GDAKids Jiu-Jitsu In San Diego
Five days a week for kids ages 4 to 14, in a room built for athletes who want to compete.
Ages 4 to 14, beginner to advanced
Boys and girls who want to step on the mat at tournaments. Athletes are grouped by age, from 4 to 5 through 11 to 14, and the intensity scales with them.
If your child has never trained, that is fine. They will be solving live problems against a real partner in their first week.
Gi, no-gi and takedowns
Wednesday covers gi. The rest of the week is no-gi, including the takedowns athletes need to start a match on their feet.
Read more about our youth wrestling and takedown development or the competition jiu-jitsu track.
Monday to Friday
- Monday
- No-Gi · 2:30 to 4:30 PM
- Tuesday
- No-Gi · 2:30 to 4:30 PM
- Wednesday
- Gi and No-Gi · 2:30 to 4:30 PM
- Thursday
- No-Gi · 2:00 to 4:30 PM
- Friday
- No-Gi · 2:30 to 4:00 PM
- Total
- 10 Hours / Week
Full details are on the program page.
Led by black belts
The room is led by Professor Mike Perez, alongside Professor Amanda Bruse and Professor Aaron Villanueva. World champions and nationally ranked youth athletes have come out of this coaching.
Frequently asked questions
What ages do you train?
- Ages 4 to 14. Sessions are organized into four brackets: 4 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 10, and 11 to 14. Intensity scales with age.
Can my child start with no experience?
- Yes. Beginners are welcome and they tend to rise quickly, because the standard in the room is set by athletes preparing for a competition season rather than by the slowest pace.
Do athletes have to compete?
- Every athlete trains with the intent to compete at IBJJF, ADCC Youth and UFC BJJ Youth events. If your family is not interested in competition at all, this is not the right program.
Where do you train?
- All sessions are held at Rebellion MMA, 9825 Carroll Centre Rd, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92126.
What does my child need to bring?
- A rashguard every session, including under the gi on Wednesday. Shorts the rest of the week. Mouthguard and water every session.
How does enrollment work?
- Enrollment is limited. Families start with the Parent Athlete Profile, then either attend a three-day in-person evaluation for $100, or visit as a $50 referral drop-in if the athlete is known on the competition circuit, referred by a GDA coach, or invited by a current GDA family.