Youth NoGi Grappling
We believe that behaviors labeled as “challenging” are your child’s superpowers!
Check out our SCHEDULE to find the best day and time for your child to try a class!
Our youth classes are for kids aged 4 and older. We blend Nogi Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, and Nogi Judo into a modern grappling system. This system builds strong submission skills and helps kids improve in other sports. Grindhouse kids gain coordination, timing, balance, agility, spatial awareness, and strength. They also learn to be coachable, practice self-discipline, and manage their emotions.Our youth program is child-centered. We help kids learn how to manage their behavior both in and out of the gym space.
About Our Head Coach
“From the minute we walked in the door my son felt welcomed and comfortable. We now have 2 kids training, plus myself. My kids are gaining confidence and strength all while having fun.” - Chad Cline
Our Head Youth Coach is the most experienced and knowledgeable youth coach in the area. Coach Denise is a Jiu Jitsu mom who trained alongside her son for about 15 years and they were both active competitors.
She has also worked in K12 and university education as a math teacher and teacher trainer for 25 years. She’s worked with a wide range of youth in alternative, juvenile justice, residential and group homes, and traditional schools. She maintains a K-12 math teaching credential and is working toward a doctorate degree in educational leadership.
A second degree black belt in both American and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with nearly 20 years of training, her credentials are unmatched in the areas of understanding how kids learn and the support they need for success in both recreational and competitive sport grappling.
“We were very new to jujitsu, and coach Henry has been incredible and welcoming. We are so happy with the academy and our son loves coming.”
- Terrence Birch
Classes Ages 4-6ish
MWF 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
This age group builds the foundations of grappling movement and competition practice is included for kids who are interested.
Younger kids learn how to follow class rules and how to show respect to themselves, their teammates, and their coaches. They get lots of practice using their words to resolve conflict, being class helpers, sharing, and taking turns.
Curriculum Focus:
Practice core movements of Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, and Judo
Develop coordination and spatial awareness
Following directions, setting boundaries for personal space, getting along, listening, and being a class helper
Classes Ages 6ish+
M-F 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Grappling games and live drills are used to develop skills in fun ways for older kids. Their curriculum includes practice in all positions and submissions that are legal in kids’ tournaments. We balance mindset and skill development in a fun and low-stress training space.
Curriculum Focus:
Develop self-regulation
Learn to Get Along with Teammates
Develop Leadership Skills
Practice beginner through more advanced Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, and Judo
Prepare for competition
Build strength and physical literacy
Practice verbal conflict resolution and self-defense
Uniform Requirements
We maintain a hygienic training environment. All kids are required to change into clean clothes that fit snugly, trim their nails, and wash their face and hands before they come out to practice.
Please review the HYGIENE GUIDELINES for more information and ask a coach if you have any questions about how to prepare your child for class.
Belt
We follow the IBJJF belt rank system. In nogi, we don’t wear the belt during practice or competition.
If you like, your belt rank can be indicated by your rash guard color (Google search for “BJJ ranked rash guard''). Some tournaments require that your rash guard display your rank during competition.
Top - Females and Males
A shirt that covers your shoulders, armpits, and torso all the way to the waistband of your shorts or spats.
Grappling rash guards made of elastic material are recommended because they are made to fit tight, have some stretch, and can be tucked in.
Baggy shirts, shirts that are too short to tuck in, and tank tops are not permitted. Long and short-sleeved tops are acceptable.
Bottom - Females and Males
No pockets or have the pockets stitched completely shut.
No buttons, zippers, or any kind of plastic or metal. Shorts made for grappling can be worn over the top of spats.
Squat-proof leggings (aka grappling spats).
Shorts that completely cover your child’s glutes.
Gi pants
Protective Gear
Mouthguards are required for students with braces on their teeth.
Soft headgear with no hard plastic is allowed.
Cups are prohibited.
Purchasing Uniforms
We suggest that you start with reasonably priced Nogi gear then buy more as desired. Sanabul and Elite sell good quality, ranked gear. You can also can find daily deals on all sorts of training gear at BJJHQ.com.
We sell Grindhouse Nogi gear for kids and adults. Please ask us about special orders if you don't see your size in the Grindhouse online store.
Competition
Some kids do not have an interest in competition and we do not require that kids compete. For those who are interested, there are local, regional, and national competitions offered year-round.
Our coaches are competitors who understand the mental and physical aspects of competition preparation. We prepare kids for the performance environment in ways that both challenge them physically and help them learn to manage their stress levels and emotions.
We also support parents who are new to grappling competition. We provide resources for you to connect with your child’s competition experience before, during, and after events.
