Coordination and motor skills
Rolling, crawling, balancing, and moving with a partner build the body control kids use everywhere, from the playground to their first sports tryout. Coaches make it feel like play, so kids want to keep doing it.
Kids Gi Jiu-Jitsu · Ages 6–9 · Riverside, CA
KIDS JIU-JITSU
AGES 6–9 IN RIVERSIDE
Kids Gi Jiu-Jitsu at Flow Academy BJJ Riverside is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class for children ages 6 to 9 that meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 PM at 10081 Indiana Ave, Suite A-1, Riverside, CA. Through games, partner drills, and clear step-by-step coaching, kids build coordination, focus, confidence, and respect, plus calm, real anti-bullying skills. No experience is needed, and your child's first class is free.
Ages 6–9
Mon & Wed 4:30 PM
First class free
- WhenMon & Wed · 4:30 PM
- WhoAges 6–9
- LevelNo experience needed
- First classWorkout clothes
- Where10081 Indiana Ave, Riverside
Why kids jiu-jitsu
Skills that grow with your child
Six to nine is when kids are hungry to move, learn the rules, and prove they can do things on their own. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu turns that energy into a coordinated body, a mind that can focus, and confidence they earn.
Balance and body awareness
Jiu-jitsu is full of moments where a child has to stay steady while someone else is moving. Kids learn where their weight is, how to get back up quickly, and how to fall safely with breakfalls.
Listening and focus
Class is a series of short, clear instructions: watch the coach, try the move, switch partners. Week after week, kids get better at holding their attention for a whole drill, and many parents notice it at home and at school.
Confidence they earn
Every new escape and every stripe is proof a child can do something hard. That confidence comes from real wins on the mat, not from being told they are great, so it holds up on a tough day.
Discipline and self-control
Kids learn to wait their turn, use only as much force as they need, and stop the moment a partner taps. Controlling your body when you are excited is a skill, and it gets practiced every class.
Respect and manners
Kids learn to thank their partners, listen when a coach is talking, and take care of the people they train with. Respect for partners, coaches, and the mat is part of every class.
Calm anti-bullying skills
The message is simple: use your words first, walk away, and get a grown-up. Kids also learn how to stay safe and get out of a grab or a push without throwing a punch, which helps them feel calm instead of scared.
Friendship and teamwork
Jiu-jitsu is a partner sport, so no one trains alone. Kids help each other learn, cheer for each other's stripes, and make friends from different schools and neighborhoods.
Resilience: trying again
Every child gets stuck, misses a move, or has a tough round. Coaches teach them to reset, try again, and notice how much better they are getting. Not giving up becomes a habit.
Goal-setting with stripes
Stripes on the belt break a long journey into small steps a 7-year-old can see. Kids learn to set a goal, show up for it, and earn it, one stripe at a time.
A healthy energy outlet
Kids who bounce off the walls get a safe place to run, roll, and wrestle with rules. They go home tired in the best way, often ready for dinner, homework, and bed.
Problem-solving on the mat
Jiu-jitsu is often called physical chess. Even at this age, kids learn that every position has an answer: if you are stuck on the bottom, there is a way out. Figuring that out builds thinking skills, not just muscles.
Stress relief for busy kids
School days are full, and kids feel pressure too. An hour of moving, laughing, and working hard with friends is a healthy way to let it out, and kids learn to breathe and stay calm when a position feels tight.
Habits that last a lifetime
Showing up twice a week, trying hard, and treating people with respect are habits that follow kids into middle school, high school, and beyond. Jiu-jitsu is also a sport they can keep doing for life, moving up into Youth Jiu-Jitsu at 10 and the adult program at 15.
Why 6 to 9 is a great time to start
Kids this age can follow a sequence of steps, love clear rules and fair games, and pick up new movement fast. Real technique starts here, taught in small pieces with lots of coaching.
Getting enough activity. The CDC says children and adolescents 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day, including muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activity at least 3 days a week. Two jiu-jitsu classes a week is one active, fun way to put more of that into a kid's week. Source: CDC, Child Activity: An Overview.
