Upper Cumberland MMA logoUpper CumberlandMMA · Cookeville
Kids Martial Arts — Confidence, discipline, and real skills — built the right way.
5–12Age & skill-grouped classes

Watch your child transform. Age-grouped classes, real instruction.

Confidence, discipline, and real skills — built the right way.

5.0 Google · 96% recommend on Facebook
Money-back after class 1
19 years in Cookeville

What You'll Walk Away With

Not features. Results.

01

More confidence, less phone

Kids walk taller, sleep better, and reach for their phone less. Real progress they're proud of — not a participation trophy.

02

Bully-proofing that works

We teach real self-defense skills and — just as important — the emotional control to not need them. Kids learn to handle conflict without escalating.

03

Focus and discipline

Martial arts builds the focus muscle. Parents consistently tell us the payoff shows up at school and at home within weeks.

04

Friends who train together

A real community of kids who push each other. Zero tolerance for meanness on our mats.

Your First Class

Exactly what happens
when you walk in.

The hardest part is the first class. Here's what it looks like — so you walk in knowing what to expect.

  1. 1

    Arrive 15 minutes early

    A coach will meet you and your child at the door, walk you through the facility, and get a one-page waiver signed.

  2. 2

    Parents watch from the sideline

    You'll have a clear view of the whole class. We encourage parents to stay — most do.

  3. 3

    Structured, age-appropriate class

    Warm-up games, technique drilling, and a fun finisher. Coaches keep kids engaged and safe the entire time.

  4. 4

    Home with a smile

    Kids consistently leave our first class asking when they can come back. That's by design.

Curriculum

What you'll learn

Our kids program builds focus, respect, and genuine martial arts skill through age-appropriate jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and conditioning. Zero tolerance for bullying — kids leave our gym more confident, not more aggressive. Classes split by age: 5–6, 7–12.

  • Fundamentals of grappling and striking
  • Situational awareness and bully-prevention
  • Listening skills and self-discipline
  • Coordination and athleticism
  • Respect for self and others

Who it's for

Kids 5–12 — from the energetic to the shy. Our coaches specialize in meeting each kid where they are.

Jonathan Robbins

Your Instructor

Jonathan Robbins

Gym Manager · Fundamentals Jiu-Jitsu & Kids Coach

Runs the gym day-to-day, leads our fundamentals jiu-jitsu classes, and coaches the kids programs. Patient, detail-obsessed, and the person most likely to make a brand-new student feel like they belong.

Meet the full team
My son is in the kids program and the difference in his confidence after 3 months is unreal. The coaches actually care.
Sarah M. · Parent, Cookeville

Questions

Before you
step on the mat.

Still not sure? Book a free tour — 20 minutes in person beats any phone call.

My kid is super shy. Will they be okay?+
Yes. We have plenty of shy kids who've come out of their shells here. Coaches are trained to meet quiet kids where they are — no yelling, no pressure.
My kid is really active. Will they get enough energy out?+
Absolutely. Between the warm-up, drilling, and partner work, kids leave tired in a good way. Parents regularly tell us their kids sleep better on training nights.
Will my child learn to fight / be more aggressive?+
The opposite. Real martial arts schools teach kids to de-escalate and only use their skills defensively. We talk about this constantly — our students are known for being respectful, not for fighting.
Do you split kids by age?+
Yes. We run separate 5–6 and 7–12 classes so kids train with peers their own size and ability level.

Stop thinking about Kids Martial Arts.
Start training.

3 classes for $30. Full refund after class 1 if it's not a fit. Loaner gear included. Zero pressure.