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Frequently Asked Questions about Martial Arts
Training
I hope this will be a great tool to help you or your child find the right school.
How early should you start your child in the martial arts?
What style should I choose?
What kind of facility should I look for?
How much do martial arts lessons cost?
Do I have to sign a contract?
What if I like the school, but the school insists on having me sign a contract?
What is Electronic Funds Transfer?
What if the instructor wants me to pay in advance for lessons?
What are testing fees?
What belt rank should my instructor be?
Should I find a "champion" instructor?
How often should I go to class?
How long are classes?
How risky is martial arts?
What can I expect to learn?
What kind of physical training do the martial arts teach?
What is better training? Modern or the traditional method?
How do I choose a martial arts school for me or my child?
-How early should you start your child in the martial arts?
While the martial arts are an enjoyable and very worthwhile activity for children, it should be recognized that progress
will take consistent class attendance, some practice and support from the family (kids can't drive themselves to class).
How early to start a child really depends on the individual child and their level of interest and maturity. Many
professional schools have age specific classes and curriculum programs for children as young four, five or six years
old. These programs are very popular and can be a great way for a child to learn concentration, self-control and start
to develop more coordination.
Programs for children of this age usually are less demanding than mainstream martial arts programs and bypass much
of the serious self-defense training in favor of more age appropriate and fun activities.
-What style should I choose?
The only style that really matters is the teaching style of the instructor. Yes, styles vary and you may prefer one
style over another, but style should be a secondary consideration. The first priority is finding an instructor that you
feel comfortable with and who can motivate you to come to class twice a week.
All styles have their strengths and weaknesses. While it would be nice to say that your body type or flexibility
should match up with a certain style, it's more important to match up with the right instructor and school.
The most popular martial arts in the United States are comprised from a number of basic systems. These systems are
generally referred to by their geographic origins.
Elsewhere in this site you'll find detailed descriptions of each of the martial arts styles. However, you may find a
completely opposite experience with each art than how the art is described in this book. That tends to be the result of
the research and modifications made by a school's instructor. This is by no means bad. In fact, the instructor may
have made the adjustments to better suit his students.
Again, you can see how much more impact the style of the instructor will have rather than the style of martial arts
being taught.
-What kind of facility should I look for?
Here it's important to trust your first impressions. The modern martial arts school is clean, well lit, spacious and has
good family atmosphere. The floor is clean and the dressing rooms in good order. On the wall you might see
photographs of recent school events and outings and there should definitely be an area for parents or family to sit and
watch the classes.
Beware of any school that doesn't allow you to watch the class. Particularity if you are a parent looking for school for
your kids, you should have real concerns about a school that doesn't allow you to watch them work with your child.
An instructor might say that they don't want the child to be distracted by the parents, but the truth usually is that the
instructor doesn't want to be accountable to the parent.
Conversely, professional instructors will practically insist that you stay and watch. They know that once you see the
positive lessons they are teaching your child, that you'll be even more supportive of the training. The truth is that the
instructor who encourages you to take the time to watch your child in class is doing you and your child a great
service. In today's busy world, the tendency to drop off a child and not take the time to share the experience of
learning a new skill is all to prevalent.
I've always found that the kids whose parents were in class and supportive seemed to do much better and be more
well adjusted than the drop off kids. Children, more than anything else, want their parents to take an interest in them
and be proud. Martial arts, taught by a professional, has a series of "victories" for each child ranging from a new belt
or stripe on their belt to other forms of recognition for the child. That recognition is greatly enhanced when the parent
is there to share in the pride.
Consider a professional martial arts instructor as a part of the team whose goal is to instill a strong sense of self-pride
and confidence in your child. As a parent, your presence in that classroom is critical to the success of the team.
-How much do martial arts lessons cost?
While the actual cost per month will vary widely from market to market, this question has to be approached from a
slightly different perspective than money alone. In seminars around the country, I ask the black belts a simple
question, "If I could give you $10,000, would you be willing to sell me back your black belt and the impact that
martial arts has had on your life? Would you be willing to erase your martial arts experience from your life for
$10,000? For $20,000? How about $50,000?"
In speaking before thousands of black belts, never has someone offered to accept my hypothetical offer. The point is
that whether your classes are $40, $70 or $100 a month, the value of earning a black belt far exceeds the investment.
What is it worth to walk out to your car with a loved one late at night after a show and know that if something
happens, you have the skill to deal with it? What is it worth to a parent to know that their child is developing the self-
pride and inner confidence to avoid negative peer pressures? What is it worth to any of us in today's violent world to
empower ourselves or our children with the skills to handle a confrontation?
It's worth a lot more than it costs to gain the knowledge. With the huge variance in the instructors, facility, and
atmosphere of one school to the next, you should never shop for the martial arts based upon price. Schools tend to
charge what they think they are worth. If a school is charging $30 per month, there is a reason it's so cheap. If a
school is charging $85 per month, there is usually a reason the instructor feels it is worth more.
What's interesting is that, in most cases, the schools that charge a little more for the quality of their instruction tend to
be bigger and have many more students than the bargain-basement schools that charge apologetically.
