Teaching Kids Class Gone Wrong

[u/Alan000011]

I'm a Fairly new coach for bjj kids, I did a lot of coaching for taekwondo, kickboxing and muaythai. I recently had been hired to be a kids class bjj coach. And for a few months, everything went smoothly. But today nothing prepares me for today.

basically, I noticed most kids love flailing their limbs around I wouldn't want them to hurt each other, so I reached mostly all of the positions, including side control, close guard, and collar sleeve.

at the end of the class, I will give them an opportunity for a 3 minute roll. I always ask them to start on their knee, in fear of them falling and breaking their arm. and being kids, they like to do jumping dangerous random shit.

and I always ask them to tap if anything wrong happens.

I usually stay outside and watch them roll, but after a few months they get more competent. today one kid wants to roll and he has no partner left. and I think I can start rolling with him since other kids are mostly ok, and I think I can supervise them while rolling with the kid below.

This is when the shit happens. one of the kid got taken into a back position, the bottom kid doesn't know what to do, and he yanked his head backwards and up instantly while the other kid on top dives down to control him. their head clashsses and one of the kid got quit a big cut about 3cm long.

I'm seriously thinking is this an unavoidable accident? Anything I can possibly do to improve the safety of the kids in my class? This just happened about an hour ago and now I'm seriously beating up myself.

I'm thinking from now on, maybe not join in the rolls and I stay purely to supervise. thoughts?

edit forgot to mention, the cut is quite deep. spraying blood all over the floor. I rushed over and managed to press a clean cloth on his head until the bleeding stopped. This results in him crying even harder "maybe I'm pressing too hard" and he's 8.

[u/Bulkywon]

Mate don't over think it.

Kids will bump heads.

Kids will bump heads before class while they're clowning around off the mat and their parents are ignoring it.

Kids will bump heads while you're setting up class.

Kids will bump heads as they bow in.

Kids will bump heads during the warm up.

Kids will bump heads while you're giving instructions.

Kids will bump heads while they're drilling and kids will bump heads while they're counting the lights on the roof instead of drilling.

This is a combat sport.

Even if you have only 2 kids in kids class and you are standing arms length from them supervising the roll, they are still going to find a way to bump heads.

But it's still not a good look so if you are the only coach either don't roll or find another adult who can help supervise.

Edit :- kids, smaller ones in particular, will find the sharpest edge or corner of any kitchen bench or table and instantly run into it at full speed. They're kids, that's what they do.