About Our Kids Martial Arts Program

Our Instructors run a very organized and structured (yet fun) program for all age groups starting at age 4. We are extremely disciplined and consistent with our approach to teaching, however, we know that kids are kids, and with that being said we have to know how to be kids as well. And we do!

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. While training martial arts will take a commitment from both, the kids and their parents, the results that will get back to them will be many!

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.

For the Parents

Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu wishes to share that in all our children's programs of teachings and technical preparation of self-defense, we aim to apply the most appropriate disciplinary methods available, aiming at excellence in a serious, gentle and sociable way. The students must understand that a good relationship with teammates or other class participants, and compliance with the disciplinary rules will make of themselves children better prepared to achieve their goals in life. At our Academy, they will become technically efficient in the achievement of the ranks and in the streets, convinced of their physical security against possible tyranny of other children. They will grow up without fear at school, neighborhood or wherever they are.

Consequently, he or she will become an adult physically and morally prepared to face the adversities of life, and ready to serve society. It should be remembered that this in no way makes us responsible to discipline these bright young people, who may refuse to obey the disciplinary rules, because we know that it is solely, the task of their dear parents. However, at Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu they will find a fertile ground for application and development. But all of this will only be possible for children who want to learn what is taught, practiced and developed here.

Finally, we wish to add that for students who disregard the disciplinary rules, will be respectfully removed from the class for a few minutes, not as punishment, but for a moment of personal reflection. In case of recidivism, the student will be removed from class for the day and his/her parents will be contacted, in order to provide the appropriate arrangements to take him/her home early.

Thank you for trusting your beloved child to the care of our self-defense institution.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Techniques

It is important to understand that not all martial arts and self-defense systems are the same. Most self-defense systems out there are based on punching and kicking. Even worse, many systems out there are based on katas or prearranged set of movements carried out on cooperative training partners. This gives the children a false sense of confidence for obvious reasons.

Not here!

In our program, the students learn actual combat skills, practiced on resisting partners who are not cooperating and are also counteracting with their own moves. This is the main reason why they develop such high level of confidence within the first six months or less of training. The way they are exposed to the training in our Academy is much like the way they'd be exposed to a real fight outside, with an opponent fully resisting and trying to apply his or her own moves. Jiu-Jitsu's approach is also much less violent. The students know to never attack first. Jiu-Jitsu's conservative style gives our students a more secure stance towards an aggressive attacker.

The philosophy behind our techniques lays in the following combat strategy: Close the distance and clinch, take the attacker to the ground, establish a safe and dominant position, to then finish the fight with the application of chokes or joint locks.

But the best thing about the system is that a well-trained Jiu-Jitsu student doesn't need to hurt the attacker to successfully defend themselves. By using the combat strategy above, the student can negotiate his or her attacker's safety by asking them if they are "done" or not.

Among the self-defense techniques taught in the Kids Program are:

Standing

• Defense against punches and kicks
• Wrist releases
• Headlock and rear choke escapes
• Takedown and throws
• Shirt grabs
• Hair pulls (girls)
• Chokes and joint locks

Ground

• Escapes from various positions
• Reversals
• Chokes and joint locks

 

Athletic Education

One of the features of our programs is the insertion of world-class athletic training into the classes. As is, Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent cross-training activity for any sport. All of our of students who have been training for at least a few years have done excellently well in other sports. Being a competitor himself since 12 years of age and eventually becoming a professional athlete who has performed in the highest level competitions in the world, Professor Crosley Gracie has trained with and learned from world-class trainers his entire life. This experience allows us to implement training methods that help all of the students, children, and adults, develop maximum athleticism in practice while learning the most modern self-defense and combat sports skills available today.

In addition to being constantly reminded of the importance of supplemental training for competition and athletic development, we often spend time with the youth team discussing the importance of adopting and keeping a healthy and well-balanced diet for improved performance and overall wellbeing.

Bullying & The Rules Of Engagement

Bullying can be extremely serious. It can affect the mental well-being, academic work, physical health and cause 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.

In our Kids Programs, we often have discussions and workshops with our students on the psychology behind bullying. In this classes, we encourage them to talk about scenarios they have encountered, and we give them all the advice and training necessary to have an immediate plan of action, should they ever become a victim.

We also offer 2-hr. anti-bullying seminars open to non-members throughout the year. Join our emailing list and be on the inside of when those take place!

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%.

