Let's Roll BJJ

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial arts combat sport that teaches self-defense, promotes physical fitness, and builds character.

It’s a way of life that has a profound impact on anyone involved in the sport.

The benefits of training BJJ are immeasurable for students of all ages, even children.

The key to unlocking the physical, social, and emotional benefits of Jiu Jitsu for younger children is to start training at the right time. 

So, what’s the best age Jiu Jitsu students should begin training? When is it safe for your child to engage in a contact sport? These are all common questions parents consider before they place their child as a new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu student. Most BJJ schools have complete programs and dedicated classes for young students.

When it comes to children, BJJ helps encourage positive growth and development. But the “earlier the better” is not necessarily a good rule of thumb for martial arts training. Let’s take a closer look at kids in BJJ.

When should kids start? What can parents expect? Where does your child fit? We’ve got all your answers to help guide you towards the right decision when it comes to starting your child in training. 

What’s the Best Age to Start Jiu Jitsu for Kids? 

When it comes to kids training in BJJ, there’s no black and white answer for what’s the best age. That’s because the right answer is specific to your child.

Some children start as young as three or four-years-old. The problem with starting your child too young is that they can develop an aversion for the sport if they’re not ready. 

Most BJJ professionals suggest starting your child around the age of six or when they are in first grade. That’s because they’ve already developed a basic level of independence.

By first grade, the school structure has already instilled in them the importance of discipline, following instructions, and positive social interactions. 

The best way to determine whether or not your child is ready for BJJ training is to give it a try.

Things to consider before enrolling your child in Jiu Jitsu

• Do they have the communication skills necessary to verbalize their needs and desires to an instructor independently? Can they sit through a class for the expected time frame? 
• Are they bathroom trained? 
• Can they follow the rules? Are they teachable? Will they listen to instruction and feedback? If not, you may want to wait to enroll. 
• Am I willing to provide positive encouragement and motivation? 
• Is there a school nearby? Both you and your child need to commit to their enrollment, and convenience has a lot to do with that success. 
• Do they have any friends, family members, or peers in a local class? While they’ll undoubtedly make lots of new friends along the way, going into a class where they know someone can help motivate them and ease the transition. 

Being shy or outgoing is ok, but a child who refuses to participate or is too distractible might not be ready just yet. Social maturity has a lot to do with your child’s success in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training.

The good news is that an experienced BJJ coach can help evaluate your child and determine if they’re ready now or if they need more time. 

The key to your child’s success is, to be honest with their instructor about their abilities and open to suggestions. The better you communicate on your child’s behalf, the closer they will be to finding the right age to start their BJJ journey. 

Kids in BJJ

Starting your child in BJJ can genuinely change their life for the better. It’s a positive hobby that goes beyond the basic concept of learning of self-defense.

The physical, social, and emotional benefits of BJJ for kids include

• Physical agility, flexibility, and muscle development
• Promotes normal development
• Improves coordination and balance
• Helps control and manage behaviors
• Provides a positive outlet for energy 
• Helps cope with and accept emotions
• Strengthens memory and brain function, encourages positive mental growth
• Teaches good sportsmanship, helps children learn to work well with others
• Boosts self-confidence
• Improves focus
• Helps develop leadership skills and problem-solving skills
• Reduces stress
• Encourages respect, patience, and commitment
• Teaches kids about goal setting and following through

BJJ even promotes anti-bullying, both teaching children to defend themselves against bullies and to avoid bullying others. 

Before you enroll your child in a BJJ class, there are a few things parents should remember.

For starters, will your child join Jiu Jitsu as a healthy activity or as a competitor? Jiu Jitsu, as a regular activity, is healthy at a younger age.

5 to 7-year-olds should start by taking a class to learn the basics of the art.

8 to 12-year-olds are usually mature enough to put in the training work, follow the rules of the mat, and deal with losses in a healthy way. 

Whether training competitively or not, keep in mind that not all children are born athletic. But they can become athletic with a team of support and consistent training.

The old saying goes, “practice makes perfect,” and this is especially true for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Encourage your kids to practice.

Don’t put too much pressure on winning competitions or moving to the next belt. Be enthusiastic about small victories, like learning a new skill, training hard, and any other sign of growth.

