Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling sport for all ages. Children are often drawn to the playful nature of the sport, making it a great option for engaging your children and keeping them active and healthy. Our Growing Gorillas program here at Tribe-SBG Reno is a developmentally appropriate program for 3-15 year olds, featuring a 30 week cycle led by our incredible coaches. Here are five reasons why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is great for kids.
1) Self Defense. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu give kids a practical way to defend themselves on both their feet and on the ground. At Tribe-SBG Reno, we equip your child with all the necessary skills to defend themselves effectively. This includes the obvious physical aspect, but it also includes the mental and verbal aspects, as well, to prevent things from escalating to a physical nature. In Growing Gorillas, your children will learn to:
- Speak Up. Your child will learn to confidently use their words to address a bully first. This includes learning how to speak boldly while making eye contact.
- Speak Out. If your child finds that they are still struggling with a bully, they will then learn to Speak Out-gaining help from a nearby parent, adult, or even an older kid.
- Stand Tall. If your child finds that using their words or getting an adult fails, they will then use their words in a more confrontational manner to communicate that they will defend themselves if necessary. At this point, children are instructed to use their Jiu Jitsu to protect and defend themselves if things get physical.
2) Being a Good Teammate. Jiu Jitsu is an individual sport, but it also requires a great deal of understanding and work to be a good teammate. Jiu Jitsu will teach your child to not only think about themself, but to also consider their teammates. As your child drills or rolls with other children, they will learn to keep their partner safe, allow their partner to get good reps and practice, and support their partner as they learn, too.
Being a good teammate means that they cannot always try to “win” at drills, but rather, that they learn to reframe “winning” as allowing their partner to get good work out of the drill. This can be very challenging for children, but is extremely rewarding as they see their partner’s success as their own success, too!
3) Communication. Jiu Jitsu will teach your child better communication skills. They will learn how to properly address adults (coaches), how to introduce themselves to their peers, and how to communicate their needs and feelings. While working in classes, your child will learn that they may need to ask a partner to go a little lighter or a little harder for the drill. They will also learn how to “tap” when something is uncomfortable or painful, which teaches them to advocate for themselves.
4) Focus and Discipline. Jiu Jitsu is a wonderful sport for teaching both focus and discipline. Whether it’s through listening and watching the coach demonstrating a move or technique so that they can then replicate it, or by waiting patiently and watching teammates while they demonstrate an issue they were having, at Tribe-SBG Reno, your child will learn how to focus their attention while having the discipline to avoid causing distractions.
Your child will quickly learn that Jiu Jitsu is hard work. They have to show up, over and over again, with an attitude for learning in order to be successful. This requires a great deal of discipline, and will benefit your child for the rest of their life.
5) Health. Jiu Jitsu will keep your child moving and healthy. Because Jiu Jitsu is such a playful sport, children tend to want to jump right in and join. Jiu Jitsu will get your child a full body workout. Each class they will sweat as they train, and their muscles and hearts will get stronger and healthier, too!
Jiu Jitsu is an incredible sport that will teach your child many practical life lessons. Our Growing Gorillas program here at Tribe-SBG Reno offers the best and most well-rounded martial arts experience in Northern Nevada’s Reno Sparks area. If you are looking to get your child started on their Jiu Jitsu journey, send us a note or give us a call today!
