Are you confused about how to select the appropriate martial arts school for you or your child?

Basically, the best approach is to follow your instincts, rely on your good sense for guidance and be aware that all schools are not created equal. Martial arts teachers generally do not have to answer to a state regulatory commission or government agency, and there is no consumer group to act as a watchdog to ensure the quality of instruction. Anyone, in fact, can buy a black belt, get a business license, rent studio space and to the unknowing public, appear to be the greatest martial arts master that ever lived. So, how can the discerning individual make a knowledgeable choice when it comes to martial arts instruction? Educate yourself. Visit as many schools as possible to see what each has to offer before committing yourself to one. Below is a prepared set of questions and answers to help you make the right choice.

What Are The Differences Between Various Martial Arts?

There are several different kinds of martial arts in the world. The most familiar are Karate (from Japan), Kung Fu and Tai Chi (from China), and Taekwon-Do (from Korea). Although many differences in style and technique exist, all traditional martial arts share a philosophy of nonviolence and emphasize courtesy, integrity, humility, self-control and the development of a strong mind.

Modernized forms of martial arts have taken on more of a sports orientation, and have adopted systems of point contact fighting emphasizing tournament competition. Some schools offer several different martial arts as well as weapons training in an effort to attract as many "customers" as possible. Some traditional styles legitimately incorporate several elements which include grappling and weapons, for example, but it is advisable to know the difference.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Would I like to compete in contact-fighting tournaments or would I prefer to practice a traditional art for personal growth and wellness?

Do I want to study an art or train in a sport?

Do I want to practice for a given span of time, or set the pace for long-term development?

Do I want to learn a little about various styles, or do I want to focus on learning one martial art deeply?

If I Don’t Know Anything About Martial Arts, How Can I Evaluate The Quality Of A School?

Martial arts are based on traditions, which have been passed down through the generations. The school you select should be part of a larger system, with guidance provided by an established grandmaster. Without such guidance, an autonomous instructor will usually stray from the traditional ways. Inevitably, subtle errors creep into the system, and the philosophical underpinnings of the art are frequently abandoned.

Even if you know absolutely nothing about martial arts, let your instincts and common sense guide you as you observe and ask questions. Go and visit the schools in your area. Watch a class or two. See who your fellow students will be and ask them what they like about their school.

Talk to the instructor and see if he/she is focusing on giving the customers what they want or giving the students what they need for personal growth. Observe the attitude of both the instructor and the student. This can serve as an accurate indicator of school spirit and the quality of the student/teacher relationship. Student respect and discipline can be forced or natural; watch how the students conduct themselves when the instructor is not watching.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Is the school friendly and welcoming? Is it clean?

Is there a feeling of energy, and a sense of discipline and focus?

Are the students courteous and helpful towards one another?

Does the school offer customized programs for different ages and abilities?

Does the school emphasize fitness , wellness and the development of moral character?

Does the curriculum adhere to scientific sport training methodologies such as proper nutrition, conditioning, warm ups, and injury prevention?

Do I feel comfortable in this environment?

Is the school under the guidance of a grandmaster?

Are the non-physical tenets of the martial arts properly emphasized?

Is the school filled with children too young to even seriously be on the floor?

Why Not Just Attend A Course At A Community Center, YMCA Or Health Club?

Good legitimate instruction can be found at some of these locations, but unfortunately, they are rare. Classes like kickboxing or aerobics can be lead by any number of different instructors, and you’ll still get your dose of exercise. However, learning a martial art is more like studying music or dance. The instructor needs to see you and your development on a regular basis in order to know your strengths (to help you develop them) and weaknesses (to help you overcome them).

The student/teacher relationship is vitally important for long-term development. The school you choose should be well established, and you should be confident that the same teacher will be with you as long as you continue your study of that martial art. Cookie-cutter franchise schools should be avoided. These are usually concerned more with student counts and making a profit than with teaching an art. Many extra colors and stripes are added to the progression of belts and the testing schedule is compressed in order to maximize revenue. Beware if someone tries to "sell" you a black belt program.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Is the teacher in this school dedicated to the art or just running a business?

Is this school a franchise with a formula for turning out black belts on a schedule regardless of age or ability?

Do adults and children train together? If so, can I learn in this manner?

How many adults do you find? How long have they been there? Does the instructors’ experience meet the mature demands of adult students?

Why Not Just Go With The Highest Degree Black Belt I Can Find?

There is no way to determine the quality of a teacher based upon his/her rank alone.

There are no international standards in martial arts. A fifth degree black belt in one style may be equivalent in knowledge and ability of a first degree black belt in another style. Anyone, in fact, can acquire a business license, purchase a black belt, rent studio space and claim to be a 9th degree black belt.

While knowledge of the art is fundamental, a persons ability to teach is usually distinct from his own technical prowess.

The best way to learn about the quality of a teacher is to observe the quality of the students he is developing, to examine his teaching credentials, and of course, to observe the way he teaches. In addition to knowledge and experience, teaching style plays a large part in how rewarding the learning experience will be for you.

Ask Yourself These Questions

What credentials does this teacher have?

What about the credentials of his teacher?

How many years of teaching experience does the instructor have?

Does he still study with his higher-level master to continue to gain knowledge?

Do I like the way the instructor handles the class, presents the material, encourages the students?

Is the instructor too harsh and punitive?

Is he disinterested and merely doing a job?

Is the instructor focusing on the students long and short-term development both physically and psychologically?

Would I like to learn from this person?

Will the chief instructor or master teach? Or will an assistant with less experience conduct classes?



There are countless other details to consider when choosing a school and all of this may sound like a lot of work simply to take martial arts lessons. But, if you are planning to invest time and money in classes for yourself or your child, don’t you want to be sure of what you are getting in return?