Remember, how you act affects your children. Parents and coaches need balance, too.

Age Groups

Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools over classes that are split into age groups. The requirements of each group are focused on age-appropriate expectations for your child.

Here are some examples of different age groups you will find in Jiu Jitsu training:

• Classes for 5-7-year-old students usually only run 30 minutes long. This helps students retain knowledge and stay interested in the class and the instruction. 
• Classes for 8-12-year-old students have a different focus for instruction and can be anywhere from 45-60 minutes long.
• 13-16-year-old students are not considered children or adults and have different physical and mental needs than other students. Their classes are focused on those needs. 
• 17+ usually train with adult groups. 

While your child’s Jiu Jitsu school will most likely have specific age groups for classes, you can talk to instructors about the particular needs of your child and place them accordingly.

Some schools even use a mixed age group approach.

For example, students ages 4-12 will train together, warming up as a group then splitting into smaller teams.

This is known to be beneficial for younger children who look to older students as positive role models. 

What to Expect

Now that you understand how age plays a role in your child’s success in BJJ, let’s take a moment to go over what to expect when you sign up.

The first class is always a trial for new students. They’ll get to know the environment of their school and meet coaches and classmates. Both you and the instructor should be able to get a vibe from your child based on their first class.

Ultimately, you want to make it a fun, positive experience that leaves your child excited about the sport. 

Arrive a few minutes early so your child can get comfortable with the school. If you’ve already signed up, you might get a BJJ uniform called a Gi. Getting it ahead of time will help your child fit in and feel more comfortable.

If you don’t have a uniform yet, be sure they wear comfortable clothes.

They should come dressed in sweats or shorts and a t-shirt, the clothing they would typically wear to participate in physical activity. 

You can usually find a decent kid’s Jiu Jitus gi between $35 – $70.

Since it requires less material to make, the smaller the kid, the cheaper the gi will be, and because prices are always changing, check Amazon for kids BJJ gis.

Tips for Parents

Now that you’ve covered all the basics, let’s go over some quick tips for parents to help promote your child’s success as they begin this new lifestyle. 

Avoid setting your expectations too high.

Doing so can create a negative experience for your child. Don’t expect them to act like perfect children throughout the class. Depending on the age they start, these may be skills they need to learn as time goes on. Fortunately, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an excellent tool for discipline. 

Let the coach handle your kids.

It’s easy to jump up and start shouting instructions from the sideline, but this won’t help your child. Leave the coaching to the coach. Some schools even ask that you don’t watch your child, except for specified dates and times. Even if your child is bugging other children or testing the instructors, let their coach handle it. This will help them develop a good relationship with their coaches and promote self-discipline over time. 

Just because your child gets upset one day, don’t quit.

Every child gets upset at some point. Make sure nothing is seriously wrong, then encourage them to get back on the mat. The only time you should let them quit is if you really feel they aren’t enjoying the sport. 

Let your child be the guide.

If they want to add additional training sessions each week, give it a try. If they want to train less, ask questions. Listen to what they are telling you. 

Be sure your child’s instructors are a good fit. Check the coach to student ratio. Just like parents, coaches can come down too hard on kids at times. If you don’t feel like the coach is a good fit for your child, don’t feel bad. Simply look for another class or another school that works better. 

Avoid pressure

Parents need to set positive, realistic expectations on and off the mat. Training is a long marathon, not a sprint. Each child develops at their own pace. Be patient and let them find their way in their own time. 

Be a safety net

Kids who have a positive support system are much more likely to be successful and stick with the sport. For most kids, motivation comes from their families. You need to be understanding when they fail, but strong enough to encourage them to get up and try again. 

Enrolling your child in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will be a life-changing experience for your entire family.

If you think your child is ready for the sport, let them give it a try. Without forcing the sport on your kids, encourage consistency, and give them the tools they need for success.

Remember, not all kids will be world champions. Your job right now is to make sure your child is having fun. When kids truly find enjoyment in the sport, BJJ becomes a lifestyle that benefits them emotionally, physically, and socially.

What better gift to give your kids than a tool that positively impacts every aspect of their growth and development? 