Most good schools will charge anywhere from $60 per month and up with a small registration of about $149. This
registration might include your membership in the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, your first
month dues and, possibly, your uniform.
-Do I have to sign a contract?
This depends on the school and your situation. Many schools do not require any contract or agreement. However,
signing a contract for lessons is not always a bad idea. One advantage to signing a contract is that you are locking in
the tuition at the current rate and can avoid increases. The key is to not sign for more than you're confident you can
follow through on. Since earning a black belt should take three to four years, you should avoid any kind of long term
agreements over four or five years.
However, if you know you want to earn a black belt, it makes perfect sense to lock in the lowest tuition possible for
that time period. There are some additional items to consider when faced with an agreement for lessons. Check with
the local Merchants Association, Better Business Bureau and Consumer's Affairs or Consumer Protection agency to
see if the school has a history of litigation or complaints.
Many schools use the agreement only as a way to clearly spell out the arrangements for the relationship between the
student and the school. They will not enforce any type of hard collections that may damage your credit or harass you.
On the other hand, there are certainly schools that will attempt to collect on the contract and that could be a real
problem for you.
Other schools go as far as to sell the contracts to a third party. This third party will aggressively pursue the
collections whether you are in class or not. This selling of the contract to a third party should definitely be avoided.
Find out what the school plans to do with the paperwork before signing on the dotted line.
However, it's perfectly reasonable for a school to employ a tuition billing company to process your payments. This
is very different from selling them your contract. In this case, the third party billing company simply accepts your
payments, keeps a small percentage as a fee and then sends the school the remainder. Martial artists don't always
make the best bookkeepers so it's a good idea for them to hire the processing and posting of payments to an expert.
-What if I like the school, but the school insists on having me sign a contract?
If you are uncomfortable signing a contract for yourself or your child, tell the school that you're uncomfortable and
seek out an alternate arrangement. Most schools will work with a student in order to provide the training. However,
other schools will turn the student away if he is not willing to commit to training more than a month at a time.
Also, state laws can affect what type of arrangement a school can make, so find out ahead of time what to expect from
a school.
-What is Electronic Funds Transfer?
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a simple and effective method of insuring your tuition is paid on time each month.
The exact amount of the tuition is automatically withdrawn from your designated bank account each month on the
same day and transferred to the school.
While the thought of someone pulling funds from your account each month may seem uncomfortable to you, the truth
is that it is the safest and easiest method of payment available. In actuality, no one is going into your account. It's
really just two computers talking to each other. Only the exact amount can be withdrawn, not a penny more.
Furthermore, no one can access that account or peek around to see how much is in there. It's all done electronically.
The reason I'm making this point is that your relationship with the instructor as you pursue your black belt should be
as pure a possible. Your instructor doesn't want tuition hassles interfering with your training any more than you do.
EFT makes the whole process easier by guaranteeing that the student's tuition will be made in a timely fashion each
month without any problems. The student also remains in full control of the EFT and can cancel it at any time should
there be any challenges.
-What if the instructor wants me to pay in advance for lessons?
There is a big difference between being offered the option to pay for, say a year in advance for a discount, and being
told that advance payments are the only option. If a school insists that you must pay for more than 30 days in
advance, do not enroll. This is a school, usually, that has a very high drop-out rate and they know you may not stick
around for long so they are going to try getting as much money as possible from you before you leave.
Most schools have a standard payment plan and then a small discount of 15% - 20% if you want to pay the amount
in full in advance. This is a reasonable option, simply that, an option. Many people prefer to pay in advance and that
option should be available.
However, if you decide to pay in advance, make sure you have a written agreement that's signed by the instructor as
to what is being paid for and what would constitute cause for a refund. This is an example where signing a contract
may be in your best interest. For instance, if you are in an automobile wreck or are transferred, is that cause for a
refund? Your attorney would have the answer based upon the state you live in so be sure to investigate that and
protect your investment before making advance payments.
Many states prohibit any advance payments for more than thirty days, so talking with an attorney is always the
prudent thing to do when it comes to advance payments.
-What are testing fees?
Some schools charge an additional fee when you take an exam to move to another belt. These testing fees can run as
high as $40 - 75.
Some schools are charged a testing fee from their association, who in turn, supplies the school with certificates. Also
there are some additional expenses associated with testing for the Instructor; belts, boards for breaking and the
instructor’s time.
The only test fee that virtually all schools charge for is a black belt test. A black belt test is much more involved exam
and often have a number of expenses tied to it for the school. For that reason you can expect to pay $150 - $300 for a
black belt exam. This money offsets the additional preparation the school has to make in order to promote someone to
black belt and is a fair charge.
-What belt rank should my instructor be?
In most styles of martial arts, there are ten degrees of black belt. A new black belt earns a first degree and then it
works up from there to tenth. The problem is that with the lack standardization in the arts, what defines a fifth degree
black belt or a seventh degree black belt varies so drastically, that the rank doesn't really convey a meaning to the
general public.
