A research-backed ranking of the best BJJ Fanatics instructionals for kids and youth, with who-each-course-is-for, strengths, and r/bjj sentiment.
Train With Your Kids
Turn playtime into real BJJ skills with fast, fun games kids love.
BJJ For Kids: The Journey Begins
A coach-ready kids curriculum that builds fundamentals step by step.
How To Build Better Youth Competitors
Youth-legal takedowns and passes that win points without risky chaos.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 Train With Your Kids by Joel Bouhey
Instructor: Joel Bouhey
Style: Drill Heavy, Conceptual
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 30 hours and 6 minutes
Volumes: 1
Biggest takeaway: Make real skills feel like play.
Techniques: Games, Drills, Guard Passing, Mount, Balance, Coordination, Parent Child Drills
- Train With Your Kids Volume 2 – Adds new games and progressive challenges after Volume 1.
- BJJ For Kids: The Journey Begins – More structured class blueprint for coaches.
- No Gi For Kids – Great if your academy is mainly no-gi.
You get a library of simple games that secretly teach guard passing, mount control, balance, and movement. The drills are short, safe, and optimized for short attention spans. You will not get a full curriculum or deep technique progressions; use this as your on-ramp or home supplement.
✅ Pros
- Excellent engagement for young kids through short, playful drills.
- Maps directly to essential positions without heavy jargon.
- Low price makes it the safest first buy for parents.
⚠️ Cons
- Light on detailed technique and coaching structure.
- Presentation can feel childish to some adults.
- Not a complete kids class curriculum by itself.
💡 I found parents stick with at-home training longer when each drill feels like a game with a clear goal. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 BJJ For Kids: The Journey Begins by Josh Cooksley
Instructor: Josh Cooksley
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 3 hours and 54 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Structure beats move-of-the-day.
Techniques: Fundamentals, Self Defense, Takedowns, Guard Passing, Mount, Escapes, Closed Guard
- BJJ For Kids - Similar content from the same instructor in a different cut.
- Their Journey Continues - Follow-up material once basics feel solid.
You get a turnkey class plan that starts with safety and movement, then builds positions, takedowns, and clean basic submissions. The pacing is kid-friendly and easy to repeat across belts. You will not find advanced tactics or competition meta; this is about foundation and confidence.
✅ Pros
- Four volumes cover the whole beginner pathway for kids.
- Short explanations fit attention spans in the 6–12 range.
- Clear drills make it easy to plan multi-week themes.
⚠️ Cons
- Not designed for high-level youth competitors.
- Relatively light on live situational games.
- Coaches may want extra behavior-management tips.
💡 I see better outcomes when kids repeat one core theme for several weeks before switching topics. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 How To Build Better Youth Competitors by Vagner Rocha
Instructor: Vagner Rocha
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 56 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Score safely from the feet.
Techniques: Takedowns, Ankle Pick, Sprawl, Guard Passing, Half Guard, Back Takes, Kimura
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu For Competition Kids - Closed guard-focused plan for youth competitors.
You get a clear blend of wrestling entries, safe finishes, and pressure passes tailored to kids divisions. The sequences are competition-tested and build from clean mechanics. You will not get playful games here; it is straight to efficient scoring.
✅ Pros
- Strong takedown menu kids can actually hit under pressure.
- Clear tie between entries, passes, and points.
- Competition mindset framed with youth safety notes.
⚠️ Cons
- Little attention to games or play-based learning.
- Persona may not fit every academy culture.
- Narrow focus if your kid trains only recreationally.
💡 I have seen kids jump levels fast when they add two safe takedowns they can trust. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 No Gi For Kids by Nicolas Renier
Instructor: Nicolas Renier
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 34 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Keep it short and safe.
Techniques: No-Gi Basics, Wrestling Entries, Guard Passing, Mount, Turtle, Escapes, Submissions
- Luta Livre Concepts: Basic Submissions - Pairs well to expand no-gi submission options.
You get short, structured lessons on takedowns, passing, control, and basic finishes with youth safety in mind. The curriculum suits rooms that skew no-gi or mixed. You will not learn gi grip fighting or belt-knot rituals here; it stays no-gi.
