Reasons Why Kids Want To Quit BJJ

Many parents encourage their children to participate in fast-paced sports nowadays. Kids can learn valuable skills such as coordination, increased focus, teamwork, and self-confidence, all of which could help them develop into more well-rounded, successful, and responsible adults.

Some parents believe that having their children learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the best way to improve their physical health and psychological capabilities. But often kids choose to quit BJJ classes. Is there a reason why youngsters stop doing BJJ? What are the possible reasons why they choose to quit BJJ?

While growing up, kids develop different interests, capabilities, and physiques. However, not all children enjoy working out and sweating. Considering how physically demanding BJJ is, many kids feel it is not worthwhile to waste their time and energy trying to master a martial art. Several factors contribute to why kids give up on BJJ:

BJJ training requires spending a lot of time, leaving kids a few hours left in the day to do other activities they enjoy. In between training sessions, children need time to have fun, spend time with friends, play games, and focus on their studies. If BJJ starts becoming a chore rather than a hobby, many kids can quickly lose interest.

It is possible to motivate your kids without criticizing them. Yelling at your children when they make mistakes or are not productive is hardly constructive. Do not be surprised if your child performs poorly in activities that require physical and mental skills.

Keep in mind that BJJ training isn't about winning and losing. It is more important that your child gave it his/her all, didn’t give up and had a passion for BJJ. Parents who pressure their kids to always win can dampen their kids’ passion. Focusing only on winning also takes away the joy, sportsmanship, and fun of practicing BJJ.

One of the reasons your child may wish to stop practicing BJJ is the lack of a suitable learning environment. Jiu-Jitsu is a disciplined art that yields result over time. However, if the instructors lack competence or teach in a hostile environment and face problems when teaching kids BJJ, the benefits of BJJ training will be minimal or non-existent. Make sure to look at reviews of gyms and the competence of the teaching staff.

If your kid is unable to develop an interest in BJJ, they will not want to waste their time practicing it.

Parents should try to help their kids build an interest in BJJ before signing them up for classes. But if your kid is reluctant to start learning BJJ, don’t pressure or force your love of BJJ onto your kid.

Some children believe they are not learning any useful skills that have useful applications off the mat. Try to review what your child learned in class and listen patiently if they have grievances about BJJ.

You can demonstrate the lessons or techniques they learned to help them better comprehend them. You could also provide examples of situations where it would be handy to know BJJ moves.

If your child is starting to lose interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but you believe it is still beneficial for them to continue, try the following suggestions:

Try to give your kid an incentive to stick with BJJ by listing the short- and long-term benefits of BJJ. Tell them they won't be able to reach the rank of black belt or see the friends they made at the dojo. Remind them of the time, effort, and energy they had invested while learning BJJ. Parents should start BJJ training with their kids if possible. 

If anyone can help and guide you through this difficult time, it is your child's teacher. She/He probably dealt with numerous children and adults who are in thought of quitting. Your kid's BJJ instructor can make moves and techniques interesting by adding fun.

Your child will not want to continue their BJJ training if they feel their priorities are being ignored or forced to continue against their will. Try to discuss with your kid a BJJ training schedule that she/he would be comfortable with. Asking your child’s input on working with the instructors and which weekdays are for training will make them more amenable to changing their mind about giving up on BJJ.

Martial arts like BJJ encourage children to make new friends and maintain their physical and mental health.

Children's cognitive skills can be presented with health challenges that will improve decision-making through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. Learning how to perform BJJ techniques will help your child develop better coordination. Additionally, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu exercises release endorphins that are responsible for improving your child's mood.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can instill confidence in youngsters, teaching them how to protect themselves without punching or kicking another person. You will get practical skills and improve your physical health which will boost your confidence level.

Additionally, accepting new challenges during BJJ builds more confidence and self-discipline.

BJJ is a form of self-defense that can help your children protect themselves in case of assault by bullies, muggers, etc.

BJJ training includes fun and challenging cardiovascular exercises. Through BJJ, kids will build up muscle strength, lose weight, and have more stamina.

This gentle art contributes to developing healthy habits in your child. BJJ encourages healthy eating, reducing your anxiety and stress levels. Thanks to the strenuous moves, and techniques of BJJ, together they stimulate the release of endorphins that ultimately vanish stress and anxiety.

In grappling, the caloric burn can reduce your weight. BJJ makes you feel more fit and confident.

If you are an instructor or parent responsible for a child’s BJJ development, there are multiple challenges you will encounter:

It can be difficult for kids to memorize BJJ moves and positions all at once. Give them all the time they need to practice, repeat, and become comfortable exercising BJJ drills until they develop muscle memory. They can participate in BJJ competitions to implement techniques and check their grappling abilities.

Many kids have short attention spans and do not put their full effort into exercising, this can cause BJJ training to appear difficult for some kids. Parents and instructors serve as role models, but kids who are forced or pressured to learn BJJ tend to lack motivation. You can buy your kids BJJ gear of their choice that will help them to keep motivated.

If the exercises do not keep the children's interest, they can suffer from low self-esteem due to their low performance. To keep children motivated, instructors must teach BJJ in an exciting, engaging, and dynamic manner.

During BJJ training, children have to maintain close physical contact with one another when grappling, rolling, and sparring. Children are more susceptible to skin diseases and can become a cause of spreading contagious illnesses if they do not practice good hygiene.

To lessen the risk of illness, teachers should educate students on cleanliness issues by training them in practicing good hygiene.

Try to teach kids at their level of perception. Children and adults have different levels of understanding capabilities. All training should be conducted by following the instructors that make BJJ techniques and moves easily to comprehend. Jiu-Jitsu demands a lot of discomfort, effort, and discipline. However, children can learn perseverance, dignity, and humility by facing hardships.

Children who practice BJJ techniques develop stronger muscles, better body posture, develop life skills and improve motor skills.

BJJ training is hard because it involves intense physical exercises. These strenuous exercises can prove to be hard for beginners who have not yet built up their stamina.

Most children want to quit BJJ sessions to avoid intensive training sessions. Parents can contribute their efforts by motivating their children. Try to figure out the reasons behind your child's will to quit jiu-jitsu.

Above discussed reasons behind quitting BJJ are obvious and can be coped with by making the right decisions and taking appropriate measures. BJJ instructors play a crucial role in maintaining children’s interest in mats.

Photo credit: @rootsbjjaz