Children's Jiu-Jitsu Classes - Crosley Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts

Programs Children's Jiu-Jitsu Classes

About

In our Kids Programs, we instill in our students the qualities that will help them throughout their lives. Through the principles of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu our kids learn that Commitment, Respect, Focus, Self-Discipline, Hard Work and Effort always make for a rewarding experience and bring positive results. We build our classes in a way where the kids know exactly how many classes they must attend and how they must behave in order to get stripes and belt promotions.

We specialize in empowering children who have never joined any physical activity or have been victims of constant bullying at school, into confident, respectful and skilled martial artists.

Our techniques aren't based on kicking and punching. Nor are they based on katas or prearranged set of movements carried out on a cooperative training partner. Instead, our kids will learn how to apply grappling techniques on a resisting training partner who's not cooperating and is counteracting with his own moves, much like as what you'd see on the streets. Among the techniques we teach are, defense against strikes, closing the distance, clinching and takedowns, reversals from their back and submissions, such as chokes and joint locks.

Self defense demo

7 year old in competition highlight

Jiu-Jitsu Official Belt System

Our Approach on Kids with ADD/ADHD

Studies have shown that people with learning differences such as ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), when faced with learning a physical/mental discipline such as martial arts, the brain begins to develop new pathways, and to use those pathways more efficiently than it did before. Many people are able to reduce their dosage of medication or quit taking it altogether.

Our classes are always based on lots of repetition. Everything that we do from warm-ups to self-defense drills is developed to enhance focus, reflexes and induce second nature reactions overtime. Below, are some of the methods we adopt to ensure kids with ADD/ADHD benefit the same way as kids who don't have any learning difference.

Kids are generally paired up with a teammate closer in size and we use rounds of 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes depending on the task assigned by the Instructor. This keeps the kids focused on their task long enough to learn and improve their skill, yet short enough where they won't get bored or distracted.
Consistency in class rules. Every student must obey a set of rules while in class. Since bowing to greeting each instructor on the mat, to asking permissions for water, bathroom, ask questions and so on. This ensures everyone sets the example for everyone. Often these kids will resist any change and inconsistent rules, but since we're extremely strict in enforcing them, consistency will be accepted overtime.
With our staff's experience in learning and teaching Martial Arts since at a young age ourselves, we're able to incorporate different methods to get our point across. This facilitates anyone with a learning disability to capitalize and improve their skill.
We can transform a technique drill into a “game” drill. The kids think they are playing a game when in reality they are drilling the moves in a fun set up, where they continue to practice and improve.
Although our classes are extremely disciplined, we are very supportive and motivational as far as their achievements go. Compliments when the tasks are done properly are a huge inspiration to anyone, and so we always offer our sincere praises when they accomplish something they have been working hard towards.

Bullying

Bullying can be extremely serious. Bullying can affect the mental well being, academic work, physical health and permanent social damage of children who are targeted. Children who are bullied are more likely than other children to have lower self-esteem; and higher rates of depression, loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. They also are more likely to want to avoid attending school and have higher school absenteeism rates.

Recent statistics show that:

It's estimated that nearly 30% - or 5.7 million children - are involved in bullying, as victims, perpetrators, or both.
14% of those who were bullied said they experienced severe (bad) reactions to the abuse.
Each day 160,000 students miss school for fear of being bullied.
43% fear harassment in the bathroom at school.
Every 7 minutes a child is bullied. Adult intervention - 4%. Peer intervention - 11%. No intervention - 85%.

Bullying can continue to be a behavioral problem for as long as the bully feels that other children are afraid of them.

Since bullying is often the number one non-academic issue that most educators face, this is one of the main issues we address regularly. Scared kids will never reach their full potential as learners in school or as citizens of our communities.

We can help prevent this!

We train our children to carry themselves with honor and confidence. We teach them the tools necessary to resolve a confrontation with words and if that confrontation becomes physical, they are able to control the situation and defend themselves without hurting their attacker. This is one of the main differences in between Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and most forms of martial arts out there, the ability to beat someone without the use of a single strike.

Programs

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As no child will develop or improve to their potential within only one or a few months, we require a 12-month minimum agreement on all memberships, to ensure your child evolves not only technically but also mentally and socially.

