Kids Program Curriculum - 9/14/25

Welcome to a New Week in the Kids Program! 

Each week in our Kids Program, we're building confidence, discipline, and focus as we dive into new techniques and skills on the mats. From mastering fundamental movements to developing more advanced concepts, every class is designed to help our young athletes grow both in Jiu Jitsu and in life. We’re all about learning, teamwork, and, of course, having fun along the way! Get ready for an exciting week of training and improvement!

Little Kids:
Week 1

• Clinch to Single Leg Take Down

• Mat Chat: Winning

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 1

• Clinch to Single Leg Take Down

• Mat Chat: Winning

Teens Fundamentals:
A (Mon/Wed)

• Bear Hug Take Down

• Top Control Escape (ankle drag step over)

• Top Control Escape (ankle drag inside hook)

B (Thur/Sat)

• Double Leg Take Down

• Arm Lock from Top Control

• Key Lock from Top Control

Kids Intermediate:
Week 14 - Side Control Escapes 

• Takedown: Hip Toss

• Side Control Escape (tricep push)

• Side Control Escape (belt grip)

Kids Advanced:
Week 14 - Side Control Escapes 

• Takedown: Hip Toss

• Side Control Escape (tricep push)

• Side Control Escape (belt grip)

Kids Competition Class:
Week 11 - Turtle - Take the Back

• Drill 1: Transition from Turtle to Back

• Drill 2: Turtle Hook Control 

• Drill 3: Turtle Escape (trap and roll)

• Mat Chat: Turning Defense to Offense

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week : 7

• Boxing: Lead/Rear Uppercuts

• Kickboxing: Round kicks on the Thai pads

• Combo: The Holland Combo

• Mat Chat: Focus. "I spend my time on what matters."

Here’s the question of the week.  How do you train to stay calm and composed under extreme pressure, like in bad positions?  Getting smashed  or pretty close to being submitted.  

What do you tell someone who is considering trying Jiu Jitsu?

Piggybacking of Scott's question last week about why we keep coming back, he pointed out all those things that could stop someone from joining. Sore. Hurt knees. Getting beat up. Etc... If you know someone who is thinking about joining, what do you say to get them to take time out of their day and come through that door for the first time?

“Mission First, Safety Always” was one of the most memorable phrases we used in the military. In combat sports, accidents and injuries happen. It sucks to be hurt and then you get sidelined while your training partners progress. Avoiding these incidents is paramount for me, my kids, and my students.

There is currently a free John Danaher video on bjjfanatics about training safely. Check it out while it’s free!!!!

https://bjjfanatics.com/products/train-safe-reducing-the-risk-of-injury-accidents-in-the-jiu-jitsu-training-room-by-john-danaher

What’s the number one intangible skillset to have when training Jiu Jitsu?

For me resilience stands out. There are days/weeks when I feel progress is not visible or noticeable but training must continue. I feel that I have to be resilient regardless of doing things incorrectly, getting smashed, not seeing visible results, etc.

The real progress starts with consistently showing up.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!

Adult Program Curriculum - 9/14/25

Welcome to a New Week in the Adult Program! 

Each week, we’re building skills and exploring techniques designed to deepen your understanding and elevate your practice on the mats. From refining foundational movements to mastering advanced concepts, our focus is on cultivating confidence, control, and creativity in every position. Get ready to train hard, support your teammates, and push yourself as we dive into another week of growth and discovery!

Adult Gi Fundamentals:
A (Mon/Wed)

• Bear Hug Take Down

• Top Control Escape (ankle drag step over)

• Top Control Escape (ankle drag inside hook)

B (Thur/Sat)

• Double Leg Take Down

• Arm Lock from Top Control****

• Key Lock from Top Control****

* One Stipe
** Two Stripes
***Three Stripes 
**** Four Stripes

White Belt Must Know

Adult Gi Intermediate - Week 19:

• Escapes from Turtle

Adult NoGi Intermediate - Week 19:

• Drilling from Turtle

Adult Gi Advanced:

• Passing Single Leg X

NoGi Advanced:

• Kimura Defense

Striking:

• Boxing: Lead/Rear Uppercuts

• Kickboxing: Round kicks on the Thai pads

• Combo: The Holland Combo

❗❗** Announcements **❗❗

Fitness Challenge 

• When: Starting TOMORRROW

• Register HERE

Jesse Walker Seminar

• When: Saturday, October 4th

TAP CANCER OUT TEAM COMPETITION

• When: Saturday, October 11th

• Where: Oak Lawn Pavilion in Oak Lawn

• Register HERE

Kids Program Curriculum - 9/7/25

Welcome to a New Week in the Kids Program! 

Each week in our Kids Program, we're building confidence, discipline, and focus as we dive into new techniques and skills on the mats. From mastering fundamental movements to developing more advanced concepts, every class is designed to help our young athletes grow both in Jiu Jitsu and in life. We’re all about learning, teamwork, and, of course, having fun along the way! Get ready for an exciting week of training and improvement!

Little Kids:
Week 14

• Guard Pull

• Bull-rider Pass

• Mat Chat: Rules

Kids Fundamentals:
Week 14

• Guard Pull

• Bull-rider Pass

• Mat Chat: Rules

Teens Fundamentals:
A (Mon/Wed)

• Single Leg Take Down Defense 

• Top Control Escape (trap, bridge and roll)

• Top Control Escape (post counter) - Knee Inside

B (Thur/Sat)

• Jab Defense

• Top Control Escape (post counter) - Hip Escape

• Cross Choke from Top Control

Kids Intermediate:
Week 13 - Side Control Escapes 

• Takedown: Hip Toss

• Side Control Escape (hip control)

• Side Control Escape (butterfly hook to re-guard)

Kids Advanced:
Week 13 - Side Control Escapes 

• Takedown: Hip Toss

• Side Control Escape (hip control)

• Side Control Escape (butterfly hook to re-guard)

Kids Competition Class:
Week 10 - Scoring - Score and Hold

• Drill 1: 3-Second Control Drill

• Drill 2: Takedown to Pass 

• Drill 3: Sweep to Pass to Mount Circuit

• Mat Chat: Understanding Points

Kids/Teens Striking:
Week : 6

• Boxing: Hooks - Lead/Rear

• Kickboxing: Switch Kick (Southpaw)

• Combo: Hemmers Combo (8 Hooks)

• Mat Chat: Analyze the Details. "I pay attention. I look closely."

Question for the coaches and parents…. How do you feel about the off script technique of the scissor sweep? Is this something that our little kids can handle? 

Fun question this week. What books have you read or movies have you watched related to jiu jitsu. Let's see what titles we can share!

Books I've only read "Opening the Closed Guard" by Robert Drysdale but have his second book.

Movies like everyone I've watched choke. Jiu Jitsu vs the World was really cool on YouTube. There were a few I saw on Flow that were short docuseries ones too. I feel like there are one's I've forgotten too.

Why do you keep showing up?

We all have different reasons for doing that free trial class. But why do you come back?

You’re beaten up constantly and physically exhausted, your knees hurt, your back is sore, and you can only turn your head so far depending on the day. It doesn’t take long to answer that question that brought you in. What’s driving you to be on the mats???