Today marks an exciting transition at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu as all of our youth classes—Peewee, Kids, and Juniors—move from No-Gi to Gi training. This shift will help our young athletes focus on the fundamentals of traditional Jiu Jitsu, providing them with new challenges and techniques to master.
Wearing the gi brings a different dynamic to training, as students will learn to utilize grips, manage the opponent’s clothing, and develop a deeper understanding of leverage and control. It’s also an excellent opportunity to further instill discipline and respect, as wearing the uniform reinforces these important values.
What Does This Mean for Students?
New Skills: Students will now learn how to apply techniques that involve the use of the gi, including lapel chokes, grip breaks, and gi-specific sweeps and submissions.
Discipline and Respect: The gi is a symbol of the martial arts tradition. Wearing it encourages mindfulness, respect, and care for the uniform and each other.
Excitement and Growth: Gi training challenges students to expand their game, making them more well-rounded grapplers.
Gi Rentals for New Students and Trials
If you’re new to the gym or trying out a class, we’ve made it easy! El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu offers gi rentals for new students and trial members. When you arrive for class, let us know you’d like to rent a gi, and we’ll provide you with on for free during your first week. This allows you to experience gi training without needing to purchase your own right away.
Remember to have your gi clean and ready for each class, and we look forward to seeing how our young athletes grow and develop in this new phase of their training!
This past Friday, El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu hosted our highly anticipated “Ruckus in the Hills” in-house competition, and it was a tremendous success! The energy in the room was electric as competitors from all levels showcased their hard work, skill, and determination on the mats. From our youngest Peewees to seasoned adults, everyone brought their A-game in what turned out to be a night full of exciting matches and valuable lessons.
Not only did this event give our students a chance to test their abilities in a friendly but competitive environment, but it also served as a fundraiser for the Guardian El Dorado Hills project. Thanks to the generosity of our participants and supporters, we raised nearly $1,000 for our scholarship program, which helps provide financial assistance to youth athletes who want to train but may face financial barriers. We are incredibly grateful for this support, as it ensures that Jiu Jitsu remains accessible to all.
A Huge Thank You
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible effort of our volunteers. A special thank you goes out to the coaches who spent extra time helping prepare our competitors and offering guidance throughout the event. To those who worked the score table, ensuring everything ran smoothly, and to the photographers who captured all the amazing moments, we appreciate your dedication. We also want to extend our gratitude to our on-call medic, who provided peace of mind and was ready to assist if needed. Your contributions made “Ruckus in the Hills” an unforgettable experience!
Transition to Gi Training
As we wrap up this thrilling competition, we’re shifting gears to focus on training in the gi for all Peewee, Kids, and Junior classes. With the fall season approaching, it’s the perfect time to get back to the fundamentals of traditional Jiu Jitsu. Gi training teaches patience, grip fighting, and technical precision in ways that complement the no-gi lessons learned during competition preparation.
For our Peewee students, the focus will be on familiarizing themselves with gi grips and basic techniques, laying a solid foundation for their future growth. Kids and Juniors will dive deeper into advanced concepts, such as guard passing, sweeps, and submissions with the added challenge of controlling grips and utilizing the gi.
We look forward to seeing the continued development of all our students as we embrace this new phase of training! Whether you’re coming off the excitement of “Ruckus in the Hills” or just starting your Jiu Jitsu journey, there’s so much to learn in the gi.
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, our youth classes are a place for learning, growth, and fun. Parents play a crucial role in this process, but often in ways that differ from traditional sports environments. In Jiu Jitsu, parent participation is essential, but it takes on a unique form—one that emphasizes silent support over direct cheering.
A Different Approach to Encouragement
In many sports, parents are often encouraged to cheer from the sidelines, shouting out words of encouragement or advice. However, in the world of Jiu Jitsu, the focus is on fostering independence, mental clarity, and resilience in young students. This is where the concept of “no direct cheering” comes into play.
When a parent is constantly shouting instructions or encouragement, it can actually add pressure and distract their child from the task at hand. In Jiu Jitsu, where focus and adaptability are key, children need the space to think critically, make decisions, and learn from both success and failure. Silent support allows them to do just that. It helps them build confidence in their own abilities, without feeling the need to perform for others.
We value coaching, and giving important feedback to athletes at the right time. We want parents to understand the difference between cheering and coaching and understand the various support systems that exist in the development of a young athlete and martial artist.
The Value of Silent Support
Silent support doesn’t mean parents take a passive role. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It means parents are present, attentive, and engaged in their child’s journey, without directly influencing their experience on the mat. Here’s how parents can offer silent support during Jiu Jitsu classes:
Be Present: Simply being there for your child shows them that you care and that their progress matters. Your quiet presence on the sidelines allows them to know they’re supported without the need for constant verbal reinforcement.
Celebrate Milestones, Not Every Moment: Jiu Jitsu is a long journey filled with ups and downs. Rather than celebrating every move, wait for those bigger milestones—whether it’s mastering a new technique, earning a stripe, or simply persevering through a tough session. This teaches patience and the value of persistence.
Encourage Reflection: After class, take the time to talk with your child about what they learned or what challenges they faced. This helps them process their experience and gives you an opportunity to provide positive reinforcement away from the immediate pressure of performance.
Support the Process, Not Just the Result: One of the core lessons of Jiu Jitsu is that progress often comes through small, incremental improvements. Parents can reinforce this by praising effort, determination, and focus, rather than just outcomes.
