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So you’ve decided to take some lessons in the Martial
Arts. What do you do next?
If you were going to buy a pair of shoes, chances
are you would try a few on and walk around the store
first. The same applies in choosing a Martial Arts
school.
After making a list of Martial Arts schools you are
interested in, start by visiting the schools and
observing the instructor. Take an introductory
course to see if you are comfortable with the
instructor. The instructor is important not only
because he will be teaching you, but also because a
school will often take on the personality of the
head instructor. If an instructor is too rough,
then that school is not for you. If anyone gets
hurt – get out.
Being comfortable with your instructor is more
important than his or her accomplishments. It’s
possible to be an excellent instructor and not have
won major national titles. An instructor does not
need the credentials of Chuck Norris to be a good
Martial Arts teacher.
Find out who taught the instructor, how long the
instructor has studied his/her particular style and
how long he or she has been teaching. You don’t
want an instructor who is self taught. Find an
experienced dedicated instructor.
How long the school has the school been in
operation? If a school has been around for several
years, chances are it should be around for years to
come. Another important question to ask is how many
students are in a class. I recommend no more than
20 students per instructor. Learning one on one is
also ideal, but will cost more than group classes.
Ask if the school has programs that incorporate
group and private lessons.
Money is also a factor in your decision. The
average price throughout the United States is $90.00
to $125.00 per month for group classes and extra for
private lessons. Prices vary a great deal so it is
important to see what classes the monthly fee
includes. Ask how many and what type of classes are
offered per week and what is the length of each
class.
Some schools charge more and teach less. Make sure
to ask:
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How long does it take to get a black belt? The
average is 5 years at our school.
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How long is the lease at the school location? A
long lease is a strong indication of the schools
dedication and stability. My school has been at
its current location for twenty years. We were at
our previous location in Daly City for eight
years.
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Does the school have liability and medical
insurance?
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How long does the instructor plan on teaching?
If you reach the rank of black belt does the
instructor have the necessary rank to promote you
to 2nd or 3rd degree or
higher?
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If the school closes is there another school in
the area where you can continue training without
starting over? Not all schools teach the same
kata’s or forms.
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Does the school charge additional registration
fees, test fees or insurance fees?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If the instructor
is on the up and up he/she will be happy to answer
all your questions. Most states do not regulate
Martial Arts schools, so you have to do your own
homework. Grandmaster Alemany has been my
instructor for over 30 years, so you could be under
your instructor for a long time.
Good Luck in your search for a Martial Arts School.
-- Professor Bill Grossman
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