Kids Jiu-Jitsu in Pleasanton — Sprouts and Buds

I’m a proud father in addition to being a an instructor, and I built youth class the way I would want it for my own kids: coordination, safe contact, discipline with a supportive attitude, and grappling games that build real skill — not a dump of adult moves onto small people. We teach children at 7034 Commerce Circle, Suite F, Pleasanton, CA 94588. Two academy classes, two age bands, one building.

The two academy classes

BJJ Sprouts (ages 5–7). Play with a point. Movement drills, grappling games, supervised light sparring. The aim is a first love of jiu-jitsu and a sense of achievement that is earned, not staged.

BJJ Buds (ages 8–13). Same art, more rigor. Principles, techniques, movement patterns, and simple strategy. Drills, games, and supervised sparring for fun, self-defense, and — if a child wants it later — competition. We do not require a child to compete.

On the current schedule, both classes run after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the gi. Confirm times on that page before you come; Sunday we are closed.

Teens who have outgrown Buds move toward Fundamentals with adults. Parents who want to train alongside their teens: join us in the same building for evening Fundamentals.

Pleasanton Rec and LPC Community Education — how some kids find us

Some families first meet this gym through Pleasanton Recreation or Las Positas College Community Education. Those are real entry paths, but they are not full academy membership. The recreation classes meet once per week and are an excellent introduction to the art and how we teach, but real growth requires more consistency and commitment.

What parents usually want to know

Academy youth starts at 5. Children who are almost 5 may be considered but they will get a lot more out of the education if they are able to follow instructions reliably.

If your child already have a gi then feel free to wear it to his or her free trial class. If not, clean athletic clothes without zippers or pockets are best. And please bring slip on shoes for them to facilitate stepping onto the mat barefoot.

Sprouts classes include supervised light sparring activities, while Buds includes supervised full sparring. Youth class is still jiu-jitsu — we just keep the contact and rules appropriate for the age.

Is your child ready to try the gentle art? I’d love to welcome him or her to the mats for a free trial.

Ground Rules Academy
7034 Commerce Circle, Suite F
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 400-8805
groundrulesacademy.com
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