The Benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Over Other Martial Arts for Young Children

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a wonderful option for young children to begin their martial arts journey — and they can start as young as three years old. Here at Grow Jiu Jitsu, our junior classes are fast-paced, engaging, and interactive. The structure of each session teaches the techniques and ethos of BJJ through play, keeping our youngest students excited and involved from the very first class.

Building skills through movement and play

Motor skills are developed through the practice of whole-body movements — rolling, balancing, crawling, and coordinating with a partner. Over time, teamwork, discipline, and confidence are built through interactive teaching practices that encourage children to support one another and celebrate each other's progress.

Teamwork, discipline, and confidence are built over time through interactive teaching that encourages children to support one another.

What gives BJJ the edge?

So what sets Brazilian Jiu Jitsu apart from other martial arts for young children?

• Safe full contact from day one. BJJ is the only martial art where it is safe for children of all ages to engage in full contact training right from their very first session. There is no striking involved — instead, students learn to use technique and leverage to control positions and solve problems on the mats.

• Size and strength don't matter. BJJ is the only martial art where a smaller, lighter person can effectively defend themselves against a bigger, stronger opponent. This makes it uniquely empowering for children, who learn that smart technique beats raw power every time.

• No striking. Because BJJ focuses entirely on grappling, there is no punching or kicking. Parents can feel confident that their child is learning practical self-defence skills in a safe, controlled environment.

BJJ is the only martial art where a smaller person can defend themselves against a bigger, stronger opponent — technique beats size every time.

Hear it from the experts

Don't just take our word for it. In this video, the experts speak for themselves about why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is such a brilliant choice for young children.

Ready to get started?

If you'd like your child to experience the benefits of BJJ for themselves, get in touch or come along to one of our junior sessions. We welcome children from age three and up — no experience needed, just a willingness to learn and have fun.