Page 16 - ISSUE 2

GRAPPLER Fall 2018

DIAMOND the jigsaw line of the mats, other kids, and everything

2.) Limit distractions. Chatting parents, cell phones,

else in the universe except the coach are distractions to a
kid in Jiu-Jitsu class. Have a separate area for the parents
DAVE to watch class away from where you are coaching. Also,
discourage sidelining parents when the students are
drilling or sparring. Not every kid brings their parents to
class, and what may be an encouraging parent to one kid
may be a discouraging stranger to another. Set up desig-
nated break times for water. Encourage the students to
use the bathroom before class. Remember, any distrac-
tion is an interruption in your mission to give Jiu-Jitsu
to the student.
CREATING A DYNAMIC 3.) Time is the ultimate enemy. If class times are too
YOUTH PROGRAM long the student will learn less. Short class times with
few tasks to learn and plenty of sparring retain students
longer!

I have spent a number of years building a youth 4.) A cohesive curriculum goes hand in hand with
Jiu-Jitsu program in my adopted hometown of Kaohsi- appropriate class times. Take the time to write down
ung, Taiwan. I began the program because I wanted my a progress arc to follow as you coach. Know what you
son to share my passion for Jiu-Jitsu. And since there taught last class and know what you want to teach the
were no other programs for youngsters in our area, it was next class. Make sure there is overlap and review. Give the
an easy decision to start one. Here are four tips if you are student goals and aim the student at them! Periodically
thinking about starting a youth program of your own. revise your curriculum as you get better at coaching. One
arc might look like this; ukemi, takedowns, open-guard
1.) Bring in slightly older kids who have experience passing, pinning from position, submission, escaping
with Jiu-Jitsu. If this isn’t possible, find a couple of older dominant position, sweeping from guard, ukemi….
kids and give them a few lessons first. Explain to them
the class structure. Tell them how and where you want Creating a class dynamic that is fun and in which
them to sit as you demonstrate the technique. Explain kids learn Jiu-Jitsu is not always easy. I decided early
about drilling versus sparring and be clear about what on that I wanted to teach a Jiu-Jitsu class for kids, not a
tapping means. If you are coaching students who don’t kids’ Jiu-Jitsu class. In my mind, the former focuses on
speak English, find out how to say “tap” and “stop” in installing Jiu-Jitsu in the mind and body of the student.
their language. Give them plenty of practice and keep the The latter disguises it as a fun “body movement” class
class format the same for each of these few classes. When wherein perhaps students jump through hula-hoops and
you bring in the younger kids they can follow the older walk on balance beams. I truly believe that the move-
kids’ example as much as they follow your instruction. ments which make up Jiu-Jitsu techniques are inherently
This becomes easier as the class evolves because some fun. More importantly, learning Jiu-Jitsu improves the
students will act as natural examples for newer students ability to learn Jiu-Jitsu. Endurance, stamina, flexibility,
to emulate. Also, it will be easier to judge the older, more balance, strength, and the ability to defend oneself are
experienced students and to level them up accordingly. also learned.

Written By:
DAVE KIPPER

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