More than ever before, Jiu-Jitsu academies around the world are discovering the pluses of teaching the gentle art to kids. Carlos Gracie was already recommending the sport for children back in 1948. Sixty years later, GRACIE Magazine decided to delve deep into the question. We went after people who had practiced Jiu-Jitsu as toddlers, now adults, masters and parents. They painted a clear picture of how important Jiu-Jitsu is during childhood. And GRACIE Magazine presents its readers with the verdict.

The following is a list of rules for kids at Association Tournaments. They are good to know as either a competitor or a spectator.

No biting
No hair pulling
No finger breaking
No hands/fingers in Gi (inside the cuffs); referee will break the grip
No traumatic strikes
No ankle twists
No knee twists
No wrestling shoes allowed
No wrist locks, foot locks or straight knee locks
All competitors who fail to appear when their name is called will forfeit the match.

The competitors will be able to apply the following holds: Sleeper Holds (Chokes): Front, Side and From Behind; Joint Locks: Arm Lock, American Lock, Inverted Arm Lock, Wrist Lock, Foot Lock, and Straight Knee Lock.

In case of ties, the following rules shall apply: If a match ends in a 0x0 tie, the competitor that maintains the advantage and is closest to scoring a point will be awarded the victory. The competitor who demonstrates the desire to fight by taking the match to the ground using his Jiu-Jitsu skills will be awarded the victory, whether he is on top or on his back. The referee has the right to make the final decision.

A competitor who demonstrates a lack of desire to fight by opening his Gi, trying to escape the area of the match, trying to escape the ground, or by not taking the fight to the ground will receive a warning by the judge. A second warning will result in the deduction of 2 points. If the competitor persists and is deducted a total of 6 points, he will forfeit the match.

Any competitor or spectator who demonstrates an attitude of controversy by wanting to engage in fighting with his opponent will be eliminated from the event by the judge.

Belts are given as a mark of achievement. To move from one belt to the next, a student must take a Belt Test from an Official Representative.
Each belt, except the Black Belt, has 4 degrees. The Black Belt has 10 degress. The degrees are given by the student's instructor.

BELT	AGE
WHITE	All students start as a White Belt.
YELLOW ORANGE GREEN	From when you start until you are 15 years old, you can have the rank of Yellow, Orange, and Green Belt.
BLUE PURPLE	In order to achieve a Blue or Purple Belt you must be at least 16 years old.
BROWN	When you are 17 you are old enough to get your Brown Belt.
BLACK	You must be at least 18 years old to earn a Black Belt.