Competition Training for Kids at GB Highland Village

While many children train Jiu-Jitsu strictly for self-defense or fun, Gracie Barra Highland Village possesses a unique DNA: it is led by Professor Gabriel Arges, a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion.

Because of this pedigree, the academy offers a robust, high-level competition training program for children who want to test their skills against students from other schools. This is where the “sport” aspect of BJJ shines, teaching children how to perform under pressure, handle adrenaline, and manage both victory and defeat.

Here is a detailed look at how the competition program works for local youth.

1. The “CompNet” Difference (The Entry Point)

For most children, their first experience with competition is CompNet (Competition Network).

 What it is: These are tournaments exclusively for Gracie Barra students.

 Why it matters: Because everyone competing is part of the same team (Gracie Barra), the vibe is friendly and safe. It eliminates the “gym rivalry” aggression often found at open tournaments.

 The Atmosphere: CompNet events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are designed to be family festivals. They are professional, organized, and focused on sportsmanship. It is the perfect “sandbox” for a child’s first tournament.

2. Specialized Training: “Competition Class”

During tournament season, the training intensity shifts. The academy often hosts specific sessions focused on the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) ruleset.

 Point System Strategy: Unlike self-defense (where the goal is just to survive), sport BJJ is a game of math. Children are taught specifically how to score:

 2 Points: Takedown or Sweep.

 3 Points: Passing the Guard.

 4 Points: Mount or Back Control.

 Starting Standing: Regular classes often start on the knees to save space. Competition training forces kids to start standing up, emphasizing Judo and Wrestling takedowns, which is physically demanding and requires more courage.

 “Shark Tank” Drills: A high-intensity endurance drill where one child stays in the middle and fights a fresh opponent every minute. This builds the “gas tank” (cardio) needed to fight through a 3 or 4-minute match without getting tired.

3. Mental Coaching: The “Arges” Mindset

Having a World Champion as a head coach means the kids get elite mental coaching. Professor Gabriel and his team teach children how to navigate the psychology of fighting.

 Nerves are Normal: They teach that “butterflies” are just fuel. They teach breathing techniques to calm the heart rate before stepping onto the mat.

 Handling Loss: In BJJ, you will lose. The program emphasizes that crying is okay, but quitting is not. The motto is: “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” A loss is dissected technically (“You forgot to protect your neck”) rather than personally.

 Sportsmanship: Win or lose, the child must shake the opponent’s hand and the opponent’s coach’s hand. Tantrums or celebrating disrespectfully are strictly prohibited.

4. Safety & Rules

Parents often worry that competition means “fighting.” However, youth BJJ is heavily regulated to prevent injury.

 Illegal Moves: Dangerous submissions (like twisting the knee, neck cranks, or guillotines for young kids) are illegal. Referees stop matches instantly if a child is in a potentially unsafe position, even if they haven’t tapped out yet.

 Weight & Age Classes: A 60lb child will never fight an 80lb child. Brackets are strictly divided by age (every 2 years) and weight (every few pounds) to ensure fairness.

5. The “Traveling Team” Experience

When a big tournament (like the Pan Kids or a local Dallas Open) comes up, the academy operates like a travel team.

 The Bullpen: Kids warm up together. The coaches are there to wrap fingers, give pep talks, and ensure everyone is at the right mat at the right time.

 Mat-Side Coaching: When your child is fighting, a Gracie Barra coach will be in the chair right next to the mat, shouting instructions (“Watch your arm!”, “Stand up!”). The child is never alone out there.

6. Why Parents Choose to Compete

Competition is 100% optional. However, many Highland Village parents encourage it because:

 It accelerates growth: One tournament match is said to be worth 20 training sessions. The intensity forces the child’s technique to sharpen rapidly.

 Public Performance: It is rare for children to perform solo in front of a crowd (unlike team sports). This builds a unique kind of public courage.

 Resilience: Watching a child lose a match, wipe their tears, and immediately ask, “When is the next one?” is one of the proudest moments a parent can have.

🥋 Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village: A Comprehensive Profile

Gracie Barra Highland Village is a top-tier martial arts academy located in Highland Village, Texas, serving the communities of Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Lantana. As an official franchise of Gracie Barra (GB)—one of the largest and most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) organizations in the world—this academy adheres to high standards of instruction, safety, and curriculum.

Here is a detailed breakdown of everything you can expect from this specific academy.

1. Philosophy and Mission

The academy operates under the global Gracie Barra motto: “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone.”

