Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an amazing sport and is extremely popular among kids of all ages. If you’re a parent and you’re considering enrolling your child in a BJJ class, know that it is one of the best martial arts for kids. Head on over to your nearest BJJ gym and you’ll see why that is evident.
BJJ is a study of the grappling arts. It involves no striking elements and instead features a variety of joint locks and submission techniques to subdue opponents or immobilize them. It’s a great martial art for neutralizing threats in a quick, efficient, and low-risk manner.
It will empower your children with the knowledge of self-defense, and give them a responsibility to protect themselves and those around them. It’s also a great physical fitness option that will bring out the best in their abilities.
But more than just a discipline of fighting, BJJ is a way of life. It is an art form steeped in principles such as honor, respect, and camaraderie. It’s perfect for your kids to start BJJ training while young, because they will learn many lessons that will help them later on in life.
Today, Evolve Daily shares four reasons why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the best martial arts for kids.
1) Self-defense
Giving your kids the knowledge of self-defense is very important in modern times. Self-defense is a skill that everyone should have access to, and it’s one that you should teach your kids early. Give the gift of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to your children and they will learn how to use their skills responsibly in protecting themselves and others.
BJJ is a martial art that is focused on proper technique, using leverage, and execution. It will give your kids the ability to physically defend themselves even against bigger or stronger opponents.
The grappling arts have proven very effective in one-on-one combat, and it has a significant advantage compared to striking martial arts. BJJ, in particular, is highly effective in de-escalating tense situations.
We may not fully understand it, but our children are at risk of bullying, especially in situations when we aren’t watching. Whether in school or on the playground, self-defense skills are necessary. Having the knowledge of self-defense also boosts our children’s confidence.
2) Physical fitness
There is no question that physical fitness is so important these days. And that doesn’t just mean for us, but for our children too. Having good physical health and well-being will boost our immune system, not to mention improve all aspects of our daily lives.
BJJ training, just like any other martial arts discipline, will get you in the best shape of your life. For our children, it will help give them an outlet to dispense all of their pent up energy, and help keep them fit and healthy.
Practitioners of this discipline will attest to the fact that the different BJJ drills target specific areas of the body. Constant training will improve strength, increase agility and explosiveness, and provide good endurance, among many other physical benefits. The best part is, you don’t need to be particularly athletic just to start training. You’ll get stronger as you go along.
A lot of children deal with obesity and issues with their body image. BJJ training can help correct those issues and allow kids to feel comfortable in their own skin.
3) It’s a lot of fun
One of the aspects of BJJ training your children will appreciate is the fact that it’s just so much fun. Practitioners of the grappling arts genuinely enjoy themselves while training and learning on the mats. And it’s not just fun for certain people, it’s fun for all.
Boys, girls, whether young or old, enjoy studying BJJ’s many techniques. They have fun training with their gym mates as they build strong friendships based on trust and respect. Training in a class setting is one thing your kids will surely appreciate. Students can help each other with techniques and progress through the levels together.
Your kids will love to participate in the different kinds of drills, rolling sessions, and even sparring. While BJJ training is most certainly a serious ordeal, it is also light and good-hearted at the same time.
The fact that training is so much fun is also what will keep your children hooked and eager to train constantly.
4) It’s in a safe environment
Every sport, whether basketball, football, or even martial arts, carries a level of risk. It is, after all, a physical activity. However, you can rest assured that BJJ training takes place in a safe and controlled environment.
Children learn many different physical skills like understanding how to break their fall, and they understand the range of motion in their joints and limbs. They also learn how to use leverage to escape from specific situations.
Training sessions are always supervised by qualified instructors. BJJ instructors carry years of experience at both the amateur and professional levels. The majority of instructors have reached the highest levels of success and have captured many world titles. But not only have they won the biggest prizes in the sport, they’ve also made BJJ their way of life.
And that’s ultimately what instructors want to share with children. It’s that BJJ is a way of life, and can instill in them honor and integrity, respect, courage, and discipline, among other traits.
This article, “4 Reasons Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Is One Of The Best Martial Arts For Kids”, originally appeared on Evolve MMA, Asia’s No. 1 martial arts organization.
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