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About Our School

Welcome our Krav Maga Martial Arts website and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your family. Our team of dedicated martial arts professionals are standing by to assist you on enrolling into a program that is the perfect fit! We are a family leadership and character development program that also happens to teach the most practical self defense in the world! In every KMMA class you and/or your family will have fun, get a great workout and learn something new!

Krav Maga Martial Arts is located in the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes area, right where 41 and Dale Mabry merge. We have been empowering lives through martial art in Pasco and Hillsborough counties now for almost 20 years, since October of 2000. Krav Maga Martial Arts offers, pre-school karate kid classes, elementary aged karate kid programs, family martial art classes, Kickboxing classes and Krav Maga classes. Krav Maga Martial Arts Founder Shihan Stephen Del Castillo opened our dojo in Wesley Chapel in 2000, after serving as an officer in the US Army. Shihan Steve is a 7th Degree Blackbelt and Master Instructor that has been training for over 38 years. He’s also a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Tampa and A Master of Business Administration form the University of Phoenix. Shihan Del Castillo draws upon his years of military and other leadership experience to train students not just for success in the martial arts, but for success in life!

Our Mission

We create confident and competent Blackbelt Leaders, prepared to survive and thrive in any situation, and empowered to lead, where they’re at and into their futures.

CORE VALUES

Focused:

We are Focused on our Mission and Vision, our goals and our outcomes. We don’t do drama, nor get distracted. We are Focused on our goals, our team and creating confident and competent Blackbelt Leaders.

Disciplined:

We do the things we say we are going to do, without exception. This dedication to Discipline starts at the individual level. We develop it in our students and model it in our business. We train every day to learn and grow to reach and then stretch our potential. This is how we make ourselves, our team, our business and our students better!

Empowered:

Team KMMA is empowered and empowering; empowered by Grandmaster, to take responsibility for the welfare of the Mission and students, to make decisions and to take action in the best interest of each; and charged with the empowerment of our students into Blackbelt Leaders! Team KMMA employees are always empowering towards their students, acting consistently and deliberately to create confident, competent and empowered Blackbelt Leaders.

Responsible:

We practice Extreme Ownership. We don’t blame others or make excuses. We act decisively and always with the Mission, student and goals in mind and as the priority.

Positive:

We think, speak and act positively. Negativity is not tolerated. We are high energy, positive and always solution, not problem oriented. We practice what we teach and model the incredible power of positive mental attitude in our business and our lives.

Results Oriented:

At the end of the day, we’re a business. Our clients hire us to make them better so everything we create and deliver is geared towards only one thing- to deliver results.

Instructor/Owner Stephen Del Castillo

Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo is the Founder and Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt with over 38 years experience, as well as an MBA and a Former Captain in the U.S. Army. He has been operating our Martial Arts Academy since October of 2000. Shihan Del Castillo is A Master Instructor on the Board of Directors of Blackbelt Schools International. He has been Instructor Certified by Krav Maga Worldwide, International Krav Maga Federation and Krav Maga Global and has won numerous awards and accolades in the martial arts, including Master Instructor of the Year and Best Regional Martial Arts school by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council. For all of Grand Master Del Castillo’s personal accomplishments, though, he says his greatest pride comes from the many great Blackbelts that have grown up at KMMA and gone onto amazing leadership positions either here as instructors or in the US military, business, college or ministry work. He is happily married to Barbara Del Castillo and the proud father of five. When Master Del Castillo isn’t training people in the martial arts or training other trainers to do so, he enjoys reading, training, church and family time and touring on his Harley Davidson Ultra Classic motorcycle.

Why Choose Krav Maga Martial Arts?

Leadership Development

Our world class instructors not only ensure that students have fun, get a great workout and learn something new in every class, but develop leaders. We prepare youth to lead at school, in college and to uncover and empower their calling for the future. We partner with parents, who often train alongside them, to raise up kids in the way they should go. The adults in our program appreciate our leadership program too, many already leaders in their own industries. We are a community of leaders continuing to grow. Come join our leadership family!

Real-World Self Defense

We also happen to teach the most practical self defense in the world. We pray for the best but train for the worst. We will train your body and mind to survive any threat, defend your family and get home safe. Krav Maga is the self defense system of the Israeli military and teaches self defense versus modern day threats including strikes, grabs and holds, stick, knife and gun.

