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 the 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.

All of the classes taught in our Kids Jiu-Jitsu program are done by World Champion Black Belts who are always assisted by one or two assistant instructors. 

      
 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. Consistency is paramount.
Inconsistent training will many times lead to discouragement and failure to develop passion for training.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Techniques
Our techniques aren't based on kicking and punching. Nor are they based on katas or prearranged set of movements carried out on cooperative training partners. Instead, our kids will learn how to apply grappling techniques on a resisting partner who's not cooperating and is counteracting with his own moves. This is the main reason why they develop such high level of confidence within the first year. The way we train is much like how a physical confrontations would take place in the streets.

Among the techniques we teach are, rear choke, bear hugs and head lock escapes, defense against strikes standing and on the ground, closing the distance, clinching and takedowns, reversals from their back and submissions, such as chokes and joint locks.

 

Our Approach With 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.

We train our children to carry themselves with honor and confidence. We teach them the necessary tools to resolve a confrontation with verbal assertiveness, but 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 between Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and most forms of martial arts out there, the ability to control someone without the use of a single strike.

Programs

Skill, attitude and character improvement take time. Among so many success stories we had and continue to have with our students, not one of them happened overnight. Martial Arts training is a commitment not only for the Instructor, but the students and parents as well. All of our programs have a 12-month minimum duration, which will give everyone the proper amount of time to learn, enjoy and benefit from everything professional Martial Arts instruction has is to offer. 

We divide our Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program into five different groups:

• 4-6 beginners (Mon/Wed/Fri at 4:00 pm)
• 6-8 beginners (Tue/Thur/Fri at 4:00 pm)
• 6-8 advanced (Tue/Thur at 4:00 pm and Fri at 5:00 pm)
• 8-10 beginners (Mon/Wed/Fri at 5:00 pm)
• 8-11 advanced (Mon/Wed/Fri at 6:00 pm)
• 12-14 beginners (Tue/Thur at 5:00 pm and Sat at 10:00 am)
• 12-14 advanced (Tue/Thur at 5:00 pm and Sat at 10:00 am)

4 - 6 Year Olds -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This class is a preparation for the older age groups. The main focus in this class is to make sure they learn to follow directions, develop their listening and obedience skills, improve their athelticism and last, but not least, have fun! Mat guidelines must be followed at all times, and are consistently reinforced. Improvement is discipline and respect are seem after the very first class! 

Physical exercises are designed to improve their strength, reflexes, awareness and hand-eye coordination. They will learn how to create stronger and firmer bases of support, resist being pulled or pushed, basic takedowns and escapes from the bottom.

Older, more experienced kids in this age group will begin preparation to enter competitions which are held all over the Bay Area.

8 - 11 Year Olds ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this age group, the classes include more techniques performed at higher levels. Warm ups are more intense and designed to improve their strength, explosiveness and overall conditioning. Martial Arts, in general, it's an awesome cross-training activity for anyone who play other sports such as Football, Soccer, Wrestling and more.

Improvement in focus, athleticism and accountability for their actions are the main goal for the beginner's class in this age group. They learn values such as perseverance, humility and team spirit. They learn to manage success and disappointment better. Bullying begins to be addressed in this age group and so are the actions that must be taken if they ever become a victim, step-by-step.

Live training sessions are a feature in every class once they complete their initial 12-week program. This specific training method helps them improve their confidence and self-esteem as they must attempt to execute their moves on resisting classmates. 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.

All students of the Advanced 8-11 year old Program, have been training from 2 to 5 years. They have all develop an amazing set of tecnhiques. There's absolutely no behavioral problems with any student in this class. And that is the first filtering criteria for this class. Children with great focus and dedication are the ingredients for a successful adulthood. Most students from this class compete 3, 4 or 5 times a year in tournaments all over California. 

12 - 14 Year Olds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This class is a preparation for entry into the adult program which starts at 15. 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.

The topic of bullying is reinforced in this program often and so are the approaches and techniques they learn to avoid this growing social problem in schools today. Techniques are taught in more detail and drilled intensively, and resistance training sessions take place in every class at higher levels of intensity. 

Competition is also a preference to many children in this age group.

12-Week Intro Program (3 months / Ages 8-14)

Every new student must go through a 12-Consecutive Week Intro Program. The program is cyclic, which means the student can start his or her training at any time, regardless of which week is in progress. With exception of the first two classes, all techniques included here can be learned in any order. Our strict but friendly instructor staff will make it extremely easy for any student to adapt to our system, helping them feel comfortable and surrounded by positive and fun 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, positional control, submission set ups and several escapes, standing and on the ground.

In this program, beginners will get personal attention from one of the instructors through all 12 weeks, easing them into the classes and helping them learn quickly and confidently towards the following stages of the program.

Once completing all 12 weeks of training, the student receives his/her first Jiu-Jitsu belt stripe!

If a student misses one or more entire week of the Intro Program, there are 2 options: 
a) Wait for that week to roll back in, or
b) Schedule an individual lesson with the Instructor to go over the techniques missed during that week. This option will keep the student on schedule to receive his or her first stripe after 3 months of training.

Beginner's Program 

Upon completion of the Intro Program, students are ready to begin more frequent live training sessions. They'll attempt to practice their moves on resisting opponents who are counteracting with their own techniques. Training usually begins standing and will continue until a submission is achieved by either student.

This training method is what 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, lighter, taller or shorter.

In this phase, we begin training 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 it. 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.

Promotions

Each belt has 4 stripes. Stripes are earned in 35 class intervals (20 class intervals for 4, 5 and 6 year olds) after the first stripe. Prior to each Belt Ceremony, students who are scheduled to be promoted, will receive a Notice of Intent to Promote Form from us. This is a feedback form to ensure the student is not only doing well in class, but at home and at school as well. The form is to be completed by the parents and a teacher from school. If student falls below parents and teacher's expectation, the belt promotion will be postponed until a later date.

Belt ceremonies are held twice a year, the first weekend of Summer Break and the first weekend of December.

Click here to see our latest Belt Ceremony's photo album.
Click here to see our Belt System.

Video

• Kids Street Self-Defense Demo October 2011
• Muay Thai Team @ 2010 IKF's Smackdown
• Instructor Ryan's Semifinal Match @ The 2009 Pan Ams
• 6 Year Old Tucker Yeley Jiu-Jitsu Highlight
• Crosley Gracie Working With George Tsutsui

Watch more videos

Programs

• Kids Jiu-Jitsu
• Adult Jiu-Jitsu
• Muay Thai Kickboxing
• Individual Lessons