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Kids Martial Arts

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team Results

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Only a year in and the Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team is starting to look GREAT!

Kids Martial Arts Brazilian Jiu JitsuTheir second competition this year saw Jack , Ali, Finley, Drai, Jodi, Jayden and winning Golds, Silvers and Bronze medals at the Brighton BJJ Open.

The team of boys and girls are all taught by Black Belt Keith McKenzie and Purple Belt, Sonny Weston at our gym in Crawley and in no time at all have gone from rank beginners to medal winners in the competition.

A big well done to all the team, you all did awesome!

If you’re interested in finding out more about our kids martial arts classes (we have two different martial arts and teach 6 days a week) click HERE.

 

Why our Kids Muay Thai Classes are great for confidence

By | Kids Martial Arts, Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley, Muay Thai | No Comments

Kid Muay Thai at the Crawley Martial Arts AcademyWhile our classes might look like they’re all about punching and kicking… running and jumping… press-ups and squats…

They’re not just physical skills our Little Champions learn.

During our classes our students have to be able to listen carefully and follow instructions.

They learn to have the confidence to put their hands up and ask if they’re not sure or need extra help.  They’re asked for opinions and suggestions (… it takes a brave person to put their hand up in public, most adults are too scared) and participate in class.

We have our students volunteer and help demonstrate.  They’ll be in charge of exercises… they’ll count our reps and lead by example.

All of which are MASSIVE confidence builders and make our classes much more than just punching and kicking.  And if our adults find classes good for their confidence then imagine what it can do for your kids!

There’s a lot more going on too.

Sure children improve their physical skills and learn to help out in class, participate and engage but here’ something else they do.

They learn to take responsibility for themselves and the other members of the class.  We have partner drills where (… yes) the kids practice techniques on each other. They punch each others gloves and learn to place their kicks and knees on each others bellies.  That all takes control and it takes trust from us – the instructors.  And guess what?  The kids have never let us down because they listen… they respect their instructors and they respect the other children in the class.  Their training partners and team mates.

Our Kids Muay Thai classes are great for confidence… they’re great for skill, co-ordination and control and with a little hard work they’ll be where the next Champion Thaiboxer from Crawley starts their journey!

To find out more about kids martial arts classes you can call us on 01293 522 511 or enter your details in the enquiry form on this page >>>

See you in the gym!

 

 

 

About Our Kids Muay Thai Classes

By | bullying, Kids Martial Arts, Teens Martial Arts | No Comments

A parent came in last week looking for martial arts classes for her 9 year old son.Kids Muay Thai Kickboxing

He’d tried many traditional martial arts in the past — mainly Karate — and was looking for something a little more hands on.  I wasn’t quite sure what she meant by hands on.

Did she mean something a little more physical and practical or did she mean a class where the kids sparred against each other?

Just to be sure, I asked her.

With more traditional styles of martial arts kids learn a lot of techniques by rote.  They copy, they repeat.  They work in traditional lines (we do too) and spend a lot of time learning set patterns called Kata in Karate, Forms in Kung Fu and Patterns in Tae Kwon Do.

Her son wanted something more hands on in the practical sense.

He wanted something more physical where he wasn’t just learning martial art techniques, he was using them.  He wanted to punch the pads and kick the pads (not just the air).

Of course I’m biased, but our classes are perfect.

The kids learn the exact same techniques the adults do and they train the same too.  In the same way that kids learn the same gymnastic movements that adults do, in the same way that kids learning tennis learn the same techniques that the professionals do and in the same way that kids learn to play the same game of football that adults do…

We teach kids the same martial art we teach to our adults.

But  like gymnastics, tennis and football we focus on teaching them the basics and fundamentals first.

That includes sparring!  Gasp!  Yes, sparring.

Although our kids Muay Thai classes a) are always supervised b) it’s only for kids with basics and c) they were full protective equipment and d) the most important bit – there is no head contact.

And they have a blast sparring.  Putting their techniques into practice under the watchful eye of our team of instructors.

As you can see from the picture above – we’ve a great bunch of kids, boys and girls of all ages.

From age 4 through to 7, then 8 through to 12 and a teens only class.

It means our classes are always age appropriate, the little kids class is more relax while we can push the teens to work up a serious sweat and get seriously fit too.

If you’d like to find out more about our kids martial arts classes and Kids Muay Thai Classes then simply call us on 01293 552 551 or enter you name and telephone number in the enquiry for on this page.

We’ll give you a call back and arrange your child’s first lesson.

See you in they gym!

 

 

Getting Kids into Martial Arts

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I’m a massive fan of martial arts.

I know I’m biased but I’ve experienced it and I’ve seen it – over and over again.

I’ve see kids (and adults) come out  of their shell, grow in confidence and watch people start to like themselves all courtesy of that feeling and sense of achievement you get from martial arts.

There’s something very different about martial arts when it comes to learning about discipline and respect.  Sometime that’s often lacking in modern team sports (I’m thinking football in particular) as parents roar from the sidelines, shout at the referee and the kids emulate their favourite players with diving and dissent.

