Will martial arts make my child more aggressive?

No. Combat Club's curriculum specifically teaches children when not to use physical skills. Situational awareness, de-escalation, and emotional regulation are built into every class. Parents consistently report children become calmer and more focused at school, not more aggressive.

How is Combat Club different from Tiger Schulmann's?

Tiger Schulmann's is a sport martial arts franchise operating across 40+ locations. Combat Club by KMI is NYC's only dedicated life skills and self-defense academy for children — a single Tribeca location, founded in 2010, 100% focused on children aged 5–14. The curriculum was developed with behavioral psychologists and child development researchers, not standardized from a franchise template. Parents don't choose Combat Club over Tiger Schulmann's because of the martial arts. They choose it because of who their child becomes.

What is included in the trial at Combat Club?

2 complete classes (not a taster session) plus a complimentary uniform. No credit card required, no obligation, no follow-up pressure. Located at 281 Broadway, Tribeca, NYC 10007. Call (917) 720-3619 to book or visit combatclub.cc.

What age can children start martial arts at Combat Club?

Children aged 5 to 14+ are welcome. Combat Club by KMI offers a Foundation Program for beginners and a Black Belt Program for continuing students. Family martial arts classes for parents and children training together are also available.

Is Combat Club suitable for kids with no martial arts experience?

Yes. The Foundation Program is built for children starting from zero. Beginners often progress faster than kids with sport martial arts backgrounds because they have no competition habits to unlearn. The 2-class trial gives families enough experience to make a confident decision.

What martial arts does Combat Club teach kids?

Combat Club teaches a hybrid system combining Krav Maga (situational awareness and practical self-defense), Muay Thai (striking confidence), Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (ground defense), and Boxing (footwork, defense, composure under pressure). The program is practical real-world self-defense, not sport competition.

How is NYMAA different from Combat Club for kids?

NYMAA (New York Martial Arts Academy) has been operating since 1985 and specializes in Jeet Kune Do — Bruce Lee's martial arts philosophy — with a program primarily designed for adult practitioners. Combat Club by KMI was built specifically for children aged 5–14, with every element of the curriculum designed around child development research, not adapted from an adult system. Combat Club also offers family classes, a structured free trial with complimentary uniform, and dedicated programs for teens developing leadership skills.

What is the best martial arts style for kids?

For children focused on practical self-defense and real-world confidence, a hybrid system outperforms any single style. A program combining Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu develops situational awareness, striking confidence, clinch work, and ground defense together. The best martial arts program for kids is one built around child development, not adapted from an adult fighting system. Look for age-appropriate instruction, short drill rotations that match children's attention spans, and explicit life skills integration alongside technique.

What age should a child start martial arts?

Most children are ready to begin structured martial arts training from age 5. At Combat Club by KMI, the Foundation Program accepts children from age 5, with classes designed around the attention spans and motor development of young children. Children who start young tend to progress faster through technical skills and establish foundational habits — focus, self-discipline, emotional regulation — before adolescence.

How often should kids attend martial arts classes?

Two classes per week is the recommended minimum for meaningful skill development and the life skills outcomes parents most commonly report — improved focus, confidence, and emotional regulation. One class per week maintains exposure but rarely produces the consistency required for habit formation. The key variable is consistency over time. At Combat Club by KMI, children attending twice weekly follow a complete, progressive curriculum with no gaps.

Does martial arts help kids with ADHD or focus issues?

Yes — and this is one of the most consistently reported outcomes from Combat Club parents. Structured martial arts training is well-matched to how kinetic learners process information: every drill requires sustained attention, physical engagement, and pattern recognition simultaneously. Combat Club's curriculum was developed with input from behavioral psychologists to build executive function skills — focus, emotional regulation, impulse control, and persistence. Research from Harvard Medical School and the American Physiological Society supports the link between structured physical activity and improved executive function in children. Individual results vary. We recommend the 2-class trial to assess fit before committing.

What should my child wear to their first martial arts class?

Comfortable athletic clothing is all that's needed for a first class — joggers or athletic shorts and a t-shirt. No special uniform is required before enrolling. Every child who completes the 2-class trial at Combat Club by KMI receives a complimentary uniform. Children train barefoot on the mat. Hair should be tied back if long, and jewelry should be removed before class. First classes are low-pressure — come as you are.

GAME-CHANGING LIFE SKILLS & PRACTICAL SELF DEFENSE CAMPS FOR KIDS.

SCHOOL BREAK & SUMMER CAMP IN TRIBECA, BATTERY PARK CITY, DOWNTOWN NYC

As seen on:

SUMMER CAMP & SCHOOL BREAK HOLIDAY CAMPS FOR KIDS

No screens – just focus, confidence, and community.

Combat Club provides camps for kids at our Tribeca location: high-energy fun, creative learning, and action-packed activities when school is not in session.