Check out our article, Here’s Why Jiu Jitsu is the Best Martial Art for Kids

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Today we’re going to talk about the different benefits of youth sports for children. As well as the stresses and pressure that they can cause on both parents and kids alike.

If you are the parent of a young child, entering the world of youth sports can feel extremely overwhelming.

The youth sports industrial complex has made a big business out of what used to be a simple world of care-free sports.

Ratcheting up the pressure and making every parent think their child will be set up for failure if they aren’t playing on five travel teams and taking one-on-one lessons with a personal coach from the moment they begin playing.

Youth sports have come to resemble the professional sports leagues that welcome one in a million to their ranks.

Reading that first paragraph, you feel ready to throw in the towel and keep your youngster out of the world of youth sports entirely – especially for the pre-k crowd.

If you keep a level head and approach the experience with a positive, low-key mindset, there are dozens of benefits waiting for your little athlete.

Keep an open mind and allow your child to spread their wings in youth sports, and both parent and child can experience immense personal growth. For many children, playing sports becomes a crucial part of their development, both socially and physically.

The physical benefits of playing youth sports are obvious. By playing sports, children develop body control and an awareness of their movements.

Childhood obesity continues to rise at an alarming rate, but children who begin playing sports at a young age are over 60 percent less likely to become obese later in life.

Learning the value of physical activity and exercise while their brains are still forming allows children to form positive associations with being active. Those healthy habits and a passion for moving can last a lifetime.

Playing youth sports also helps children become stronger and makes their bodies healthier.

Their endurance improves and they are able to run longer and faster and jump higher. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest contributors to poor health, and children must be guided into staying active.

The risk of developing heart disease and diabetes drop dramatically when an active lifestyle is started from a young age.

Children love to run, jump and play – foster that youthful exuberance and channel it through sports and it can set them up for a lifetime of joyful movement.

In this age of screens and constant scrolling and tapping, your child will benefit from as much time on their feet as possible.

The physical benefits of sports for young children are numerous. There are also so many social benefits they can reap by getting involved. Sports teach self esteem and show children that they are able to accomplish many things they set their mind too.

Playing sports also helps children learn to set goals, unlocking huge confidence boosts when they become accomplishments. Sports will allow your child to realize they have many talents and become excited about developing them.

Discipline is also a huge part of being on a sports team, and another benefit of getting your child started as an athlete at a young age.

It’s no secret that many children lack self control and discipline – no fault of their own, it’s hard being a kid!

Sports teach children to follow directions, learn and respect rules and control their emotions.

Something as simple as performing a footwork drill or standing in line waiting for their turn to shoot the ball is actually very important in a child’s development.

Following the structured rules of a game of basketball or soccer is much different from unstructured play time. Both are important, but children’s brains benefit from stability and boundaries.

Team sports also play a key role in helping children develop their ability to share, work together, respect others and make great friendships.

Almost every adult remains friends deep into their grown lives with at least one person they played sports with as a child.

Teamwork and sharing do not always come naturally to children, especially before they start kindergarten. Youth sports teach them to work with others. Everyone has seen the videos of first-time soccer tots all coming together to chase the ball in a giant herd.

Within a year, they’ll be playing a game that much more closely resembles soccer as adults know it thanks to learning how to think like a team instead of a single unit trying to score all on their own every time the ball comes close to them.

A good coach will foster a sense of belonging in his youth athletes, allowing each of them to feel as though they have an important role on the team.

Every child should get a chance to have a leadership role while playing youth sports, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to an adult. Children value feeling as though they bring something important and valuable to the group.

Having a chance to act as a leader among their peers gives children an opportunity to thrive in their own world without having to feel beholden to adults at all times.

Being on a team teaches children how to respect and value their teammates, forming tight social bonds.

In many towns, children will play with the same group for their entire sports career. This allows them to form a sense of community and belonging. Children learn that they must work together with others to win as a team.

A team that works together will often be able to take down a disorganized bunch with one elite star player. Being able to work as a team is an important part of a child’s future as an adult. We must all be able to work in a team setting to do our jobs well.

Communication is also a huge part of playing sports, and children must learn how to effectively relay their desires, plans, feelings and excitement in a mature way.

This can be something as simple as calling for a pass at the right time or pointing a teammate to the right spot while running a play.

