Youth Wrestling Program in Phoenix, AZ
Refuge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy offers a year-round Youth Wrestling Program for kids ages 7–12 who want to build takedowns, balance, body control, confidence, and athletic skill.
Whether your child is brand new to wrestling or already training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this program builds a strong foundation in wrestling fundamentals in a safe, structured, and supportive environment. No experience is needed.
Start Your Free Week | Call 623-516-0598
Program Details
- Ages: 7–12 years old
- Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays
- Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (classes start promptly)
- Attire: No-gi attire; wrestling shoes recommended but not required
- Season: Year-round
Exceptions for students slightly outside the age range may be made with coach approval.
Want to add jiu-jitsu? On Mondays and Wednesdays, Youth BJJ starts right after wrestling at 5:30 PM, so kids can train both back to back. View the full class schedule.
Why Wrestling Is Great for Kids
Wrestling helps kids develop strength, coordination, discipline, toughness, and body awareness. Every practice asks them to show up, work hard, stay focused, and keep moving through challenging situations. Those habits carry over into school, friendships, and everyday life.
At Refuge, our youth programs are built around character development. We want kids to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually, and wrestling is a natural fit for that mission. Along the way, kids work on:
- Confidence: learning new skills and seeing their own progress over time.
- Discipline: listening to coaches, respecting training partners, and staying focused.
- Calm under pressure: staying composed and thinking clearly through challenges.
- Preparedness: building the strength and awareness to handle themselves.
Every child’s journey is different, and we meet each kid where they are.
What Students Will Learn
Our coaches teach the core skills young athletes need to move well, stay balanced, and develop confidence on the mats, step by step and at an age-appropriate pace.
- Wrestling stance and motion
- Footwork and movement
- Level changes and entries
- Takedown fundamentals
- Balance, defense, and scrambling
- Mat awareness and safe training habits
- Controlled partner drills and live movement
- Sportsmanship and respect for training partners
How Wrestling Supports Jiu-Jitsu
Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu work extremely well together. Wrestling helps students develop strong takedowns, balance, pressure, and the ability to control where the match takes place.
For young jiu-jitsu students, wrestling builds confidence when starting from the feet and improves their ability to transition from standing to control on the ground. That’s why our Youth Membership includes both programs.
Who This Program Is For
- Kids ages 7–12
- Beginners with no wrestling or athletic background
- Current jiu-jitsu students who want better takedowns
- Kids who could use a confidence boost
- Young athletes looking to improve strength, balance, and coordination
- Students interested in competition, with opportunities based on readiness
Coaches help every student learn at the right pace while keeping training safe, positive, and challenging. Have a younger child? Our Mighty Mites program (ages 4–6) is a great place to start.
Coaching That Builds Confidence
Refuge was founded on the belief that martial arts can change a kid’s life, because it changed our head instructor’s.
Head Instructor Josh Guerra started training at age 11 to build his self-esteem. After his first tournament, it became a lifelong passion. Today he’s a 2nd degree black belt under Professor Jair Lourenço of Team Kimura, was ranked #21 in the world by the IBJJF as an adult black belt, and earned a bronze medal at the 2025 IBJJF Masters Worlds.
Josh is still an active competitor, but his greatest passion is coaching. He and our team bring that same focus on confidence, discipline, and purpose to every youth class. Our competition team includes World Champions at all levels, so kids train around athletes who model hard work and good character.
Youth Wrestling Membership Options
There are no sign-up fees and no mandatory contracts.
Wrestling Only (Ages 7–12): $130/month
- Unlimited youth wrestling classes
- Family events
- Extra facility access based on age
Youth Membership (Ages 7–12): $175/month
- Unlimited Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including Fundamentals
- Year-round youth wrestling
- Family events
The Youth Membership is the best value for families who want both wrestling and jiu-jitsu.
A full 30-day billing cycle is required to cancel.
A Safe, Family-Friendly Place to Train
Refuge is a welcoming academy where families feel at home. We take training seriously, and that includes taking care of every kid on the mat. Classes are coached and supervised, partners are matched with age and size in mind, and intensity is kept appropriate for each child’s level.
We also host family events throughout the year, so parents and siblings are part of the community too.
What Refuge Parents Are Saying
“There is not much to say other than everyone in the valley that rolls knows the Refuge Youth Competition Team. All 5 of my kids have trained here at some point. Definitely worth the 25 minute drive from desert ridge area.”
– Travis K.
Youth Wrestling FAQs
Does my child need wrestling experience?
No. Many of our kids start with no wrestling or sports background. Coaches teach the fundamentals step by step, and experienced wrestlers are welcome too.
What should my child wear and bring?
No-gi attire, such as a rash guard or athletic shirt with shorts or spats. Wrestling shoes are recommended but not required. Please avoid clothing with zippers, pockets, or anything that could scratch, snag, or catch during training. Bring water, keep nails trimmed, leave jewelry at home, and come ready to work hard.
Is wrestling safe for kids?
Like any sport, wrestling involves physical contact. Our coaches focus on proper technique, control, and respect for training partners, and they pair kids by age, size, and experience to keep training appropriate for every child.
Can my child do both wrestling and jiu-jitsu?
Yes. Our Youth Membership ($175/month) includes unlimited Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and year-round youth wrestling. On Mondays and Wednesdays, kids can train wrestling at 4:30 PM and Youth BJJ at 5:30 PM back to back.
Does my child have to compete?
No. Competition is always optional. Kids who are interested and ready can compete, and others train simply for fitness, confidence, and fun.
What if my child is just outside the 7–12 age range?
Exceptions may be made with coach approval. Give us a call and we’ll help find the right fit for your child.
Youth Wrestling Serving North Phoenix, Anthem, Cave Creek & Beyond
Refuge BJJ is located right on Carefree Highway in North Phoenix, making it easy for families across the North Valley to get to weekday practice. Whether you’re coming from school, work, or home, our youth wrestling classes are close by.
- Phoenix & North Phoenix: Conveniently located at 711 E Carefree Hwy, close to I-17.
- Anthem: A short drive south on I-17 for Anthem families.
- Desert Hills & Dove Valley Ranch: Just minutes from neighborhoods in Desert Hills and Dove Valley Ranch.
- Cave Creek & Carefree: A straight shot west on Carefree Highway.
- North Scottsdale: An easy drive for North Scottsdale families looking for a dedicated youth wrestling program.
Refuge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
711 E Carefree Hwy Suite 201
Phoenix, AZ 85085
623-516-0598
staff@refugebjj.com
Train Youth Wrestling at Refuge BJJ
At Refuge BJJ, our goal is to help young athletes grow both on and off the mats. Live in the North Valley? Come see what youth wrestling at Refuge is all about. Start your free week, meet our coaches, and see if it’s the right fit for your family.
