Young athletes aged 9-15 training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Catch Jiu Jitsu Kaohsiung — Junior Grapplers drills and teamwork

Junior Grapplers · Ages 9–15

Train Smart. Build real confidence.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for tweens and teens in Kaohsiung. Same belt standards as Youth, with coaching that matches growing athletes. Safe, respected, and genuinely challenging.

See a typical class

Why Junior Grapplers (9–15) hits different

Bodies are stronger, attention spans longer, and emotions more complex — this is the window where grappling becomes a serious athletic habit without losing respect or play.

For hesitant kids (and worried parents)

If your child is nervous, you're not alone. Many start unsure and discover confidence on the mat. We go slow, explain everything, and pair newer kids with patient partners. No throwing into the deep end.

Tap culture is sacred — the instant they say stop, we stop. Injury risk drops with coached progression and matched partners.

For real growth (not just belts)

Juniors learn to solve problems under pressure, own their mistakes, and lead without drama. That translates to handling school stress, navigating peer drama, and building actual confidence.

A belt at Catch is earned through genuine competency — not participation trophies. Kids notice the difference.

For kids who need a reason to get off the screen

BJJ is one of the few things that genuinely competes with a phone — because you have to be present. One confused second on the mat and you're under someone. That focus isn't forced. It's earned. Parents consistently notice the carryover within weeks.

What your athlete gets at Catch

  • A safe learning environment. Tap culture is non-negotiable. Coaches pair newer athletes with patient partners and scale intensity to match experience — not ego.
  • Real problem-solving skills. Instead of drilling the same move 20 times, coaches set constraints and athletes discover solutions under live pressure. That's how learning actually sticks.
  • Measurable confidence growth. Within a few months, quieter kids find their voice, anxious kids learn to manage pressure, and all kids feel genuinely competent.
  • A culture that values character. Respect, discipline, and how you treat your partner matter as much as technical skill. Coaches spotlight integrity, not drama.
Coach-led Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for Junior students at Catch Jiu Jitsu Kaohsiung
Coaching scales with age — clear cues, honest feedback.
Junior BJJ students partnering in grappling drills — Catch Jiu Jitsu
Partners rotate with purpose — everyone stays accountable.

No commitment. Coaches orient new athletes and parents. Intensity always matches experience.

A day in Junior Grapplers class

Same rhythm families know from Youth — arrival, focus, warm-up, constraints-led technique, partner rounds, and line-up — with older-athlete standards.

We use constraints-led pedagogy: coaches design the problem, athletes find the solution under real conditions.

1. Arrival & greeting

Coaches welcome each student by name. Shoes come off, hands are sanitized, and we set a calm start so newcomers feel seen within minutes.

Junior athletes greeting coaches at Catch Jiu Jitsu — Kaohsiung martial arts school

2. Meditation time

We lead a short meditation to settle busy minds and step into class with intention — especially helpful for scholastic stress and after-school energy.

Junior BJJ class — athletes centering before training at Catch Jiu Jitsu Kaohsiung

3. Warm-up

We move through a focused warm-up so joints and lungs are ready for drilling and controlled rolling.

Junior BJJ warm-up — athletes preparing for class at Catch Jiu Jitsu

4. Technique through a constraints-led approach

We believe experience is the best teacher. Our staff design situations where athletes must solve grappling problems on the mat. With careful constraints, we guide them toward solutions they discover themselves — building sharper grapplers and deeper buy-in.

Junior students learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through coached problem-solving at Catch Jiu Jitsu

5. Partner rounds

Pairs rotate through coached rounds with tap-out culture emphasized every session so athletes feel in control of intensity and stops.

Junior BJJ students in coached partner rounds — Catch Kaohsiung

6. Line-up

After class we line up, debrief what we learned, and announce an MVP — most valuable player — for someone who brought great attitude and effort.

Junior class line-up — students and coaches after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Catch Jiu Jitsu

Meet your coach

Dan Reid — Catch Jiu Jitsu head coach, 3rd degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Judo black belt, Kaohsiung Taiwan
Dan Reid · Head Instructor

Dan Reid leads Junior Grapplers with the same black-belt standards that built Catch — pressure-tested skill and honest communication.

Dan has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for almost 20 years and competed at a high level — including recent black belt wins such as Marianas Pro in Taiwan. He is also an undefeated MMA fighter (5-0), experience that shapes how he teaches composure when rounds get uncomfortable.

With juniors, Dan pushes clarity: what matters in a scramble, how to reset after a mistake, and how to train assertively without bullying partners. Parents hear him praise problem-solving and good attitude as loudly as any medal — because those traits decide who thrives as a teenager on the mats.

Credentials: 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Judo Black Belt.

Safety philosophy: Until our young athletes get their first stripe (3-4 months) on their belt they cannot be submitted in live training, this makes any injury chance very low. Dan fuses Catch's curriculum (BJJ + judo movement + wrestling fundamentals) so juniors build grappling IQ that thrives in tournaments, school sports, and daily resilience.

What families notice: quieter confidence when standing up for themselves, calmer responses when things do not go their way, and training partners who check in with each other after hard rounds.

