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American Karate Academy

4.1 ★★★★☆ 9 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule karatekicks.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (225) 755-6046

Hours

Monday 5–8 PM
Tuesday 5–8 PM
Wednesday 5–8 PM
Thursday 5–8 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at American Karate Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 8 mentions

“He uses a whole student approach to better their technique, their self defense, awareness, and helps guide the kids with a strong ethical foundation.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“He uses a whole student approach to better their technique, their self defense, awareness, and helps guide the kids with a strong ethical foundation.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at American Karate Academy — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“He uses a whole student approach to better their technique, their self defense, awareness, and helps guide the kids with a strong ethical foundation.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 9 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 3 mentions

“The instructor is great with children, teaching them to be respectful, confident, and kind while also teaching self defense and life lessons.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions

“He uses a whole student approach to better their technique, their self defense, awareness, and helps guide the kids with a strong ethical foundation.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 4 mentions

“What's great is it's not just martial arts training it's also structured so the kids understand discipline and focus and sticking with something until you get better.”

From the reviews

Absolutely great teacher and great person. He uses a whole student approach to better their technique, their self defense, awareness, and helps guide the kids with a strong ethical foundation.

★★★★★ — Adam, Jan 2024

Excellent training. My daughter goes here and Mr Darron and the other instructors are incredible. What's great is it's not just martial arts training it's also structured so the kids understand discipline and focus and sticking with something until you get better.

★★★★★ — Demi, Jan 2019

Great for kids and and adults. The instructor is great with children, teaching them to be respectful, confident, and kind while also teaching self defense and life lessons.

★★★★★ — Tre, Apr 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 9 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at American Karate Academy

American Karate Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at American Karate Academy

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find American Karate Academy

5765 Jones Creek Rd, Baton Rouge, LA70817

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.