Infinite Possibility | Martial Arts Academy Macclesfield
We deliver a range of classes for children to suit all possible needs, our focus is your child’s learning, keeping fit and active, building confidence, becoming bully proof and above all, HAVING FUN.
For children from 4 to 7 years old we have the Voodoo Ninja and Samurai classes, these are our infant classes. For children from 8 to 11 years old we have the Junior classes, and for the 12 to 15 year old children we have the Cadets classes.
All our coaches are First Aid trained and have been subjected to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (was CRB check), we also have CCTV throughout our building to ensure your child’s safety.
Please check our Timetable for the times and days of all our classes.
These classes are both the same only they take place on different days and times. They consist of a series of games and physical activities that will prepare your child for progression to any and all of the Junior Martial Arts programmes we deliver, described below. Because of their very young age the classes are kept short, 45 minutes, and a parent or guardian is required to stay on the premises during the class. We pay particular attention to your child’s safety hence a strict requirement for them to wear a BJJ Gi (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi) and boxing gloves. We make it as fun as possible while still developing physical and mental skills that will serve them later throughout their lives.
Please check our Timetable for the times and days of all our classes.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling martial art, which is basically wrestling while wearing a traditional Gi (Kimono type suit). Grapplers try to overcome their opponent by using a variety of holds and grips including the Gi and winning by submission, making thier apponent to 'tap out' (give up), by applying joint locks and chokes.
The Junior (8 to 11 years old) and Cadets (12 to 15 years old) BJJ classes, from a skill perspective, are fundamentally the same as the adult BJJ classes. Although there are restrictions on the submission techniques we teach our younger students for the reasons of safety.
Our Junior grapplers focus predominantly on good movement and keeping safe while wrestling allowing them development appropriate to their age with some live but strictly controlled sparring, or what is known as ‘rolling’.
When they are old enough, they will be invited to the Cadets classes where they are taught much more like the adults focusing on overcoming an opponent to enhance their progression and development. There is more time spent live sparring / rolling with the aim of submitting their opponent.
There is a specific grading structure for our under 16’s that complies with the IBJJF guidelines. When they turn 16 years old they will be invited to our adult class and be re-graded as an adult.
Please check our Timetable
for the times and days of all our classes.
Kick Boxing is primarily a striking martial art which takes the form of punching and kicking an opponent. It is a high energy sport that requires a broad skills base developing self confidence and fitness very quickly.
The Junior (8 to 11 years old) and Cadets (12 to 15 years old) Kick Boxing classes, from a skill perspective, are fundamentally the same as the adult Thai / Kick Boxing classes. Although there are restrictions on the techniques we teach our younger students for the reasons of safety.
We have adopted a specific grading system for our Junior Kick Boxers allowing them development appropriate to their age with only some limited live sparring. They will be required to wear certain safety equipment to take part in this class; boxing gloves, shin guards (foam) and gumshield.
When they are old enough, they will be invited to the Cadets classes where they will be re-graded as such and awarded the appropriate belt. The Cadets grading system is slightly different, much more like the adults with some live light contact sparring, to enhance their progression and development. In addition to the safety equipment required in the Junior class Cadets require a groin box (boys), hand wraps and gumsheild, thier shin guards will need to be upgraded to adult ones when they are taller.
When they reach 16 years of age they will be invited to the adult classes. There are equivalent grades from Cadets to adults belts, but this is only a guide for our coaches. Each child will then be re-graded as an adult and awarded the appropriate belt.
Please check our Timetable
for the times and days of all our classes.
Discipline and rules are important and must be followed for the sake of everyone’s safety both in and out of the gym. It is for this reason we have put a points system in place to reward and to discipline our Ninja / Samurai, Junior and Cadet members aged less than 16 years old. Points can be awarded by any fully qualified or assistant Voodoo Coach. There are two types of points; ‘Merit’ and ‘Penalty’ points, positive and negative respectively.
Merit points are awarded for any positive behaviour such as; putting in special effort, outstanding achievements and being kind or helpful to others. In these cases; the amount of merit points accumulated is added towards the hours of training required before the student is invited to grade. Therefore, this will result in an early grading opportunity.
Penalty points are awarded for negative behaviour such as; not following rules, not having the appropriate clothing (Gi’s etc.) or training equipment (boxing gloves etc.), making no effort, being disrespectful to others or dangerous behaviour. In these cases; for each penalty point accumulated an additional hour of training will be required as well as their behaviour modified appropriately before the student is invited to grade. Therefore, this will result in a delayed grading opportunity.
A Penalty point can be cancelled out by a student later gaining a Merit point and vice versa.
Any points awarded will be recorded on the students training record and parent/s informed.
A student’s points records are restarted at zero as a grading takes place.
If a child is sat out of class for misbehaviour, this will result in an immediate Penalty point being awarded. If they are invited to re-join the class and are sat out a second time, a second Penalty point will be awarded, and they will not be allowed back in that class for that day.On accumulating 10 penalty points before their next grading a student may have their membership of Voodoo Combat revoked and all grades and promotions gained will be removed from our records.
For the safety of all our members, this system can be circumvented at any time by our coaches. In the case of a serious offence such as bullying inside or outside the gym, or wilfully refusing to act upon instruction from Voodoo coach/es that results in a risk to others, a student will be asked to leave immediately, and parents informed.
