Kids BJJ Classes in Arlington, Virginia
District Martial Arts offers Kids BJJ in Arlington, Virginia for children ages 6–13, coached by Sam Shawa, a BJJ black belt who began his martial arts journey at age 8 and has dedicated 18 years to the art; Andrea Tang, an IBJJF Pan-American, European, and American National No-Gi Champion who competes at the masters level; Grace DiGisco, a blue belt who has been training at DMA since 2017; and John Goodman, an Army veteran and BJJ purple belt with over seven years of experience in youth programs.
Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at District Martial Arts in Arlington, Virginia is built on four pillars: confidence, discipline, anti-bullying awareness, and physical development. Children who train BJJ learn how to manage difficult situations on the ground, the position where most physical confrontations end up calmly and without panic. More importantly, the competence they develop changes how they carry themselves. That is the most effective anti-bullying outcome available.
DMA’s kids BJJ program serves two age groups: 6–9 and 10–13. Curriculum is scaled to each group; younger students focus on movement, game-based learning, and foundational positions; older students develop submission technique, escapes, and competition-applicable skills.
Meet Your Coaches
For students who demonstrate readiness and interest, Sam Shawa leads a competition team that participates in local and regional tournaments in Virginia and the DC metro area. Competition is never mandatory; it is an option for motivated students who want to test their skills in a structured environment.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, structured physical activity that builds self-discipline and confidence produces measurable developmental benefits in children outcomes that martial arts training consistently delivers.
What a Kids BJJ Class Looks Like
Every class at DMA’s Arlington, Virginia facility opens with a structured warmup that incorporates movement games. These are not arbitrary, they are BJJ movement patterns disguised as play, which is how young children learn physical skills most effectively. Technique instruction follows with age-appropriate language, clear demonstrations, and partner drilling at scales appropriate to each child’s size and experience.
Class ends with supervised positional rolling controlled practice matched by size, with coaches on the mat monitoring every interaction. Parents are welcome to watch from the designated viewing area.
Safety Standards
All equipment and mats are cleaned after every class. The facility is deep cleaned several times per week. All coaching staff are trained and certified in CPR and first aid. Safety is not a bullet point, it is the operating standard that everything else is built around.
Enroll your child in Kids BJJ in Arlington, Virginia.
Book a two-day trial. No commitment required.
927 N Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
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Frequently Asked Questions kids BJJ at DMA
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