KIDS CLASSES
Building Strong Minds & Bodies Through Martial Arts
At Function First Martial Arts Lincoln, we teach more than punches and kicks — we teach life skills.
Learning the difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness is a vital lesson that martial arts can instil in both children and adults. Alongside this, our classes emphasise discipline, honesty, and respect — values that carry over far beyond the mats.
Our goal is simple: to build mentally and physically strong people who move through life with confidence, humility, and resilience.
Martial arts isn’t just about self-defence — it’s about self-development. We help our students develop a mindset built to overcome adversity, one challenge at a time.
Serious Training. Serious Fun.
Our classes are structured, disciplined, and seriously fun. You’ll learn effective martial arts skills in a supportive environment where everyone — from beginners to experienced students — is encouraged to push their limits at their own pace.
👊 Come and try a free class — no pressure, no sales pitch. We even recommend checking out a few other clubs to find the right fit for you.
We’re confident that when you experience our culture, our coaching, and our community, you’ll know you’ve found the right place.
For the Long Haul
We’re not a flash-in-the-pan fitness fad — we’re here for the long run, we have been coaching professionally in Lincoln for over 20 years now.
At Function First, we believe in consistent progress, strong character, and creating an environment that helps people thrive, year after year.
Because it’s true what they say:
“It’s easier to build strong children than to fix broken adults.”
Black Belt Mentality
LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS
Our coaching philosopy – Off The Mats As On.
Meaning the lessons learnt on the mats are as important off the mats, at home, at school.
No Head Strikes For Children
Safety First: No Head Strikes Policy for Children
At Function First Martial Arts Lincoln, safety isn’t optional — it’s our foundation.
We have a strict no head strikes policy for all children’s classes. This ensures that every child trains in a safe, controlled, and developmentally appropriate environment.
Our Head Coach, Matt, has spent years studying the effects of concussions and head trauma, and has even written a book on the benefits of martial arts for children, which you can view in reception. His research and experience make it clear — while martial arts can build confidence, focus, and discipline, head contact offers no developmental benefit for young brains.
Children’s brains go through crucial stages of growth and neural development. Allowing head contact during these stages risks long-term harm — and, more importantly, a child cannot make an informed decision to accept that risk.
It’s our duty as coaches, mentors, and responsible adults to deliver classes that align with the highest standards of safety, health, and duty of care.
If you’d like to learn more about our safety philosophy or the science behind our no head strike policy, please speak directly with Matt — he’s always happy to discuss it.
Health, Safety & Longevity
All our martial arts classes are designed with long-term health and wellbeing in mind.
Our aim isn’t just to help students perform well today — it’s to keep them strong, healthy, and happy for life.
At Function First, we believe martial arts should build bodies, not break them, and that’s the standard we hold every class to.
Prepare To Succeed
Our Assistant Coaching Program
Our assistant coaching program is entirely free
For those that work hard and show they want it.
We have two full-time coaches who went through our program and made dreams come true.
