What teens learn
Our Teens train on the same Freestyle Martial Arts curriculum as every class at West Coast, at a level suited to high school age. By this stage, the problems teenagers face can go well beyond bullying. Conflicts at school and out in public can turn into genuine violent altercations, sometimes involving more than one person.
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Training builds on everything from Juniors with more advanced striking, takedowns and takedown defence, ground fighting and escapes, and practical self-defence against grabs, headlocks and strikes. Techniques are drilled and pressure tested, so students know what they can rely on. Just as important is awareness: recognising when a situation is turning bad, avoiding it where possible and getting out safely.
Why This Age Matters
The teenage years are one of the most important times to train, and one of the hardest times to get kids moving. Teens who've been left to do what they want are often the hardest to get off the couch, which is why parents who wait too long can find it a battle.
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For teens starting high school, or getting ready for it, training prepares them for a world that can be tough. Study matters, and school always comes first, but teenagers also need physical exercise and a healthy outlet. Martial arts gives them both. It's hard physical training in a supportive environment with good people, and it builds the resilience and discipline they'll need as they head into adulthood.
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That's why we don't see martial arts as a hobby. A hobby is something you do when you feel like it. We see training as a necessity, because we've seen what it does for young people who stick with it.
Grading
Belts aren't handed out for turning up. Students are invited to grade by their instructor when they're ready, based on:
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the number of classes they've completed
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how regularly they train
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their technique
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their dojo etiquette and attitude
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time spent at their current belt
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Tip testing is done in class three times a year, in week 12 of each trimester, and grading invitations are given during tip testing week. Gradings are held on a Sunday around four weeks later, with set times for each age group. Students must wear full uniform (gi and belt) and arrive before bow-in. All dates are listed on our Important Dates page.
How Our Classes Run
Every class starts with a warm-up that's a genuine workout, followed by technique, drilling and pressure testing. Our curriculum runs in three 16-week trimesters, cycling through striking, wrestling, combatives and ground fighting four times each trimester.
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Classes are capped for quality control and kept age-specific. Teens classes are led by an experienced instructor with one to two student helpers. Our instructors typically have well over 10 years' experience across multiple martial arts. All students train a minimum of twice a week.
Pathways
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Student Leadership gives committed teens real responsibility helping run our younger classes, developing communication, confidence and leadership skills.
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Fight Club is invite and application only, for students who have trained with us for a period of time, and includes wrestling through our affiliation with Gladiator Wrestling.
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Adult Programs: at 16, students move into our adult classes and can also train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.