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Eric Allain
via Google

I absolutely love the BJJ classes here. The instruction is excellent, the staff is friendly, helpful and well organized and the facilities are great. All this comes together to create an environment where the students help each other learn and improve. It is this that really does it for me. PAMA is not just a place to train, it is a community of friends. BJJ is hard. It can be demoralizing. Having helpful, encouraging friends to train with is what keeps me coming back. It is this that will push me to finally get that black belt some day.

Julia Benson
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I love coming here. I have improved my Muay Thai technique. A lot of experienced students in the class make sparring fun. Beyond all of this PAMA is a community.

Sean Kavanagh
via Google

Great place to train and has the largest media presence I've ever experienced in any of the BJJ gyms I've trained at. That is a good thing because it lets you know what you are signing up for and makes the gym culture available to see online. And it is a great culture which is very friendly and welcoming of new students and has a desire to see people continuously improve whether it is BJJ or Muay Thai.

Blair Cuneo
via Google

Excellent Women’s Self Defense class! Walked away with several very good techniques.

Mitch Ludwig
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I recently moved to the area and dropped by to check out the bjj classes. I've been training bjj for the better part of a decade and can say without a doubt that this has been one of the most welcoming gyms I've ever experienced. Great instruction with a good mix of belt levels that gives everyone an opportunity to learn.

Dylan Olson
via Google

I like to get to know a school for a while before giving a review. That said, I've been training in PAMA's BJJ program for about a year now. I came to this school as a 2 stripe blue belt and have had training from several different places over the years. I can say honestly that the Pendergrass brothers have succeeded at creating and continuously cultivating an amazing environment for learning. You feel like family as soon as you walk in the door. And regardless of whether you've never trained before or have been training for decades, there is something here to learn and grow in for everyone. The instructors are patient, love what they do and can break down concepts in ways anyone can understand. The culture here at PAMA is consistently positive and inclusive. Classes are organized well and more experienced students (upper belts) are always willing to help those looking for guidance. If you're looking for a place to train, just stop by PAMA and see for yourself.

Chris George
via Google

The professionalism of the staff is unmatched. All of the instructors are great with kids. Both of my kids love being here.

James Willison
via Google

This is a great to train both mind and body in the art of BJJ. The main instructors, Guy and Rob, are knowledge and care about their students. I was particularly impressed that they (and other instructors) already knew my name despite not having formally introduced myself to them. That’s a little thing, but it meant they want to know who is coming to their facility. As well, the other students, particularly the upper belts, are great training partners. In my experience, they know when to go hard and also when to help a beginner out. PAMA is an excellent place to train and to be a part of a community looking to improve themselves on and off the mats.

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Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts Raleigh & Wake Forest Martial Arts
919-819-1908
Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts

The Parent’s Guide to Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts

The Parent’s Guide to Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Everything parents need to know before enrolling their child in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Learn about safety, confidence, discipline, bullying, life skills, and what to expect in kids’ BJJ.

Choosing an activity for your child is a big decision.

You want something safe, structured, and positive. You want something that helps your child grow, not just keep busy for another hour after school.

For many families in Wake Forest, Wakefield, and North Raleigh, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes much more than a martial arts class. It becomes a place where kids build confidence, learn discipline, develop friendships, and discover they are capable of more than they thought.

This guide helps parents understand  Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, what it teaches, and what to expect every step of the way.

Whether your child is shy, energetic, nervous, competitive, distracted, strong-willed, or brand new to martial arts, this is a great place to start.

Getting Started

Before a child steps on the mats, most parents want to know whether BJJ is safe, what the first class will look like, whether their child is the right age, and whether they’ll actually enjoy it.

A strong kids BJJ program isn’t built around fighting. It’s built around movement, listening, self-control, problem-solving, confidence, and respect.

Start here if your child is new to martial arts:

Together, these articles help parents feel prepared, reduce first-class nerves, and decide whether their child is ready to begin.

Confidence & Character

One of the biggest benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that kids learn more than techniques. They learn how to carry themselves.

On the mats, children practice listening, trying, failing, resetting, communicating, and continuing when something feels difficult. Over time, those lessons show up off the mats, too.

Parents often notice their child standing taller, speaking with more confidence, handling frustration better, and becoming more willing to try hard things.

These articles focus on how BJJ helps kids grow as people, not just athletes:

Confidence rarely appears all at once. It grows through small moments, stepping on the mat, trying something new, working with a partner, making mistakes, and learning to keep going.

Life Skills Beyond the Mats

The best kids’ activities do more than keep children moving. They help children become better listeners, better teammates, and better problem-solvers.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives kids repeated opportunities to practice life skills in real time. They learn to wait their turn, respect a partner, lose without falling apart, and try again after making a mistake.

These articles explore the habits and character traits kids develop through consistent BJJ training:

Long-Term Growth

Parents often look for progress in belts, stripes, and promotions. Those things matter, but they are only part of the picture.

In kids’ BJJ, real progress often shows up quietly at first. A child starts listening better. They remember the routine. They help a newer student. They handle a tough round without quitting. They walk into class with more confidence than they had a month ago.

These articles help parents understand what progress really looks like and how to support long-term growth:

  • What Progress Really Looks Like in Kids’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Why Some Kids Stick With BJJ for Years While Others Quit
  • How to Choose the Right Martial Arts School for Your Child

Long-term growth in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is about much more than rank. It is about confidence, consistency, discipline, friendships, and character.

Why Choose Pendergrass Academy for Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

At Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts, our kids’ programs are structured, safe, and supportive.

We understand that every child learns at their own pace, so our goal is to help students feel comfortable, confident, and excited to grow.

Our kids’ classes focus on:

  • Listening skills
  • Body awareness
  • Respect for training partners
  • Age-appropriate BJJ fundamentals
  • Confidence building
  • Discipline and self-control
  • Long-term character development

We proudly serve families in Wake Forest, Wakefield, North Raleigh, and surrounding communities, and we are committed to helping kids feel welcome from their very first class.

Ready to Learn More About Kids’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can help children build confidence, discipline, focus, resilience, and respect in an active, engaging, and fun environment.

At Pendergrass Academy, our goal is to help children grow into stronger, more confident, more respectful young people on and off the mats through kids martial arts.

If you are considering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for your child, we invite you to learn more about our Kids BJJ program or schedule a trial class to see if it’s the right fit for your family.

Learn More About Our Kids BJJ Program

Parent’s Guide Article Library

Getting Started
Confidence & Character
Life Skills Beyond the Mats
Long-Term Growth
  • What Progress Really Looks Like in Kids’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Why Some Kids Stick With BJJ for Years While Others Quit
  • How to Choose the Right Martial Arts School for Your Child
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