Martial Arts for Teenagers 14 – 17 year olds in Basingstoke – Cadets
About our Martial Arts and Karate classes for Teenagers aged between 14 – 17 years old
- Ages: 14 to 17 (Key Stage 4 and 5/college)
- Class length: 60 minutes
- After school:
- Monday and Thursday, 6:20–7:20pm
- Additional Options: Traditional Karate Friday 18:00 – 19:00 and competition training on Tuesday at 5:30-6:15 and Wednesday 5:45 – 7:00.
- Where: Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy, Unit A, Daneshill Central, Armstrong Road, Basingstoke RG24 8NU
- Sparring: non to light contact depending upon age and experience with safety equipment
- Parents: welcome to stay and watch
- First step: a free taster class, no obligation – book a free taster here or call 01256 364104
Why learn a Martial Art?
Joining a Martial Arts for teenagers class as a hobby offers a variety of benefits, including the opportunity to socialise with peers in a healthy and positive environment. The class provides a community of individuals with similar values and experienced coaches who help to teach the importance of self-discipline, respect, and focus. These skills can have a positive impact on individuals both in and outside of the class.
The teenage years are busy. GCSEs and A-levels, part time jobs, friendships and social media all compete for time and energy, and it’s often when young people stop doing sport. Our Cadets classes give 14 to 17 year olds two evenings a week that are just for them: a place to train hard, switch off from the pressure and spend time with people who want to get better.
A break from exam stress. An hour of hard physical training is one of the best ways to clear your head. The focus, breathing and goal-setting we practise in class carry over into revision and exams.
Fitness that lasts. Many teenagers drop school sport around 14 or 15. Martial Arts keeps you strong, fit and flexible, whether or not you’ve done sport before, and builds habits that last into adult life.
Confidence and independence. As you start going out more on your own, knowing how to stay aware, avoid trouble and stay calm under pressure really matters. You’ll learn practical self-defence, always as a last resort, and the confidence that comes with it.
A real goal to work towards. Black belt usually takes 5 to 6 years of regular training. Teenagers who started with us as children often earn it during Cadets, and those starting now have a clear, achievable path to get there.
Leadership you can put on your CV. Cadets can join our coaching pathway, help teach younger students and work towards a recognised coaching qualification. It’s great experience for college, university and job applications, and it can count towards your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
BOOK A FREE TASTER CLASS!
Experience a class, meet our professional coaching team and discover whether Shin Gi Tai is right for you. No previous experience is required. There’s absolutely no obligation to join, it’s simply an opportunity to discover whether we’re the right fit for you.
BOOK A FREE TASTER CLASS!
Experience a class, meet our professional coaching team and discover whether Shin Gi Tai is right for you. No previous experience is required. There’s absolutely no obligation to join, it’s simply an opportunity to discover whether we’re the right fit for you.
Our Children's Martial Arts classes are split by age
Our Children’s Martial Arts classes in Basingstoke are split by age.
Our Rising Heroes’ class is for 4-6 year olds.
Our Young Legends class is for 6-9 year olds.
The Urban Warriors class is for 10-13 year olds.
Our Cadets class is for Teenagers 14-17 year olds.
We have Children's Kickboxing for 11-16 year olds
How we train our 14 – 17 year old Teenagers in Martial Arts
As our Cadets class members have developed maturity in both their physical and mental abilities, we can now instruct them in more challenging and advanced training techniques.
By 14, students are ready for more demanding training. Cadets follows a combined syllabus based on Chinese Kung Fu, with techniques from Karate, Chinese Kickboxing and Judo. You’ll learn striking, kicking, throws, groundwork and joint locks, along with practical self-defence and weapons awareness. More advanced students also learn traditional weapons, safely and step by step.
Sparring builds gradually. Newer members start with no contact and progress to light contact as their skill and control improve. A head guard, gumshield, gloves and foot and shin protectors are always worn.
We also teach the “why” behind the techniques. Our classes are planned using sports science, including biomechanics, skill acquisition, physiology, strength and conditioning, and nutrition, so you train safely, keep improving and understand how to look after your body.
