Kids Program
Building Confident & Resilient Youth through Grappling Arts
At Combat Sports Academy, our Kids Program uses Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Submission Grappling to help children build confidence, focus, discipline, and real-world problem-solving skills — all while having fun in a safe and challenging environment.
Why Grappling?
Grappling improves body awareness, coordination, and strength. It teaches resilience, patience, and problem-solving. Children also learn to work respectfully with each other in a fun, challenging environment.
Unlike striking-based martial arts, grappling allows children to train at full resistance in a much safer way. Because it does not involve repeated blows to the head, grappling minimizes long-term health risks while still developing realistic, pressure-tested self-defense and sport skills.
Class Structure
- 60-minute sessions
- Bow-In
- Warm-up (mobility, movement games, breakfalls)
- Technical instruction & resistance based games
- Live position specific sparring
- Full sparring (Called “Randori” in Judo & “Rolling” in Jiu-Jitsu)
- Cooldown & reflection
- Bow-Out
Weekly Class Schedule
Our Instructors
Coach Andres “Meelo” Lizarazo - Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Building Skill Through Science, Safety, and Community
- American Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt under CSA Head Instructor Terrie Bourgeois
- Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- CPR/AED & SafeSport Certified
- Community self-defense instructor
- Dedicated to the science of skill development through Ecological Dynamics, the Constraints-Led Approach, and Motor Learning Theory
- Balances structure and play to help students grow both on and off the mats
Coach Frankie Manalo - Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
A Youth-Centered Approach Grounded in Experience and Science
- American Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt under CSA Head Instructor Terrie Bourgeois
- Over a decade of experience as a youth sports competitor
- Experienced youth sports coach passionate about athlete development
- Brings valuable insight into what kids need to succeed in both competitive and recreational settings
- Committed student of scientific coaching, including Ecological Dynamics and constraints-led approaches
- Creates empowering, safe, and engaging training spaces for young athletes
Coach Terrie Bourgeois – Head Instructor
A Lifetime of Martial Arts Mastery
- Over 15 years of martial arts competition experience
- 1st Degree Black Belt in American Jiu-Jitsu
- Backgrounds in Folkstyle, Freestyle & Catch Wrestling, Muay Thai, MMA
- Sanctioned MMA and Muay Thai competitor
- Grappling resumé includes Grapplers Quest, NAGA, Copa, Newbreed (regional) and High Rollerz, Contender Series, Pan Ams, ADCC Trials (national/professional)
- 10 years managing nightclub security in high-crime zones; trained and led security teams through hundreds of real-world altercations
- Combines combat sport with practical self-defense in his instruction
Sensei Xavier Valencia - Judo Instructor
Guiding Youth Through Elite-Level Judo Experience
- Over 20 years of experience in Judo
- National and international competitor and medalist for Ecuador
- Former National Referee for the Ecuadorian Judo Federation
- 4× U.S. Open Veteran Champion; 5th at the Veteran World Championships
- Successfully directed large, competitive youth Judo teams across various age groups
- Balances traditional Judo values with athlete-centered development
- Brings global technical expertise and mentorship to the CSA program
Belt Progression System
Kids Jiu-Jitsu Belt Ranking
- Guard – A position where the person on bottom uses their legs to control their opponent.
- Closed Guard – A type of guard where the legs are wrapped around the opponent’s waist and locked.
- Open Guard – Guard with the legs not locked, allowing for more movement and sweeps.
- Mount – A dominant position where one person is sitting on the other’s torso.
- Side Control – A position of control from the top, chest-to-chest, off to the side.
- Back Control – A dominant position where one person controls the opponent from behind.
- Hooks – The feet placed inside the opponent’s thighs from back control to maintain control.
- Sweep – A technique used from the bottom to reverse and end up on top.
- Pass the Guard – Getting around the opponent’s legs to gain top control.
- Submission – A technique used to make an opponent give up (e.g., choke or joint lock).
