The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA

The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks (GB Thousand Oaks) is the core instructional system for all children’s BJJ programs. It is a highly structured, age-specific, and character-driven curriculum designed to seamlessly integrate world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training with essential life skills, ensuring a holistic development path for every child.

This curriculum is meticulously divided into three progressive phases, corresponding to key developmental stages.

1. Phase 1: Little Champions I (Ages 3–6)

This initial phase focuses heavily on creating a fun, safe, and controlled environment to build foundational motor skills and classroom readiness.

1. Core Objectives

 Focus & Listening: The primary goal is to train the child to listen to the instructor, follow directions, and maintain a quiet, respectful posture during demonstrations.

 Gross Motor Skills: The class structure is designed to improve coordination, balance, and spatial awareness through dynamic movement and BJJ-themed games.

 Mat Safety: Children are introduced to the concept of the breakfall (how to fall safely) and proper behavior on the mats to prevent accidents.

1. Curriculum Content

 Movement Drills: Focus on fun drills like “bear crawls,” “crab walks,” and simple tumbling, which secretly build the core strength and flexibility needed for BJJ.

 Basic Positional Concepts: Children learn to identify and execute the most basic positions: how to sit in the Guard , how to pin (Mount), and how to safely return to a standing position (Technical Stand-Up).

 Character Lessons: Simple lessons on cooperation, sharing, and honesty are reinforced through short mat-side talks and partner drills.

2. Phase 2: Little Champions II (Ages 7–9)

This phase transitions students from movement drills into the structured learning of the core BJJ curriculum (the fundamentals), increasing cognitive demands and technical precision.

1. Core Objectives

 Technical Foundation: Students begin learning the official GB1 Fundamentals techniques, including primary escapes, submissions, and sweeps.

 Discipline and Retention: Training focus moves to improving attention span and the ability to recall and execute a sequence of movements accurately.

 Introduction to Anti-Bullying: Formal introduction to the three phases of self-defense (verbal de-escalation, boundary setting, and physical neutralization).

1. Curriculum Content

 Escapes: Mastery of the Shrimp (Hip Escape) and the Bridge (Upa)—the most critical escapes from pins like Side Control and Mount.

 Takedown Safety: Learning how to enter and finish basic takedowns (like the Single Leg) safely, with an emphasis on the protection of both partners.

 Positional Sparring: Controlled, limited engagement (e.g., starting in a pin and trying only to escape) is introduced to allow children to apply techniques against resistance in a safe environment.

 Rule Enforcement: Strict adherence to mat etiquette, proper Gi care, and belt tying  is emphasized to build lasting discipline.

3. Phase 3: Juniors & Teens (Ages 10–15)

This advanced phase prepares students for the challenges of adolescence and eventual transition into the adult program, increasing technical complexity and physical intensity.

1. Core Objectives

 Strategic Thinking: Students learn not just individual moves, but how to chain them together, setting traps and developing full positional strategies (the “physical chess” of BJJ).

 Advanced Conditioning: Warm-ups become more physically demanding, building the functional strength, endurance, and agility required for sustained live rolling.

 Responsibility and Leadership: Older students are encouraged to mentor younger students, reinforcing their own fundamental knowledge and building leadership skills.

1. Curriculum Content

 Advanced Techniques (GB2 Integration): Introduction to more complex guard systems (e.g., half guard, spider guard), advanced guard passing methods, and sophisticated submission chains.

 Full Live Rolling: The majority of the class time is dedicated to supervised, full-intensity live rolling, teaching students how to manage pressure, conserve energy, and execute techniques under realistic duress.

 Self-Defense Scenarios: Role-playing and scenario training focus on real-world situations, reinforcing that the best defense is always a non-aggressive, assertive response.

 Life Skills: Instructors often lead discussions on topics relevant to this age group, such as time management, perseverance in academics, and making healthy choices, connecting the discipline of BJJ to success in life.

The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks ensures a comprehensive, step-by-step development that uses BJJ mastery as the foundation for building confident, disciplined, and capable young adults.

Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu & Martial Arts Academy Thousand Oaks CA

1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States

Phone Number: +1 805-721-6776

Office Hours

Mon. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Tue. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Wed. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Thu. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Fri. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Sat. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Sun. Closed

The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA