Kids

Why Kids Should Learn Jiu-jitsu or Self-Defense

by Kevyn Gohu
January 9, 2025

Besides it being a sport, here are other reasons why kids should learn self-defense.

After watching the kids fight it out passionately in Batang Pinoy 2024’s Brazillian Jiu-jitsu division, we’re probably thinking of enrolling the kids in the class. But there’s a lot more to the grappling and the adrenaline-fuelled beatdowns. Coupled with grapples, strikes, and take-downs, Brazillian Jiu-jitsu is more about forcing the opponent to yield rather than hurting them. It’s why Jiu-jitsu has gained popularity as a self-defense art among parents and kids.

Here are other reasons why kids should learn self-defense

1. It focuses more on making the opponent yield

Assault is still assault and if the moves are not done properly, it can end up killing somebody. The philosophy behind most self-defense arts is all about subduing and forcing the opponent to yield. Unlike other arts that have real lethal applications, self-defense is really just breaking another person’s willpower so the fighting will stop.

But when enrolling the kids into self-defense classes, always remind them — physical violence is always a last resort.

2. Self-defense is not just about grappling; it also has a disciplining philosophy

Enrolling kids in self-defense classes doesn’t just empower them. It also teaches them a fundamental rule: what goes around, comes around.

Brazillian Jiu-jitsu, as an art, challenges its users to focus more on control over overwhelming power which is what self-defense does. It tends to “shock” the opponent out of their rage or their attack, giving people time to either run or talk them out of the plan. Once they fully master it, kids eventually learn to use body language and words to disarm similar to their takedowns in the art which is what we want them to learn.

Besides, violence, as we all know, is just short-term satisfaction, a pile of hospital bills, and a lot of therapy. Self-defense teaches kids that violence must only answer to necessity. Not desire.

3. It puts kids’ energy elsewhere

Kids have a lot of energy and they can be destructive without realizing it. Having the kids take self-defense classes at least allows them to displace their energy somewhere else without hurting anybody. Plus, they learn both macro and micro muscle control.

4. They develop the ability to “listen to their body”

We’re always preaching about why we should listen to one’s body. Unfortunately, the annoying part is — how? Sports and self-defense arts teach kids how to listen to their bodies as they become more aware of their muscle movements. They’ll know when they pulled, locked, twisted, or strained something based on their moves. And let’s be honest, that’s a big relief for many of us as we try to do first aid for our kids’ booboos.

5. Self-defense makes people more wary of challenging them

Remember how some people just have this aura that says, “Don’t mess with them?” Self-defense arts or martial arts in general eventually influence our kids’ confidence and aura when they walk around, protecting them when they’re not even actively fighting. And if our kids are learning how to commute or go to places that may be dangerous, self-defense helps them a lot.

The benefits of self-defense grow with our kids

While it is funny on the silver screen to see a “frail” grandma or grandpa win against trained fighters, there’s some scientific truth to that. Constantly training in martial arts will eventually leave memories in our muscles thus, creating the famous “muscle memory.” Even after not practicing it, its effects such as heightened senses and faster reaction times will stick.

But to make sure it sticks, the kids need to attend these self-defense classes consistently. That way, their body sees it as a part of life. And if they want to start, they can try out at Origins Jiujitsu.