Rocky Top Taekwondo Introduce
Introduction / Overview
For residents in Knoxville, Tennessee, seeking a martial arts school that combines quality instruction with a strong sense of community, Rocky Top Taekwondo stands out as an excellent choice. This is not a typical, commercial gym; it is a dedicated Taekwondo school with a focus on personal growth, discipline, and respect for others. Under the guidance of Master Matt Shea, a 5th-Degree Black Belt and a Level I Certified Instructor with the Choong-Sil Taekwondo Federation (CTF), the school offers a humble yet powerful training environment. Master Shea's extensive background, which includes working with YMCA after-school programs, gives him a unique and effective ability to connect with students of all ages, especially children. One parent's review highlights this perfectly, stating, "He is excellent working with kids and makes it a fun but demanding environment based on personal growth, discipline and respect for others."
Rocky Top Taekwondo is Knoxville's first CTF member school, a significant feature that sets it apart. This affiliation provides students with a connection to a larger regional organization, offering opportunities for high-level black belt training and participation in an established tournament structure. For serious martial artists, or even those just looking for a new challenge, this affiliation means access to a broader community and a clear path for continued learning and growth. As a seasoned student noted in their review, this is a "big deal" as it prevents the learning from stopping once a student reaches a high level. The school's philosophy, based on the CTF principle of "Constant and Never Ending Improvement," ensures that students are always striving to be better, both on and off the mat. For those in Tennessee looking for a martial arts school that is both affordable and provides a clear pathway for advancement, Rocky Top Taekwondo is an outstanding option.
Location and Accessibility
Rocky Top Taekwondo is conveniently located at the Christenberry Recreation Center at 931 Oglewood Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA. This central location in the Oakwood/Lincoln Park neighborhood makes it easily accessible for families and individuals throughout the city. The school offers flexible class times, with sessions held every Tuesday and Thursday night, which is a great convenience for those with busy schedules. The location also provides a number of accessibility features to ensure a welcoming environment for everyone. There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, making the facility inclusive and easy to navigate for all students and visitors. Additionally, the school benefits from free parking in the on-site lot, as well as free street parking, eliminating any hassle for those driving to class. A restroom is also available for convenience. This combination of a central location and thoughtful amenities makes Rocky Top Taekwondo a practical and stress-free choice for anyone in the Knoxville area looking to start their martial arts journey.
Services Offered
- Taekwondo Training: High-quality instruction in traditional Taekwondo techniques and philosophy.
- Martial Arts Training: A comprehensive program that includes a focus on forms, sparring, and self-defense.
- Kids' Classes: Designed specifically for children, focusing on discipline, personal growth, and respect in a fun and demanding environment.
- Teen and Adult Classes: Programs tailored for older students, providing a path for continuous learning and skill development.
- Beginner-Friendly Classes: The school welcomes new students of all ages, offering a free trial class to help them get started.
- Family Discounts: A great feature for families, with a tiered pricing structure that makes it more affordable for multiple family members to train.
Features / Highlights
- Master-Level Instruction: Classes are taught by Master Matt Shea, a highly experienced and certified 5th-Degree Black Belt.
- Choong-Sil Taekwondo Federation (CTF) Affiliation: As a CTF member school, it offers students a direct link to a larger regional and national martial arts community, with access to high-level training and competitive tournaments.
- Focus on Personal Growth: The school emphasizes discipline, respect, and character development, not just physical skills.
- Affordable and Transparent Pricing: The school offers a clear and affordable pricing structure with significant family discounts, making it a great value.
- Community-Oriented Environment: Located in the Christenberry Recreation Center, the school fosters a humble and supportive atmosphere where everyone is welcome.
- Positive Influence: Instructors are praised for their ability to work with and positively influence students, including those with conditions like ADHD.
Contact Information
Address: 931 Oglewood Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
Phone: (865) 282-9803
What is worth choosing
For individuals and families in the Knoxville area, Rocky Top Taekwondo is an exceptional choice for martial arts training. The school’s key differentiator is its affiliation with the Choong-Sil Taekwondo Federation, which provides a high-quality, structured curriculum and opportunities for regional and national competition that are not available at independent schools. This, combined with the leadership of Master Matt Shea, who is praised for his patience and ability to foster growth in students of all ages, creates a truly valuable experience. A review from a long-time student and martial artist highlights the benefits of this affiliation, stating that "There is no end to the learning!" which is a huge advantage for anyone serious about their training. Furthermore, the school's commitment to affordability and family discounts makes it an accessible option for local families who want to get involved in a positive and structured activity. The welcoming and low-key environment, situated within a community recreation center, makes it a less intimidating option for newcomers. Whether you're a parent looking for an enriching activity for your child, a teen or adult wanting to get back into martial arts, or someone completely new to the practice, Rocky Top Taekwondo offers something for everyone. It is a place where you can not only learn to defend yourself but also gain confidence, focus, and discipline that will serve you well in all aspects of life. By choosing Rocky Top Taekwondo, you are not just joining a class; you are becoming part of a community dedicated to constant and never-ending improvement, right here in Tennessee.
Rocky Top Taekwondo Services
Taekwondo School
- Martial Arts Training
- Taekwondo Training
Rocky Top Taekwondo Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Amenities
- Restroom
Children
- Family discount
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
Rocky Top Taekwondo Photos






Rocky Top Taekwondo Location
Rocky Top Taekwondo
931 Oglewood Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA
Rocky Top Taekwondo Reviews
Full disclosure, I have been training as a student of Master Matt Shea since February of 17'. Though I have trained in other martial arts styles, this has been my first foray into the Taekwondo world. To be honest, it has been a real treat. I was not expecting to enjoy this style as much as I have, and I really think it is due to the instructor, the forms, the philosophy and emphasis on sparring.To parents:If you are looking for an affordable activity for your kids, this is a great option. Beyond martial arts, Mr. Shea has a background in YMCA after school programs. He is excellent working with kids and makes it a fun but demanding environment based on personal growth, discipline and respect for others.To teens and adults:Even though Rocky Top Taekwondo is a humble and relatively new school, Master Shea opened Rocky Top Taekwondo as Knoxville's first Choong-Sil Taekwondo Federation (CTF) member school. This means members from the greater CTF organization have a place to stop in on their way through town and UTK students who trained at a CTF school in other parts of the state/region now have a home to continue training through their college years. This gives those of us training in Knoxville access to a larger regional organization with high-level black belt-only training and an established tournament structure (held quarterly) that develops a national and ultimately international team. There is no end to the learning! This is a big deal to me because previously I trained at an independent school that had few black-belts, so at a certain point you had to start looking elsewhere for high level insight. I'm not aiming for nationals or anything, but it is fun to go compete regionally against others in your belt class. It certainly gives you perspective.Bottom line is if you are new to martial arts, looking to get back into training, have been training for years, or looking for an activity for your kids there is something for you at Rocky Top Taekwondo. Classes are conveniently held every Tuesday and Thursday night at the Christenberry Recreation Center next to Christenberry Elementry School in the Oakwood/Lincoln Park neighborhood. Stop on in for a class or two and see if Rocky Top Taekwando is a good fit for you and your family.
June 28 · John MecklenborgMatt is great. He's done wonders for my ADHD grandson
March 01 · Ed Driggers
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