to
6-9 yaş
Location: Dojo
About the Programme
The Karate School is Başarı Spor Akademisi’s karate programme for children aged five and over and for adults aged sixteen and over. Classes run at the Yakacık Spor Kulübü hall in Kartal on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 18:00–19:00, and follow a graded, belt-based curriculum. Within that hour the children’s group, the adult and competition group, and self-defence work are separated by level.
Karate is one of the most commonly misunderstood disciplines among parents. The expectation is usually “so they can defend themselves”, but what children gain most from karate is not attacking or defensive technique — it is self-control. Dojo etiquette, bowing, waiting your turn and stopping instantly on command are not carriers of technique; they are its precondition.
The curriculum advances through the belt system, which is a powerful motivator for a child: the goal is near and concrete rather than distant and abstract. Every grading assesses discipline and attitude as much as technique, which is why passing comes from consistency rather than effort in bursts.
Contact is graded. Younger groups work through kata (forms) and technical repetition; controlled kumite (sparring) begins only when a child can manage technique and distance safely. Protective equipment is mandatory at that stage, and no child is ever put into a pairing they are not ready for.
WHY KARATE?
Karate teaches a child to stop before it teaches them to strike. Classes are held at the Yakacık Spor Kulübü hall in Kartal and taught by Kartal Karate Akademisi’s Sensei Behzad Yaghoubian, an international referee and coach, and Sensei Homa Yaghoubian, an international champion: for children aged 5–12 and adults aged 16 and over.
Self-control and discipline
The first thing learned in the dojo is not how to strike but how to stop on the command. Bowing, waiting your turn and following the rules come before technique, and a child who learns control behaves with more control outside the dojo too.
Self-confidence
Progress is individual and measurable: a child competes only with their own next belt. It is one of the best disciplines for a shy child who dreads falling behind in a team sport.
Self-defence
Distance management, blocking and evasion are part of the curriculum. The aim is not to fight; it is to notice danger early, know how to walk away, and protect yourself when you have to.
Safe progression
Contact is graded: kata and technical repetition for the youngest, controlled kumite only once a child is ready, always with protective equipment. The belt system keeps the next goal close and concrete.
Lesson Content
Kihon (fundamentals), kata (forms) and controlled kumite (sparring) in balance.
- Dojo rules and etiquette: bowing, formation, responding to commands
- Kihon: stances, fundamental punches, blocks and kicks
- Kata: graded form learning and movement memory
- Balance and flexibility: the range of motion kicking height requires
- Controlled kumite: distance, timing and contact control
- Conditioning: agility, reaction and age-appropriate strength
- Grading preparation: curriculum revision and assessment
Who Can Join?
- Children aged 5–12, including those new to martial arts
- Adults aged 16 and over: conditioning, technique and competition if wanted
- Anyone wanting self-defence work within the karate curriculum
- Children for whom focus and self-control are a goal
- Participants who want to advance through a belt system
- Participants in suitable health
Weekly Schedule
Tuesday
Thursday
to
6-9 yaş
Location: Dojo
to
10-14 yaş
Location: Dojo
Kata ve kumite
Saturday
to
Kuşak Sınavı Grubu
Location: Dojo
Karate classes are run together with Kartal Karate Akademisi, which operates from the same hall. They are taught by Sensei Behzad Yaghoubian, an international referee and coach, and Sensei Homa Yaghoubian, an international champion. For belt gradings, competition and the tournament squad, you can reach them directly: Kartal Karate Akademisi
- Sensei Behzad Yaghoubian: 0501 366 56 30
- Sensei Homa Yaghoubian: 0544 373 74 79
Yakacık Sports Club
- Address
- Spor Cd. No:4Cumhuriyet Mahallesi, 34876 Kartal, İstanbul
- Opening hours
- Monday – Saturday · 09:00 – 21:00
- Class times
- Tuesday and Saturday, 18:00–19:00
Frequently Asked Questions
What does karate give a child?
Self-control, discipline, self-confidence and the ability to protect themselves. The first thing learned in the dojo is not how to strike but how to stop on the command, and the belt system keeps the next goal close and concrete. At Başarı Sports Academy, karate is taught by Kartal Karate Akademisi’s Sensei Behzad Yaghoubian and Sensei Homa Yaghoubian to children aged 5–12 and adults aged 16 and over.
Where and when are karate classes for children in Kartal?
At the Yakacık Spor Kulübü hall, Spor Caddesi No:4, Cumhuriyet Mahallesi, Kartal, on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 18:00 to 19:00. Classes are run by Başarı Sports Academy together with Kartal Karate Akademisi; the children’s group is ages 5–12 and the adult group is 16 and over.
Will karate make my child aggressive?
In our experience the opposite happens. Control sits at the centre of the karate curriculum: a child who learns when to stop, where a technique ends and where force is held back behaves more deliberately in daily life too. The first thing learned in the dojo is not to strike but to stop on command.
What age should they start?
Our children’s group starts at five. At that age a child can wait their turn, follow commands and remember simple technical sequences — which is most of what the first year of karate teaches anyway. With the youngest, work is play-based; the technical load increases with age.
Can adults join?
Yes — there is an adult group for ages sixteen and over, training in the same hour and separated by level. It is built on conditioning, fundamental technique and kata, with competition preparation for anyone who wants to compete. No previous martial arts experience is needed.
Do you cover self-defence?
Yes, inside the karate curriculum: distance management, blocking and evasion are part of the class. For anyone who wants it as a standalone programme, the academy runs a separate Self-Defence School for young people aged ten and over and adults — that programme is not tied to the karate belt system.
How often are gradings held?
Usually at the end of each term, and entry is on the coach’s recommendation based on the child’s readiness in the curriculum. A minimum period of training is required — grading too early weakens what the belt means.
My child is shy. Is karate suitable?
It is one of the most suitable disciplines, because progress is individual and measurable. A child who fears falling behind in a team sport competes only against their own belt target here. Developing without anxiety about their position in a group raises confidence quickly.
Will my child get hit in competition?
In children’s categories kumite is contested with controlled contact and protective equipment, and referees intervene on excessive contact. In our setup no child is put into a pairing they are not ready for, and competing is optional.
Do we need a karate uniform (karategi)?
Comfortable sportswear is fine for the first lessons. A karategi is acquired once the child has decided to continue — having one by the first grading is generally soon enough.
From the Programme
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FIRST STEP: A FREE ATHLETE ASSESSMENT
We do not write a programme without measuring first. After the assessment you will see, in numbers, how far from your target you actually are.