Parents Guide to Kids BJJ at Gracie Barra Agoura Jiu Jitsu

 

Guide to Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at Gracie Barra Agoura Hills is designed to provide you with a complete roadmap of what to expect when enrolling your child in the Future Champions Program.

 

Located at 5883 Kanan Rd, this academy is part of the world-renowned Gracie Barra network. The program is not just about teaching children how to fight; it is a comprehensive character development system that uses martial arts as a tool for personal growth.

 

Here is everything you need to know.

 

1. The Philosophy: “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone”

 

The first thing to understand is the goal of the program. At Gracie Barra Agoura Hills, the objective is to build “Champions in Life.”

 Not a “Fight Club”: Your child will not be encouraged to be aggressive. Instead, they are taught self-control, discipline, and respect.

 Defensive Focus: Unlike Karate or Taekwondo which often focus on striking (punching/kicking), BJJ focuses on grappling, leverage, and control. Children learn to neutralize a threat without causing unnecessary harm, which is the safest form of self-defense.

 

2. The Age Groups (The Future Champions Program)

 

Classes are strictly segmented by age and maturity to ensure safety and appropriate learning.

 

 Little Champions I (Ages 3–6):

     Focus: Coordination, listening skills, and “play-based” learning.

     Activity: They learn animal movements (bear crawls, crab walks) that mimic BJJ motions. The goal is to make them fall in love with physical activity.

 Little Champions II | Juniors (Ages 7–9):

     Focus: Discipline, social interaction, and foundational technique.

     Activity: Introduction to the “Guard” and “Mount” positions. They begin controlled “positional sparring” (starting from a specific hold) to learn how to escape.

 Teens (Ages 10–15):

     Focus: Maturity, fitness, and complex problem-solving.

     Activity: The curriculum mirrors the adult program. Teens engage in full rolling (sparring), preparing them for the transition to adulthood.

 

3. Your Child’s First Day: What to Expect

 

The first day is designed to be low-stress and welcoming.

 

 Arrival: Arrive 15 minutes early. You will meet the Program Director or Head Instructor (often Professor Jaeson Bianchi).

 The Gear: You do not need to buy a uniform immediately. The academy typically provides a clean loaner Gi for the trial class. Your child should wear a T-shirt and shorts | leggings underneath.

 The Bow-In: Your child will be invited onto the mat. They will line up by height | rank and bow to the instructors—a tradition that instills respect immediately.

 The Buddy System: New students are often paired with a “senior” student (a slightly higher rank) who helps guide them through the warm-ups, ensuring they don’t feel lost.

 

4. Safety and Hygiene (The “Red Shield” Standard)

 

Gracie Barra is famous for its strict safety protocols, addressing the two biggest parental concerns: injury and cleanliness.

 

 Hygiene:

     The mats are sanitized daily with hospital-grade cleaners.

     Mat Shoes: No street shoes are allowed on the mat, and students must wear sandals/flip-flops when walking to the restroom to prevent tracking bacteria.

     Clean Uniforms: A clean Gi is mandatory for every single class.

 Injury Prevention:

     No Striking: Because there are no punches or kicks, the risk of concussions or facial injuries is significantly lower than in other martial arts.

     Supervision: Instructors constantly monitor the energy level of the class. If kids get too rowdy, the activity is paused immediately.

 

5. The “Mat Chat”

 

One of the unique features of the Gracie Barra method is the Mat Chat.

 What is it? At the end of every class, the students sit down, and the Professor discusses a specific life value.

 Topics: Integrity, hygiene, listening to parents, doing homework, and eating healthy.

 Impact: This reinforces that the lessons learned on the mat (discipline, focus) must be applied at home and school.

 

6. Parent Etiquette: Your Role

 

To ensure the best experience for your child, Gracie Barra asks parents to follow a few simple guidelines:

 Watch, Don’t Coach: Parents are encouraged to watch from the designated viewing area. However, please avoid “coaching” from the sidelines (e.g., yelling “Get up!” or “Push him!”). This confuses the child and undermines the instructor.

 Cheer for Effort: Focus your praise on their effort (“I love how hard you tried”) rather than the outcome (“Did you win?”).

 Trust the Process: There will be days when your child is tired or frustrated. This is normal. Consistency is key to overcoming these hurdles.

 

7. Next Steps: Enrollment

 

If you are ready to start:

1. Book a Free Trial: Call (805) 800-9681 or visit the academy at 5883 Kanan Rd to schedule.
2. The Uniform: Upon enrolling, you will purchase the Official Gracie Barra Gi. This uniform signifies they are part of the team and equal to everyone else on the mat.

 

Would you like me to clarify the specific class times for your child’s age group?

 

Hours

Mon-Thurs: 12 PM to 9 PM

Fridays: 12 PM to 7 PM

Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM

Sundays: CLOSED

 

Contact

Phone Number: +1 805-800-9681

info@gbnorthridge.com

 

Location

19520 Nordhoff St Unit 10 Northridge, CA 91324

Parents Guide to Kids BJJ at Gracie Barra Agoura Jiu Jitsu