What a class looks like
Inside a kids class
Every class follows a clear rhythm, so kids know what is coming and can focus on getting better. Here is the general flow; coaches adjust it to the group and the day.
- Warm-up
Games and movement
Movement games, animal crawls, rolls, and breakfalls (safe ways to fall) build coordination and get the wiggles out.
- Technique
Learn it step by step
A coach shows one technique, like an escape, a way to hold a position, or a sweep, and breaks it into small steps kids can remember.
- Drilling
Practice with a partner
Partners take turns practicing slowly and with control, while coaches walk the mat helping each pair get the details right.
- Games and rounds
Put it to play
Kids test what they learned in coach-led games and positional rounds with a clear goal, like holding a position or getting back to their feet. New kids ease in at their own pace.
- Wrap-up
Cool down and close out
Class ends with a cool-down and a quick word from the coach, which is a good moment for parents to ask how it went.
Who teaches
Coached by the Flow team
Led by Professor Carlos Miller · Head Instructor · 4th Degree Black Belt
Kids classes at Flow Academy BJJ Riverside are taught by our coaching team, led by Professor Carlos Miller, the academy's Head Instructor and a 4th Degree Black Belt with more than 29 years on the mats. His lineage runs from Rickson Gracie to Aloisio Silva to Professor Carlos Miller, and Flow has been teaching Riverside families for over a decade.
- Short, clear stepsTechniques are shown slowly and broken into small pieces kids can remember. Questions are always welcome.
- Partners matched with careCoaches pair kids by size and experience, so every child trains with someone who fits.
- A tap means stopEvery time, for everyone. Safety and respect come before winning a round.
Coach Benjamin Frietze
Youth No-Gi & TakedownsWant more mat time? Coach Ben brings 12 years of wrestling to Youth No-Gi for ages 6 and up: Fundamentals on Tuesdays at 5:00 PM and Takedowns on Thursdays at 6:00 PM. The Kids Combo plan pairs Gi and No-Gi. See No-Gi
Professor Zaide
Black Belt · Women's Program LeadProfessor Zaide (Zaide Oropesa) is one of Flow's black belts. As your daughter grows, girls 10 and up can join Women's Jiu-Jitsu on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM. See Women's Jiu-Jitsu
Honest answers
What parents ask us first
Signing a kid up for something new raises real questions. Here are straight answers.
My child is shy.
That's normal.
A coach will welcome your child, explain what to expect, and pair them with a friendly partner. Parents can watch from the side, and shy kids often open up once they have a skill they are proud of.
Will my child get hurt?
Safety comes first.
Kids learn safe ways to fall before anything else, techniques are practiced with control, coaches supervise every round, and the moment a partner taps, everyone stops. There is no striking in Kids Gi class.
Is 6 too young for real jiu-jitsu?
Six is a great age.
Kids Gi is built for ages 6 to 9, with games and short steps that fit how kids this age learn. Younger children start in Little Ninjas (ages 3–5).
My child can't sit still.
We plan for that.
Kids classes are built around movement and short, clear tasks. Learning to focus for one drill at a time is part of what we teach, not something your child needs before day one.
What does the gear cost?
Day one costs nothing.
The first class is free and needs only workout clothes. After that, Gi classes need a Flow Academy gi, which is not included in the membership price; ask us for current gi pricing and sizing. Kids train barefoot, so there are no special shoes to buy.
Will there be pressure to compete?
Never.
Competition is optional. Kids 7 and up who want to try it can add Youth BJJ Competition Prep on Saturdays at 9:00 AM. Everyone else trains for fun, fitness, and confidence.
Still wondering about something? Text us at (951) 337-3781 and a real coach will answer.
Kids Schedule in Riverside
Kids Gi meets twice a week, right after school. Families who want more mat time can add Youth No-Gi or, for kids 7 and up, Saturday competition prep. Looking for an adapted path? Our Flow Limitless program offers self-defense and fitness for youth with autism, Down syndrome & ADHD, ages 6-17, coming to Riverside in mid-November 2026.
