Welcome to The Rock Jiu Jitsu Team! Whether you are new to Jiu Jitsu or have been training for a while, this guide will help you understand what’s expected of both parents and kids to ensure a positive, safe, and fun experience. Our goal is to not only help kids improve their Jiu Jitsu skills but also to grow as individuals, learning respect, responsibility, and discipline both on and off the mats.
For Parents
How You Can Support Your Child’s Journey
Positive Support and Encouragement
Jiu Jitsu is about more than just learning techniques—it’s about building character. Your role as a parent is to be a positive influence, supporting your child’s growth and development in the sport and in life.
- Praise Effort Over Results: Celebrate the small victories, the effort, and persistence. Progress in Jiu Jitsu is, more often than not, very gradual; so, it’s important to reinforce the value of trying hard and learning, even when the results aren’t immediately obvious.
- Encourage a Growth Mindset: Remind your child that it’s okay to make mistakes—that’s how we learn! Success in Jiu Jitsu comes from trying, failing, and trying again. We value effort and persistence just as much as achievement. Emphasizing this helps kids understand that improvement comes from facing challenges, not avoiding them.
- Let the Coaches Coach: We love seeing your excitement and enthusiasm for your child’s progress—because we’re excited too! However, we kindly ask that parents refrain from offering coaching advice or expressing negativity from the sidelines. Jiu Jitsu involves complex techniques that can be dangerous if done incorrectly, and unqualified advice, no matter how well-intentioned, can increase the risk of injury. Additionally, corrective comments or pressure from the sidelines can confuse your child, making it harder for them to focus and learn.
When corrective feedback comes from the coach, it’s clearer for both the child and the coach. Coaches have a comprehensive understanding of your child’s current skill level, training context, and areas for improvement, allowing for precise and effective corrections. This is crucial for your child’s self-esteem and progress. As a parent, your role is to be their biggest cheerleader—trusting the coaches to guide them and offering positive words of encouragement to help keep them motivated and excited in a safe, supportive environment.
Health and Hygiene: Ensuring Safety for All
A clean and healthy training environment is crucial for your child’s safety. Help us maintain that by following these health guidelines:
- Clean Gear: Ensure your child’s Gi (or no-gi attire) is washed regularly and in good condition. A clean uniform not only keeps the training environment sanitary but also shows respect for their teammates and coaches.
- Hand and Foot Hygiene: Before stepping on the mat, kids need to clean their feet with the provided solution and rag to prevent the spread of germs. At home, remind your child to wash their hands regularly, especially after using the restroom.
- Wear Flip-Flops or Sandals Outside the Mat: To keep the training area clean and prevent the spread of germs, kids must wear flip-flops or sandals whenever they are not on the mat. Walking barefoot outside the mat area can bring dirt and bacteria onto the mats, which can lead to infections for everyone training.
- Health and Safety First: If you or anyone in your household is sick with something contagious, please refrain from attending class until everyone is healthy. This is important for the safety of all our athletes, coaches, and families. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping our gym environment clean and safe for everyone.
Communication and Feedback
Communication is key to your child’s development in Jiu Jitsu. If there are any concerns about their progress or behavior, we encourage open dialogue between parents and coaches.
- Open Communication: If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to the coaches. We’re here to support your child and ensure they’re getting the best experience.
- Positive Reinforcement: When talking to your child about their training, focus on what they’re doing well, and encourage them to keep improving.
Respect the Gym
We understand that as parents, your time and financial investment are important. We appreciate your dedication to your child’s Jiu Jitsu journey and want to ensure that every class is worth the commitment.
- Be On Time: Help your child arrive a little early so they can get settled in and be prepared for class. Punctuality ensures they don’t miss valuable warm-up time and allows for a smooth transition between classes.
- Respect the Training Environment: Encourage your child to show respect to their coaches, teammates, and the sport itself. Jiu Jitsu is about much more than winning—it’s about building character, discipline, and respect.
- Keep the Gym Clean: After training, we kindly ask that you ensure you clean up after yourself. If you have snacks or drinks, make sure to eat them off the mat and clean up any mess. This helps maintain a respectful and pleasant environment for everyone. If you need help cleaning up a mess, just ask! We are happy to facilitate your efforts to keep the gym clean.