While these rules are sure to help solve the bullying epidemic problem, only children who train diligently will naturally develop the confidence necessary to stand up for themselves, act assertively and if necessary, defend themselves effectively if physically attacked.

Rule #1: Avoid fighting at all costs.

Rule #2: If physically attacked defend yourself.

Rule #3: If verbally attacked follow the T-steps: Talk (to the bully respectfully and assertively), Tell (your parent and teacher/principal that you already addressed the bully), Tackle (the bully).

Rule #4: Never punch or kick the bully, instead, establish control and negotiate ("are you gonna knock it off if I let you go?").

Rule #5: When applying submissions, use minimal force and negotiate. The goal isn't to hurt the bully.

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 over time. Below, are some of the methods we adopt to ensure kids with ADD/ADHD benefit from the classes the same way as kids who don't have any learning differences.

- 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 complexity/simplicity of 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. From bowing when entering and leaving the training area and greeting each instructor on the mat with handshakes to asking permissions for water, bathroom, ask questions and so on. This ensures everyone sets the example for everyone else. Often these kids will resist any change in inconsistent rules, but since we're extremely strict in enforcing them, consistency is always accepted overtime.

- With our staff's experience in learning and teaching Martial Arts since at a young age ourselves, we are 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 more fun set up, where they continue to 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.

Programs

The Youth Program is built in a way where the students know exactly how many classes they must attend and how they must behave in order to get stripes and belt promotions. Skill, attitude and character improvement take time. Among all success stories we have experienced and continue to experience, not one of them happened overnight. Martial Arts training is a commitment not only to 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 to offer.

Although all of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Programs are built to improve the students focus, discipline and respect, we place additional attention on other attributes and strategize the classes differently depending on the age group we are teaching. We divide the program into five different groups:

• 4-5 Beginners (Mon/Wed/Fri at 4:00 pm) *Currently full. Please call to get waitlist info. 
• 6-8 Beginners (Tue/Thurs/Fri at 4:00 pm) *Currently full. Please call to get waitlist info.
• 6-8 Advanced (Tue/Thurs at 4:00 pm and Fri at 6:00 pm) *Currently full. Call to get waitlist info.
• 8-10 Beginners (Mon/Wed/Fri at 5:00 pm)
• 8-11 Advanced (Mon/Wed/Fri at 6:00 pm)
• 12-14 Beginners (Tue/Thurs at 5:00 pm and Sat at 10:00 am)
• 12-14 Advanced (Tue/Thurs at 5:00 pm and Sat at 10:00 am)

4-5-Year-Olds

This class is a preparation for the older age groups. The main focus in this class is the development of listening and obedience skills. In order words, we teach them how to learn. Physical drills help them improve their hand-eye coordination and get used to cooperatively work with their training partners. All while having great fun!

Mat guidelines must be followed at all times, and are consistently reinforced. Improvement in discipline and respect are noticed after the very first week!

The warm-up exercises are designed to improve their balance, strength, reflexes, awareness and motor skills. 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. In addition, they learn to bow when entering and leaving the training area, shaking Instructors hands in the beginning and at the end of class, shaking their teammates' hands before and after each partner drill and more.

Competition is an option for many students who have been training for at least 12 months.

6-8-Year-Olds

Here we have a mixture of both beginners and advanced students. Many students in this program have been training for up to 3 years. With this age group, we spend more time developing their motor skills and assertiveness.

We are also able to focus a little more on actual techniques since at this ages they are less likely to have disruptive behavior. We believe that most children will perform according to their environment. And since we host a very organized and disciplined program, even those who aren't used to seating down and listening usually quickly adjust to their new setting.

Kids will also pick up the vibe that's around them and that can also "corrupt" their behavior. We know what personalities will perform better when properly matched up to drill and train.

8-10-Year-Olds (Beginners)

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, is an excellent cross-training activity for anyone who plays other sports such as Football, Soccer, Baseball, 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. Live training sessions are a feature in every class once they complete their initial 12-Week Intro 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 for 2 to 5 years. They have all developed an amazing set of skills.

7-11-Year-Olds (Black Belt Club)

No, the students here aren't Black Belts, but they can only be part of this class by invitation from the Black Belt Instructors. They definitely have the discipline, focus, and dedication of an adult! This class is composed of students who may vary from 55 to 100 lbs in weight and who have been training for at least two years at an average of 12 classes per month.

