Waikato Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Hamilton is running a free workshop for kids on Saturday, teaching them how to break free if someone tries to grab them. Managing director Craig Nicolls teaches Braxton Pease.

An attempted kidnapping of a schoolgirl so horrified a local jiu jitsu club that it's offering free classes for kids.

Waikato Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy is running a free workshop on Saturday to teach kids how to break free if someone tries to grab them.

Last week, a 12-year-old girl was walking to Whitiora Primary School in Abbotsford Street when a man grabbed her by the arm while a car with two more men waited nearby.

The girl managed to get away, run to school and alert teachers.

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Waikato Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy managing director Craig Nicolls said the club will run three free workshops for kids at 11am,1pm and 3pm.

"The focus of Saturday's classes will be to teach kids how to break free."

Nicolls will go through a range of techniques, including grip breaks and holding a strong base, as well as instructing kids on what to do in certain situations.

Nicolls said most of the time the kids just have to follow their gut instinct.

"Running to a busy place to get help, being loud, and avoiding isolation are all important strategies to remember."

He said the techniques are designed for smaller, weaker people to defend against bigger, stronger opponents.

"The moves are about targeting exit points in grips, because that is the path out."

He said the workshop is a chance to get children to think and take action.

The academy focuses on a non-striking style of martial arts.

"Basically, kids can use it if they are being bullied at school and not get into trouble."

The academy also teaches women-only classes, bully-proof classes, and before and after school care programmes.

The academy is located at 29 Gilchrist Street, off Avalon Drive, in Hamilton. People are asked to RSVP on the Facebook page or just show up.