Marshfield + Lebanon, Missouri

TRAIN 2
BE GREAT.

Real martial arts. Hard-earned confidence.
A team that pushes you forward.

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Round01

TRAIN 2 BE GREAT00:30

01 Choose your discipline

FIND YOUR
FIGHT.

Whether you're here for self-defense, fitness, competition, or the community—there's a place for you on our mats.

KMA SYSTEM

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

A complete hybrid system built from proven striking, grappling, and self-defense disciplines. All experience levels are welcome.

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WATSON BJJ AFFILIATE

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU

Build control, leverage, and confidence on the mat through technical gi and no-gi training for sport, competition, and self-defense.

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CONFIDENCE / DISCIPLINE / CONTROL

KIDS MARTIAL ARTS

Age-appropriate training that helps kids build focus, confidence, coordination, and respect while learning practical martial arts in a positive team environment.

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Kickin It black belt team at the academy

Built in Missouri
Proven on the mat

02 More than a gym

EXPERIENCE
YOU CAN FEEL.

Owner and head instructor Tommy Barker brings more than 40 years of martial arts experience to every class.

Kickin It is a hybrid system shaped by many disciplines and one simple standard: quality instruction that builds confidence, discipline, and control. Our instructors know the art—and know how to share their passion with every student.

40+Years of
experience

02Missouri
locations

01Committed
fight family

THE JOURNEY Student first. Teacher always.

SHAPED BY
THE BEST.

Tommy Barker's approach was built over four decades of learning from respected martial artists, competitors, and public-safety professionals—then passing those lessons forward.

01 / A lifetime of learning

BUILT BY GREAT MENTORS.

Tommy began his martial arts journey in 1985 with Master Kim. From there, mentors including Roger Moore, Scott McNeely, and Ernie Reyes helped shape his growth from traditional Tae Kwon Do into a broader mixed martial arts system.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became another defining chapter. Tommy trained with and remained connected to Royce Gracie, continued his development under Kyle Watson, and sharpened his stand-up game with UFC veteran Alan Belcher. Each influence helped build the practical, multi-discipline KMA system taught today.

“We went from a system of tradition to mixing it up from disciplines around the world.”— Tommy Barker

Master KimRoger MooreScott McNeelyErnie ReyesRoyce GracieKyle WatsonAlan Belcher

Tommy Barker with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer Royce Gracie — Tommy Barker with Royce Gracie

Newspaper sports feature with the headline Barker Trains With Elite — Barker Trains With Elite

Tommy Barker with UFC veteran Frank Mir — With UFC veteran Frank Mir

Drury Law Enforcement Academy graduates and instructors gathered on stage — Drury Law Enforcement Academy

Newspaper coverage of defensive tactics training at Drury Law Enforcement Academy — Defensive tactics training at Drury

Missouri Department of Public Safety Specialist Instructor license issued to Tommy Barker — Missouri public-safety instructor license

02 / Beyond the academy walls

TRUSTED TO TRAIN THOSE WHO PROTECT.

Roger Moore—one of Tommy's earliest martial arts mentors—later brought him into the Drury Law Enforcement Academy. Alongside mentors including Moore and Steve Pratt, Tommy spent nine years helping prepare law-enforcement students in defensive tactics, control, restraint, and takedowns.

Tommy holds a Missouri Department of Public Safety Specialist Instructor license and later completed advanced testing as a Master Defensive Tactics Instructor. His experience includes Springfield police officer training, and his certification qualifies him to teach defensive tactics beyond Missouri.

For parents, that background matters. The same calm judgment, accountability, safety, and control expected in public-safety training shape the way Tommy teaches and mentors every young student at Kickin It.

09Years of academy instruction

MASTERDefensive tactics instructor

SPOSpringfield police officer training

03 Show up. Put in work.