Rival Jiu‑Jitsu in Springfield, OH
"Mat Maniacs"
Ages 5 to 12
Introduce your child to Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu through our exciting “Mat Maniacs” program where confidence, discipline, and real‑world awareness are built one class at a time. Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu is a grappling‑based martial art that teaches children how to use technique, balance, and leverage rather than strength, making it one of the most effective and empowering systems of self‑defense for young students.
In our Kid’s Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu program, children learn essential skills such as safe falling, positional control, escapes, and beginner‑friendly submission techniques, all taught in a structured and age‑appropriate way. Along the way, we emphasize important life lessons like stranger awareness, situational awareness, teamwork, and respectful behavior both on and off the mat.
The "Mat Maniacs" program is designed to be fun, positive, and highly supportive, giving kids a place where they can burn energy, build lasting friendships, and develop healthy confidence. Whether your child is shy, energetic, or somewhere in between, Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu helps them grow stronger mentally and physically while learning how to stay safe in the real world.
Give your child the tools to succeed — on the mats, in school, and in life — through the discipline and excitement of Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu.
In addition to building a solid foundation for martial arts training, this program is also designed to teach important early life‑skills such as patience, taking turns, self‑control, how to make friends, balance, coordination, mental focus, and confidence. The classes are safe, fun, and always exciting. The skills learned in these classes will jump‑start your child to be better prepared for succeeding in other physical activities like athletics, dance, or gymnastics.
To succeed in life, children must acquire the skills and habits necessary to confront difficult challenges and remain positive and focused, regardless of the outcome. It is also essential for them to learn how to collaborate and compete with their peers while respecting themselves and others.
As they hone their physical abilities and learn to trust in their own capabilities, their self‑confidence and self‑esteem will skyrocket. Ultimately, our classes teach children to hold themselves to a higher standard with both confidence and humility, equipping them with the tools to succeed in life.
One of the best things about martial arts is that it delivers an elite level of physical fitness while kids are having fun. Most of the time, they don't even realize they're exercising. But make no mistake, kids who take martial arts are some of the most well‑conditioned children around. Martial arts provide cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, agility, and balance. There are really no other sports or activities that can compare.
Childhood obesity is at epidemic levels today. We work with students who need to lose weight to help them break unhealthy habits and set realistic fitness goals. The lessons children learn will follow them into adulthood, setting them up for a lifetime of good health and a positive self‑image.
In many conventional sports, there are always some children who do very well and others who struggle. We have a slogan: "There are no bench warmers in our school." Every child excels in our program, developing their confidence in the process so that they will be able to deal with any situation life presents to them.
Our objective is to help each and every child grow in a positive manner while equipping them with abilities that will help them in school, at home, on the playground, and, of course, in situations where they have to stand up for themselves. Our ultimate goal is to help you raise children that are unstoppable.
At Rival Jiu‑Jitsu, we do not take belt promotion lightly. We do everything in our power to teach students to be patient, determined, and goal‑oriented, so when they do earn their belts, they feel a great sense of accomplishment that really boosts their confidence and self‑esteem.
And unlike sports or other activities where only some kids score the points or get the medals, every student at Rival Jiu‑Jitsu gets to experience the personal reward of advancing from one level to the next.
Bullying hurts. It causes psychological and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Regardless of whether your child is the victim of bullying, or the one doing it, low self‑esteem is usually the cause, and it will eventually lead to poor school performance, depression and labeling.
Rival Jiu‑Jitsu has the solution. Bully prevention, also called "bully-proofing" or "bully-defense", helps our students develop physical, mental and emotional strength, while learning both self‑respect, and respect for others. Children who believe in themselves not only make poor targets for bullies, they learn to stand up and "find their voice." At the same time, children who were inclined towards bullying learn they don't need to intimidate others to feel self‑worth.
Many parents worry that martial arts may make their child more aggressive, but in reality, it's the exact opposite. Martial arts teaches children self‑control. Our students learn to stand up for themselves and their principles, and to respond to bullying in the most effective manner, with physical force being the last resort. The advantage to the techniques we teach is that they are totally non‑violent, and are only applied in response physical aggression, ensuring that they are never used for the wrong reason. Most importantly, our students learn they can walk away from trouble with courage and authority.
Our Members Love us - Their Words Not Ours...
Absolutely amazing! Started about 2 months ago with my daughter in the family class and it’s been the best time. Justin is an amazing instructor, does a great job of making it fun for kids and explaining things in a way that’s easy for them to understand. He will also explain more of the technical aspects of things to the adults.
The environment at the gym is super welcoming, everyone has been friendly and helpful. You can walk in your first time and immediately feel like part of the group which was awesome being my first time in any kind of martial art.
Great price and many classes available, I couldn’t recommend Rival any more! It quickly became my daughter and my favorite part of the week! 
Joshua F.
Google
Rival has great instruction from people who want to truly make you better. Great group of people that’s very welcoming to new members. Rival has great facilities for adults and children classes.
Derek S. Google
Try Out The Best Kid’s Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu Classes In Springfield Today!
For a limited time, we're offering a special one‑week $15.99 Introductory offer for kids. No Contracts, No Hidden Fees, No Obligations – just show up and train. Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu, Karate and more!
Join the family here at Rival Jiu‑Jitsu and see for yourself what we have to offer. New classes are forming NOW and space is limited so reach out today!
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Children - $15.99 / Adults - $19.99
If your are purchasing this trial week for a child (ages 5‑15) be sure to enter their name as the participant