Team Rhino Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu believes all true martial arts deserve respect for what they were created to be. Team Rhino BJJ teaches Grand Master Helio Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as the gentle art of self-defense. It is our passion to effectively equip families with skills to defend themselves by controlling and neutralizing attackers both standing and on the ground using technique and leverage above physical strength and power.
The academy's mission is to cultivate awareness with the ability to control a situation, be it verbal harassment, physical bullying, or dangerous altercations. Only a handful of martial arts are tailored to self-defense for kids as well as adults.
Whether you're a Jiu-Jitsu student or a stand-up martial arts student, Team Rhino can help you advance toward a blue belt-level certification. For school owners, investing in Team Rhino can benefit their school, students, and themselves. Without the proper technique a student is forced to use brute strength over a resisting opponent.
Royce Gracie demonstrating Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
Programs Offered
Team Rhino Gracie Jiu-Jitsu offers a variety of programs tailored to different age groups and skill levels.
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Baby Rhinos (Ages 3-4)
The Baby Rhinos program is designed to make learning fun while helping 3-year-olds build confidence on the mat. Through interactive instruction and movement-based games, kids improve coordination, balance, and body awareness-all while developing social skills and learning to follow directions without a parent. This is more than just a class-it’s a safe and exciting way to help your child grow, make friends, and take their first step into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Parents are welcome on the mat in the first class if needed, but independence is encouraged as they become more comfortable. Parents can continue enrolling their child in back-to-back 6-week sessions, each building on the last. Once a child is ready-typically around 3.5 to 4 years old-and the instructor gives the green light, they’ll move up to the Mighty Rhinos program.
Mighty Rhinos (Age 3.5-4)
The Mighty Rhinos program is the perfect bridge between Baby Rhinos and Lil Rhinos. This once-a-week, 45-minute class shifts focus from games to techniques, helping students prepare for the structure and pace of the Lil Rhinos 4-6 year old program.
Here’s what sets Mighty Rhinos apart:
- Focus on Fundamentals: Students begin wearing a Gi and learning basic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques in a focused but age-appropriate environment.
- Less Play, More Progress: Game time is reduced, and hands-on instruction is increased to develop listening skills, discipline, and movement control.
- Confidence & Independence: This program encourages kids to follow directions, engage with instructors, and participate without parental help, building the confidence needed for a more structured class.
- Prepares for Twice-a-Week Training: Students build the stamina and focus needed for the more advanced Lil Rhinos class, which meets twice weekly.
Lil Rhinos Program (Ages 4-6)
The Lil Rhinos program introduces young children to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu self-defense in a fun, supportive environment designed just for ages 4 to 6. We focus on building your child’s confidence while teaching them how to protect themselves through age-appropriate training.
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What Your Child Will Learn:
- Fundamental Jiu-Jitsu Techniques: The core building blocks of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are taught.
- Safety in Grappling: The top priority is teaching students how to train safely, focusing on proper technique, tapping, and learning control before intensity.
Once students have built a strong foundation of techniques and demonstrated readiness through instructor evaluations, they’ll be invited to the Advanced Lil Rhinos program. In this next level, basic submissions and more complex grappling skills are introduced in a safe and structured way.
Welcome to Kids Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense! Learn Simple Moves, Build Confidence & Have Fun!
Youth Crash (Age 7-11)
The Youth Crash class is Team Rhino’s fundamentals program, the foundation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for kids ages 7 to 11. It’s designed for students who may not feel at home in traditional sports, kids struggling with confidence, or those dealing with bullying. This class teaches essential Jiu-Jitsu techniques while building focus, discipline, and real-world self-defense.
Why parents choose Team Rhino:
- Proven Self-Defense Techniques that will empower kids to defend themselves against larger, stronger opponents
- Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals: Students build the foundational skills they’ll use throughout their training journey.
- Confidence-First Training: Kids progress based on skill and effort, not athletic ability or team selection.
Once students build a solid foundation and show readiness through evaluation progress, they can move to the Advanced Crash program (7-11) to take their training to the next level.
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Team Rhino's Youth Crash class focuses on building confidence and self-defense skills for kids.
Homeschool Weekly Day Class
Team Rhino offers daytime Jiu-Jitsu classes designed specifically for homeschool families. Whether you're just exploring martial arts or looking for consistent training, there are two flexible options to choose from:
- 6-Week Session-Based Program: Perfect for families who want to try Jiu-Jitsu without a long-term commitment.
- 3-Month Training Program: For consistent training and progress in the program.
Youth Competition Classes
Team Rhino offers a competition class for the youth program, focusing on techniques to prepare students to compete locally. The techniques taught are separate from the regular youth program curriculum. It is not required to compete at Team Rhino, but this program is offered to those who want to challenge themselves at a competition level. This program is only available for current Team Rhino students.
| Program | Age Group | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Rhinos | 3-4 years | Fun, interactive classes to build confidence and coordination. |
| Mighty Rhinos | 3.5-4 years | Bridge between Baby and Lil Rhinos, focusing on fundamentals. |
| Lil Rhinos | 4-6 years | Introduces Gracie Jiu-Jitsu self-defense in a supportive environment. |
| Youth Crash | 7-11 years | Fundamentals program for kids needing confidence and self-defense skills. |
| Homeschool Classes | 4-14 years | Daytime Jiu-Jitsu classes designed for homeschool families. |
| Youth Competition | Various | Techniques to prepare students to compete locally. |
Tween Crash (Ages 12-14)
The Tween Program is built specifically for students who’ve outgrown kids’ programs but aren’t ready for adult training. With their own dedicated instructor and age-specific approach, tweens gain real self-defense skills and confidence in every class.
Why parents love it:
- Situational Self-Defense: Safety in real-world scenarios, Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals, and grappling skills are taught.
- Small class sizes
- Preps for Adult Jiu-Jitsu: Students learn foundational techniques from the adult curriculum and are ready to level up at 15.
This program bridges the gap between youth classes and adult training, giving your tween the tools to protect themselves.
Adults (Ages 15+)
The adult Jiu-Jitsu program is built on the proven self-defense principles of Grandmaster Helio Gracie. The focus is on real-world self-defense, while keeping every class grounded in three core values: Safety, Technique, and Simplicity. These values guide everything and ensure that every student, no matter their background, can train with confidence.
What Makes Team Rhino Different?
- First class: Every new student begins with a one-on-one introduction. The basics of grappling safety, class structure, and foundational techniques are covered to ensure comfort from day one.
- Simple, Effective Curriculum: Techniques are taught in a logical, step-by-step format using structured drills that make understanding, retaining, and applying easier.
- Structured Advancement: Every belt level follows a clear, consistent curriculum. Promotions are earned based on effort, attendance, and demonstrated skill.
- Level-Based Classes: Classes are divided by experience level:
- Foundations (White & Green Belts)
- Intermediate (Blue Belts)
- Advanced (Purple Belt & above)
Adult Jiu-Jitsu Program focuses on real-world self-defense.
Law Enforcement Training
Law Enforcement Officers can receive P.O.S.T. credit for these classes. Law enforcement Training is a specialized program designed to equip officers with the skills to enhance their ability to handle physical confrontations safely and effectively. This training focuses on leveraging takedowns and restraints, positional control, submission techniques, weapon retention, arrest and handcuffing, defensive tactics, and scenario-based training.
As a former law enforcement officer and the creator of the Idaho POST Academy's first ground control curriculum, the late Professor Keith Owen was passionate about teaching police officers and increasing the odds that they return safely to their families.