Our Martial Arts Team Takes Great Pride In The Reviews We Receive

See What Our Community Members Say About Our Programs

Jannie Gunnlaugsson

I love everything about this place! I went for a free women's self-defense class and then was offered a two week trial of their Krav Maga classes and I loved them! This style of martial arts is so much better than the karate I took as a kid! There are no katas or routines to learn; it's all about self-defense. You hit your attacker with everything you've got and get home safely. You can do these techniques whether you're a 300 pound man or a 100 pound grandmother. I was concerned, at first, that I wouldn't be able to do this sort of thing because of my back and neck problems, but I was encouraged to work at my own pace and everyone has been very accommodating. I've been going for just over two months now and I can already stand a lot longer than I could before and I'm getting stronger with every class! I've found that many of the other adults have similar limitations or old injuries and we've all been able to do these classes. If you're not sure if you can do it, do a two week free trial and find out! You might be surprised. I also love the welcoming, family atmosphere here! The instructors all learned my name right away and have welcomed me to every class. They use a lot of positive reinforcement and high fives, so I always feel good there. Finally, I love what I'm learning there! I can already defend myself from chokes, headlocks and some knife attacks and I also know how to hit back hard and fast! As a single woman, I love knowing that I can defend myself if attacked! That alone is invaluable! I feel stronger and more self-confident and that feeling has carried over into my everyday life. I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone take these classes!

Lynn Schrader

The first time I stepped foot in the KMMA school, I was just a grateful parent that was able to find a last-minute location for my son’s birthday party in June 2020. Between Covid-19 and the rain pouring on the area from a tropical storm this was a valued commodity! Sensei Kyle and Sensei Sarah made the party fun and the kids were exhausted from all of the activity! Later that week, Grand Master Steve contacted me about a free 2-week trial. I thought this was going to be a great opportunity for my kids to get activity and have fun outside of the house. Then Grand Master asked if I wanted to try it, too. I will admit that I was shocked by the question. One look at me would let anyone know that I avoid physical activity. However, I agreed…somewhat out of shock, but there was a part of me that was curious. When I arrived for my first class, the kids were excited…I was not so much. I was nervous about failing, I was afraid of looking like a fool, and I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to do it. I received quite a workout! I was able to keep up with the class to the best of my ability, I was thoroughly exhausted afterwards, I was covered in sweat, but most importantly I was happy. My husband commented that this was the most he had seen me smile all year (we all know 2020 has been quite a tough year). We signed up for our next class. The thrill of being able to do something physical while still enjoying myself was exhilarating! After meeting with Grand Master Steve, we (myself, my son, and my daughter) signed up to start working towards our blackbelt. This has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. My family faithfully attends classes each week. We work on skills at home, too. We discuss our dreams and goals of becoming blackbelts. We also discuss the practical skills we are learning on our journey to becoming blackbelts. For me, one of the most important concepts I am learning is the act of perseverance. Many times during class I feel like I can’t do it anymore…but then I hear the 3 most powerful words echo in my head that we review at every class: YES I CAN! I also want to give credit to the sensei’s that teach the classes. All of them are living examples of what we want to become. They are all great role models for not just myself, but me kids as well. My daughter actually wants to be just like Sensei Sarah when she becomes a blackbelt! The Sensei are great at teaching the skills on multiple levels. As a result, it is easy to follow and learn. All of the sensei’s use positive reinforcement! This helps someone like me continue to give my all even when I don’t know if I can (YES I CAN)! I have gained a better attitude towards life and physical activity. I have gained control over my fear of failure. I have gained humility in accepting help. I have gained encouragement from seeing my fellow students succeed and earn their belts. I have gained friends. I have gained a vision for a better me.

Richard Woodward

From the moment that I stepped into the dojo in June I have had nothing but a positive experience from interactions with fellow students, the instructors, to Shihan himself. This is a close knit family atmosphere and it makes the training evolutions easy to learn, apply, and grow on. Just got my Orange Belt, and one day I hope to get my Black Belt and join the elite of this school in due time!!! Outstanding School!!!