Kicking, Hands, Close, Ground: How Kids Train All Four at Sidekick
At Sidekick Martial Arts, one kids class covers four ranges. Taekwondo is the core. Kali, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai get added early on, once the basics are down. Not day one. Still early.
This is not four separate programs. It is one class, built so kids can kick at distance, work hands and sticks, fight close, and move on the ground.
Master Joe teaches at Sidekick Martial Arts, 155 NJ-17, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. He is a member of World Taekwondo. Tiny Tigers is ages 3-5. Kids is ages 6-14. Teens & Adults is 13+. Parents are welcome to watch.
Kicking range: Taekwondo
Long range is Taekwondo. Kicks, stances, punches, and the movement that starts every class.
Taekwondo is the base of everything we teach. If you want the full kids program, see our Kids Taekwondo page.
Hands and sticks: Kali
Mid range is hands and sticks. That is Kali. You will also hear it called eskrima or arnis. Same stick work, different names.
Kids use real rattan sticks. They learn to move the stick, clear space, and keep their hands busy while their feet stay under them. It shows up early on, once the basics are solid.
Close range: Muay Thai
When the fight gets close, kids practice Muay Thai work on pads. Knees. Elbows. Clinch.
They learn to stay balanced when someone is right in front of them, and to throw short strikes that do not need a big wind-up. This is inside the same class. Not a separate Muay Thai program.
Ground: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
On the ground, kids practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. How to move when you are not on your feet. How to get to a safer position. How to get back up.
Parents who search "jiu jitsu near me" for a kid often mean this. At Sidekick, BJJ is part of the main class. We do not run a standalone kids BJJ belt track.
What else is in class
No forms. Kids spend time moving, not memorizing long patterns. Board breaking is part of training. Belt tests are every 3 months.
Single-art schools are fine. Some families want only one style. We built Sidekick the other way: one room, four ranges, Taekwondo at the center.
Ready to see it
Come watch. Bring your kid for a Free Week. You will see kicking, hands, close work, and ground work in the same place.