Our Programs
Every child, teen, adult, parent, and enthusiast has their own reason for why they like Tae Kwon Do. Some are drawn to the sport for the physical aspects-weight control, exercise, strength and endurance building. Others seek the discipline, structure, and self-control it adds to their life. And yet others are drawn to us for the self-defense and safety.
Regardless if you are interested in the physical or the mental portion of the sport, the ATA Black Belt Academy offers a number of programs to fit your needs and your busy schedule. From early evening classes for children and teenagers, to weekend classes for those with a busy life-we have something for everyone. Children as young as 2 years old can join our program and begin working on their skills. And adults as old as, well, as old as you want, can benefit from our classes!
ATA Tigers: In addition to our other internationally recognized programs, we offer the Tigers program. This program was developed specifically for preschool and kindergarten age children from ages 2 thru 6 years old. This program offers children a strong foundation in essential character qualities such as courtesy, respect, and discipline. It is designed to enhance their ability to follow instructions, pay attention, and enhance their motor skills. All classes are taught using the most safe, fun, and exciting instruction methods available for this age group. This class teaches children at a slower rate than our other classes. While the older children and adults learn 18 move blocks and up, Tigers only learn half of that. They are also expected only to follow, not necessarily to memorize everything that they are taught. The most important aspect of teaching at this group is that the children show improvement in their motor skills, ability to listen, and the ability to follow. We also teach basic self-defense at this level such as getting out of a wrist grab, or a choke.
Tigers go through promotional testing for rank advancement every 7-9 weeks with the other students. They are required to attend a minimum of two classes per week, and must memorize the Life Skill, and follow in form and a one step combination.
Karate for Kids: There are many reasons for kids to become involved in the martial arts. We have developed a program based on traditional TaeKwonDo just for them called Karate for Kids. The Karate for Kids system is for children ages 6-10 and is based on a lifetime learning concept called Life Skills, in addition to technical skills. These Life Skills are used in class, and at home, as monthly themes. These include themes such as Goals, Friendship, Loyalty, Integrity, Respect, Discipline, Courtesy, Self Control, and Perseverance. This class teaches children the basic and more advanced technical skills of TaeKwonDo, while building on the monthly Life Skills. Children are also taught basic self-defense such as wrist grabs, chokes, and what to do if someone tries to pick them up. In this class we focus more on memorization and skill building. Students learn form, sparring segments and later free style sparring, and Protech weapons. We live by the concept that “Every Kids Is Special. Every Kid Is A Winner.” No child is compared to another, or judged.
These students go through promotional testing for rank advancement every 7-9 weeks. This class meets four times a week, Monday thru Thursday for those children over 6 years of age. Karate for Kids students can attend class up to 4 days a week and are required to attend at least twice a week.
Teen & Adult Tae Kwon Do: We train our students to the best of their ability. Some students come to us in shape, others 100 pounds overweight. Many come to us with limited flexibility, and a lack of self-control and self-discipline. Not to worry! Our Teen & Adult classes are designed to help build confidence, control, discipline, and flexibility all while working towards your Black Belt! These classes move at a slightly faster pace than the children’s classes, and emphasize more so on physical fitness. Our Teens and Adults learn the same forms, sparring segments, free style sparring, and Protech weapons as all other students. These students also learn self-defense in every class, mainly focusing on basic chokes, holds, and grabs, and later moving into advanced techniques such as throwing and even weapon defense.
This class is designed for those over 10 years old. These students are expected to train hard, memorize their form, and practice to the best of their ability.
All of these students do promotional testing every 7-9 weeks, attending a minimum of twice a week, and no maximum.