Like I said – I’m biased – plus I wasn’t a great football player at school and “Yes” I know that not all parents or children are like that – Alan

Kids Muay Thai Private LessonYesterday I had a lesson with Kira who’s been coming on leaps and bounds during her time here and who promised to go light with me when we sparred during here private lesson yesterday.  There was no head contact – I needed to make sure I had a fighting chance of surviving 😉

One of the nicest things about getting kids into martial arts is that I have a chance to help and guide them.  And while I can never overwrite the lessons they learn from their parents I can be a positive role model for them.

Plus I’m proud to know that I’m helping the next generation of Muay Thai enthusiasts, fighters and – one day – instructors.  I’m helping to shape my future replacements and – fingers crossed – they’ll be better, stronger, nicer, more helpful and surpass me.

So Kira – well done, keep up the good work and YOU are the next generation of Muay Thai!

You can find out more about our Kids Martial Arts classes HERE

 

Beating Bullies…

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Beating the BulliesI’m 35 and bullying existed when I was a kid.

It still exists today and a trap adults and parents who saw bullying during our times at school is that we almost accept it like a phase you go through in life and will one day leave behind.

Unfortunately that doesn’t make life and school any more pleasant for our children.

They still have to face it, go through it, fear it and – in my humble opinion – suffer the negative consequences bullying can have on children that will carry through to their adult years.

So…

What do you do?

As a instructor at the gym, and teacher of martial arts – yep, the art of punching and kicking – the last thing I believe children should do is start fighting.

And I also don’t proclaim to have the solution to bullying – if it was that easy to solve it would have died out many years ago.

But what I do KNOW and have witnessed on multiple occasions is that CONFIDENCE and re-assurance that you’re an alright person is one of the best ways to tackling and beat bullying.

Kids who have confidence are harder prey to target.

Bullies like an easy target, someone who doesn’t stand up for themselves and someone who doesn’t have the confidence to say “Stop“, tell a teacher or just walk away.

And kids with confidence who believe in themselves and know that they are alright – by that I mean they like themselves, kids with confidence are kids who don’t hate themselves.

They’re kids who appreciate they were born perfect – that’s what I tell my daughter – because she was.

So sure, a bullied child might be upset but if they understand the bad things bullies say and do aren’t true and aren’t a true opinion of the bullied person – that’s a massive weapon in fighting back.  It means bullies just don’t and can’t have the same affect.

While there are lots of ways to build confidence and self-esteem – and yes, of course I’m biased but then I have seem so many kids benefit from this – is through martial arts.

I like martial arts for children because it’s about working as an individual and working as part of a team and I like martial arts for children because they build key physical characteristics — strength, co-ordination, agility, dexterity, balance and much, much more — and these physical characteristics make us feel good.

I like martial arts because (adults and) children feel like they can look after themselves.

And I like martial arts for kids because it’s exercise and we all feel better after exercise.

Even kids.

To find out more about our kids martial arts classes and how they can help your child’s confidence, self-esteem, discipline, focus and concentration click HERE for information on our classes.

Kids Fight Club – Sunday 23rd March

By | Competition Team, Kids Martial Arts, Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley, Teens Martial Arts | No Comments

Our kids fight club is a chance for our youngest members to show case their martial art skills and put them to the test in a friendly in-house sparring session.

Sparring – loved by our kids – is one of the most enjoyable parts of a lesson and in the kids fight club they spar safely and without head contact and get to show case their skills.

With a fully fledged adults and kids competition team – our fight clubs are the first step our members make before stepping into the competitive arena for the first time.  They are an excellent stepping stone for anyone who’d like to compete and good fun for those who don’t.

The next fight club is this Sunday the 23rd March and for our members only.

You can read more about our kids classes here (we have classes 6 days per week) call the gym on 01293 552 511.

Kid fight club and sparring competition

Last August Kids Fight Club, the perfect opportunity for our youngest members to show case their skill!

During a fight club each child has their own corner man and there is a referee in place to keep the action flowing.  The kids spar for 3 rounds back to back (as they would in competition) and have to demonstrate proper technique and the ability to listen to their corner man.  

It’s all about perfect practise and preparation for the next generation of Lumpini Superstars!

Congratulations to Everyone on Our First Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Grading

By | Kids Martial Arts, Martial Arts Clubs in Crawley | No Comments

We’re Crawley’s first and only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club and this week ran our first kids grading this week with 10 of our next generation of martial artists passing the test.

Our Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes are led by Black Belt and two time European Champion, Keith McKenzie.

Nicknamed “the gentle art” – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a focus on skill and technique over brute force and strength. With an emphasis on grappling and ground fighting BJJ teaches students how to throw, control and submit your opponent without punching or kicking.

A new martial art, BJJ was founded in the early 2oth century and has grown exponentially largely thanks to the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its practical nature. Like many martial arts it places an emphasis on discipline and respect while the sports element allows BJJ players to put their skill and physical fitness to the test in competition.

The grading is a first for Crawley and kids and teens were required to demonstrate techniques and their practical application during an hour of sparring with other classmates and adult assistants.

