We are about to start again the kids classes. If you are interested in BJJ classes for kids you are at the right place. First of all make sure you are on the waiting list by sending us your contact/WhatsApp number here so we add you to the group. Then you will be updated about when we start. Hopefully if we have enough kids in each sections (at least 8 per section) we start before September 2025. As soon as we have for example 6 kids in the same group age we will invite you for a free try session on a Saturday at 10am. That’s why we need to keep in touch, your kid will love it and I am glad to transmit the art of BJJ that is one of the best thing to learn from early age even if it’s never too late : not only they have lots of fun, but they will gradually learn from 3 to 13 years old all the basics from bjj games and little challenges that bring lots of confidence, to self defense that is something important as well.
There are 3 sections or 3 age groups :
- 3 to 5 years old : they start with the most simple things, enjoying games, ninja parkour around all the equipment we like to have on the mats : big crush mats, balance balls, skipping balls, all kind off games around balls, balance, coordination where they interact in a group with other kids.
- 6 to 9 years old : They still do games, but start to learn 2 aspects of brazilian jiu-jitsu : the sports rules that are related to a game as well but with the official international rules that are set up by the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation), the main organization world wide. And beside they will start to learn self-defense with all kind of situations, including strikes.
- 10 to 13 years old : still learning with the game and fun spirit of BJJ, they go deeper into the game, learning the techniques from stand up to the ground, also submissions. They learn as well more self defense, with strikes and weapon at the last stage. They will be ready then to enter the adult classes from 13 or 14 years old where they will start the blue belt program.
What do they need : to progress in BJJ the kids need to have a jiu-jitsu uniform when they officially start (beyond the free try). This uniform is called a jiujitsugi but we call it a « gi ». This uniform or « gi » allows to learn the bjj techniques. They can safely grab, catch, grip the gi, push or pull and build up lots of strength as well. However the primary goal of this art is not strength. The gi has at least 3 main purposes : it makes the practice of martial arts safer, cleaner and smarter as we can grip anywhere and learn how to use leverage and overcome brutal force with technique. If you wonder how much cost a gi it will be around 40-50€ (for an adult in comparison it would cost at least double). For the classes the fee will be 50€ per month for 2 classes per week. If they can come only once a week it will be 40€ per week. We want to invest our time and energy for the long term, building on excellent foundations. BJJ is also often compared to chess.
That is why we need to have at least 8 kids in the beginning (for a free try 6 kids can be enough though) to make sure the class will go on all year long. Teaching kids is a responsibility, I take it as an honour to transmit to them something I am into for more than 40 years. I have been teaching bjj since 1997. Not only BJJ. I have been a sports teacher at schools from kids to adults for 7 years including kids with down syndrome, autism and other syndromes. Children already have a lot in them, as they say, we are born with everything, but we need to develop our confidence and interact with each other.
Last thing : Why do we wear a belt in martial arts? Yes, to tighten our gi. But did you know that originally in Japan (as jiu-jitsu come from Japan) there were only white belts for beginners and even confirmed, then straight to black belts for the most advanced practitioners to become a teacher or « sensei ». But this was in the 19th century before jiu-jitsu came out of Japan. It was very strict and based on the « Bushido » (litteraly the warrior way) values and even impregnated of the Samuraï spirit, the code of honour, in short it was a japanese thing related to the japanese culture for centuries. So when jiu-jitsu came to occident the only way to motivate people to learn it was to create other belts with colours, otherwise students would have to wait years and years as a white belt, like ten years or more before receiving the black belt. So the first japanese in the 20th century who came to Europe, South and North America started to reward the progress with coloured belts with more little time to wait between different belts. The BJJ belt colours is as below for Adults and Juniors (or kids) :
- White belt (2 years) : no minimum age
- Blue belt (1,5 years) : minimum age is 16 years old
- Purple belt (1,5 years)
- Brown belt (1,5 years)
- Black belt (then there a degrees or « Dans », at least 2 to be a teacher)
As the minimum age is 16 years old to be a blue belt there are other colours for the kids :
That’s it for now! I look forward to meet you at our academy in Xaghra. In the meantime if you have any question or comment don’t hesitate to contact me here. See you soon! François Deniau (BJJ Gozo founder & head coach).