For Kids
What You Need to Know
Respect and Discipline
Jiu Jitsu is not just about learning to fight—it’s about learning to be a good person! Here’s how you can do your best:
- Respect Your Coaches: Your coaches are here to help you learn. They are volunteers who trained with Professor Jared and worked hard to become coaches. They take time out of their day to teach you, so show respect by listening, following instructions, and asking questions when you need help.
- Respect Your Teammates: Be kind to everyone on the mat. Jiu Jitsu is a team sport, and we all help each other improve. Even if you don’t always get along with your training partner, treat them with respect. Learning to work with different people is an important skill, both in Jiu Jitsu and in life!
- Respect the Gym: Keep the gym clean! Wipe your feet before stepping on the mat and wear a clean uniform. We have rags and cleaning solution to help—just ask a coach if you need help!
- Stay Off the Wall Mats: Please do not climb on the angled wall mats unless a coach says it’s okay. They are for Jiu Jitsu, not for playing like a jungle gym. Stay safe and use them only when instructed!
Health and Hygiene
We all share the mats, so let’s keep them clean and safe!
- Wash Your Hands and Feet: Before and after class, wash your hands with soap and clean your feet with the special solution. This helps stop germs from spreading.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don’t pick your nose or put your fingers in your mouth during class. Keeping your hands clean keeps everyone healthy!
- Wear Flip-Flops Off the Mat: Always wear flip-flops or sandals when you’re not on the mat. This keeps your feet clean and stops dirt from getting on the mats.
- Stay Home if You’re Sick: If you’re feeling sick or if anyone at home is sick with something contagious, stay home until you’re feeling better. It’s important to keep everyone at the gym safe and healthy.
Have Fun and Work Hard
Jiu Jitsu can be tough, but it’s also fun! Here’s how to enjoy it and improve:
- Mistakes Help You Learn: It’s okay to mess up—that’s how you get better! Keep trying, and you’ll improve every time.
- Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something, ask your coach! They love it when you are excited to learn.
- Challenge Yourself: Work hard and try to be better than you were yesterday. Jiu Jitsu isn’t just about beating others—it’s about being the best version of YOU!
Behavior and Focus
To do your best in class, stay focused and be respectful:
- Pay Attention: Keep your hands to yourself and focus on class.
- Be Kind: Win or lose, always say “good job” to your training partner. We’re all here to help each other!
- Stay Calm: If you get frustrated, take a deep breath and keep going. Self-control is a big part of Jiu Jitsu!
Emergency and Incident Reporting
We work hard to keep everyone safe, but if something happens, here’s what to do:
- If You Get Hurt: Tell a coach right away so they can help you.
- If There’s a Problem: If something happens during or outside of class (like a disagreement), talk to a coach or gym leader so they can help fix it.
Emergency and Incident Reporting
While we take every precaution to ensure safety, things can sometimes happen. If there is an injury or an emergency, it will be handled swiftly according to gym protocols.
- Injury Reporting: If you get hurt, let a coach know immediately. It’s important that any injuries are addressed properly before continuing class.
- Incident Reporting: If there’s an issue during class or outside of class (like a disagreement), it’s important to speak with your coach or a gym leader to resolve it quickly and respectfully.
Final Thoughts for Parents and Kids
At The Rock Jiu Jitsu Team, we aim to create a supportive, safe, and fun environment for all of our athletes. Remember, Jiu Jitsu isn’t just about fighting—it’s about building character, learning discipline, and becoming a better person every day.
Thank you for your commitment to your child’s development, and we look forward to watching them grow in this journey!
Tom Deblass Affiliation
The Rock Jiu JItsu Team is blessed to be a Tom Deblass affiliate. Being a Tom Deblass affiliate means that our gym has formally partnered with and is recognized as part of Tom Deblass’s instructional lineage, allowing us to use his teaching methods, curriculum, and brand identity while potentially accessing additional training opportunities and community benefits within the wider Tom Deblass network. The Rock’s owner, Professor Jared Haymon, has received training directly from Tom Deblass, allowing us to learn techniques specific to Tom’s style. By affiliating with Tom Deblass, the Rock indicates a commitment to high-quality instruction and upholding the standards set by his organization.
