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Sambo & Judo School

4.3 ★★★★☆ 16 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Staten Island, New York

Judo dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

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 judo classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule sambocenter.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (917) 518-3832

Hours

Monday 5–8:30 PM
Tuesday 5–9 PM
Wednesday 5–8:30 PM
Thursday 5–8:30 PM
Friday 5 AM–9 PM
Saturday 11 AM–1 PM
Sunday 11 AM–1 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-mat times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Judo classes on the schedule at Sambo & Judo School, confirmed in members' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“His coach is great, very encouraging and welcoming to beginners, and he makes me feel like he will be right there with my son, helping to achieve his goals.”

All dojos that run beginners →

🧒 Kids Judo 5 mentions

“Passionate and talented sensei who brings decades of experience teaching kids and making them better judokas and better human beings.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“The school is great for private lessons as well since all the instructors are great and have a lot of experience in martial arts!”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I trained for two years at Combat Sambo Center and feel that it is the best place around for complete self defense classes.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Judo dojos are often multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Sambo & Judo School — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🤼 Sambo 8 mentions

“I've been learning Judo at Combat Sambo Center in Staten Island, NY for several months now and really happy with this school!”

Other dojos that also teach sambo →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I trained for two years at Combat Sambo Center and feel that it is the best place around for complete self defense classes.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, wrestling, or sambo alongside your judo, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 16 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“His coach is great, very encouraging and welcoming to beginners, and he makes me feel like he will be right there with my son, helping to achieve his goals.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“All of the experienced fighters also made sure to point out certain nuances to me, and even though I was nervous to spar the first day, everyone went easy on me.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“When I was new to Combat Sambo Center, my Coach took the time to work with me and show me proper technique.”

🔥 great workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“Every class kicks your butt like crazy with an amazing cardio and you get to learn different combos at the same time.”

🏆 active competition team 2 mentions

“Competed a placed all times!”

From the reviews

I've been learning Judo at Combat Sambo Center in Staten Island, NY for several months now and really happy with this school! Every class kicks your butt like crazy with an amazing cardio and you get to learn different combos at the same time.

★★★★★ — M, Nov 2013

Anyone wanting to learn Judo should give this school a shot. When I was new to Combat Sambo Center, my Coach took the time to work with me and show me proper technique.

★★★★★ — Benjamin, Nov 2013

My son has gone to Combat Sambo Center almost a year now and I already noticed positive changes in his mind and body. He was out of shape and only 5 feet tall. Now he is slimmer and taller and has more strength and energy.

★★★★★ — Shak, Aug 2013

Have been coming here for years. Took a long break and just got back into it a couple months ago. Competed a placed all times!! Very old school way of teaching. No talking, laughing or fooling around in the class. (Which is a good thing considering you don't want to get hurt).

★★★★★ — Mark, Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 16 reviews →

New to judo? Start at Sambo & Judo School

Sambo & Judo School comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never stepped on a mat, 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 sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). 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 judo class at Sambo & Judo School

Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori 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.

Judo is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your sensei, 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 Sambo & Judo School

609 Midland Ave, Staten Island, NY10306

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.