We divide classes into 3 age groups for best learning experience: 4-7, 8-10 and 11-14 year olds.

4 - 7 year olds

This class is a preparation for the older age group class. The main focus in this class is to help children develop their listening and obedience skills. As some mat guidelines must be followed at all times, the kids begin to improve their discipline and respect with their very first class. Physical exercises are designed to improve their coordination, reflexes and awareness. They will learn how to create a stronger and firmer base of support, resist being pulled or pushed, basic takedowns and escapes from the bottom as well as bear hugs & head lock escapes. Older kids in this age group will begin preparation to enter competitions which are usually held all over the Bay Area.

8 - 10 year olds

In this age group, the classes include more techniques performed at higher levels. Warm ups are designed to improve their strength, explosiveness and overall conditioning even helping them excel at other sports such as Football, Soccer, Wrestling and more.

The kids will learn throws, escapes and reversals from the bottom and submissions such as joint locks and chokes. They will develop team spirit and learn how to manage success and disappointment. Live training sessions are a part of every class, helping them improve their confidence and self-esteem. Technique based games will make class fun, yet productive. Although completely optional, competition is often a goal of many students and at this age group we train them accordingly.

11 - 14 year olds

This class is a preparation for entry into the adult program which starts at 16. Much like the previous age group, warm ups are designed to improve their athleticism so that they can perform at higher levels of competition, including in other sports. Bullying is addressed in this program often and so are the approaches and techniques they can use to avoid that. Techniques are more detailed and drilled intensively, and resistance training sessions are a feature of every class.

Just as the previous age groups, mat rules are enforced on a daily basis, helping them progress in a safe, friendly, disciplined, respectful atmosphere. Competition is also a preference to many children in this class.

Beginner's Program (12 months)

The beginner's program is divided into two phases. A 10-week/3-month introductory course, and the remaining 9 month period.

10-Week Intro Program (3 months / age 8-14)

Every new student goes through a 10-week intro program which will teach them the most fundamental techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Students are trained to follow and enforce all mat rules and make that a tradition to be respected in every class from then on. Our personable and friendly instructors will make it extremely easy for any student to adapt to our system, helping them feel at home and surrounded by a happy and positive environment.

Subjects covered in the Intro Program go from learning how to fall and learning how to develop a strong base of support, to takedowns, positioning control, submission set ups and several escapes, standing and on the ground. In this program, the beginners will get personal attention from one of the instructors through all 10 weeks, easing them into the classes helping them learn quickly and confidently towards the second stage of the beginner's program, which begins immediately after the 3rd month.

Beginner's Program (remaining 9 months)

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Upon concluding our Intro Program, the students will be ready to begin more frequent live training sessions. Students will attempt to practice their moves on resisting opponents who are counteracting with their own techniques. This live training usually begins standing and will continue until a submission is achieved by either student.

This is the main factor that contributes to a huge boost in their self-esteem and confidence. Boys and girls train with each other and often alternate partners, giving everyone the opportunity to practice with kids of different body types, heavier or lighter and taller or shorter.

By now, you should begin to see signs of improvement in skill, focus and discipline. Mat rules must be enforced at all times, leaving the kids with the only option of asking permission to virtually do anything after they enter the mat for class.

In this phase, we'll also begin to train our students for competition, which are held all over California. Although competition in completely optional, we'll only allow those who have been taking training seriously to enter them. Competing is a privilege and only those who have been showing improvement not only in skill but in behavior will be allowed to do so.

After 12 months of training, your child's skill, behavior and social skills will improve dramatically, opening the path to more advanced techniques and drills in the intermediate/advanced level which begins immediately after 12 months of training.

Promotions

Upon completion of Intro Program, student will receive his/her first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stripe! Each belt has 4 stripes. Stripes are earned in 35 class intervals (20 class intervals for 4 & 5 year olds) after the first stripe. Prior to each Belt Ceremony, the student (6 & up) will receive a notice of intent to promote form to be completed by parents and teachers at school. If student falls below their expectation, the belt promotion will be postponed until a later date. Belt ceremonies are held twice a year, before the Summer Break and the first weekend of December.

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Programs