If you're looking to bully-proof your child, Jiu Jitsu is perhaps the best martial art for self defense. Compared to the more common striking arts, Jiu Jitsu will teach your child the skills to defend themselves without getting themselves in trouble as well. The difference is astounding. Lets briefly look at a bullying situation. Another kid, most likely a larger kid, attempts to shove and pin your child to the ground. When a student is taught Karate or Taekwondo the reaction would be to strike- perhaps giving the bully a black eye or bloody nose. That bully goes home to his/her parents and what happens? Your child is now looked at as the bully. This could result in anything from an angry phone call to a lawsuit. If it happened at school, your child who was the victim, could end up being expelled. Jiu Jitsu works very differently. Taking that same situation, we teach kids how to escape that pin using leverage- no striking needed. They then learn how to maintain a safe and dominant position (on top of the opponent) until the bully calms down. Even a small child can maintain control of a larger person when correct technique is used. We teach kids to diffuse the situation by letting the bully tire himself out and by negotiating release. Everyone wins. Your child defends himself/herself, shows the bully who's boss, and does so without the use of violence. Jiu Jitsu is also a sport based martial art. This means kids are able to actively work with resisting partners in almost every class. We also train and take kids to area competitions and tournaments. We keep things fun with plenty of games and challenges throughout the class.
