Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ is a full-contact martial art based on grappling and ground fighting, focusing on the skill of controlling one’s opponent through techniques that force him or her to submit.
Among many a practitioner, it’s known as the “gentle art”, allowing a smaller, weaker person to use leverage and submissions (chokes, locks) to defend himself against a bigger opponent. With origins in Judo (Newaza) and Japanese Jujutsu, it has since been adapted and modified by Carlos Gracie and his lineage to become the martial art it is today.
Here we list some reasons, among numerous others, why BJJ is the best martial art for your child.
Defend from Bullies
As much as we want to keep our kids safe ourselves, we will not always be there to protect them in fights with a bully. If they learn self-defense, they gain the skills to protect themselves.
Many martial arts rely on strikes such as Muay Thai, karate, kickboxing, or taekwondo. BJJ is based on grappling and submission holds, focusing less on strength, and more on leverage.
It helps even if your child is small because it allows them to deal with bullies larger than them through fighting techniques taught in class. There are a variety of holds and locks your child can use against bullies without the need for punches or kicks, making it the best self-defense against bigger opponents.
Your Kids Learn from Failure
Unlike the striking arts or other forms of martial arts training, where sparring is only introduced after you have trained for a while and have gained some basic skills, you are encouraged to start sparring, or “rolling” as they call it in BJJ, even as beginners.
Any black belt fighter will tell you of the difficulties they had to face at the introductory level. BBJ training also trains your kids’ mettle.
Your child will be practicing against a resisting martial artist and could face many setbacks before mastering a certain move. However, through the encouragement and guidance from a seasoned martial arts instructor, your child can learn from their mistakes and focus on self-improvement.
Opportunities to Socialize
Our kids’ class is full of other children from different walks of life. Boys and girls of different cultures, backgrounds, and religions your kid may not meet otherwise. It’s an ideal environment for your kid to learn how to socialize with different people.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training is also an opportunity for your kids to develop bonds and camaraderie with their teammates,
Improves Coordination And Motor Skills
When training in Jiujitsu, your child will develop their fine motor skills and spatial awareness. This gives her more control of her body and much more precise actions. Martial artists understand how their limbs move in practice and develop better coordination and improved flexibility.
Build Healthy Lifestyle Habits Early On
BJJ can instill positive habits in your son from an early age. Learning martial arts while young help your kid get started on their physical fitness at an early age.
This prevents your child from being a couch potato glued to screen and get them in the best shape possible. The workouts garnered as the kids learn martial arts strengthen their growing bodies.
Work Out Your Brain
There is a good reason why BJJ is always referred to as “human chess.” Compared to other fighting systems like krav-maga, aikido, or Jeet Kune Do, BJJ training also mentally trains your child. For each move you attempt to execute, you can counter with many more to defeat a competitor.
As you progress, you will learn to think a few moves ahead, rather than just focusing on your next one.
The sport itself is always evolving, with high-level practitioners constantly inventing new moves and counter-moves – even black belts are known to attend BJJ seminars held by other black belts to learn from them.
Builds Self-Discipline And Self-Confidence
While scary and disheartening in the beginning – because you will be tapping more times than you can keep track – rolling is the only way to put the skills you have picked up to the test. And when you finally pull off that move or submission you have been drilling, you will experience an unparalleled sense of achievement. This will help your kids build confidence.
As they get in shape, too, their self-esteem will soar. Over time, not only will they be more fit, they’ll find that they’re able to control their bodies more fluidly, too!
The drills, too, involve repeating certain moves to perfection. Having the patience to master these self-defense techniques builds your child’s’ discipline and self-control. The road from white belt to master is tough, but the benefits are plenty, even for young kids.
With every class, various disciplines help students continue to refine their techniques, working on subtle fine motor skills, body awareness, weight distribution, and breath control. What are you waiting for? Enroll your child in our Youth Program at Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy and give them the benefits of martial arts! Contact us to discuss your kids’ class schedule. Our Kids’ martial arts classes include kickboxing and Judo, as well as wrestling. You can request information by calling us at 318-855-0456.