Bedford · Term 1 opens 7 September 2026

Learn
Through Play.

The UK's original play-based Jiu-Jitsu programme for pre-schoolers. Since 2013, we've built confidence and motor skills in three-to-five-year-olds — one fun, six-week term at a time.

Register Interest See how it works
Ages 3–5 · Six-week terms aligned to school half-terms
Jiu Jitsu Tots — Learn Through Play
2013
Founded
Our story

Where it started

Jiu Jitsu Tots grew out of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Schools, a scheme founded in 2010 by David Webb, then head coach at Tōukon Academy. Its success led to Jiu Jitsu Tots launching in 2013 — the UK's first Jiu-Jitsu specific play programme built just for pre-school children.

David has been studying martial arts since 1991 and coaching since 1998, holding black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Shotokan Karate. Every session is built on an "Every Child Matters" philosophy and values-based coaching — patience, honesty, friendship, and safe practice, taught through play rather than instruction.

"Founded in 2013, Jiu-Jitsu Tots™ is a dynamic play programme specifically designed to build confidence and enhance motor skills through Jiu-Jitsu."
What we build

Three things, every single class

Everything on the mat is designed around these three outcomes — nothing added just for show.

💪

Confidence

Small wins, every week. Children learn to try, fall, laugh, and try again — in a room built to make that feel safe.

🤸

Motor skills

Balance, coordination, and body awareness, built through movement games rather than drills — because that's how three-year-olds actually learn.

🎈

Play

No child sits still for a lecture. Every session is disguised as a game, so the learning happens without anyone noticing.

How a year works

Six terms. Six Outstanding Merit Certificates.

Each six-week term is built around its own module of study, finishing with an Outstanding Merit Certificate and a stripe on the Tots belt — timed to sit alongside the school calendar.

Bobby Breakfall
Autumn 1
Bobby Breakfall
6 weeks
Stanley Stand Up
Autumn 2
Stanley Stand Up
6 weeks
Grace Guard
Spring 1
Grace Guard
6 weeks
Harry Hold Down
Spring 2
Harry Hold Down
6 weeks
Ella Escape
Summer 1
Ella Escape
6 weeks
Robbie Roll
Summer 2
Robbie Roll
6 weeks

Ages 3–5 years

Sessions are built specifically for pre-schoolers — not a scaled-down version of an older kids' class.

Six-week terms

Each course runs for six weeks, aligned to a school half-term, so families can commit one term at a time.

Bedford, from September 2026

Our first Jiu Jitsu Tots classes since resurrecting the programme will run in Bedford, opening for the new school year.

Certificates and stripes

Every completed module earns a certificate and a stripe on the Tots belt. Four of six stripes earns graduate belt status — the last step before joining the junior programme.

Built for this age, not shrunk down for it

  • Small classes — a 1:8 ratio, always
  • Fully qualified, insured coaches with first aid certification
  • An almost entirely visual coaching method — no long routines to copy
  • Every child included, whatever their needs
Jiu Jitsu Tots graduate character
The graduate

Four stripes, then graduation

Once a Tot earns four of their six stripes, they reach graduate belt status — the final milestone before joining the junior Jiu-Jitsu programme at age six.

Where to find us

Starting in Bedford

Jiu Jitsu Tots is relaunching with its first location in Bedford, in collaboration with Tōukon Academy®. It's the first step in bringing the programme back to families across the country — one town at a time.

More locations to be announced as the programme grows.

LocationBedford
AddressMeadow Lane, Bedford MK44 3LW
Term 1 dates7 Sep – 19 Oct 2026
Ages3–5 years
Term length6 weeks
StatusRegistering interest
Questions parents ask

Before you enrol

The honest answers to what most parents want to know before their child's first session.

Will my child be sparring or getting hurt?+
No. Jiu Jitsu Tots sessions aren't typical Jiu-Jitsu classes, and developing technical skill isn't the primary goal at this age. Every session runs in a safe, structured environment focused on motor skills, balance, and social confidence — built through games, not sparring.
How many children are in a class?+
We keep a strict 1:8 coach-to-child ratio, so every child gets seen, supported, and encouraged individually — never lost in a crowd.
My child has additional needs — can they still join?+
Yes. Our "Every Child Matters" philosophy means every child is welcome, including children with autism or other social interaction differences. We take the time to build trust at each child's own pace.
What if my child doesn't want to join in at first?+
Completely normal, and nothing to worry about. Parents are welcome to stay for every session — to reassure their child, and themselves. Most children who feel unsure in week one are asking to come back by week two.
Are the coaches qualified?+
Every coach is fully qualified, insured, and holds emergency first aid certification — not a weekend workshop badge. Coaching is genuinely experienced with young children, not adapted from an adult class.
What will my child actually learn?+
Fundamental motor and social skills, built through Jiu-Jitsu specific games rather than drills. Our coaching is almost entirely visual, using positive, encouraging language, so children pick up movement patterns naturally through play.
Get on the list

Be first to know when enrolment opens

Get in touch and we'll let you know the moment Bedford registration opens for September 2026.

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