--- title: "The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA" url: https://gbthousandoaks.com/the-future-champions-curriculum-at-gracie-barra-jiu-jitsu-thousand-oaks-ca/ author: graciebarrajiujitsuthousandoaks date: 2025-12-17T05:08:06-08:00 categories: [The "Future Champions" Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks] tags: [CA, The "Future Champions" Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks] --- # The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA # ***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**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/jiu-jitsu-nationals-gbto-result/) (BJJ) training with essential life skills, ensuring a holistic development path for every child. [![The "Future Champions" Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/add2-90-300x163.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** This curriculum is meticulously divided into three progressive phases, corresponding to key developmental stages. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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). - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/instructors/) often lead discussions on topics relevant to this age group, such as time management, perseverance in academics, and making [**health**](https://gbthousandoaks.com/health-and-bjj-after40/)y 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](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01The-22Future-Champions22-Curriculum-at-Gracie-Barra-Jiu-Jitsu-Thousand-Oaks-CA-300x123.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** [![The "Future Champions" Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/add1-90-300x169.png)](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/) ***[The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/)*** - [Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA](https://gbthousandoaks.com/) ### Route Your location: No route could be calculated. ### Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA 1011 Rancho Conejo Boulevard Thousand Oaks, California 91320 United States (US)Phone: [+1 805-721-6776](tel:+18057216776) Secondary phone: [+1 805-721-6776](tel:+18057216776) # ***The “Future Champions” Curriculum at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks, CA***