Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Kids 4-12 years old a good or bad thing? - Larry Shealy
Posted by Member Solutions on Tue, Oct 19, 2010 @ 12:00 PM
A lot has been said about this subject, and it is obviously open for debate. Should kids in the 4- to 12-year-old range train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)? Are they ready for the rigors of BJJ? Is BJJ for Kids too ‘dangerous?’ How do you teach kids such a technical sport? Do they understand BJJ? Can kids train in a safe and effective manner?
I happen to believe that the answers to all of these questions can be yes and no. Ambiguous? Yes!
Let me explain. I believe that BJJ is good for people of all ages. BJJ for Kids can be safe and it can be dangerous. BJJ for Kids can be overly technical and not too technical. BJJ for Kids can be too rigorous and it can be administered correctly. Kids can understand BJJ, and they can find it too difficult.
You see these questions are not about BJJ and it's not about the kids. It is all about the teacher, the BJJ instructor, the leader of the class . . . period!
- If a BJJ instructor is overly zealous about pushing kids, it can be too rigorous.
- An instructor who understands children and their growth patterns in relation to their physical, mental and emotional development will build a curriculum and class schedule that is 'just right.'
- If the BJJ for Kids instructor is all about winning and doesn't consistently practice safety habits, there will be problems. To avoid problems, the Instructor should assign one adult per two kids when it comes to sparring. He should also discuss the dangers of submissions every class. He should have the kids physically and verbally tap. Again, it's just practice. If the instructor doesn't practice safe habits, it is not going to be a safe environment for the kids.
- If the instructor institutes safety measures such as I mentioned in the previous paragraph and many others, he will minimize the possibilities of injury. Practicing safety will lead to safer classes.
BJJ is a tough sport and in the wrong hands it can be unsafe and sometimes downright dangerous.
It doesn't have to be this way. BJJ for Kids is a good thing . . . in the right instructor’s hands. Parents need to study instructors and their classes prior to allowing their kids to train at any school. If parents don't see safety in action while they are at the school, they need to go elsewhere, because the conditions most likely won't get any better.
I truly believe that BJJ for kids 4 to 12 years old is a good thing. There is no question in my mind that it can be a good thing . . . but it all depends upon the care of the BJJ instructor. One child injured is one child too many.
Train Hard . . . Train Smart!
Professor Larry Shealy
What do you think? Is BJJ a good or bad thing for 4-to-12 year olds?
Photo credit: parrhesiastes
