Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions parents ask.
Before Enrolling
What age can my child start? Little Lions is for ages 4-7. Golden Tigers is for ages 7-13. For details on what each program looks like, see Our Youth Programs.
Do you offer a trial class? Yes. Contact the gym to book one. Your child can wear athletic clothes and borrow our loaner gear for the first class.
What's the difference between your gym and a karate or taekwondo school? GJJ teaches no-gi grappling (similar to wrestling) through structured games, not choreographed forms or techniques practiced in lines. Classes are louder, more physical, and more play-based than what most people picture when they think of martial arts. For the full picture, see How We Teach.
Do I need to buy gear before the first class? No. We have loaner rash guards and shorts. Come in athletic clothes with no zippers, pockets, or velcro. See Kids Gear Guide for when and what to buy after you've decided to stay.
Do I need to sign a contract? Contact the gym directly for current enrollment details and pricing.
Common Concerns
Will grappling make my child more aggressive? This is one of the most common questions parents have, and the answer is usually the opposite of what you'd expect. Grappling has no striking. The entire activity is about managing intensity with a training partner, not overpowering them. Every class, your child practices calibrating how hard they go based on who they're working with. That's not aggression training. That's empathy training with a physical feedback loop.
The tap system reinforces this further: when someone taps, you stop. Immediately. No exceptions. Your child practices this boundary hundreds of times. They learn that controlling someone doesn't mean hurting them, and that respecting a partner's limits is non-negotiable.
Over time, most parents report that their kids handle conflict more calmly at home and at school. The emotional regulation that comes from working through frustration on the mat transfers directly to situations off the mat.
If you notice grappling showing up at home in ways you're not comfortable with, call the gym. That's a conversation worth having with a coach. See How We Handle Behavior for how coaches address intensity and boundaries in class.
What if my child cries during class? Some kids cry, especially in the first few weeks. Getting pinned, losing a game, or feeling frustrated when something doesn't work can bring big feelings. Some kids cry. Some get angry. Some shut down for a round and then bounce back. All of this is within the range of normal.
Coaches are trained to handle it. They'll check in, offer a water break, and give your child space to come back when they're ready. Crying is not a sign that the program isn't working or that your child can't handle grappling. It's often where the development starts.
For a fuller picture of what's normal in the first few weeks, including what to do when your child doesn't want to come back, see The First Month.
During Class
Can I watch every class? You can. But your child may do better when you don't stay for every one. Kids whose parents are always watching tend to perform rather than play. We recommend staying for the first class or two, then trying a drop-off to see how your child responds. See It's Just a Game for more on this.
What if my child doesn't have a partner? The coach handles pairing. If there's an odd number, the coach will rotate kids through or jump in themselves. Your child will never be left standing without someone to work with.
What if my child's partner is too rough? Tell the coach, either during class or by calling the gym afterward. Coaches actively monitor intensity and pair kids by size, skill, and temperament. If something isn't working, we want to know. See Working with Us.
Why is my child doing burpees? Burpees (or jumping jacks for Little Lions) are a brief reset used when a child needs redirection after not listening to a verbal cue. It's a coaching tool, not punishment. See How We Handle Behavior for the full explanation.
The Program
Can my child join mid-cycle? Yes. The curriculum is a 42-week rotating cycle with no fixed starting point. Your child joins wherever the cycle is and catches up naturally as it repeats. See How the Curriculum Works.
How often should my child attend? Little Lions classes are offered twice per week. Golden Tigers three times per week. More consistency means faster adjustment and more comfort in the room, especially in the first month.
When will my child start competing? Competition is entirely optional and not something we push. Most kids aren't ready for meaningful competition until they're older and have been training consistently. See Competition for how to think about this.
At Home
Can I practice grappling with my child at home? Keep it playful. If you're not an experienced grappler, be very careful: grappling safely with small children is harder than it looks. Avoid drilling or making it feel like homework. See Your Role at the Gym for guidelines.
My child says they don't want to go anymore. What do I do? This is common, especially in the first month. There's a difference between a rough patch and genuine disinterest, and the right response is different for each. See Progress and Promotions for how to think through it, and call the gym if you want to talk it through with a coach.
Still Have Questions?
Call the gym and ask for the head coach. No question is too small.