This means the school is not an intimidating “fight club” for professional cage fighters. Instead, it is an educational center designed to make BJJ accessible to toddlers, teenagers, working professionals, and seniors alike. The goal is personal development through martial arts, focusing on:

 Self-Defense: Real-world protection.

 Wellness: Physical fitness and mental health.

 Community: Building a positive social environment.

2. Program Structure

Gracie Barra Highland Village utilizes a standardized, week-by-week curriculum. This means a student knows exactly what they are learning, and if they visit another GB school, the instruction remains consistent.

1. Future Champions (Kids Program)

This is a cornerstone of the Highland Village location, given the family-oriented demographics of the area.

 Little Champions I (Ages 3–6): Focuses on “mat awareness,” coordination, following instructions, and basic body movements. It is heavily game-based to keep toddlers engaged.

 Little Champions II (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical Jiu-Jitsu. Students learn escapes, controls, and the Gracie Barra Anti-Bullying system (verbal de-escalation and non-violent control).

 Juniors & Teens (Ages 10–14): A more mature curriculum that prepares students for the adult program. It focuses on fitness, discipline, and complex problem-solving.

1. GB Adult Program

The adult curriculum is split into tiers to ensure safety and proper progression.

 GB1: Fundamentals (White Belts): The entry-level program. It focuses on self-defense, safety, and the core principles of BJJ (base, posture, leverage). There is usually no full-contact sparring (rolling) in the first few weeks to prioritize safety.

 GB2: Advanced (Blue Belt & Up): Once the basics are mastered, students move to GB2. This class involves more complex techniques, combinations, and live sparring (“rolling”).

 GB3: Black Belt Program: Designed for advanced practitioners to refine their style, flow, and transitions.

1. Private Training

For students who want to accelerate their learning or work on specific weaknesses, the professors at Highland Village offer one-on-one private lessons.

3. The Class Experience

A typical 60-minute class at GB Highland Village follows a rigid structure:

1. Line Up: Students line up by rank (belt color) and bow in to show respect.
2. Warm-up: 10–15 minutes of calisthenics and BJJ-specific drills (shrimping, breakfalls).
3. Technique: The Professor demonstrates a technique (e.g., an escape from the mount) and explains the leverage points.
4. Partner Drills: Students pair up to practice the move.
5. Specific Training | Rolling:

 Beginners: Positional training (starting from a specific spot and resetting).

 Advanced: Free sparring.

6. Bow Out: Class ends with a formal dismissal and handshake line.

4. Facility and Standards

Gracie Barra Highland Village maintains the “Premium School” standards required by the franchise.

 Hygiene: The mats are sanitized professionally every day. Personal hygiene (clean Gi, trimmed nails) is strictly enforced.

 Uniforms: Students are required to wear the official Gracie Barra Uniform (Gi). This fosters a sense of equality and team unity—on the mats, a CEO and a student are equals.

 Atmosphere: The facility is designed to be bright, clean, and welcoming to families. It typically includes a lobby for parents to watch their children train.

5. Instructors and Lineage

The instructors (Professors and Coaches) at GB Highland Village are certified through the Gracie Barra ICP (Instructor Certification Program).

 This ensures they are not just good fighters, but trained teachers who know how to handle safety, first aid, and pedagogy.

 The Texas region of Gracie Barra is historically very strong, influenced heavily by high-level Brazilian professors who settled in the Dallas/Houston areas. The instruction at Highland Village reflects this high-level lineage.

6. Benefits for Highland Village Residents

 Community Connection: It serves as a “third place” (outside of home and work/school) for residents of Highland Village and Flower Mound to socialize.

 Bully Prevention: For local school-aged children, the program provides confidence and tools to handle social and physical aggression.

 Stress Relief: For working adults, the intense focus required in BJJ acts as a form of “moving meditation,” clearing the mind of work stress.

7. Getting Started

The enrollment process at Gracie Barra Highland Village is standardized:

1. Free Introductory Class: New students are almost always offered a free trial class to experience the culture.
2. Introduction: You will likely meet with a Program Director who will give you a tour, explain the schedule, and discuss membership goals.
3. The “Red Shield”: Upon signing up, you receive your uniform and are welcomed into the team.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village is a structured, safe, and family-centric martial arts academy. It combines the rigorous physical training of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a supportive community atmosphere, making it a popular choice for families in the Denton County area.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village

Informations

ADDRESS

200 Marketplace Ln, Suite 205, Highland Village, TX, United States, Texas

PHONE

+1 (972) 439-7411

Competition Training for Kids at GB Highland Village