Little Grapplers in Takoma Park
A fun, safe, high-energy first step into jiu-jitsu for ages 4–6 — games, drills, and movement that build focus, coordination, and confidence. Your child's first class is free.
Learning that feels like play
Four-to-six-year-olds don't learn like small adults — so we don't teach them that way. In Little Grapplers, the foundation skills of jiu-jitsu are disguised as the fun part of the day: movement, games, and play that quietly build focus, coordination, and confidence.
Focus & listening
Games and drills that teach young kids to watch, listen, and follow a coach's steps — skills that carry into the classroom.
Coordination & balance
Basic movement patterns — rolling, crawling, standing, falling safely — build body awareness from the very first class.
Confidence, earned gently
Small steps, taught clearly, with a coach watching every group. No child is ever asked to perform in front of the room on day one.
Respect & routine
Lining up, bowing in, taking turns, and treating partners kindly — the structure of a martial arts class, sized for little kids.
Games first, technique in small steps
The Little Grapplers rhythm
Class opens with movement and games that build balance and listening. Then coaches teach one simple movement or position in small, clear steps. Kids practice with partners their own age and size, supervised the whole time, and finish with mat time that teaches cooperation and patience.
When the youngest group trains
Little Grapplers (ages 4–6) train grouped by age and size inside our kids classes:
Weekdays: 5:00–5:45 PM, Monday–Thursday
Saturday: 9:00 AM — the younger/smaller kids class
Free trials: weekdays 5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM
Led by Professor Deivid Dias
The kids program is led by Professor Deivid Dias — GFTeam black belt, IBJJF Pan American Champion, and a member of the GFTeam Hall of Fame — in a family-owned academy where teaching children is personal. Gym manager Nilxon Ventura runs the door, so every family is checked in and comfortable from the first visit.
Your first class is free.
No experience needed, and no contracts or long-term commitment — just come train. Enrollment includes a free uniform for kids, youth, and adults.
1. Send the free-trial request or call us.
2. We confirm the right class for your age and schedule.
3. Arrive 15 minutes early in athletic clothes.
4. Train in a real group class — then decide with zero pressure.
Everything you're wondering
Ages 4–6. Little Grapplers is the youngest group in our kids program, grouped by age and size inside the weekday 5:00 PM kids classes and the Saturday 9:00 AM class for younger, smaller kids.
Movement, games, and drills first — balance, coordination, and listening skills — then simple jiu-jitsu movements taught in small, clear steps, with a coach watching every group.
Yes. Many of our kids start quiet and brand-new. No child is asked to perform in front of the room on day one — they find their voice on the mats at their own pace.
Comfortable athletic clothes — we provide the gi for the trial class, and enrollment includes a free uniform. Arrive a few minutes early and check in at the door.
They graduate into Kids Jiu-Jitsu (ages 7–12) — same academy, same coaches, real technique taught at their level. See the kids program page.
Programs vary by how often your child trains, and we don't publish prices online. Come try a free class, and we'll walk you through the option that fits your family — with no contracts or long-term commitment.
Kids Jiu-Jitsu (7–12)
The next step up: structured gi and no-gi classes for ages 7–12.
Kids Program →First-Class Guide
Exactly what happens at your child's first class — booking, arrival, what to wear.
First-Class Guide →Summer Camp 2027
Five weekly sessions of BJJ day camp for ages 4–12 in Takoma Park.
Summer Camp →