Love the "Front Kick"

photo courtesy of MMA Fighting, Esther Lin, go to MMA Fighter for full details in the fight between Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson.

I gotta say I love the front kick, I used it countless times in sport karate, I did a sport karate piece with it on you tube and any fighter I have coached knows how to use it. It is and will continue to be a long term weapon in martial arts. Coach Martin

New Coach Thunderbirds

Meet Steven Smith new coach of the Thunderbirds.

Steven Smith comes to the Thunderbirds with the highest marks a coach and experienced Black Belt can! Steven trained with Master Al Garza from Texas who is currently featured on the cover of MA Success Magazine. Mr. Smith filled the role at Al Garza's school as demonstration team leader, coach and choreographer. A role he filled for several years. Steven joined the United States Marine Corp in 2008 and is currently stationed at the naval installation on Panama City Beach as a dive instructor. Al Garza called Marty Martin and they talked about the Karate Training Centers, and it seemed to be a great fit for Steven’s experience and desire to continue doing what he loves best – coaching explosive karate demonstration teams like the Thunderbirds. The rest is a work in progress – Steven taking over the role of Thunderbirds coach from Mr. Martin who founded the team and has coached them to numerous national and world championships. Coach Martin comments that Steven can take this team to exciting new highs and leave a cadre of young instructors like Chris, Forrest and Sean to take over the XMA moves when his instructor dive tour at the navy base is over. Welcome to the new coach of the Thunderbirds Mr. Steven Smith.

Back to School

Special request to all you kids returning to school in the next few weeks: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or being bullied because he/she doesn't have many friends or because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most "in" clothes - PLEASE step up. Say "Hi"or at least smile at them in the hallway. You never know what that person might be facing outside of school. Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone's life!
This message was posted to my facebook account by one of the moms and I love it, now let's all just encourage it to happen!

Afterschool Program

Its back to school for 2011/2012 and I have a coupon offer for those parents who are looking for an afterschool program for their children. For more information you can log onto our website at panama city karate.com or call 85-785-2024.

Weapons, MMA and Jiu Jitsu classes

Come join us and take advantage of all we have to offer! Try one or all these programs...

After School Karate, starts August 22nd

MMA conditioning and skills classes; Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30 to 7:30pm

Weapons Speciality Saturday classes; start September off with Bo training

Jiu Jitsu for kids; classes start every Saturday in October

Sigh up sheets at the front desk

MMA Conditioning and Skills Class

MMA Conditioning and Skill Class. Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:30 to 7:30pm. Training breakdown includes:

           Conditioning session: cardio press, bag work, weight and body toning with emphasis on MMA    
           fight prep.

           Fight skills development. Skills training will include standup, Jiu Jitsu and wrestling
           combinations, and fight combination development.

This program breeds young fighters taking them to the next level. It is not a sparring class; it is geared for physical and mental development. Get a great workout, learn new skills, and breed your ability.

Matt Jernigan Wins debut MMA fight

Winner - Matt Jernigan wins his first amateur MMA fight. Stepping into the octagon to fight, Matt over-whelmed his opponent less than a minute into the second round. The referee stopped the fight by TKO awarding Matt the win. A salute also goes to his coach Chance Fine for having Matt so well prepared. Also thanks to Timmy, Dave, Tyler, Ruben and Kate his sparring partners. Winning in MMA is a team training effort. The Karate Training Centers MMA program presented very impressively – it’s a Cage Life.