If you’re a parent thinking about enrolling your child in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), there’s a good chance safety is one of your top concerns. And rightfully so — any time your child is involved in physical activity, especially something that includes contact or grappling, it’s smart to ask questions.
At Core Combat Sports in Roscoe, IL, we talk to parents every week who are curious about BJJ but hesitant because of what they’ve seen online or on TV. They wonder if their child will get hurt, if it’s too intense, or if it’s even appropriate for younger kids.
Here’s the good news: when taught the right way, by the right instructors, in a structured environment, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the safest martial arts your child can learn.
Let’s break down what makes it safe, how we keep your child protected, and why so many parents are choosing BJJ to help their kids grow stronger, more confident, and more focused — all while staying injury-free.
What Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Actually Teaches
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on control, leverage, and technique instead of strength or striking. Unlike sports that involve punches or kicks, BJJ is practiced without intentional contact to the head or body.
Kids learn how to move their bodies, use balance and timing, escape from bad positions, and control their partners without causing harm.
Is There a Risk of Injury?
Any physical activity comes with some level of risk. Kids can get hurt running around the playground, playing soccer, or even riding a bike. But statistically, BJJ has a lower injury rate than most common youth sports, including football, basketball, and wrestling.
The key is how the classes are structured.
We keep our classes age-appropriate and closely supervised. Kids are matched by size and experience, and every technique is taught with a strong emphasis on control and safety.
Students are taught how to train safely from day one. They learn how to tap, how to move with a partner, and how to recognize when it’s time to stop.
How Classes Are Structured to Keep Kids Safe
Safety starts with how we run our classes. Every kids’ BJJ session follows a consistent structure based on age, experience, and focus.
Warm-Ups That Build Body Awareness
Each class begins with a warm-up that includes movement drills designed to help kids understand how their bodies work. This includes coordination, balance, and flexibility exercises — not just for physical preparation, but to improve control and awareness.
Clear, Step-by-Step Technique Instruction
Techniques are introduced slowly and broken down in a way that makes sense for kids. Our coaches demonstrate the move, explain the goal, and check for understanding before any student practices. Safety points are always reinforced — especially how to apply techniques without causing discomfort to a partner.
Supervised Partner Drilling
After learning a technique, students pair up to practice it with one another. Coaches walk the mat during this time to correct mistakes, encourage good form, and prevent any unsafe behavior. Kids are praised for showing control, not aggression.
No Striking or High-Impact Contact
Unlike other martial arts, BJJ doesn’t involve punching, kicking, or any kind of high-impact contact. That significantly reduces the risk of common injuries like concussions or bruising. Even in live drilling or sparring, the goal is to control — not hurt.
Is Sparring Required?
Not at all. We never force kids to spar or roll live if they’re not ready. Live training is introduced gradually and always at a level that matches the child’s age, confidence, and skill level.
When they are ready to roll, it’s done with strict supervision and clear rules. The goal is to help students apply what they’ve learned in a way that builds skill and confidence, not to “win” or dominate a partner.
Kids are taught how to tap early, train with respect, and take care of their teammates. That mindset is built into everything we do.
How BJJ Builds Confidence and
Emotional Control
One of the best parts about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is how it teaches kids to control their emotions — not just their bodies. When a child trains BJJ, they learn how to stay calm under pressure, handle frustration, and work through difficult situations without giving up.
They start to build resilience, not just physical strength. That emotional control helps in the gym, but also at school, with friends, and at home.
Kids who train BJJ tend to become more focused, more respectful, and more self-aware — all while having fun and staying active.
What Ages Can Start Safely?
At our school, we start working with children as young as 4 years old, depending on their maturity and ability to follow directions. Our Little Ninjas program introduces basic movement and coordination in a safe, fun environment.
For kids ages 7 to 12, we move into more structured BJJ training. It’s still beginner-friendly, but with a stronger focus on technique, self-defense concepts, and learning to work with partners in a controlled way.
We build each class around age, size, and experience, making sure no child is pushed too quickly or trained beyond their level. That’s one of the biggest reasons our injury rate stays low. We adjust the training to fit the child, not the other way around.
Why Safety Is a Priority at Core Combat Sports
At our school in Roscoe, safety isn’t an afterthought. It’s built into everything we do. We believe kids can learn self-defense, build confidence, and develop discipline without ever being placed in a dangerous situation.
Our coaches are trained to work with kids, not just teach techniques. We focus on patience, communication, and positive coaching that helps each student grow at their own pace.
We’ve seen kids who were shy, anxious, or unsure walk into class for the first time. A few months later, they’re more confident, more coordinated, and more comfortable in their own skin.
It all begins with safety, and that’s something we take seriously.
Ready to Try a Safe and Fun
Martial Arts Program?
If you’ve been thinking about trying martial arts for your child but weren’t sure if it was safe, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a great place to start.
At Core Combat Sports, we offer 2 Weeks of Classes + a FREE T-Shirt for just $69 so your child can try it out in a safe, structured, and positive environment.
Come see the difference for yourself.
Visit https://coremma.com to sign up, or stop by our gym at 7135 Clinton Rd, Loves Park, IL to speak with a coach.
Let’s help your child grow strong, focused, and confident — one class at a time.