My son joined the Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program at FJJ in 2010. He has spent more time at FJJ than any other place besides home and school, so his coaches have played an important role in his development, not just as an athlete, but as a person. FJJ has become such an integral part of Nick’s life, that even after moving farther away, we never had a second thought about where he should continue to train and grow.
The facility is big and clean with a lot of air circulating which I appreciate as a spectator not participating in the training. The parents are friendly and well behaved; you won’t see parents yelling from the sideline at their children or other children. If they come in yelling in the beginning, they quickly learn that FJJ doesn’t promote or tolerate that type of environment. But what impresses me the most is how the instructors manage the balance of discipline, challenge, and fun in the classes. You won’t see kids running around screaming and out of control, except for after class when they have some free time to play, but in class they are focused and working hard, even the little ones. They promote mentorship which helps the older kids feel responsible for helping the younger kids and the younger kids look up to the older kids. It creates an environment where the children learn that it is not just about themselves, but about helping each other grow.
Since the first day Nick joined FJJ, BJJ has been his passion. It has taught him to win and lose gracefully, be respectful, stay humble, work hard, and set priorities. The skills he has learned on the mat has transferred to life outside of FJJ. He is competitive on the mat and just as competitive in his class to get good grades, he is respectful to his parents and his teachers, and he stands up for kids who can’t stand up for themselves without getting in a physical altercation. Over the past five years, he has grown physically and mentally strong. He cares about his team mates and FJJ has become more like a family than a place to train.
The dedication and commitment from the Instructors grow stronger every year as does the program. We are very satisfied parents and are extremely glad to have found Fairfax Jiu Jitsu.