Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling martial art where technique and intelligence beat size and strength — making it one of the most effective and confidence-building activities a child can learn.
Enrol your child today →Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a ground-based grappling martial art developed in Brazil from Judo and traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu. It focuses on takedowns, positional control, and submission holds — and crucially, it teaches that a smaller, weaker person can overcome a larger, stronger one through technique and leverage.
Unlike striking arts, BJJ involves no punching or kicking. Training is done cooperatively with a partner, making it one of the safest martial arts for children to learn. Practitioners wear a kimono (gi) and train in a controlled, coach-led environment.
At Ground Up BJJ, every session is structured, progressive, and age-appropriate — building fundamental movement skills, spatial awareness, and the kind of calm problem-solving that serves children well far beyond the mat.
The research on martial arts and children is consistent — structured, coach-led grappling programmes produce measurable improvements in confidence, self-regulation, and social skills.
One of the most important things about BJJ is that it does not reward the naturally athletic child over others. Technique and intelligence are the currency — which makes it transformative for children who have struggled to find their place in sport.
BJJ gives children a controlled environment to face challenges, succeed, and genuinely surprise themselves. Progress is visible and personal — and that changes how a child sees themselves.
The physical demands of BJJ are a productive outlet for high energy. The structure and immediate feedback of training helps children with attention difficulties stay engaged in a way many classroom activities cannot.
No running, no ball skills, no team selection. BJJ rewards patience, observation, and problem-solving — attributes that children who feel left behind in traditional sport often have in abundance.
Training with a partner in a structured, respectful environment gives children a shared language and natural context for connection. Many children who find social situations difficult thrive in the clear, defined social structure of martial arts.
Research suggests that regular martial arts practice reduces anxiety in children by building coping strategies and a stronger sense of personal agency. Knowing you can handle a physical challenge changes how manageable everything else feels.
Everyone starts at zero in BJJ. There's no tryout, no minimum fitness level, no prior experience required. Our programme is specifically designed for children who have never trained before — and that's exactly who we love working with.
A growing body of peer-reviewed research points to martial arts training as one of the most effective structured activities for child development — particularly for social-emotional learning and self-regulation.
Every Ground Up BJJ session follows the same structure — predictable, safe, and progressive. Children always know what to expect, which builds confidence from the very first class.
Classes run in school halls across Ireland. Kimono included. No experience needed. 20 places per class.
Kimono included · Flexible payment plans