Positions and escapes
- The full positional hierarchy: guard, side control, mount, back
- Escaping from underneath a bigger, stronger partner
- Frames, hip movement and creating space
- Breakfalls and takedown safety
- Working live at a controlled intensity
Kids' Jiu-Jitsu (Ages 8–15)
The Program
Real technique, real progression, and the option to compete locally.
The older group trains a full hour every weekday afternoon. By this age students are learning proper jiu-jitsu: positions, escapes, sweeps and submissions. They progress through the IBJJF youth belt ranks, with real technical standards behind every promotion.
As children grow in their knowledge of jiu-jitsu, they learn to apply the core values to the rest of their lives with the help of their coaches and mentors. Parents consistently report that the focus and self-control carry over into behaviour at home and at school.
Students also enjoy the competition side of the sport by taking part in local tournaments alongside their peers and mentors. Boran students have been awarded gold, silver and bronze medals at various local competitions. Competing is entirely optional, and plenty of students never do.
This class is built for
- Children ready for structured, technical training
- Students moving up from our 4–7 group
- Teens who want a sport that is not team-based
- Families dealing with confidence or bullying concerns
- Children who want to compete, and those who never will
Not sure it's you? Come and train a week for free and find out.
Your First Visit
What a Class Actually Looks Like
Nobody likes walking into a room without knowing what happens. Here is the whole session, start to finish.
- 01First 10 min
Warm-up
Line up, bow in, then mobility and jiu-jitsu movement drills. At this age the warm-up is real conditioning rather than play.
- 02Next 20 min
Technique of the day
A full position taught in detail: the entry, the control, the finish, and the common mistakes. Students drill it with a partner while Professor Boran corrects individually.
- 03Next 20 min
Positional sparring
Starting from a set position with a clear goal, working against a partner of similar size who is genuinely resisting. Supervised closely and kept controlled.
- 04Last 10 min
Rounds and bow out
Live rounds for those who want them, then line up and finish. Students who would rather not roll on a given day are never pushed into it.
The Curriculum
What You'll Learn, and in What Order
Attacking and controlling
- Guard retention, sweeps and getting on top
- Passing the guard and holding side control
- Age-appropriate submissions and, just as importantly, defense
- Chaining positions rather than isolated techniques
- Handling opponents of different sizes and styles
Building their own game
- Developing a preferred guard and passing style
- Situational problem-solving under real resistance
- Optional competition preparation and rule sets
- Helping newer students, which is how understanding deepens
- A clear path into the adult classes at sixteen
Progression
Belts and progression
Students in this group progress through the full IBJJF youth belt system: grey, yellow, orange and green, each with white and black variations, with stripes awarded between ranks. Because Boran is IBJJF and USBJJF certified, those ranks are recognised at any affiliated academy or tournament in the world.
Promotions are earned on technical understanding and consistency, not on time served or a paid test. Students reaching sixteen move into the adult classes and begin the adult belt system in line with IBJJF guidelines.
- Grey
- Yellow
- Orange
- Green
Questions
Questions People Ask Before They Start
My child is being bullied. Will jiu-jitsu help?
It is one of the most common reasons families come to us. Jiu-jitsu is built on control rather than striking, so a child learns to manage a physical situation without hurting anyone, and the confidence that comes with that competence tends to defuse problems long before anything physical happens.
Does my child have to compete?
No. Competition is entirely optional and many students never enter a tournament. For those who want it, local competitions are a great experience, and our students have taken gold, silver and bronze at various local events.
How long does it take to earn a belt?
Youth belts take time, often a year or more per rank, with stripes awarded along the way so progress stays visible. That pace is deliberate: it means a Boran belt reflects genuine skill rather than attendance.
What if my child is much smaller than the others?
Jiu-jitsu is the martial art specifically built around a smaller person handling a larger one, so size is not the disadvantage it would be elsewhere. Partners are matched by size and experience for drilling and sparring.
Can this work alongside school sports?
Yes. Classes run Monday to Friday afternoons plus Saturday mornings, and the membership is unlimited, so students train around their other commitments and come when they can.
What happens when my child turns 16?
They move into the adult classes and begin the adult belt system, following IBJJF guidelines. It is a natural step, and by that point they usually already know most of the adult students.
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