Is My Child Ready for Their First BJJ Competition? A Parent’s Guide

As a parent, it’s only natural to want the best for your child—especially when it comes to their confidence, growth, and personal development. If your child has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for a while, you might be wondering: “Are they ready for their first competition?”

This is a common question among parents, and rightly so. BJJ competitions can be exciting, challenging, and deeply rewarding—but they can also feel overwhelming if approached too soon. Here are a few helpful points to guide your decision.

1. Do They Show Consistency in Training?

One of the strongest indicators that a child might be ready for competition is consistency. Are they showing up to class regularly? Do they stay engaged during lessons and drills? A child who enjoys training, listens to instruction, and puts in effort week after week is likely building the foundational skills needed for competition.

Regular attendance also means they’re getting familiar with positions, techniques, and basic sparring—which are all crucial in a tournament setting.

2. Are They Interested or Curious About Competing?

Readiness isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, too. Has your child expressed an interest in competing? Maybe they’ve asked about it, mentioned it in passing, or talked about “winning a medal” like they’ve seen others do.

Even subtle signs of curiosity can be a great starting point. It’s important that competition is something they want to try—not something they feel pressured into. When a child is internally motivated, they’re more likely to enjoy the experience, regardless of the outcome.

3. How Do They Handle Wins and Losses in Training?

In competition, your child will face other young grapplers with different styles and strengths—and the result might not always be a win. That’s okay! What matters more is how they react.

Do they stay composed when things don’t go their way? Are they able to bounce back from small setbacks in class? If your child is learning to deal with both success and frustration in a healthy way, they’re likely building the resilience needed for competition.

4. Do They Understand the Basics of Sparring and Rules?

Competitions follow a structure and set of rules that may be new to young practitioners. Before stepping onto the mats at a tournament, your child should be reasonably comfortable with basic sparring (rolling) and understand core concepts like:

• Position before submission

• Maintaining control

• Tapping (and when to tap)

• Listening to the referee

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about safety and awareness.

5. Are You Ready as a Parent?

Lastly, check in with yourself. Competitions can be emotional for parents, too! It helps to see competition as part of your child’s journey—not the destination.

Whether they win, lose, or draw, your support will mean everything. Celebrate the courage it takes just to step on the mat. And remember: the goal isn’t to raise champions overnight, but to help your child grow in confidence, character, and love for the sport.

Next Steps

If you feel your child might be ready, have a chat with their coach. They’ll have a clear sense of your child’s readiness based on their progress and personality. The coach can also recommend the right type of event—whether it’s an in-house friendly match or a beginner-friendly competition.

At the end of the day, every child’s journey in BJJ is different. Whether they choose to compete or not, what matters most is that they enjoy the process, feel supported, and continue to grow—on and off the mats.

Ready to explore the next step in your child’s BJJ journey? Speak to our coaches today and we’ll guide you through it.