✅ Pros
- Clear no-gi path for youth with safety constraints.
- Balanced mix of games and concise instruction.
- Good takedown-to-control-to-finish flow.
⚠️ Cons
- No gi-grip curriculum for traditional academies.
- Less depth than adult-focused no-gi systems.
- Requires coach to add behavior-management pieces.
💡 I have seen no-gi rooms thrive when kids master standing entries and top control early. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Kids BJJ Made Easy by Guy and Rob Pendergrass
Instructor: Guy and Rob Pendergrass
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 3 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Structure drives focus.
Techniques: Class Structure, Behavior Management, Games, Warmups, Engagement, Coach Tools
- Fundamentals of BJJ For Kids - Add basic technique lessons to your class playbook.
You get class templates, behavior systems, and plug-and-play games to reduce chaos. It complements technique-focused courses by solving classroom problems. You will not learn advanced systems here; this is about delivery and engagement.
✅ Pros
- Directly addresses behavior, flow, and parent-facing needs.
- Useful templates reduce weekly planning stress.
- Complements technical instructionals perfectly.
⚠️ Cons
- Light on technical depth by design.
- New title with limited long-term feedback.
- Some coaches will want more live-sparring frameworks.
💡 I have watched kids classes transform when coaches standardize the opening 10 minutes. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Fundamentals of BJJ For Kids by Pete Letsos
Instructor: Pete Letsos
Style: Drill Heavy, Technique Collection
Best for: Beginner
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Safety and base first.
Techniques: Base, Breakfalls, Sprawl, Mount, Closed Guard, Kimura Basics
- BJJ For Kids: The Journey Begins - More structured and class-ready.
You get base, stance, breakfalls, simple submissions, and a gentle intro to sparring. The explanations are straightforward and kid-aware. You will not find a full curriculum or competition meta; use it to start right.
✅ Pros
- Clear, calm explanations for true beginners.
- Focus on safety habits like tapping and breakfalls.
- Pairs well with class-structure toolkits.
⚠️ Cons
- Light on advanced or competitive content.
- No full class planning system included.
- Some segments may feel slow for energetic groups.
💡 I recommend beginners master base, breakfalls, and mount control before chasing fancy moves. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu For Competition Kids by Devhonte Johnson
Instructor: Devhonte Johnson
Style: System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 16 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Closed guard still wins early.
Techniques: Closed Guard, Hip Bump, Kimura, Arm Drag, Lumberjack Sweep, Back Take
- How To Build Better Youth Competitors - More emphasis on takedowns and passing.
You get a tight guard plan with hip-bumps, kimuras, drags, and basic sweeps that score fast. The coordination drills fit warmups and build confidence. You will not find exotic guards or advanced chain wrestling here; it keeps things simple.
✅ Pros
- Easy-to-run warmups that build usable strength and coordination.
- Closed-guard plan kids can memorize and trust.
- Good tournament add-on alongside takedown practice.
⚠️ Cons
- Narrow focus; needs passing and takedowns from elsewhere.
- Not ideal for fully recreational classes.
- Guard-first bias may not suit wrestling-centric rooms.
💡 I like closed guard for kids because it rewards posture control and simple chains before speed matters. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Should kids start in the gi or no-gi?
Both work. Many coaches start in the gi for grips, posture, and easier control. No-gi rooms favor wrestling entries and movement first. Choose the format your child will actually attend consistently. If your gym splits weeks, pair a gi-focused fundamentals course with a no-gi skills series so kids learn frames and base in both contexts.
How to use these courses without overwhelming kids
Pick one theme for 2–3 weeks: takedown, top control, or a single guard plan. Run 10–15 minute blocks: warmup game, 2 short drills, 3 situational rounds. Keep explanations under 60 seconds and demo once more between rounds. Track one habit per week, like a safe breakfall or a hip-bump to sit-up. Layer slowly; avoid move-of-the-day overload.
💙 Was this article helpful?
Share it with your training partners!