Based in Tribeca, near Battery Park City and SoHo in downtown NYC, Combat Club is the answer for kids who want to pick up life skills, make friends, learn to defend themselves and get into shape through through martial arts – and the solution for parents who want an alternative to unstructured home time (put down the ipads!).

Each day of camp provides a safe, structured environment where kids can build confidence, make new friends, and learn practical life skills through fun and purposeful activities

For ages 5-13+ (elementary – middle school).

Kids Enrolling in Martial Arts Session at Birthday Party Venue in Tribeca

DO SUMMER BETTER

Build a business | Write a story | Find your Voice | Build your Confidence

Most camps keep kids busy. Combat Club makes them better. Everything we do starts on the mat — where self-defense training builds the confidence, focus, resilience, and discipline that kids carry into every room they walk into for the rest of their lives.

By Friday your child isn’t just throwing better punches — they’re pitching business ideas, publishing their own story, or owning a stage in front of a live audience.

Same skills. Bigger arena.

Extraordinary Days:
Each camp day runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and is packed with a mix of physical activities, team-building games, and creative expression. Kids participate in exciting, movement-based challenges that promote coordination, discipline, and resilience—drawing on Combat Club’s unique approach to personal growth through physicality.

For ages 10+, they can participate in the add on Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, Storytelling/publishing week, or Public Speaking TEDTalk week. Your kids will leave camp with something tangible they can carry forward.

Life Skills & Character Building:
At Combat Club, we believe in strengthening more than just the body. Our camps focus on respect, focus, discipline, and communication—the core values at the heart of everything we do. Every activity is an opportunity to learn, grow, and practice essential life skills in a supportive, mentor-led environment.

Social Connection:
Camps are a great place to make friends and build confidence. Group games, partner challenges, and shared projects encourage collaboration, inclusion, and kindness—fostering strong social development and emotional intelligence.

Creative Time:
To balance out the physical activity, campers also get time for arts and crafts, mindfulness, and self-reflection. These creative breaks let kids wind down, express themselves, and explore new interests.

Combat Club's Family Self-Defense Program

UPCOMING CAMPS

Dates & Registration:

Summer Camp:
Session 1: July 6-10 (Own Your Power) FULL
Session 2: July 13-17 (Find your Brave) SPACE AVAILABLE
Session 3: July 20-24 (Lead the Way) FULL
Session 4: July 27-31 (Level up your Mind) FULL

At Combat Club, we teach self-defense but we build strong humans.

Session 1: Own Your Power
Build the unbreakable confidence and toughness to face anything — on the mat and off
(Core values: Confidence + Resilience) FULL

Week 2: Find Your Brave
Discover the courage to try new things, speak up, and show up — even when it’s scary
(Core value: Courage) SPACE AVAILABLE

Week 3: Lead the Way
Develop the focus, discipline, and heart to inspire others and take charge
(Core value: Leadership) FULL

Week 4: Level Up Your Mind
Train your brain to turn setbacks into fuel and hard into better
(Core value: Growth Mindset) FULL

Krav Maga Instructor Training Kids at the Birthday Party Venue in NYC

REGISTER INTEREST FOR CAMP

Sign up Now for Summer Camp

Reviews

(84 Reviews)

This is a home away from home. A place where I feel safe and secure to learn without judgement or attachment to outcome. Here I have been challenged and accepted, tested and loved.

RJ

Rupert Jeremiah

We are really happy with Combat Club, our daughter is enjoying it and learning so much. They are very cool teachers. We like everything.

MM

Maria Monfort

As a student here at Combat Club it’s one of the best thing my parents did for me. I learn how to me more confident in tough situation. as a highschooler I’m able to stand up for myself and my friends, and not worry about how to handle a problem through expression and words. as a bounse I got an A in gym for being fit. thank you Combat Club.

RC

Rob Crispin

Excellent place for children and young adults to learn new life skills based on everyday situations that kids face. Very practical, fun and easy to learn technics that levels the playing field in their favor against Bullys. The Combat Club is a must try for any child and parent that’s interested in introducing a new mindset and discipline for self defense that will definitely help them develop confidence, focus, awareness, responsibility, and a new found respect for themselves and others around them.

SP

Shownyay Prolific

The instructors are passionate about raising strong adults and work with kids on a daily basis. The classes are designed to provide the tools needed to overcome real-world challenges in a safe, social, and supportive environment. Kids and youth are not only taught to physically protect themselves, they learn life skills like self-confidence, resilience, hard work, discipline, respect, personal responsibility, conflict communication, social skills, and dealing with confrontations as well.

JO

Jesse Osher

It has been amazing to see my son develop, learn the techniques, and become more aware and focused over the last year. I look forward to seeing how he continues to grow throughout the Combat Club and into the Blackbelt program

RH

Ryan Hemmesch

I would definitely commit myself to this in the next couple of years. I wish I had found out about this sooner.

KF

Ka-wen F.

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REAL SKILLS. REAL CONFIDENCE.

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