Skip to content

YOUR JOURNEY AT ZKS

Member progression at ZKS Martial Arts

From a first Little Dragons class to teenage training and adult martial arts, progress grows through practice, feedback and individual readiness.

Find your programmeCurrent progression guidance

More than the next belt

Build technical skills, learn to train responsibly with others and find a route that fits your stage.

From first steps to teenage training

  1. Little Dragons

    Ages 3–4. Coloured T-shirts recognise development as children practise movement, listening and class routines.

  2. Mini Ninjas

    Reception–Year 2. Children develop martial arts foundations through regular practice, with Student Reviews and belts supporting their progress.

  3. Junior Martial Arts

    Years 3–6. Students build technical understanding and learn to practise responsibly with partners. Beginners can join at this stage.

  4. Teen Martial Arts

    Years 7–11. Training develops more demanding technical skills in a dedicated teenage peer group.

Moving programmes follows school stage and individual suitability. Follow ZKS’s confirmed arrangements; a belt or birthday does not automatically change your class. Read moving-up guidance.

Developing technique

Youth technical development includes Tested Techniques, Advanced Techniques and Elite Techniques, building towards the Junior Black Belt in Taijutsu. Your instructor explains the work appropriate to your stage.

Student Reviews and Belt Promotion are separate steps. Regular practice, technical development, attitude and successful progression requirements all matter; no belt or timescale is guaranteed.

Find current eligibility and booking details in the Help Centre progression guide, Student Reviews and Junior Black Belt guidance.

Two complementary routes in Teen MA

Technical development

Work towards advanced youth progression and, where eligible, Junior Black Belt. Coaching and feedback guide the next step.

Leadership development

Selected members can join the Leadership Team, developing communication and supervised coaching skills. Suitable members may later work towards Assistant Instructor and instructor roles.

Explore the Leadership Team

The routes support each other, but a belt does not make someone an instructor. Leadership selection, further responsibility and employment are not automatic or guaranteed.

Continuing from around age 16

Adult Taijutsu

Continue broader Taijutsu development through senior grades, practical self-defence and mature technical requirements. Your instructor confirms grading arrangements and readiness.

Havoc Grappling / BJJ

Explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a separate discipline. Taijutsu grades do not transfer: someone beginning BJJ starts at white belt. Competition is optional.

These routes are not necessarily either/or. Ask about training in one or both and the appropriate membership arrangements. Under-18 participation requires ZKS approval and the appropriate waiver.

An individual path

Adaptive Martial Arts offers supported options for children and teens. Discuss suitability and progression with ZKS so the training reflects the individual.

For class times and venues, use the timetable. For detailed current procedures, use the Help Centre.