Ages 4–15 • Mon – Fri

Kids & Teen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Venice, FL

Gustavo Machado BJJ Venice runs two youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) programs as a structured after-school activity every weekday afternoon at 216 Seaboard Ave: Little Champs for ages 4–6 and Kids & Teen BJJ for ages 7–15, from grade-schoolers to young teens. Kids and teens build confidence, focus and real self-defense skills in a structured, supervised class led by black belt Head Instructor David Valentine. Your child's first week is free.

Book Your Free Class (855) 850-3473

Mon – Fri • 5:00 – 5:45 PM

Little Champs Kids BJJ

Ages 4–6

Little Champs is the kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) class for children typically ages 4–6 at Gustavo Machado BJJ Venice. Built for little kids and preschoolers, classes use games and short drills to build coordination, balance, listening skills and emotional resilience, while introducing basic ways to respond if someone grabs or pushes them.

The focus is on agility, discipline, bullying prevention and motor skills, so kids leave each class more confident, and burn off plenty of energy along the way.

Days: Monday – Friday
Time: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM

Book a Free Little Champs Class

Mon – Fri • 5:45 – 7:00 PM

Kids & Teen BJJ

Ages 7–15

Kids & Teen BJJ is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class for kids and teenagers ages 7–15 at Gustavo Machado BJJ Venice. It takes grade-schoolers and young teens further into real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: positional control, escapes, submissions and live grappling with partners their size. It's where young athletes develop self-confidence, athleticism and leadership on the mat.

The emphasis is on leadership, self-defense leverage and live submission grappling, and students who want to compete get coached in their corner at local tournaments.

Days: Monday – Friday
Time: 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM

Book a Free Kids & Teen Class

Gi & No-Gi for Kids & Teens

A Martial Art Kids & Teens Can Actually Use

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling martial art. Instead of punching and kicking, kids and teens learn to hold position, escape and control a partner using leverage. Because there's no striking, they can practice with real effort against a resisting partner under instructor supervision, so the skills are practiced, not just memorized.

Parents comparing karate, taekwondo or other kids and teen martial arts classes in Venice often choose BJJ for exactly that reason: it teaches a child or teenager to stay calm and in control if someone grabs, pushes or pins them, without teaching them to hit.

Kids and teens train both Gi (in a kimono) and No-Gi (in a rashguard), just like the adults.

Kids & Teen BJJ students in gis lined up for class with their instructor — Gi training

Kids & Teen BJJ students lined up for a No-Gi class with their instructor — No-Gi training

Why Parents Choose BJJ

What Kids & Teens Learn On The Mat

Anti-Bullying Skills

Kids and teens learn to stay calm and control a situation using leverage, without needing to strike.
Focus & Discipline

Structured classes teach listening, patience and respect for coaches and teammates.
Confidence

Earning stripes and belts gives young students clear goals and a real sense of achievement.
Fitness & Coordination

Agility, balance and strength develop naturally through drills and grappling games.

Homeschool Families

Jiu-Jitsu for Homeschool Students

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great way for homeschooled kids and teens to cover PE and fitness while building discipline, confidence and real self-defense skills alongside other kids. Younger homeschoolers train in the weekday Little Champs Kids BJJ and Kids & Teen BJJ classes above, and homeschooled teens 16 and older can join the daytime adult classes.

Interested in a daytime homeschool class? We're gauging interest in a youth class around 11 AM or noon for homeschool families. If enough families sign up, we'll add it to the schedule. Join the interest list and we'll let you know.

Join the Homeschool Interest List

For Parents

Kids & Teen BJJ Questions

How does the free week work?

Pick your first class in the free trial sign-up and enter your details, and we'll confirm. You get 7 consecutive days of unlimited training in your program, with no obligation.

Which kids or teen BJJ class is right for my child?

Little Champs is typically for ages 4–6 and Kids & Teen BJJ is for ages 7–15. Little Champs meets Monday through Friday, 5:00 to 5:45 PM. Kids & Teen BJJ meets Monday through Friday, 5:45 to 7:00 PM. Not sure which fits? Call (855) 850-3473 and we'll help place your child.

Do you offer Jiu-Jitsu classes for teenagers?

Yes. Teens up to age 15 train in Kids & Teen BJJ, our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for ages 7–15, Monday through Friday, 5:45 to 7:00 PM. Teenagers learn positional control, escapes, submissions and live grappling with partners their size, and those who want to compete get coached at local tournaments. Teens 16 and older can join the adult Gi and No-Gi classes. Either way, it's a great fit for teens who want self-defense, fitness and confidence, with no experience needed.

Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) a good martial art for kids and teens?

Yes. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling martial art, so kids and teens learn to control, escape and hold a partner down using leverage instead of punching and kicking. With no striking, they can practice with real effort against a resisting partner under instructor supervision, which builds confidence and self-defense skills. Compared with striking martial arts like karate or taekwondo, BJJ focuses on staying calm and in control when someone grabs, pushes or pins you, which is exactly what most bullying situations look like.

Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu good for self-defense?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) teaches techniques for controlling and escaping from a stronger, heavier opponent using leverage and position rather than strength, and you practice them against resisting partners. It's widely considered one of the most practical martial arts for self-defense, for adults, teens and kids alike.

Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a good after-school activity for kids?

Yes. Our youth classes run right after school every weekday: Little Champs (Ages 4–6) from 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM and Kids & Teen BJJ (Ages 7–15) from 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. It's a structured after-school activity where kids burn off energy, get fit and build discipline, focus and confidence, with clear goals as they earn stripes and belts.

Do you have classes for homeschool students?

Yes. Homeschooled teens 16 and older can train in our daytime adult classes: Early Birds at 7:00 AM (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday); Morning Adult at 9:00 AM (Monday – Saturday); Afternoon Adult at 4:00 PM (Monday – Friday). Younger homeschooled kids train in the weekday youth classes at 5:00 PM (Little Champs) and 5:45 PM (Kids & Teen BJJ). Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to cover PE and fitness while building discipline and self-defense skills. We're also gauging interest in a daytime homeschool class around 11 AM or noon. If enough families sign up, we'll add it, so join the homeschool interest list.

What do kids and teens learn in BJJ?

Kids and teens learn coordination, focus and discipline alongside real self-defense skills, including strategies for handling a bully by controlling a situation without striking. As they grow, the Kids & Teen BJJ program adds leadership, positional control and live grappling.

Do students have to compete?

No. Competing is optional. Many students train for fitness, self-defense and confidence, while those who want to compete have represented the academy on the podium at Jiu Jitsu World League Florida tournaments, with coaches in their corner.

Try a Free Week of Kids & Teen BJJ

Seven days of unlimited youth Jiu-Jitsu classes. Not sure which program fits? Call and we'll help place your child.