Your child may also learn how to effectively express frustration with a teammate in a way that can be constructive for everyone on the team.

Do not forget that sports can be frustrating for players of all ages – how often are we treated to a pair of professional athletes locked in a heated argument on the bench after a bad play?

In addition to communicating with their teammates, children who play youth sports also benefit from developing their ability to talk to adults.

This can be intimidating for young children, but a good coach makes a big difference.

The best coaches treat their young athletes like equals, allowing them to feel valued and important. Children who play sports have better relationships with their teachers and are more comfortable opening up to adults.

Many of the benefits that children experience from playing youth sports can be felt and seen by their parents almost immediately, but there are many longer-term benefits that will be felt later in life.

Children who become involved in sports at a young age and continue to play into adolescence can expect to experience lifelong boosts in their physical wellbeing.

They also perform better academically and have intimate relationships that can only be formed with others while working together to strive for a common goal.

We’ve all been led to believe that our child will one day receive an athletic scholarship to the university of their choosing.

It’s a dream that has become peddled with increasing regularity as the cost of higher education gets out of control, but not realistic for most young athletes.

While playing sports is unlikely to result in a free trip to college for most kids, just getting out there and playing increases there chances of succeeding academically.

Athletes are more likely to stay in school and stay out of trouble.

They also perform better on tests, develop time management skills and go on to graduate college. These are all the types of outcomes we want for our children.

These are the outcomes that matter more than getting a scholarship or playing on an elite travel team. Former athletes are disproportionately represented in upper levels of corporate management and political office.

There’s sadly has been a decline in the participation rates in youth sports. Meaning many children are missing out on the crucial benefits outlined above.

It is a sad trend, but is easily explained by the changing attitudes about youth sports.

For many parents, youth sports have become more about the long-term hope of seeing their child earn a scholarship.

Many are putting unfair expectations on children at an age where they are barely able to think past lunch. Parents must take a step back and remember the true purpose of youth sports.

Participation rates are declining because all of the benefits of youth sports have been discounted in favor of things that benefit parents first and children second.

Too many children who are not elite athletes are turned off by the win-at-all-costs mentality that has become pervasive in the youth sports world.

Children who do not show an immediate talent at a young age are often overlooked or ignored by coaches who are only interested in working with the best of the best.

Ninety percent of children choose to play sports because they want to have fun. Ninety percent!

Having fun needs to be at the forefront of every season of youth sports, but it isn’t. It is the adults who would benefit from reflecting on why children find sports fun.

Here are the reasons that children enjoy playing youth sports:

• They get a chance to do their best
• Being treated like an equal by the coach
• Making friends with teammates
• Playing as a team
• Having a chance to perform

All of those points were touched on in the preceding paragraphs of this post.

Kids have an innate understanding of why they should be playing sports without even being told the answers by adults!

If it’s that easy for children to identify many of the benefits of playing youth sports. Then maybe the grownups should get out of the way and let the children take the lead.

Adults can benefit from watching their children play sports, too.

There is nothing more exciting than watching your child’s face light up when they have success on the field or seeing them improve through consistent hard work or practice.

It is just important to remember not to put pressure on your children to become the next Michael Jordan or Tom Brady. It is your job as a parent to make sure your child is having fun while playing sports, not their job to please you by performing well.

There is not a specific age set in stone for when to get your kids started in youth sports.

It is up to the parent to know their own child’s limitations and maturity.

Some children will be ready as young as two years old, while others won’t have the attention span until they’re much closer to kindergarten.

When a child shows an ability to follow simple directions from adults and can be left alone from their parent for up to an hour, it may be a good time to pick a sport to test out.

Start your kids slowly when you do jump in. A structured gymnastics class is a great way for kids to begin learning to control their movements, follow directions, improve their balance and strengthen their muscles.

We all want to mold our children into successful future adults.

Being involved in youth sports can become a major stepping stone on their path to success.

If you are preparing to introduce your son or daughter to sports, follow their lead. Start slow with a minimally-structured environment where the emphasis is more on learning the basics of a sport than playing full games.

Give it time, allow them to try more than one sport before settling on a favorite and go from there.

You will both benefit from the experience!