From 16, Cadets can also join our adult classes for extra training. At 18, they move up to the adult programme full time.
BOOK A FREE TASTER CLASS!
Experience a class, meet our professional coaching team and discover whether Shin Gi Tai is right for you. No previous experience is required. There’s absolutely no obligation to join, it’s simply an opportunity to discover whether we’re the right fit for you.
More than a workout
Martial arts isn’t just about learning to punch, kick or throw. It’s about deciding who you want to be. Social media is full of people telling teenagers how to look, act and live. Training gives you something real instead: goals you set yourself, progress you earn and a group of people who’ll push you to be your best.
In Cadets, we focus on:
Martial Arts for Teenagers: Your Questions Answered
Here are answers to the questions teenagers and parents most often ask about our Cadets classes for 14 to 17 year olds in Basingstoke. If you would like to talk about anything else, our coaching team will be happy to help.
Is 15 or 16 too late to start martial arts?
Not at all. Many teenagers join Cadets at 14, 15, 16 or 17 with no experience at all. Classes are just for teenagers, so beginners train with people their own age, and coaches adapt every activity to each student's level.
When are the Cadets classes?
Cadets classes run on Monday and Thursday from 6:20 to 7:20pm, and each class lasts an hour. All classes are at our full-time academy at Daneshill Central, Basingstoke RG24 8NU. Cadets can also add competition training on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Traditional Karate on Friday from 6:00 to 7:00pm. See the full timetable.
What martial arts will I learn?
Cadets follows a combined syllabus based on Chinese Kung Fu, with techniques from Karate, Chinese Kickboxing and Judo. You will learn striking, kicking, throws, groundwork, joint locks and practical self-defence. More advanced students also learn traditional weapons, safely and step by step.
Is it like MMA?
You will learn the same range of skills you would see in Mixed Martial Arts: striking, kicking, throwing and grappling. The difference is that we teach them alongside traditional martial arts values such as respect, humility and self-control, and self-defence is only ever a last resort.
Will I spar, and what kit do I need?
Yes. For sparring, a head guard, gumshield, gloves and foot and shin protectors are compulsory. Contact depends on experience: newer members spar with no contact, building up to light contact as they become more skilled. Sparring is always supervised by qualified coaches and matched to each student's size and level.
How long does it take to get a black belt?
Most students take 5 to 6 years of regular training to reach black belt, depending on how often they train. Teenagers who started with us as children often reach black belt during Cadets.
Can martial arts help with exam stress?
Many of our Cadets tell us training is the best part of their week during GCSEs and A-levels. An hour of hard physical training gives you a complete break from revision, and the focus, breathing and goal-setting you learn in class carry over into exams.
Can I become a junior coach?
Yes. Our coaching pathway has four junior levels and four adult levels, and leads to a Sport England Professional Standard coaching qualification. Junior coaches help teach younger students and learn leadership, public speaking and communication skills that look great on college, university and job applications. In 2018 our coach development programme was runner-up in UK Coaching's national Coach Culture Award.
Do you support the Duke of Edinburgh's Award?
Yes. Training with us can count towards the Physical section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and helping to coach younger students can count towards the Volunteering section. Just let us know which award level you are working towards.
Can I train in the adult classes?
Yes. From 16, Cadets can also train in our adult classes as well as their Cadets sessions, which gives them more training options each week. At 18, members move up to the adult programme full time.
How do I get started?
Book a free taster class online or call 01256 364104. There is no obligation to join, and parents are welcome to stay and watch.
What our members think
Junior Coaching Programme
Cadets can join our coaching pathway by invitation. Junior coaches help teach younger students and act as role models, while getting extra technical coaching and regular personal development.
The pathway has four junior coaching levels and four adult levels, and leads to a Sport England Professional Standard coaching qualification. Along the way, junior coaches build skills that matter far beyond the dojo: public speaking, clear communication, leading by example and working as a team.
In 2018, our coach development programme was runner-up in UK Coaching’s national Coach Culture Award, recognising our commitment to developing the next generation of coaches.
Speak to a coach
Please enter your contact details below with the questions that you have for a coach about how we can help you. Please tell us which class you are interested in.