- Kids Gi (ages 6–9): Mondays & Wednesdays at 4:30 PM
- Youth No-Gi (ages 6 and up): Fundamentals Tuesdays at 5:00 PM · Takedowns Thursdays at 6:00 PM
- Youth BJJ Competition Prep (ages 7 and up): Saturdays at 9:00 AM
- Homeschool families: daytime Home School Gi and No-Gi classes, see our homeschool page
Serving Families Across the Inland Empire
Flow Academy BJJ's new Riverside home is at 10081 Indiana Ave, Suite A-1, Riverside, CA 92503, opening in mid-November 2026 (call or text (951) 337-3781 for directions). Families come from across Riverside and the Inland Empire, including Corona, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, Canyon Crest, Orangecrest, Mission Grove, La Sierra, Arlington, and Magnolia Center.
Kids Jiu-Jitsu
Schedule & pricing (uniform not included)
- Little Ninjas (3-5): Mon & Wed 3:45–4:30 PM
- Kids Gi (6-9): Mon & Wed 4:30 PM
- Youth Gi (10-14): Mon & Wed 5:30 PM
- Youth No-Gi: Tue 5:00 PM · Thu 6:00 PM
- Youth Competition Prep: Sat 9:00 AM
- Little Ninjas: $165/$185/$200 per month (12-mo / 6-mo / month-to-month)
- Kids Gi: $185/$200/$225 per month
- Youth Gi: $185/$200/$225 per month
- Kids Combo (Gi + No-Gi): $200/$225/$250 per month
- Free trial to start
10% off for Military, Veterans, College Students, and Law Enforcement, plus sibling and family discounts. Approved charter school enrichment vendor with Mission Vista Academy, Excel Academy, and Elite Academic Academy -- homeschool families in Riverside can use PE and enrichment funds for kids Jiu-Jitsu. See our charter school PE page or call (951) 337-3781.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Kids Jiu-Jitsu for at Flow Academy Riverside?
Kids Gi Jiu-Jitsu is for ages 6 to 9. Children ages 3 to 5 start in Little Ninjas, and ages 10 to 14 train in Youth Gi Jiu-Jitsu, so every age group has its own class.
When do kids jiu-jitsu classes meet in Riverside?
Kids Gi meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 PM at 10081 Indiana Ave, Suite A-1, Riverside, CA 92503. Youth No-Gi (ages 6 and up) adds Fundamentals on Tuesdays at 5:00 PM and Takedowns on Thursdays at 6:00 PM, and Youth BJJ Competition Prep (ages 7 and up) meets Saturdays at 9:00 AM.
Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu safe for kids?
Yes. Kids learn controlled techniques and safe ways to fall, coaches supervise every round, and the moment someone taps, their partner lets go. There is no striking in Kids Gi class.
What should my child wear to the first class?
Comfortable workout clothes: a t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants without zippers or pockets. Kids train barefoot on the mat, so bring sandals for walking off it, plus a water bottle. After the free first class, your child will need a Flow Academy gi for Gi classes.
What happens in my child's first Jiu-Jitsu class?
Arrive about 10 minutes early in comfortable workout clothes. A coach greets your child and eases them in with a warm-up, some games, and a few beginner-friendly techniques. The first class is free and low-pressure, and parents are welcome to watch from the side.
How does jiu-jitsu help with bullying?
Kids learn to stay calm, use their words first, walk away, and get help from a grown-up. They also learn safe ways to get out of a grab or a push without striking, and that confidence helps them handle conflict calmly.
Can I use charter school funds for kids Jiu-Jitsu in Riverside?
Yes. Flow Academy is an approved charter school enrichment vendor in Riverside, CA, so charter and homeschool families can put PE and enrichment funds toward kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We are a vendor with Mission Vista Academy, Excel Academy, and Elite Academic Academy. See our charter school PE page or call (951) 337-3781 to confirm your school qualifies.
How does the belt system work for kids?
Kids follow Flow's youth belt system, which runs from white up through gray, yellow, orange, and green belts, with striped belts in between. Along the way children earn stripes on their belt for steady progress, attendance, and effort, so there are frequent milestones to celebrate. Promotions are based on each child's growth, not a fixed timeline. You can see the full path on our curriculum page.
THE FIRST CLASS IS FREE.
No experience needed. Comfortable workout clothes and a water bottle are all your child needs for day one.