type of BJJ class they will benefit from most. Here are four commonly offered classes that you can explore:

1. Recreational classes – These are often oriented towards beginners or younger children who have just begun training jiu jitsu. This type of class is focused on providing participants (preferably at a young age) with an introduction to the fundamentals of BJJ, while promoting safety and having fun at the same time. The objective is to teach children basic techniques through drills in order to develop an understanding of body movement and positioning.
2. Traditional classes – these jiu jitsu classes focus on teaching students how to perform each technique correctly in order to achieve its full potential benefit, such as power generation or balance improvement. In this type of training, emphasis is placed on perfecting technique rather than competition or sparring performance. BJJ curriculum consists of both offensive and defensive skills including joint locks, chokes, throws and many other grappling maneuvers.
3. Sparring classes – Typically intended for more advanced students who want to take their training beyond basic technical instruction into actual live practice drills with opponents on padded mats used for safe and functional full contact sparring activities. These courses also give participants more confidence in their ability by pushing past mental fear barriers associated with physical contact situations with strangers. Training in this category helps aspiring athletes learn proper timing related strategies as well as reversal tactics when possible against resisting adversaries.
4. Competition Training – Intended exclusively for those students who wish to build themselves into a competitive athlete looking to be entered into local tournaments often where points can be scored against opponent’s awarding ranking levels depending upon results achieved within its various divisions based upon size, weight, gender & skill levels. Competition courses also provide vital insight into overall strategies related specifically to most competitive formats often helping participants gain insight quickly when confronted by different realities on next level playing fields.

What Are The Risks of BJJ Training for Kids?

When training BJJ it is important to keep in mind the risks associated with this martial art and how it may affect children. Although a number of benefits come from BJJ participation, there are some potential dangers to consider when enrolling your child in a class.

One of the biggest dangers associated with Brazilian jiu jitsu for kids is injury. Like any martial art, the physical contact in BJJ can lead to injuries such as bruises, lacerations and even broken bones in some cases. It is paramount that an experienced coach be present during your child’s training sessions to ensure they can quickly react and intervene if any dangerous situations arise.

There is also potential danger that comes from performing moves improperly or executing techniques inaccurately. As with any martial art, instruction should be provided appropriately by experienced practitioners who understand the fundamentals of safety measures in BJJ. A strong emphasis on proper technique and training methods should be implemented throughout each class, so that children learn how to move correctly and avoid injuries resulting from incorrect performances of techniques.

In addition to physical danger involved in participating in BJJ for kids, there are also emotional risks associated with this sport as well as other martial arts. It’s important for parents to ensure that their child’s relationship with their coach or instructor is positive and done in a safe environment at all times – ensuring that bullying or aggressive behavior does not occur within their lessons or interactions with other students.

It’s important for coaches and instructors to emphasize positive reinforcement rather than aggressive competition or punishment-based discipline with other kids – making sure all students feel supported regardless of skill level or success within a session.

How To Choose The Right BJJ School For Your Child

For your child to reap the most benefit from BJJ classes, it’s important to find a school and an instructor that is the right fit.

At Team Temple BJJ, we will be offering kids classes soon.

We teach kids jiu jitsu.

Check back soon for updates on this page.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many benefits of Brazilian jiu jitsu for children. It can help build physical fitness, coordination, strength and confidence. It can improve social skills and reduce aggression and teach goal setting.

Your child should only be allowed to train Brazilian jiu jitsu at their own pace, under the supervision of a qualified instructor with appropriate safety parameters in place. Ensure that your child is ready to commit to regular classes when deciding whether or not to sign them up for martial arts training.

Ultimately, all decisions about a child’s potential enrolment in any activity should be made carefully and with your knowledge of the effects it might have on their social, psychological and physical health in mind.