Kids Martial Arts in Longview: BJJ, Boxing and Wrestling (Ages 5-12)
3 min read · Updated Jul 3, 2026
If your child is between 5 and 12, Team 515 in Longview offers three martial arts made for that age: Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing, and wrestling. And yes, it is good for them. Kids who train regularly tend to build focus, coordination, and real confidence, and it gives them a structured, screen-free activity for their evenings. And they are never left on their own. Every class is led by a coach who groups children by age and skill and keeps a close eye on the room. The goal is not to make your child tough for its own sake. It is to teach them to stay calm, keep trying, and handle themselves, lessons that carry well beyond the mat.
Why it is good for a growing kid
It helps to understand what your child is really practicing. Under the punches and takedowns, martial arts is a steady drill in paying attention and self-control. A coach shows a move, your child tries it, gets it wrong, and tries it again. That loop, repeated in a calm room, teaches patience and resilience as well as almost anything can. Kids also learn body awareness, balance, and how to fall and roll, a skill that helps on and off the mat. Because it is physical and social at the same time, shy kids often come out of their shell and high-energy kids finally have somewhere to put all that motion.
What each program teaches
Brazilian jiu jitsu, usually shortened to BJJ, is grappling on the ground. Your child learns to use leverage and technique to control someone bigger, which is part of why it clicks for smaller and quieter kids. Team 515 teaches it both with the gi, the traditional uniform you grip, and without it in closer-fitting gear.
Boxing is hands and footwork. Kids learn to throw a clean punch, move well, and read what is in front of them. It builds real fitness and a solid base for self-defense.
Wrestling is takedowns, control, and grit. It teaches a child to earn position and to keep working when it gets hard. It is also the foundation the other sports stand on, so the time pays off no matter what your child trains later.
How the kids classes are set up
Team 515 groups the kids by age and level so no one is in over their head. There is a younger group for roughly ages 5 to 8 and an older group for roughly 9 to 12, along with youth boxing and youth wrestling nights. A coach leads every session and walks newcomers through the basics next to kids at the same level. Beginners do not do live sparring on their first day, so your child eases in instead of getting thrown to the wolves. Families come to the gym from around Longview and the wider East Texas area, including Kilgore, Gladewater, White Oak, and Hallsville.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my child wear and bring to the first class? Comfortable workout clothes and a water bottle. No uniform or gear is required to start. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early so your child can meet the coach before class begins.
How much do the kids programs cost? Jiu jitsu, boxing, and wrestling are each 90 dollars a month. Membership is month to month with no contract, so you are never locked in.
What nights do the kids classes meet? The kids jiu jitsu classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings, youth boxing meets Monday and Wednesday, and youth wrestling meets Thursday. Times shift with the seasons, so call (903) 930-4599 to confirm before you come.
The surest way to know if it fits your child is to let them try. Your child's first class at Team 515 is free, no strings attached, so you can see how they take to it before deciding anything. The gym is at 320 E. Tyler St. in Longview. When you are ready, come train or see the schedule and find a night that works for your family.