All students here have competed at least a few times and most compete for 3 to 4 times per year, often winning their divisions. There are absolutely no behavioral problems with any student here. And that is the first filtering criteria to enter this class. Children with great focus, discipline, and respect make the recipe for becoming successful adults.

Given their improved ability to learn the material taught, the pace of this class is the highest among all of our Kids Programs. The athletic ability of all participants in this class is way above your regular 7-11 year old. We are able to provide them with advanced plyometric exercises as warm-ups, followed by intense drilling of techniques and lots of live training sessions.

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 they can perform at higher levels of competition, including in other sports.

Bullying and the 'Rules of Engagement" are 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. Competition is also a preference for many children in this age group.

12-Week Intro Program (8-14-year-olds)

Every new student must go through this 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 staff will make it extremely easy for any student to adapt to our classes, helping them feel comfortable and surrounded by the 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 setups and several escapes, standing and on the ground.

If the student misses one or more weeks from the Intro Program, there are two options: Wait for that week to roll back in, or schedule an Individual Lesson with the Instructor to cover techniques missed during that week. This option will keep the student on schedule to receive his or her first stripe after his/her third month of training.

Beginner's Program

Upon completion of the 12-Week 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 (chokeholds and joint locks) is achieved by either student. This part of the training is the number one factor that contributes to a huge boost in their self-esteem and confidence. Boys and girls train with each other, giving everyone the opportunity to practice with training partners of different ages (2, 3 years difference) and different body types (heavier, lighter, taller, shorter, etc...)

In this phase, we begin training students for competition. Although 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 a harmonious behavior in class, at school, and at home will be allowed to do so.

Competition

We understand the difference between training for a competition and the self-defense aspect of Jiu-Jitsu. While competition is not mandatory, nor expected of students, many students enjoy competing as means of testing themselves and their abilities.

With a competitive background ourselves, we encourage and support any student who wishes to step up and compete. Tournaments are held all over California and our youth team has built a reputation for itself as one of the fiercest teams in the State. We believe in hard preparation towards a competition and while entering tournaments isn't required, we demand complete dedication and focus during the training camp from those who decide to test themselves in entering the competition.

Students are eligible to compete in:

• They have been consistently training for at least 6 months.
• They have been practicing diligently while in class (Instructor’s discretion).
• Exemplary behavior at practice, school, and home.
• Exemplary report cards.

Students will be expected to pay their own entry fees and any extra costs associated with an increased training schedule such as private lessons and additional training sessions. The typical tournament is divided up into matches between the same belt ranks, and age and weight classes within the belt ranks. The format is always single elimination.

Ranking

A student’s rank is based on his/her knowledge, physical skill, length of time training, attitude, and overall quality of movement and understanding. While earning any particular rank is an achievement, it is a mistake to place too much focus on this as an end. Focus on your training; develop as much skill as possible; have a good and exemplary attitude; everything else will follow naturally.

Individual Lessons are available for those students who wish to advance more rapidly or study a particular area in greater detail. We recommend private lessons for all students since it allows one-on-one time with an Instructor. All belts have 4 stripes.

Upon earning 4 stripes and completing all classes at that stripe, the student is ready to receive a higher belt rank at the following Belt Ceremony. There are many variables that contribute to how much time a student spends in each rank.

The criteria are respectively:

• Attendance
• Discipline
• Attitude
• Overall behavior

Assuming the student trains at the recommended rate of at least two classes per week, stripes will be earned every 8/10 weeks (22 classes). When first learning a technique we will focus on proper mechanics. The second stage will be working on the smoothness of motion and the third stage will be to add speed and power to the technique.

As you progress to advanced level there will be more focus on detail, sharpness, and deeper understanding of how the techniques are applied. A true technician should be able to apply a technique efficiently a resisting opponent of at least 30% of their body weight! As you advance, the expectations become higher!

The Official Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt Rank is as follows: White, Gray, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue (over 16 only), Purple, Brown and Black Belt.

CLICK HERE for official IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) graduation system.

Promotions

All promotion of the students falls under the guidelines set by Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Consideration for promotion is given when a student:

• Demonstrates proficiency in required material
• Displays proper attitude and behavior
• Maintains acceptable academics (Kids)
• Attends class consistently
• Shows up for class on time

Martial Arts, however, rank progression is always earned and it is not guaranteed.

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 a 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, in the Summer and Winter, before the New Year.

Kids Martial Arts FAQs