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Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Hillcrest
4.9 ★★★★★ 57 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Part of Tiger-Rock Martial Arts
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Plan your first class
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 4–15) — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule tigerrockmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (205) 343-6449
Hours
| Monday | 1–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 1–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 1–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 1–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 3–6 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been coming since he was four as a Tiger Club and he is now six in the Junior Beginner class and he loves it.”
“My son started out in Tiger Cubs at the age of 4 and still going strong at age 6 1/2, Jr 3rd degree green belt.”
“Tiger Rock Hillcrest is a wonderful place for your child to learn self-esteem, confidence, knowledge, good decision making skills as well as self defense techniques.”
“James Bailey was my instructor and trained me to be a gentleman as well as a National Tournament Sparring Champion.”
Other martial arts here
“Tiger Rock Hillcrest is a wonderful place for your child to learn self-esteem, confidence, knowledge, good decision making skills as well as self defense techniques.”
What students say
“My son has been coming since he was four as a Tiger Club and he is now six in the Junior Beginner class and he loves it.”
“It feels so much like we have extended our family they genuinely care for every child that attends!”
“Tiger Rock Hillcrest is a wonderful place for your child to learn self-esteem, confidence, knowledge, good decision making skills as well as self defense techniques.”
“It offers good instruction, challenges, achievement opportunities, healthy competition and promotes positive discipline.”
“The staff at tiger rock hillcrest are amazing, one of the best decisions I've made for my 7 year old son, as far as extra curricular activities, he loves it and so do I!”
“Tiger Rock Hillcrest is a wonderful place for your child to learn self-esteem, confidence, knowledge, good decision making skills as well as self defense techniques.”
From the reviews
Tiger Rock Hillcrest is a wonderful place for your child to learn self-esteem, confidence, knowledge, good decision making skills as well as self defense techniques. Also the staff there are great and you can tell they really care about the welfare of children. Kudos to Tiger Rock
Paisleigh Campbell has been attending for 3 years now. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Avery were at TPS showcasing, and Paisleigh was interested since then. Now in 2025 Paisleigh is a, 1st Degree Black Belt LV2. Tiger Rock Hillcrest has become family.
Bailey's Tiger Rock Hillcrest has been wonderful for our family. My son has been coming since he was four as a Tiger Club and he is now six in the Junior Beginner class and he loves it.
I attended in the 80’s. Mr. James Bailey was my instructor and trained me to be a gentleman as well as a National Tournament Sparring Champion. Although I went there to learn Taekwondo, he taught me things that have benefited me for my entire life. I will always be grateful to Mr.
New to taekwondo? Start at Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Hillcrest
Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Hillcrest comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, 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 instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels 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 schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Hillcrest
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect 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, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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