- Tap – A signal (usually a pat on the body or mat) to stop the match or drill, used when caught in a submission.
- Roll – A sparring round where students safely practice techniques against one another with live resistance.
- Grip Fighting –The battle for dominant hand and arm positioning without the use of the gi. In no-gi, this includes controlling wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck ties (like collar ties), and underhooks to set up takedowns, guard passes, or submissions.
- Oss – A respectful term used in class to acknowledge instruction, show readiness, or greet others; often means “yes,” “thank you,” or “understood.”
Kids Jiu-Jitsu Belt Ranking
- Kumi Kata – The grip-fighting and hand placement strategies used to control the opponent’s gi and set up attacks.
- Kazushi – The act of breaking your opponent’s balance before executing a technique. It’s the first step in every effective throw.
- O Goshi – A basic hip throw where the opponent is lifted and flipped over the hips.
- Osoto Gari – A powerful throw using a reaping leg motion to off-balance and take down the opponent.
- Ippon – A full-point score in Judo, typically awarded for a clean, powerful throw that lands the opponent flat on their back.
- Waza-ari – A half-point score, given for a less-than-perfect throw or control. Two waza-ari equal one ippon.
- Osai Komi – A category of pinning techniques where the opponent is held on their back for a set amount of time.
- Tachi-waza – Standing techniques (such as throws).
- Ne-waza – Ground techniques (pins, submissions).
- Randori – Live sparring or practice against a resisting partner, done safely and with control.
- Rei – The bow performed at the beginning and end of class or matches, showing respect.
- Sensei – Teacher or coach in Japanese martial arts.
- Judoka – A person who practices Judo.
FAQ's
Q: Does my child have to compete?
No, competition is not required. However, we believe that competition helps children reach their full potential by giving them the opportunity to engage with competitive resistance in a safe and structured environment.
Q: Will my child be training with kids who are older or bigger?
Yes. Training partners are often mixed in age and size. This reflects real-life scenarios and helps develop adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
Q: How long until my child is promoted to the next belt?
Promotions are based on each child’s individual progress. Factors include consistency, attendance, attentiveness, and how quickly they understand and apply the techniques taught.
Q: Why does my child struggle to retain terminology?
While we do review terminology regularly, it’s far more important that children learn to perform and feel the movements than memorize names. In our program we prioritize developing real-time decision-making, adaptability, and physical understanding over verbal recall. Terminology will come naturally over time, but our main focus is ensuring kids are experiencing the movements in context and building true skill..
Q: What is Jiu-Jitsu, in kid-friendly terms?
Jiu-Jitsu teaches children how to defend and control others without needing to be bigger or stronger. It empowers them to manage aggressive situations calmly—especially useful in schoolyard settings—while waiting for an adult to intervene.
Q: Why was my child asked to sit out during class?
This can happen for several reasons: the child may not be paying attention, may be emotionally overwhelmed, or may choose not to engage. We prioritize autonomy and do not force participation. Training should be a positive, enriching experience.
Q: Can my child get injured doing this?
Like any physical activity, there is some risk. However, our program emphasizes control, safety, and injury prevention. Learning how to protect themselves is part of the training itself.
Q: What does a stripe on the belt mean?
A stripe represents one step forward in your child’s progression toward their next belt. It marks their development in skill, focus, and time spent training.
Q: Why is my child not progressing as fast as other kids?
Children progress at different rates. Some may learn faster due to better attendance, focus, or prior experience. What matters most is consistent effort and a supportive environment.
Q: How often should my child train?
As often as they can while still enjoying it and staying healthy. We recommend at least 2 classes per week for steady progress.
Q: Why is grappling a better starting point than striking?
Grappling provides kids with non-violent tools to manage conflict. If a child is punched or grabbed, knowing how to control the situation without striking back is both safer and more effective.
Q: When can my child compete?
Children are eligible to compete when their coach determines they are ready—this includes technical readiness, focus, and maturity.
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