Teaching Lockdown to kids

[michael213487]

So next week I am going to be teaching lockdown to kids ages 4-7 and then another class ages 8-12. For both classes I will be teaching traditional half guard to lockdown to jaws of life to the Omaha whip to the whip up to perfect double under hooks. From there I plan on having the 4-7 year olds do the old school sweep, and having the 8-12 year olds work the electric chair sweep/submission.

What do you guys think about this, and please let me know if you have any advise or ideas on teaching any of these techniques to kids this young. Thanks!

[Blake Coston]

I think the lockdown and related sweeps etc, may be too much for a 4,5, and possibly some 6 year olds if they're green. Mainly because the focus should be on basics and fundamentals IMO. I started teaching my son lockdown at 6, he's 7 now (almost 8) and he's putting it all together nicely. He's also been training since 4.5. Every kid is different but I'd just think a focus on basic positions and control is more important to the youngsters. Any kid 7 or 8 and older should be good to go.

[Ric]

Not so sure about teaching Electric Chair. The opponent can damage his knee if he tries to escape it incorrectly.

I think the foundation for everyone who grapples should be the Closed Guard, Mount and Side Control. All the fun stuff should come after the basics have been mastered. I understand that this is common in jiu jitsu, but I don't like the idea of someone knowing the Electric Chair, which I'm guessing was invented around 2000, before they know something like the kimura from the Closed Guard which I thinking has been around for like 100 years as a judo move.

[Amber Kamischke]

I agree, the electric chair may be too much for kids. They are naturally more limber so finishing it may prove to be difficult causing some to force the submission incorrectly causing damage.

I help Josh teach our kids class and we have 7-9 year olds. We have taught basics like armbars from mount/guard, lockdown escapes, rear naked chokes and the triangle from meathook. The last one was after the kids had basics in their game so it wasn't hard but we also broke it down in to each small movement, made them rep it a few times each, then adding on to it until the finish.

[Mario Lopez Alvarez]

Kids will surprise you when you teach them too many things, or more advanced stuff. Dont be afriad to show them too much.

Try it out, but focus on basic concepts (pressure, getting on top, etc)

At least thats my humble opinion!

[Kurzy]

Our kids drill the lockdown and whip-up to oldschool on a regular basis. We are trying to make lockdown part of their DNA.

[NelsonLucca]

I think it's great if they understand. For the OG Nibiru warriors, my son is the 10th Planet baby (if you remember the pics). I started teaching him before he could walk. He's 5 now and has excellent jiu jitsu... For a 5 year old of course.

[NelsonLucca]

Here is my son, caught practicing in his room. I never taught him 10th planet terminology because I didnt want him telling his friends about rape chokes or douchbags lol

[NelsonLucca]

Here he is at 1 with the same grappling dummy.

[NelsonLucca]

Kids are like sponges. Don't force them to do it. Make it fun. Teach them respect and humbleness. Batman is a great partner for my son because when he sees batman defeat the joker on tv he feels he can do the same lol.