Building Confidence on the Mat
By refraining from direct cheering, we give our youth students the room to grow into confident, self-reliant individuals. They learn to trust themselves and rely on their own problem-solving abilities. The absence of vocal instructions from the sidelines also helps them stay in the moment, developing the awareness and adaptability needed for success in Jiu Jitsu.
Join Us in Cultivating Independence and Growth
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we encourage parents to actively participate in their child’s journey, but in ways that cultivate independence and personal growth. Our approach to parent participation and silent support creates an environment where young students can thrive off the mats.
We invite you to visit our Peewee, Kids, and Juniors classes to see this philosophy in action. With the right balance of guidance and quiet encouragement, your child will develop the skills, confidence, and character to succeed in Jiu Jitsu—and in life.
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, our goal is not just to teach martial arts but to instill important life skills in our students. One of the most critical lessons is safety. This month, we dedicated our mat chat to discussing what it means to stay safe both on and off the mats.
Why Safety Matters
Whether our little ones are rolling on the mat or playing with friends, understanding safety helps them stay out of harm’s way. At this age, children are still developing their awareness, which makes it essential to teach them how to protect themselves and those around them. Here’s how we broke down this important lesson in our latest mat chat:
3 Key Safety Lessons We Shared:
Listening to Your Coach: We emphasized the importance of listening to coaches during class. Coaches give instructions not only to teach new techniques but also to keep everyone safe. If a student isn’t following directions, they could unintentionally hurt themselves or their training partners.
Taking Care of Your Friends: We teach our students to work together, not against each other. When practicing techniques, being gentle and aware of our partner’s comfort is key. Understanding the importance of tapping out and stopping immediately when their partner taps is something we reinforce every day. It’s a vital part of learning mutual respect and ensuring no one gets hurt.
Being Aware of Your Surroundings: Whether they’re rolling on the mats or playing outside, we teach our kids to always be aware of their surroundings. Bumping into others, tripping, or even moving too close to the edge of the mat are common risks we address. By teaching them to keep an eye on where they are and what’s happening around them, we help them avoid unnecessary accidents.
Safety mat chat poster
Safety On and Off the Mats
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we believe these safety skills extend beyond Jiu Jitsu. Whether at home, at school, or out with friends, kids need to be mindful of the people and environment around them. The values of listening, caring for others, and staying aware of their surroundings are essential for every part of their lives.
By teaching these lessons early, we help our youngest students grow into responsible martial artists who understand that safety comes first—both in training and in everyday life.
Join Us in Teaching Life Skills Through Jiu Jitsu
Interested in learning more about our youth programs? Our classes for Peewees (ages 4-7) offer a fun, safe, and engaging environment where children can learn the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu while building life skills that will benefit them for years to come. Come visit us at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu and see how we’re helping kids grow stronger, safer, and more confident every day!
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we understand that children develop at different paces, both physically and mentally. To ensure each child receives the best possible training experience, we’ve organized our youth program into three distinct classes: Peewees, Kids, and Juniors. Each class is specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of its age group, allowing every student to grow in confidence, skill, and character.
Peewees (Ages 4-7)
The Peewee class is perfect for our youngest students, ages 4 to 7. At this stage, children are full of energy and eager to explore their abilities. Our focus in the Peewee class is to introduce them to the basics of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) through fun, engaging activities that emphasize movement, coordination, and balance.
In each session, Peewees learn fundamental techniques like breakfalls, basic positions, and simple escapes, all within a playful environment. Our instructors make sure that learning is enjoyable, using games and activities that keep the children excited and motivated. Importantly, we also teach essential social skills like teamwork, following instructions, and respect for others, laying a strong foundation for both their martial arts journey and everyday life.
Kids (Ages 7-10)
The Kids class is designed for children aged 7 to 10, who are ready to build on the basics and start learning more structured Jiu Jitsu techniques. At this age, students are capable of grasping more detailed instructions and can begin to understand the strategic elements of BJJ.
In the Kids class, we introduce more advanced techniques and drills, focusing on body mechanics, leverage, and positional control. Students also start to engage in light sparring, where they apply what they’ve learned in a safe and controlled environment. Beyond physical skills, this class emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and maintaining composure under pressure. These are essential life skills that extend beyond the mats and into everyday challenges.
Juniors (Ages 11-17)
Our Juniors class is for older students, ages 11 to 17, who are ready to take their training to the next level. This class is more intensive, focusing on refining techniques, improving conditioning, and preparing students for potential competition.
In the Juniors class, we delve deeper into advanced Jiu Jitsu concepts, including submissions, guard passes, and sweeps. Students are encouraged to think strategically about their movements and to develop a personal style that suits their strengths. This class also emphasizes the importance of discipline, perseverance, and respect—values that are integral to both Jiu Jitsu and personal development. For those interested in competition, we provide guidance and support to help them succeed in a competitive setting.
Why Age-Specific Classes Matter
By dividing our youth classes by age, we create an environment where every child can thrive. Younger students get the opportunity to learn in a playful, low-pressure setting, while older students can challenge themselves and develop leadership skills.
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we’re committed to helping each child reach their full potential, both as martial artists and as individuals. Our Peewee, Kids, and Juniors classes provide the perfect balance of fun, challenge, and support, ensuring that every student can grow and succeed.
If you’re looking for a positive and nurturing environment for your child to learn Jiu Jitsu, we invite you to try a class with us and see the benefits firsthand!
