Children and teens aged 5 to 15
Kids BJJ in Affoltern am Albis
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art without striking. Your child learns to stand their ground, set boundaries and treat others fairly — in age-appropriate groups.
Our age groups
We train in three groups so that technique, pace and language match the age.
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Kids · ages 5 to 7
A playful introduction: body awareness, balance, falling without fear, and the first positions. Lots of movement, short explanations. Monday and Wednesday at 17:15.
- 20 min warm-up and games
- 15 min basic positions
- 10 min playful sparring
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Juniors · ages 8 to 10
Technique comes to the fore: controlling, escaping, holding positions, plus the first rules for rolling with partners. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- 10 min warm-up
- 20 min technique
- 20 min sparring
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Teens · ages 11 to 15
Full Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Gi and No-Gi, with structured sparring and the official youth belt system. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- 10 min warm-up
- 20 min technique
- 20 min sparring
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From 14, adult classes as well
Once they are 14 or 15, teenagers may also attend the adult technique classes after speaking with the coach. Training partners are assigned by the coach, and the junior rate still applies.
Why BJJ suits children particularly well
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu there is no punching and no kicking. Everything works through control, leverage and position, and any exchange ends the moment someone taps. That makes it one of the safest martial arts there is, and it removes the injury worry most parents start with.
What children learn goes well beyond the mat: not to be pushed around, to stay calm when a situation becomes uncomfortable, and to accept a no. It is genuinely effective anti-bullying preparation — without your child ever having to learn to hurt anyone.
- Confidence built on visible, measurable progress
- Focus and discipline that carry over into school
- Realistic self-defence with no striking involved
- Physical activity as a counterweight to screens and desks
- An official belt system for long-term motivation
Class times for children and teens
All kids and juniors classes at a glance.
Monday
| Time | Class |
|---|---|
| BJJ Kids (5-7) Gi | |
| BJJ Juniors (8-10) Gi | |
| BJJ Teen (11-15) Gi |
Wednesday
| Time | Class |
|---|---|
| BJJ Kids (5-7) Gi | |
| BJJ Kids (8-10) NOGI | |
| Juniors (11-15) NOGI |
Friday
| Time | Class |
|---|---|
| Juniors (8-10) Gi | |
| Teens (11-15) Gi |
Saturday
| Time | Class |
|---|---|
| Kids Competition Team By invitation |
By invitation only: this session is reserved for the competition squad. Athletes are selected by the coach — it is not an open class.
Adult classes are listed in the full schedule. Teenagers from 14 may also attend the adult technique classes after speaking with the coach.
Full class scheduleQuestions parents ask
From what age can my child start?
From age 5. The youngest group trains playfully and in short blocks so that concentration lasts.
Is it dangerous?
There is no striking and no kicking in BJJ. Training happens under control on the ground, and every exchange stops immediately when someone taps. Coaches supervise every partner drill.
What does my child need for the first class?
Comfortable sportswear without zips, something to drink and clean feet. Your child does not need a kimono for the trial class yet — if you already have one, do bring it.
Can I watch as a parent?
At the trial class, yes — parents are expressly welcome to watch. For regular training the mat area is then reserved for the children and coaches. We invite you to watch at our special occasions instead, such as graduations and in-house events.
Does my child have to compete?
No. Competitions are entirely voluntary. Those who want to compete get specific preparation; everyone else simply carries on training.
Is there a sibling discount?
We do not offer a sibling discount. Our kids classes are usually full and places are limited, so the same price applies to everyone.
A free first class for children too
Sign your child up for a trial session with no obligation. We are happy to show you the gym beforehand.