Little Champions I vs II: GB Highland Village Guide

At Gracie Barra Highland Village, the “Little Champions” program is not a one-size-fits-all class. It is divided into two distinct tiers based on developmental milestones, ensuring that a 3-year-old isn’t overwhelmed and an 8-year-old isn’t bored.

Here is a detailed comparison to help you understand which program is right for your child.

1. Little Champions I (The “Discovery” Phase)

 Target Age: 3 – 6 Years Old

 The Vibe: High energy, playful, and game-based.

 The Primary Goal: To build coordination and enthusiasm. We want them to fall in love with being on the mat.

Curriculum Focus:

 Hidden Jiu-Jitsu: Techniques are disguised as games.

 The “Crazy Horse” Game: Teaches back control and balance.

 Animal Walks: Bear crawls and crab walks build the core strength needed for grappling later.

 Safety First: The 1 skill taught is “The Breakfall”—how to fall down safely without hitting their head. This creates “playground armor.”

 Socialization: Learning to line up, take turns, and follow instructions from an adult who isn’t their parent.

2. Little Champions II (The “Foundation” Phase)

 Target Age: 7 – 9 Years Old

 The Vibe: Structured, disciplined, and focused.

 The Primary Goal: To build technique and character. This is where “real” Jiu-Jitsu begins.

Curriculum Focus:

 Technique Drills: Students learn specific moves (e.g., “Double Leg Takedown” or “Americana Armlock”) and drill them with partners.

 Anti-Bullying: Explicit instruction on Verbal Jiu-Jitsu (using their voice to de-escalate) and Non-Violent Control (pinning a bully without punching).

 Live Sparring: Unlike LC1, these students engage in “rolling” (wrestling) at the end of class. They learn to handle the pressure of a resisting opponent.

 Comparison at a Glance

 Feature  Little Champions I (LC1)  Little Champions II (LC2)

 Age  3 – 6 Years  7 – 9 Years 

 Class Length  ~45 Minutes  ~50 Minutes 

 Sparring  None (Games only)  Yes (Live Rolling) 

 Focus  Motor Skills & Fun  Self-Defense & Discipline 

 Discipline  Gentle redirection  Strict “Listening Stance” 

 The “Transition” (Age 6)

The age of 6 is often the “swing year.”

 Instructor Assessment: If a 6-year-old is physically large or exceptionally focused, the Professor may invite them to “test up” into LC2.

 The Litmus Test: Can they stand still for 60 seconds while the Professor explains a move? If yes, they are ready for LC2. If they need to wiggle, LC1 is still the best environment.

🥋 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

Little Champions I vs II: GB Highland Village Guide