FOREST HILLS TEEN GUIDE
Starting teen martial arts in Forest Hills
If your teen is interested in martial arts, begin with their goals and questions. Striking 101’s teen pathway is for ages 13–17. A parent or guardian should contact the Forest Hills academy to discuss suitable programs, experience and current class arrangements before booking.
Choose a program together
Ask your teen what interests them: learning striking, exploring grappling, trying a new activity or developing technical skills. Boxing focuses on punches and movement. Dutch kickboxing combines punches and kicks. MMA connects striking, takedowns and ground skills.
These descriptions explain the disciplines, not a promise of separate teen classes in each one. Ask Forest Hills which program and session fit your teen’s age and experience. Do not apply the children’s program structure to the teen pathway without confirming placement.
Understand the class before joining
Ask who teaches the session, how new students are introduced and how partners are selected. Find out what contact is involved and how a student can pause or ask for help. Do not assume a class is contact-free or includes sparring.
If competition interests your teen, discuss that separately. A trial does not enroll someone in a fight team. Beginner expectations and any competition pathway should be explained by the academy.
Prepare for your first visit
A parent or guardian should arrange the appointment and confirm the location, time and equipment requirements. Ask about clothing, footwear, gloves and other protection rather than assuming equipment is included or buying it before receiving advice.
Share relevant participation needs directly with the team. Ask about arrival, collection and observation arrangements. The introductory calendar does not replace the full member timetable.
Our first-class equipment guide offers more questions to ask.
Set a goal you can observe
Your teen might aim to understand a stance, remember an instruction or become more comfortable asking questions. Ask the coach for one useful focus after class. Keep a short note of what was learned and revisit goals together.
Progress takes different forms and happens at different rates. There is no guaranteed improvement in grades, self-esteem or stress management, and martial arts cannot promise to prevent bullying. School or bullying concerns deserve attention from the appropriate adults rather than being treated as something a teenager must solve through training.
Support practice without pressure
Ask what your teen enjoyed and what felt challenging. Recognize their effort without comparing them with professional fighters or classmates. If they repeatedly feel uncomfortable, speak with the instructor and review whether the arrangement fits.
Ask the coach what practice is appropriate outside class. Do not copy a professional fighter’s training hours, diet or contact drills. Plan attendance around the actual timetable and school commitments; review the routine if it becomes difficult to maintain.
Read our guide to choosing a training routine for more questions to consider.
Talk to Forest Hills
Striking 101 Forest Hills is at 96-21 69th Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Call 718-559-9403 to discuss the right starting session for ages 13–17. Explore the teen pathway and Forest Hills academy pages before arranging a visit.
