Maddog Performance Institute · Ballito

Kids BJJ Classes
In Ballito.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for ages 5–14 — building confidence, discipline and real self-defence skills in a safe, structured environment. Coached by BJJ Black Belt York Lawrence.

Book Your Child's Free Trial View Class Times
Kids BJJ class at Maddog Performance Institute in Ballito
Kids BJJ Ballito
Ages 5–14
Black Belt Coached
Confidence & Discipline
Safe, Structured Classes
Your Child's First Class Is Free
Kids BJJ Ballito
Ages 5–14
Black Belt Coached
Confidence & Discipline
Safe, Structured Classes
Your Child's First Class Is Free
Kids BJJ class at Maddog Performance Institute Ballito
Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Ages 5–14

Kids BJJ
In Ballito.

Maddog Performance Institute's Kids BJJ programme is built on the same technical foundation as our adult classes — adapted specifically for younger grapplers, and led by BJJ Black Belt York Lawrence since he launched the programme in 2025. Children develop coordination, body awareness, problem-solving, and self-confidence in a structured, safe, and encouraging environment.

Classes are grouped by age so younger and older kids train at an appropriate pace. There is no full-contact sparring for young beginners — the focus is fundamentals, movement drills, basic positions, escapes and controlled partner work. No prior experience needed. The programme builds discipline and respect alongside physical skill, giving kids tools they carry both on and off the mat.
  • Fundamentals of BJJ — positions, movement, and escapes
  • Safe, structured partner drilling and positional work
  • Builds confidence, discipline, and focus
  • Gi-based training — all equipment available on-site
  • Coached by York Lawrence, BJJ Black Belt and Head Coach
Kids BJJ Ballito Kids Martial Arts KZN Children's BJJ North Coast Youth Grappling Ballito
Our affiliations — Kids BJJ at Maddog is affiliated with the Carlson Gracie lineage and Grand Master Marcus Soares — so the belts and stripes your child earns are recognised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gradings. See all Maddog affiliations.
Pricing
Monthly
R800 / month
Kids BJJ membership
Drop-In
R150 / class
Single session, no commitment
Book Your Child's Free Trial
For Parents

Why Parents Choose
Kids BJJ.

Beyond the physical skill, here's what parents consistently tell us their kids get out of training.

Confidence
Earned Self-Belief
Progressing through skills and belt stripes gives kids a real, measurable sense of achievement — not empty praise.
Safety
Real Self-Defence Skills
Age-appropriate BJJ teaches practical ways to manage and de-escalate confrontation, without relying on size or aggression.
Discipline
Respect & Focus
Structured class etiquette — listening, taking turns, following instructions — carries directly into school and home life.
Fitness
Coordination & Body Awareness
Regular movement drills build coordination, balance and body control at an age where those skills develop fastest.
Social
A Positive Peer Group
Kids train and grow alongside the same group of peers, building genuine friendships in a supportive environment.
Supervision
Safe, Structured Classes
Every class is coached, age-grouped and paced appropriately — with no full-contact sparring for young beginners.
York Lawrence, BJJ Black Belt and Head Coach of Kids BJJ at Maddog Performance Institute
BJJ Head Coach

Led by a
Black Belt.

York Lawrence is the Head Coach of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Maddog Performance Institute, awarded his Black Belt in 2023 by multiple-time world champion Penny Thomas. In 2025, driven by the belief that Jiu-Jitsu offers essential life skills for students of all ages, York launched Maddog's dedicated Kids BJJ programme.

York's approach to coaching kids focuses on fostering a community where students of all ages can experience the discipline, resilience and technical depth of BJJ — in a positive, age-appropriate environment.
BJJ Black Belt · 2023 Kids Programme Founder · 2025 Head Coach, BJJ
Meet the Full Coaching Team
Timetable

Kids BJJ Class Times.

See the full class timetable for every discipline on our Training hub.

Monday
16:00
Kids BJJ
Ages 5–14
Wednesday
16:00
Kids BJJ
Ages 5–14
Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions.

What age can my child start Kids BJJ?
Our Kids BJJ programme is for ages 5 to 14. Classes are grouped so younger and older kids train at an appropriate pace and intensity for their age.
Is BJJ safe for children? Will they get hurt?
Yes, it's safe. Kids classes focus on fundamentals — movement drills, positions and controlled partner work — in a structured, supervised environment. There's no full-contact sparring for young beginners; everything is paced to the child's age and experience.
Can I watch my child's class?
Yes, parents are welcome to watch training from the side of the mat — especially reassuring for a child's first few classes as they settle in.
Does my child need their own gi?
All equipment is available on-site for your child's first trial class, so there's nothing to buy before trying it out. Once they're training regularly we can help you get a properly fitted kids gi.
Will Kids BJJ help with confidence and bullying?
This is one of the most common reasons parents enrol their kids. BJJ builds genuine self-belief through earned progress, teaches real ground-based self-defence, and instils discipline and respect — all of which carry well beyond the mat.
How much does Kids BJJ cost?
Kids BJJ membership is R800 per month, or R150 per drop-in class with no commitment. Your child's first class is free.
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Start Today

Your Child's First Class
Is Free.

No experience needed. No equipment required. Just bring them along and see why Kids BJJ is one of the best confidence-building activities in Ballito.

Book a Free Trial Class See All Disciplines Meet York Lawrence
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