Assistant coaches

Coach Emma — Catch Jiu Jitsu assistant instructor, bilingual youth specialist and gym manager, Kaohsiung
Coach Emma · Assistant Instructor

Assistant Instructor · Bilingual Youth & Junior Specialist, Gym Manager

Emma keeps Catch running day to day — and still shows up on the mat with a purple belt earned through real reps, including representing Kaohsiung at the National Games.

With Junior athletes, she expects more independence: mapping class plans, journaling techniques, and leading peers during warm-ups. She still reads the human underneath the rank — who needs pushed, who needs patience — and adjusts to each child. Her bilingual fluency keeps families in the loop in the language they speak at home.

Credentials: Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, ~10 years training experience, National Games representative, bilingual (Chinese/English), full-time coaching and gym management.

Teaching style: High-trust communication, individualized motivation, and culture that makes teenagers feel seen.

Why athletes respond: Emma blends firm standards with warmth — the combo of coach and manager who genuinely cares.

Coach James — Catch Jiu Jitsu assistant instructor, Junior Grapplers coach, Kaohsiung
Coach James · Assistant Instructor

Assistant Instructor · Parent-Athlete Who Trains Beside His Kids

James is a purple belt with roughly eight years on the mats — calm under pressure, detail-oriented, and quietly competitive. He did not parachute into coaching from the sidelines: two of his own children train in Junior Grapplers, both now grey belts who have stood atop gold-medal spots on the podium.

That dual hat — dad and coach — shows up in how he talks to teenagers. He knows the juggle of school, nerves before brackets, and the temptation to compare yourself to teammates. James celebrates the slow grind of grey-belt fundamentals because he watches his own kids earn them the right way.

On the floor he is allergic to shortcuts. He wants positions that hold up against resistance and attitudes that hold up after a tough round. Athletes get direct feedback paired with encouragement; parents get honesty about effort versus outcomes. James reinforces that family culture extends to every teammate — no clowning on beginners, no coasting when it is your turn to lead a drill.

Credentials: Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, ~8 years training experience, father-coach embedded in the Junior program with junior athletes who have earned competitive gold while progressing through Catch's belt standards.

Teaching style: Clear progressions, accountability without shame, and competition-aware coaching that still prizes respect and technical honesty.

Why juniors listen: He models the lifestyle — training consistently, parenting athletes, and proving that discipline at home and discipline on the mat are the same muscle.

How we teach juniors (and why it matters)

Most programs drill techniques. Catch teaches young athletes to think on the mat.

Constraints-Led Pedagogy

Instead of “here's the move, repeat it,” coaches set up live rounds with specific constraints — like “pass without using your hands” or “escape using only frames.” Athletes have to find the solution under real resistance. That is how teenagers actually learn grappling.

Representative Learning

Every drill stays alive. Juniors are not polishing dead moves against a static partner — they are solving problems against someone who is actively resisting and adapting.

Your Path, Not One Size Fits All

A newer white belt and an experienced grey belt can run the same constraint game and both learn at their level. Nobody coasts. Nobody drowns. Progress is measurable and earned.

This is what separates gyms where kids are bored and stagnated, from gyms where athletes build skill that holds up in competition and daily life.

Junior BJJ instruction emphasizing problem-solving under pressure at Catch Jiu Jitsu
Coaches set the problem. Athletes find the solution.

Why this matters for ages 9–15

  • • Athletes learn by doing, not memorizing
  • • Progress feels earned, not handed out
  • • Injury risk drops with tap culture and matched partners
  • • Confidence builds for school, sports, and competition

What parents say

Junior athletes and their families grow together — focus, grit, and friendships that survive puberty.

"My daughter was terrified of failing in front of others. Three months later she's asking to roll against the older kids — not because she's fearless, but because she trusts herself now."

Jennifer
Fearful → Confident

"Our son was glued to screens and got anxious easily. Jiu-Jitsu gave him a real outlet — he comes home tired in the best way, sleeps better, and actually talks about what he learned."

Marcus
Overwhelmed → Grounded

"We'd tried three other gyms. The difference here? Coaches actually know our kids' names and what they struggle with. They're not just teaching moves — they're raising young people."

Angela
Anonymous gym → Real community

Catch Jiu Jitsu

Junior belt framework

Ages 9–15 · Same standards as Youth Grapplers

A belt at Catch is not a reward for showing up. It is recognition that a student has developed genuine competency — the ability to perceive a problem on the mat and produce an effective response under real conditions. That standard does not bend for age, size, or how long a student has been attending.

This program is built for the long game. A student who joins Junior Grapplers at nine and earns a green belt has invested years developing skills that actually work — not belt stripes for participation.

White belt — 2–3 years

Learning to solve

Safe, efficient movement. Structural frames under pressure. Shrimping, bridging, repositioning when trapped. Falling without fear.

Before progression

Responds to stop/start without prompting. Trains cooperatively without redirection. Movement is purposeful, not panicked.

Grey belt — 2–3 years

Learning to solve

Surviving dominant positions. Guard retention under pressure. Managing a standing grip exchange.

