JUNIORS & TEENS AT FORGE
FUNCTIONAL MARTIAL ARTS. FITNESS. FRIENDSHIP. FUN
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in it’s traditional format is a self defence martial art, and it is what our age seperated Juniors & Teen Classes (10-16) are based on.
In our Juniors & Teens (10-16*) program (Tues & Thurs), a contextualised BJJ program for your developing young human. Exploring the concepts, techniques and strategies of Jiu Jitsu and engaging in drilling, rough play and rolling.
Classes are fast paced and game based to keep them interested, but designed around a common theme so there is consistency in their learning. It is primarily a martial arts class with fitness, friendship and fun being added benefits.
So why train Grappling vs a Striking art? We believe it is better for young humans to learn how to defend against, control and subdue someone in a self defence scenario with grappling, rather than to coach a striking art in the first instance. This is for a number of reasons:
Firstly, control. Young bodies are developing quickly and constantly, and hence grappling helps you/them discover your/their strength and learn how to use it with temperance. If we coach striking straight away, that temperance and control is not alway quite there and can lead to an unsafe training environment.
Secondly, legalities and health concerns. If all you have is a hammer… everything looks like a nail. We want you to be able to de-escalate or control an encounter, not strike someone and then have to deal with the consequences of hurting someone. We don’t believe developing brains should be subjected to repeated head trauma.
Finally, as part of our self defence curriculum, we do deal with defending strikes, punch protection and damage minimisation in a effort either to get out of range and deescalate or remove themselves from the situation. Or as a last resort, close the distance, and control the aggressor.
In our classes we work with a group of their peers and develop physical and mental skills sets that will not only make you effective on the mat or in self defence, but foster their ability to co-operate, communicate, develop leaderships skills and ultimately build self confidence.
“Self defence, self confidence, discipline and self control. The values you learn are priceless” (Rickson Gracie)
*There is a cross over between the Juniors and Teens and Adults ages. This is to allow for variations in maturity and physical development. Some Juniors younger than 10 maybe able to attend depending of physical and mental maturity however assessment by one of our coaches will need to occure. Some Teens are also on the cusp of adulthood and are more suited to the Adults class. We will discuss with you what is more suitable for your son or daughter.