Older children and teenagers can learn submission holds as long as certain adaptations are made to take into account their developing bodies. With all submissions, there is a time when you’ll feel trapped or unable to move, then a period of discomfort long before there is any risk of injury. When the Young Spartans are training, they never even learn how to bring a submission to that stage.

From aged 9 up, children can learn simple joint manipulations such as the armbar or shoulder lock. Because the children’s bones are more subtle and flexible than adult bones, there is very little risk here. Also, given that children won’t have the restraint that adults (should!) have, they only set up the submission hold, and do not apply pressure.

By setting up the submission, and holding it there, it gives their opponent plenty of time to “tap out”. Also, the children are watched by their coach and told when they need to tap. From an experienced point of view, it’s easy to see a submission coming. This gives the coach plenty of time to warn the child to start escaping, and interrupt them at the appropriate time.

When a child taps out, the other child is trained immediately let go They can then start rolling (wrestling) again.

After a Young Spartan has finished primary school, they have enough self discipline and knowledge to start learning strangulations and chokes. Again, just with joint locks, these aren’t applied.

A strangulation is when the blood supply coming from the lungs and going to the brain is interupted. Although the term sounds scary (it does to me anyway) they’re actually quite safe. Once pressure is taken off, the blood supply will return and there’s no lasting effect.

Before learning any submissions, the Young Spartans spend a few weeks rolling just for position (to hold down their partner). They also get to see submissions well before they’re giving the opportunity to try them out.

This way, we’ve found that we can keep them as safe as possible while allowing them to learn as much as they can.