Before progression

Taps early and without hesitation. Leads warm-up independently. Framing and shrimping are reflexive, not deliberate.

Yellow belt — 2–3 years

Learning to solve

Operating with a clear objective in positional rounds. Recognizing and attempting basic sweeps. Adjusting output for smaller partners.

Before progression

Rolls with genuine intention. Consistent sportsmanship. Begins reading partners rather than just reacting.

Orange belt — 2–3 years

Learning to solve

Chaining movements between positions. Recognizing submission conditions and applying them correctly.

Before progression

Takes initiative without instruction. Holds themselves and partners to program standards. Leads by example.

Green belt — 2–3 years

Learning to solve

Imposing a game, not just responding to one. Managing a full match with an adaptive plan. Recognizing what a less experienced partner needs without sacrificing their own development.

Before progression

Consistent competition presence. Composed and intentional. An emerging individual style that is genuinely theirs. Beginning to coach themselves.

At Catch, every belt means something. That is only possible because we do not give them away.

Questions about promotions? Ask coaches after class or see our FAQ.

Safety & supervision

Designed for parents who ask hard questions first — here is how we answer them on the mat.

Coach visibility & pacing

Junior classes usually have 3-4 coaches on the mat, so every student is getting some 1 on 1 time — we catch bad habits before they become injuries.

Age-appropriate intensity

Hard rounds happen when the children are ready for the challenge. Intensity scales with readiness and weight class reality.

Tap-out culture

We train stopping the instant a partner taps or verbally stops — ownership of boundaries is how teenagers learn real courage.

Injury prevention habits

Structured warm-ups, controlled entries to rolling, and hygiene expectations mirror serious athletic programs.

Emergency readiness

Staff carry first-aid expectations; emergency contacts on file; clear evacuation paths and incident reporting protocols.

Junior class schedule

Ages 9–15 · 3F, No. 79, Jhonghua 3rd Rd, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City 801

Day Time Class Ages
Monday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Kids BJJ beginners 5–15
Tuesday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Kids No GI 5–15
Wednesday 7:40 PM – 8:40 PM Junior BJJ 9–15
Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Kids No GI 5–15
Friday 7:40 PM – 8:40 PM Junior BJJ 9–15
Saturday 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Junior Judo 9–15
Saturday 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Junior BJJ 9–15
Sunday 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Kids BJJ beginner 5–15
View all classes (homepage)

Questions before you book?

Is my child ready - zero experience? +
Yes. We start with fundamentals designed for kids who are brand new. Coaches assess your child first, build safety and basics gradually. Most of our strongest Juniors started completely new.
Is it actually safe? +
Yes. Tap culture is non-negotiable - the instant they tap or say stop, we stop. Coaches pair newer kids with patient, respectful partners. Intensity scales with experience. If your child has past injuries or health concerns, tell us and we adjust.
What if my child gets scared or wants to quit? +
Many kids are nervous the first few weeks - that is totally normal. Coaches go slow and explain everything. We recommend sticking with it for 4-6 classes before deciding. Often the breakthrough happens around week 3-4 when they realize they can actually do this.
How often should we train? +
Twice weekly is the minimum we accept, kids who can only train once a week don't make enough progress and hold back the class. 3 or more times per week and you will see them progress very quickly.
Will this help with school stress or anxiety? +
Many parents notice it. A predictable structure, honest feedback, and solving problems under pressure helps anxious kids feel more grounded. Some kids journal what they learned, others just sleep better.
What about bullying or cliques? +
Respect and partner care are non-negotiable at Catch. We actively discourage cliques and spotlight kids who help others. Coaches know every student by name and what they struggle with. If something feels off, tell us immediately.
What should they bring to the first class? +
For the free trial: fitted athletic clothing (no zippers, no jewelry), a water bottle. Once enrolled: a quality youth gi protects fingers and shows commitment - staff helps with sizing. Hygiene and trimmed nails are expected.

Still have questions? See our full FAQ library or message us — we're happy to chat.

How to get started (no pressure)

Free trial class, then flexible monthly membership. No contracts. Many families train together with sibling discounts.

Weekdays

NT$3,000

per month

Perfect if school schedule allows mid-week

Weekends

NT$3,000

per month

Sat/Sun classes fit most schedules

Unlimited

NT$3,500

per month

Best value if training 3+ times weekly

Every membership includes

  • Access to all Junior classes (within your package)
  • Constraints-led pedagogy coaching from certified instructors
  • Structured progression tracking and honest feedback on growth
  • Belt testing when ready
  • Community events and a culture that values character

Here's the real deal

Start with a free trial class — no credit card needed. If your child loves it and you see the growth, pick a package that fits your family's schedule and budget.

We offer sibling discounts — many families train together. Flexible scheduling. No long-term contracts.

We make money when families are happy and seeing real progress — not when you feel locked in.

Ready to start?

Your athlete's first class is free

No pressure to enroll. Just come try it. Coaches will match intensity to experience, explain how we teach, and answer every parent question.

Learn constraints-led methodology
Train with respectful, driven partners
Build skill without ego or hazing
Read our FAQ first

Have a question before booking? We're .


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