Martial arts is much more than just fighting! It’s a fantastic opportunity and tool for your young ones to develop good behavioral characteristics, problem-solving skills, and discipline. These are life lessons that we hope will benefit them both inside the gym and out, and last for future generations to come.

At Chess Club, we believe that teaching kids these lessons from a young age will help them grow as individuals, and in turn, make the world a better place. We love contributing to a better community.

As a parent who may never have trained in BJJ or has had very little contact with the sport, such as only watching kids' classes and competitions, here are some useful tips for you:

Be Encouraging

Be positive all the time, win or lose! It is important for children to learn how to win and lose with dignity and respect. Shaming kids for not doing well will only turn them away from Jiu-Jitsu and add anxiety to their experience.

Stay Calm

Your energy will transfer to your kids. Showing anger or disappointment will only stress them out. Remember, they are here to learn and have fun. At tournaments, remember it’s about them, not you. Avoid putting too much pressure on them to win. Always be respectful to officials, other coaches, and parents from our team and others. Remember, you and your kids are also representing Chess Club.

Keep Good Habits

Try your best to get them to class a few minutes early with their water bottle and gear ready. Ensure they wear footwear when coming to and from the gym, especially in the toilets. It is all our responsibility to maintain a clean and healthy learning environment. Help them live a healthy lifestyle by feeding them a nutritious diet for their tummies and minds. This will not only stay with them through life but also boost their performance on the mat.

Communicate Concerns

If you have a concern or complaint, please bring it directly to one of the coaches. We are always open to hearing any problems or concerns your child may be facing in or out of the gym, and we are happy to help. Please ensure that any and all issues are brought straight to our coaches’ attention directly so they can be resolved promptly and not passed along by your child.

Drop-off and Pick-up

Kids get more out of the lessons when they can be independent and don’t have parents watching. Be courteous of the class and coaches. If you decide to stay in the gym during class, please allow your child to remain independent by not communicating with them. This includes coaching from the sidelines and using body language.

Please never call them from the sidelines! If they need water, their belts or pants tied, or comforting from a loss/injury, that’s what the coaches are here for. If they really need you, one of the coaches will excuse them from the mat.

If you are in the gym as a spectator during any class, please stay quiet. If you need to have a conversation with another parent, take a phone call, or handle another loud child off the mat, please take it outside so the class can stay focused.

Did you know that Chess Club FlowSpace offers yoga classes for adults and kids at the same time as Kids BJJ?

Yes, we offer a discounted rate for parents! Learn more here

Let the Instructor Do the Coaching

Our coaches are highly prepared and qualified for their jobs. It takes years of training to fully understand these techniques and how to teach them properly. Parents are not allowed on the mat during the class. Don’t teach them moves you’ve watched on YouTube. If you don’t train Jiu-Jitsu, don’t teach what you don’t know. Our coaches are highly trained and happy to help with any and all techniques.

Please no coaching, cheering, or disciplining your child from the sidelines.

Feel free to give them as much support, encouragement, or discipline after class as you’d like!

Kids Jiu-Jitsu is for Fun

Don’t forget that your child is learning valuable life lessons as well as self-defense skills, but at the end of the day, kids also want to play and have fun. Taking things too seriously and getting too competitive at such a young age can lead to resentment and them not enjoying their training to the fullest extent.

Thank you for helping us create a positive and supportive environment for all our young students!