Using an internationally recognised grading system BJJ sets its standards high and only has give adult belts with the coveted Black Belt taking up to 10 years to earn and in May the team will travel to Birmingham to compete in the British Open.

The Kids Brazilian Jiu JItsu Team after Grading SuccessKids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Grading Success

Harvey White – The Next Lumpini Crawley Superstar?!

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This is cool little clip of 10 year old Superstar Harvey White.  He’s been training at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy for around 6 years now and has moved from being a part of the class to a part of our Lumpini Crawley fight team.

But not only does Harvey star in the video, he’s the editor and producer as well!

Here’s a clip of Harvey training with one of our instructors and fellow Lumpini Crawley fighter — Paulo Da Silva — who’s been training Harvey for most of his time here at the gym.

Of course not everyone who trains at the club fights, most of our adults and kids martial artists train for fun, to learn a new skill and keep fit.

Our gym is open 7 days a week with kids classes Monday – Saturday for children aged 4 and up.  The best way to find out about our classes is to call in a watch one in action or call us on 01293 552 511 and speak to one of our martial art instructors.

Swanley Super League Martial Arts Show Results

By | Competition Team, Kids Martial Arts, Teens Martial Arts | No Comments
Crawley's Thaiboxing Kids Jamie and Brad with Coach John Jarvis

Brad and Jamie with Coach John Jarvis at the Super League in Kent

Last weekend saw the Lumpini Fight travel to Swanley in Kent for the final round of this years’ Thaiboxing Super League, Martial Arts Show.

The competition sees kids and teens travel from around the country to fight it out and see who will qualify to represent the UK at next years International Games.

Fighting for the Crawley Martial Arts Academy were brothers Bradley and Ethan Linstead, Jack and George Jarvis, Jamie Brown, Jack West, Harvey White and Liam Lambourne.

At each stage of the qualifying stages the kids and teens are awarded points for their performance.

11 year old Bradley and 12 year old Jamie performed well throughout the qualifiers and won their categories at the weekend to put them top of the leaderboard and were awarded the winners belts for their efforts.

Hard working Jack West fought well but gave his opponent too much space, backing off and losing out while Harvey White lost out due a bitterly disappointing refereeing decision.

George Jarvis fought well, pulling off some well time flying knees but took a knock on his knee in during his fight to take a standing count before having to retire due to injury.

Liam Lambourne and Jack Jarvis, our 15 year old martial artists had fought well winning (or coming second) in earlier rounds but unfortunately had no opponents in their category this time around.

Overall the performance for the Super League was brilliant.  Last year we had Liam travel to Turkey to represent the UK at the International Games and this year we could also see three or four other of our fighters in the tournament.

 

 

Super League: Jarvis and Lambourne Win in Birmingham

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Crawley’s George Jarvis helps Bradley behind the Scenes at the Thaiboxing Super League

Muay Thai: Teenage Thaiboxers Jack Jarvis and Liam Lambourne returned victorious after their Gold medal winning performances in Birmingham last weekend.

The boys from Northgate and Crawley Down travelled as part of a 8 strong team to Birmingham for the second round of the super league fights where the winners will travel to the International games in Italy next year.

Performing well in the first round last month the Crawley Martial Arts Academy’s fight team were feeling confident and had been training hard all April in preparation for the May event.

It was a tough day for the team as the second round of the Super League picked up pace.  Jack West, Ethan and Bradley Linstead all gave stellar performances but were all matched with strong opponents who nicked the decision.

10 year old Harvey White fought hard back in April and pulled out some of the day’s best performances.  Moving around, making his opponents miss and countering with superior skill, young Harvey cruised through his first two fights.  In the final Harvey was matched with less than technical opponent whose unorthodox style meant he outscored the stylish Crawley fighter leaving Harvey to take second place.

Jack and Liam Super League May 2013

Crawley Martial Arts Academy’s, Jack Jarvis and Liam Lambourne with their Super League winners belts

Only 15 years, Crawley’s Liam Lambourne is already a veteran of the Super League having qualified last year and travelling to Turkey for the International Games back in April.

Last month Liam was bumped up a weight division and lost out on a close fight to take home a Silver medal.  One of the hardest workers in the gym Liam was out to win this time around and didn’t disappoint as he showed speed and aggression to win a Gold medal and take home the Super League title belt.

Hazelwick student Jack Jarvis was last fight of the day.  The tall 14 year old from Northgate had a busy day ahead of himself, competing in one of the busier weight categories.  Winning his first two fights Jack only had 4 minutes to rest and recover before stepping into the ring for the final.

Digging deep Jack pushed and pressured his opponent as they exchanged punches and kicks over the three rounds doing enough to take the decision and take home the Crawley Academy’s second Gold medal and belt of the day.

If you’d like to find out more about training at the Crawley Martial Arts Academy or would like to sponsor a member of our team get in touch with the Academy on 01293 552 511 or visit: www.crawleymartialartsacademy.com

 

Jack West is lifted by his opponent

Jack West is lifted by his opponent after a closely fought contest

The Crawley Team at Super League in Birmingham

The Crawley Team at Super League in Birmingham