FAQ's of Children's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
How old does my child have to be to start training?
We recommend that children start at four years old. However, no two kids are the same; there can be differences in coordination and maturity. We are willing to evaluate children younger than four.
What is the difference between Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and other forms of martial arts for kids?
Jiu-Jitsu will teach your children that they don't need to learn how to punch and kick to control and protect themselves from bullying. Instead of learning moves through katas or prearranged movements carried out on a cooperative training partner, they will learn how to apply grappling techniques on a resisting training partner who's not cooperating and is counteracting with his moves. Strategic grips and positioning control make Jiu-Jitsu.
How large are your class sizes, and what's the ratio of Instructor/Student?
Class sizes may range between 18-30 students per class, depending on age group. Each time our class sizes increase, we accommodate an increase in instructors per class as well. We attempt to maintain a 1 to 10 ratio of Instructor/student; however, we train our children to maintain discipline, respect, and focus throughout the entire course of practice, regardless of how many instructors are present.
My child is already very energetic. I'm afraid the training will encourage aggression. Is this true?
Training at our academy will provide an outlet for children to channel aggression and excess energy. Our children's programs focus on developing behavioral and attitudinal aspects of martial arts such as respect, confidence, discipline, and self-control. By providing a fun and safe atmosphere for kids, we can foster a healthy environment in which they can learn and develop not only self-defense skills but also life skills.
They learn Jiu-Jitsu as a tool for personal growth and development, not as a weapon to cause harm. Once ready, they will be sparring daily in class, often with bigger and more experienced children than them. Not winning every match will teach them humility and respect. Kids learn to treat others as they want to be treated. Often, violent kids before they joined our program changed and became non-violent. However, we teach them to take action whenever physically threatened by anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Will my child have a hard time if they aren't athletic?
Often children who don't find success in team sports come to Martial Arts, and they love it! That's because, with martial arts, you go at your own pace. Team sports may harm the self-esteem of children who aren't very athletic. When they don't perform well, other kids can be pretty mean, affecting their self-esteem. But with Martial Arts, they can't let anyone down.
Our students are never asked to do things beyond their capacity. Some kids learn quicker than others, but those who advance quickly are not valued more than the kids who move slowly. Everyone is greatly encouraged, regardless of their athletic level, and praised for achieving things they couldn't before.
Is the curriculum safe for my child?
We take our students' safety very seriously. The attention to safety and the student's well-being always comes first. Proper self-defense and martial arts training, however, includes contact. If it doesn't, how can it possibly be called self-defense? Being that Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport, there is a chance for injuries to occur; however, by being extremely strict in our enforcement of mat rules and etiquette, we drastically reduce those chances.
Is Jiu-Jitsu just for boys, or can my girl take it too?
Girls love Jiu-Jitsu just as much and get the same fulfillment out of it as boys do. Also, if we have learned anything in our years of teaching, girls are just as tough as boys. Many are even tougher! So you don't have to worry about your little girl getting hurt or feeling scared because she'll be practicing with boys. The boys may even be the ones who are afraid of them, as we have learned that, on average, girls are fiercer than boys.
Why should I enroll my child at Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu? What qualifications do your instructors have to teach my child?
We believe we offer the most consistent, modern, and overall atmosphere for personal growth when it comes to martial arts and self-defense training in East Contra Costa County. This is due not only to our experience and mastery of our craft but to the fact that we are life-long students of our product. We believe in going through life, seeking professional growth daily, and applying such knowledge where our students are constantly evolving as well.
Professor Crosley Gracie is a third-generation martial arts and self-defense teacher, gym owner, and fighter with over 35 years of Martial Arts and Combat Sports experience. He has been teaching adult programs since 1997 and youth classes since 2007. You can learn more about Professor Gracie's bio by clicking here.
Professor Ryan Murphy has also been involved in athletics and combat sports the majority of his life. In addition to having vast experience in self-defense training, Ryan brings in a background in psychology and youth counseling before switching professions in 2008. Click here to learn more about Professor Ryan's martial arts and academic education.
How are classes structured?
The techniques differ based on what age group we teach, but the format is the same across all five youth programs. We break down the classes into three stages: Warm-ups, which includes several plyometric exercises and movements designed to improve their athleticism; technique drilling, to help them develop skill retention, muscle memory, and reflexes; and live training, which is where they entirely resist against one another, trying to execute their moves while defending their training partner's attacks. And for obvious reasons, this is the most significant factor in boosting their confidence.
Will my child have fun? Will they want to stick with the program?
To teach anyone, but especially children, you must earn their respect and show them what's acceptable and what's not. Our students learn to know when to focus and work hard and when it's time to have fun. They will learn self-defense, respect, discipline, honor, and discover that hard work and effort always pay off and bring positive results—all in a strict yet fun and engaging environment.
As far as your child wanting to stick to the program, it will largely depend on your commitment to keeping them in it. We have an extremely low cancellation rate due to a lack of interest, even lower in the initial 12-month term. While we understand that not every student will train to black belt rank, we are dedicated to doing all we can to extend the mat lifespan of every student.
Why do you require a 12-month agreement?
Most parents enroll their children in martial arts as a tool to give their children life skills, such as improved self-defense, confidence, respect, focus, athleticism, and social skills. These attributes will not take in one or two months of training. It's a process that sometimes takes longer for certain personalities than for others.
So we ask for the same commitment back from the parents. This is a team effort. We have a 100% rate of success in improving the overall lifestyle of all students who have committed to the training. And the longer they train, the more positive changes will be seen!
I'm not sure if I want to commit to a minimum of 12 months. Are there any other options?
At this point, the question to be asked is, "what is my ultimate goal in enrolling your child into a martial arts program?" If your answer is to improve their confidence, social skills, focus, respect, discipline, and last but not least, become bully-proof, then none of that will take place without a real commitment on your part.
And quite honestly, without said commitment on your part, it just won't be worth all the work we put in to train them initially. Martial arts training is unlike any other sport or activity. It's a type of education that can't be instilled in just a few months.
Are there any additional training fees, such as equipment, testing fees, etc.?
The only additional costs will be for your child's equipment and their belt promotions (when eligible). These are not "testing fees," as we do not charge for testing for new ranks. Students are evaluated every week and are considered for promotion without any tests.
