Little Warriors Jiu Jitsu: Building Strong Foundations (Ages 4–6)

Dear Parents,

Welcome to our youngest jiu jitsu class! We know it might sometimes look like your child is “just playing games,” but every activity is intentionally designed to build the strength, skills, and focus they’ll need to thrive in jiu jitsu as they grow. At ages 4–6, our top priorities are:

 Building stamina, balance, and coordination
 Developing reaction time and body awareness
 Encouraging focus, listening, and following directions
 Making sure learning feels fun so kids stay engaged and confident

When young students enjoy themselves, their participation, attention, and skill growth skyrocket — all while strengthening the brain connections (“neural pathways”) that will support more advanced learning later on.

 Why Games Matter in Jiu Jitsu

Here are some of the games we play in class — and the hidden skills they’re teaching:

• Bears vs. Crabs 
  Bear crawls and crab walks build mobility, strength, and endurance — while kids laugh and race.

• Backpack Kid 
  Kids practice holding strong grips and leg hooks while riding on an instructor’s back — learning the basics of back control.

• Belt Tug of War 
  Teaches grip strength, balance, and teamwork — while building confidence and friendly competition.

• Capture the Flag / Tail Grab 
  Students practice reaction time, agility, and how to get behind an opponent safely.

• Sumo 
  A circle game where kids try to move their partner out of bounds, developing balance, body control, and takedown awareness.

• Red Light, Green Light 
  Sharpens listening skills, reaction time, and self-control — essential qualities for both martial arts and everyday life.

And so much more! From Freeze Tag to Wheelbarrow Races, every “game” is secretly a training tool in disguise.

 What This Means for Your Child

When you see your little one:

• Crawling like a bear → they’re building grappling endurance.

• Balancing in tug-of-war → they’re developing the grip and strength needed to hold positions.

• Laughing while tagging knees and shoulders → they’re practicing agility and fast reactions.

These fun, foundational activities are what prepare young athletes to move into “real jiu jitsu” techniques as they mature.

 Our Philosophy

At this age, our biggest goal is to help children fall in love with movement, learning, and martial arts. If they’re smiling, sweating, and trying their best, they’re already on the path to becoming strong, focused, and respectful martial artists.

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s journey — we can’t wait to see how they grow both on and off the mats!