01 — LITTLE SAMURAI · AGES 3–5

LITTLE
SAMURAI

A playful and structured introduction to Judo designed specifically for young children, combining movement, coordination, confidence and fundamental skills in a safe and positive environment.

AGES 3–5

BEGINNER

~45 MIN

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

A STRONG FOUNDATION STARTS WITH MOVEMENT.

The Little Samurai Program is designed specifically for children ages 3–5 and provides a safe, active, and engaging introduction to Judo.At this age, children are not expected to perform complex throws or train like older athletes. Instead, the focus is on helping them become comfortable on the mat, learn to control their bodies, interact with other children, and develop fundamental movement skills.Classes combine structured games, movement exercises, balance and coordination activities, simple partner work, introductory Judo positions, and safe falling fundamentals.

INSIDE A CLASS

LEARNING THROUGH MOVEMENT.

A typical Little Samurai class is built around movement, play, coordination, and simple Judo fundamentals. Activities change throughout the session to keep young children engaged while gradually introducing structure, partner interaction, and basic training habits.

MOVEMENT &
WARM-UP

Running, crawling, rolling, jumping, and simple mobility exercises.

BALANCE & COORDINATION

Games and movement challenges that develop stability, reaction, and body control.

JUDO FUNDAMENTALS

Basic positions, movement on the mat, safe falling, and simple age-appropriate Judo concepts.

PARTNER ACTIVITIES

Cooperative exercises that teach children how to work safely and confidently with another student.

GAME & COOL DOWN

A playful finish that reinforces movement skills and helps children leave the class on a positive note.

PROGRAM FOCUS

MORE THAN JUDO.
BUILDING THE SKILLS THAT COME FIRST.

For children ages 3–5, progress begins with movement, confidence, coordination, and learning how to train safely with others. These early skills create the foundation for future Judo development.

BALANCE

Developing stability and body control through simple movement exercises, changes of direction, and age-appropriate partner activities.

COORDINATION

Learning to control different movements together through games, obstacle exercises, rolling, crawling, and guided movement patterns.

AGILITY

Building the ability to move, react, stop, turn, and change direction safely and confidently on the mat.

CONFIDENCE

Helping children become comfortable with new physical challenges, unfamiliar movements, and training with different partners.

DISCIPLINE

Learning to listen, follow simple instructions, wait for a turn, respect the training space, and develop positive training habits.

SOCIAL SKILLS

Encouraging cooperation, communication, patience, and safe interaction with other children during partner and group activities.

HOW CHILDREN PROGRESS

GROWING STEP BY STEP

At ages 3–5, development is gradual. Children progress through movement, confidence, listening, partner interaction, and increasingly structured Judo activities at a pace appropriate for their age and individual readiness.

GET COMFORTABLE

Children first become familiar with the mat, the coach, the training routine, and moving alongside other students in a structured environment.

LEARN TO MOVE

Through games and guided exercises, children improve balance, coordination, agility, safe falling fundamentals, and overall body awareness.

TRAIN WITH A PARTNER

Simple partner activities introduce cooperation, controlled contact, basic gripping, movement, and the responsibility of keeping a training partner safe.

BUILD TRAINING HABITS

As confidence grows, children learn to listen for longer periods, follow simple sequences, repeat skills, and gradually prepare for the next stage of Judo development.

LITTLESAMURAI