Why Parents Searching for Taekwondo Choose America's Best Defense
Taekwondo has helped shape the martial arts journey for generations. Known for its lightning-fast kicks, athletic movement, and strong emphasis on discipline, it’s one of the most recognizable styles out there. For many families, it’s the first martial art that comes to mind when thinking about enrolling their child in a program.
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While America’s Best Defense is not a Taekwondo school, this traditional martial art has heavily influenced our Kids Martial Arts program, and we value what it brings to the table. In fact, our founder Master Paul Garcia first started his martial arts journey with Taekwondo in 1980, eventually earning a 2nd-degree black belt. His early experiences in the art helped lay the foundation for the Kids Martial Arts program we teach today—a program that honors the strengths of traditional martial arts while focusing on something more: real-world self-defense.
Why Is Taekwondo So Popular?
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art best known for flashy kicks, quick footwork, and Olympic-style sparring. It emphasizes speed, precision, and discipline—all incredible qualities to build in young students.
Our very own Master Paul Garcia started training in Taekwondo in 1980 at age 11 and holds a 2nd-degree black belt under the Kukkiwon organization. He credits TKD with sparking his lifelong love of martial arts.
“I still love the speed and precision of Taekwondo’s kicking. It’s an incredible art,” says Master Garcia.
In the early 90s, Master Garcia expanded his training to include Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate, seeking a system with an emphasis on real-world self-defense. That evolution is what shaped the curriculum we teach in our Little Dragons and Karate Kids programs at America’s Best Defense today.
How ABD Blends TKD-Inspired Movement with Real-World Self Defense
Our program doesn’t throw out what works—it builds on it. When you watch one of our kids’ classes in action, you’ll see us helping students develop strong stances, powerful kicks, and disciplined structure – just like a high-quality kids Taekwondo program.
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We’ve taken the structure, discipline, and dynamic movement from traditional martial arts like Taekwondo and layered in what we believe every child deserves to learn: real-world self-defense. As kids grow, the challenges they face evolve—and so should the tools they’re given to handle them.
That’s why our Kids Martial Arts curriculum is built around three distinct levels of self-defense that go beyond just looking good on the mat.
Self-Defense Against Other Kids
Whether it’s playground teasing, unwanted physical contact, or more serious bullying, kids need confidence and access to practical tools to protect themselves in age-appropriate, respectful ways.
Our Kids Martial Arts classes teach important skills like:
- Verbal boundary-setting and de-escalation
- Safe, effective responses to common schoolyard situations—like shirt grabs, wrist pulls, or being pushed or tackled
- How to defend themselves without becoming the aggressor, and how to walk away before a conflict turns physical
- The confidence to speak up—whether it’s self-advocacy in the moment or reaching out to a trusted adult afterward
Self-Defense Against Adults
While we hope our students never find themselves in a situation where they need to defend themselves against an adult, we believe in preparing them with age-appropriate knowledge and tools to stay safe.
In our Little Dragons and Karate Kids programs, students learn personal safety strategies that build awareness confidence, and quick decision-making like:
- Situational awareness and avoidance—recognizing warning signs, trusting their instincts and making safe choices regarding potentially risky environments and situations
- Escape techniques for larger, stronger individuals that focus on leverage, speed, and targeting vulnerable areas
- Anti-abduction strategies that include loud vocalization, breaking free from grabs, and drawing attention
- Quick thinking under pressure—knowing what to do, where to go, and who to trust in an emergency
Emotional and Social Self-Defense
At America’s Best Defense, we believe real strength goes beyond kicks and punches—it starts from within. Our Kids Martial Arts program builds emotional resilience and develops character through our S.T.A.R. System (Success Through Accepting Responsibility).
Each class includes a message that helps students grow into confident, capable individuals who make smart choices in and out of the dojo. We help kids develop:
- Confidence and resilience to bounce back from setbacks and believe in themselves
- Tools for managing peer pressure, anxiety, and frustration in a healthy, respectful way
- Positive self-talk and goal-setting habits that promote a strong mindset and long-term success
- Respect for themselves and others, building empathy and leadership from a young age
- The courage to speak up, whether they’re standing up for themselves or someone else
Choosing the Right Martial Arts Program for Your Child
Taekwondo is a fantastic starting point for many kids, and there are plenty of great schools out there. But if you’re looking for a program that blends traditional martial arts with practical self-defense and a modern mindset, we think you’ll love what we’re doing at ABD.
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“We didn’t leave Taekwondo behind—we evolved it. We use the best parts and pair them with what keeps kids safer in today’s world,” says Master Garcia.
We focus on building confident kids who know how to stay calm under pressure, set boundaries, and walk through life with strength and respect. And yes—they’ll still learn to kick like champs.
Experience the Difference: Self-Defense for the Whole Child
Whether you grew up doing Taekwondo or you’re brand-new to martial arts, we invite you to see what makes our program different. We’re here to support your child’s growth, inside and out.
Contact us today to schedule your free introductory Kids Martial Arts class and see the difference it can make in your child’s life!
