Growing on the Tatami
Children up to age 10 attend the Growing on the Tatami sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Training in Benfica
A journey.
Your pace.
2026/27 training times
We offer more than classes and training.
We offer a journey.
What is a judo black belt? A white belt who never gave up.
And the greatest judo masters will tell you that a black belt is not even a destination: it is a new beginning, an opportunity to keep learning and developing.
Judo, like life, is a journey. It is not limited to children, and can be started or resumed at any age.
That is why our approach goes beyond offering classes. We help every student build their own judo journey. At Clube de Judo 2009, athletes can train in different ways according to their age, experience, availability and goals.
There are moments to discover, learn, refine, apply and overcome. Every session has its own identity, but they all form part of the same journey: growing as an athlete and a person, on and off the tatami.
Athletes over age 10 can attend different sessions according to their availability and what they want from judo practice.
The club supports each athlete in finding the most suitable frequency and combination of sessions, with the flexibility needed to fit judo around school, work and family life.
How it works
A journey.
Two ways to start.
Flexible training times
From age 10, athletes can combine the regular training sessions according to their availability, experience and goals.
All regular training sessions are included in the same monthly fee.Training sessions
Every session has
its own identity.
Children
Growing on the Tatami
Tuesdays and Thursdays · 18:40–19:40
Escola Básica Quinta de Marrocos · Estrada de Benfica, 537 · 1549-017 Lisboa
Training designed specifically for children up to age 10.
Through judo, children develop coordination, balance, attention, confidence and the ability to relate to others.
They learn to fall, get back up, respect rules and partners, and face new challenges in a safe environment suited to their age.
The first step on a journey that begins with movement, discovery and the enjoyment of learning.
Four lessons to take beyond the tatami Learn to fall. Learn to get back up. Learn to respect. Learn not to give up.
Growing through movement and with others
Children learn more than techniques in judo. They get to know their bodies, control their movements and relate to others.
They run, roll, balance, move, fall and get back up. They try, make mistakes, correct them and try again.
All this happens in a guided space, with clear rules and activities suited to each child's age and development.
Judo turns movement into an opportunity to learn.
Learning to fall and get back up
Falling is part of learning judo.
Children gradually learn to protect themselves, control their bodies and react more safely when they lose their balance.
Learning to fall also has a wider meaning: a difficulty does not mean everything is over. We can get back up, understand what happened and try again.
Developing coordination and balance
Training develops coordination, balance, agility, spatial awareness and the ability to control different body movements.
Rather than specialising children early in a single movement, judo introduces a wide range of movements, positions and challenges.
Improving attention and self-control
Learning a technique requires observing, listening, waiting for the right moment and controlling your strength.
Children learn that they do not always need to act immediately. Sometimes they must stop, pay attention, understand the exercise and adapt their response to their partner.
Building confidence
Confidence does not only come from winning.
It grows whenever a child achieves something that previously seemed difficult.
A well-executed fall, a newly learned technique, a new grade or the courage to try an unfamiliar exercise are small achievements that show a child they can develop.
Learning to respect and cooperate
A training partner is not an obstacle. They are the person who allows us to learn.
Children discover that they must care for one another, follow rules, control their strength, accept different learning speeds and cooperate with younger, older, bigger, smaller or less experienced partners.
In judo, we learn to face difficulties while respecting the person in front of us.
Young people and adults
Learn and Develop
Tuesdays and Thursdays · 19:40–21:00
Escola Básica Quinta de Marrocos · Estrada de Benfica, 537 · 1549-017 Lisboa
The club's main space for technical learning, open to young people and adults, from first-time beginners to the most highly graded athletes.
Beginners learn the basics of judo.
Experienced athletes consolidate skills, correct details, develop combinations and refine their technique.
Training is guided and gradual, respecting each athlete's level and pace.
There is always something new to learn in judo and room to improve what we already know.
Young people and adults
Apply and Overcome
Wednesdays · 20:30–22:00
Junta de Freguesia de Benfica · Avenida Gomes Pereira, 17 · 1549-019 Lisboa
A more independent and intensive session, focused on putting acquired skills into practice.
Work may include randori, contest situations, fitness, strength, endurance, speed and exercises focused on decision-making and solving problems on the tatami.
A chance to try things, test skills, face difficulties and gain confidence through practice.
Athletes over age 10 can participate, with integration and intensity adapted to their experience, physical condition and safety.
Young people and adults
Consolidate and Advance
Fridays · 20:00–21:30
Junta de Freguesia de Benfica · Avenida Gomes Pereira, 17 · 1549-019 Lisboa
A complete session to reinforce the week's learning and prepare for the next step.
There is room to revisit techniques, address difficulties, practise randori, improve fitness and train with greater continuity and intensity.
Particularly suitable for athletes wanting to train more often, gain consistency and spend more time developing their judo.
Atletas e pequenos grupos, por marcação
Special preparation
Mondays, by appointment
Junta de Freguesia de Benfica · Avenida Gomes Pereira, 17 · 1549-019 Lisboa
Sessions for athletes or small groups with specific goals.
Sessions can be used to prepare nage-no-kata or other kata, work on grading requirements, refine a technique, revisit skills, prepare for competition or address specific work identified by an athlete or coach.
A space with more time to study, correct and refine.
Your judo journey starts here.
You might come to try a new sport, improve your fitness, learn techniques, compete, overcome challenges or simply find somewhere you enjoy being.
You do not need to know how to fall before you start.
You do not need to be fit before you start.
You do not need to want to compete.
Not everyone's journey has to be the same.
It just has to make sense for you.
Get started