There is a saying by Joe Lewis, one of the legends of American martial arts. Lewis, when asked what degree black belt
he was, would answer, "There are two types of black belts. Good ones and bad ones. I'm one of the good ones." The
point of the statement is that beyond earning a black belt, rank has little if anything to do with quality of instruction.
This is a critical point to understand. Just because someone has received a high rank within an art doesn't make them a
good teacher. Indeed, sometimes the opposite is true. Some black belts are more focused on their own achievements
instead of helping the student achieve.
It's very hard to say what rank beyond black belt a professional martial artist should be. Clearly, a school owner or
chief instructor should be a black belt or the equivalent depending on the art. Also, if your goal is to earn a black belt,
then you have to have an instructor that is at least a second or third degree, so they promote you to first-degree black
belt. A first-degree black belt cannot promote someone to first degree black belt. In most systems you have to be one
or two degrees higher to promote someone. For instance, an instructor would have to be a third degree or fourth degree
to promote a student to second-degree black belt.
Beyond that, the rank of the instructor will actually mean very little to your classroom experience or the quality of
your classes. In fact, when choosing a school, you should probably avoid schools that use their ads to tell you all
about the ranks the instructor has. What he has accomplished is not as important as what he can do for you, so don't
be mis-lead by claims of grand master or 10th degree black belt. That's not as important as finding an instructor who
cares about his students and makes that his focus instead of seeking all the attention himself.
-Should I find a "champion" instructor?
Looking at the phone-book ads, it's almost impossible not to find a champion. It seems harder to find an instructor
that doesn't claim to be a champion of some sort. Like rank, tournament titles mean very little if anything to your
experience. Just because someone has won an event, doesn't mean they can teach you or your child.
In fact, the hard-core competitor often has a difficult time toning the training down for the novice or for kids. For
instance, John McEnroe is a great tennis champion, but I don't know if I would want him as my child's tennis coach.
That's not to say titles are a bad thing. It's just not an important aspect to look for or be concerned with. Since just
about everyone in the phone book is a champion of some sort, simply ignore the claims and focus on what they can
do for you
-How often should I go to class?
For the first few months, resist the urge to go more than two times a week. Most professional schools will restrict
your attendance in these early stages to twice a week while you evaluate your training. Then, after you've trained for a
few months, they may make more classes available for you as part of a special program such as the National Black
Belt Club.
Note: Be careful though, some instructors place an emphasis on attendance. Only coming twice a week could hurt
your Child's chances for advancement so it’s best to talk to your instructor.
This is a good method for both the student and the instructor. The student is prevented from overdoing it at first and
helps him to avoid injuries and burnout from an over-enthused start. Then, as the student gets in better shape and
understands the training, the instructor can better determine if the student should be given the opportunity for
additional training. This is usually a privilege reserved for students who have made the commitment to earning a black
belt.
Since a new student couldn't be expected to understand what it takes to earn a black belt, the early restrictions on
attendance serve to slowly indoctrinate the student in the martial arts and to evaluate its potential benefits before
setting a goal of black belt.
-How long are classes?
This usually will depend on the age of the class. For most classes targeting 4-6-year-olds, the class should run 30-45
minutes at the most. For classes targeting 7-12-year-olds, 45 minutes is usually about right with a one hour class for
the brown- and black-belt children. Adult beginners classes can be 45 minutes with an increase to an hour upon
graduating to the next belt level.
Schools that are still running two-hour classes tend to burn their students out very quickly. In today's world, it's just
very difficult to devote more than an hour to an activity for any length of time and studies on attention spans have
shown that 30-60 minutes is about the max for most people depending on their age.
-How risky is martial arts?
Past insurance ratings ranked martial arts over golf in the number of injury claims. That doesn't mean you're not going
to get sore or occasionally bruised, it just means that serious injuries are not very common in the martial arts in most
schools. This is particularly true for schools belonging to a professional organization like the National Association of
Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA).
Most schools are very safe and go to extreme lengths to insure the safety of its classes. Other, schools are rougher and
can have a military-like atmosphere where only the strong survive. These schools can be recognized by an almost
exclusively adult male student body and a gym-like atmosphere.
Any school you attend should have age-specific classes and utilize all possible safety equipment when sparring. The
striking pads should be new and in good shape and the instructors should belong to an organization like NAPMA to
insure they are receiving ongoing information in the latest methods of teaching.
While claims against schools are very rare because the training is very safe, many schools are not insured, which is a
mistake. Make sure your school is insured and the instructors are attending seminars and workshops on teaching.
-What can I expect to learn?
This is an exciting question. Contrary to the media's image of a tough drill sergeant-like martial arts instructor, today’s
professional is well schooled in positive motivation, modern training methods and character development.
The schools will have special programs built into the curriculum on goal setting, self-confidence, how to avoid violent
confrontation and other personal development goals.
This emphasis on personal responsibility and successful attitudes was introduced into the martial arts classroom in
the mid-1980's and has come as a pleasant surprise to many students who feared that martial arts would be an "only
the strong survive" experience.
Students of all ages and athletic ability are now able to train in the martial arts without the fear of injury and
humiliation associated with the so-called "dungeon" schools of the past.
-What kind of physical training do the martial arts teach?
In terms of the physical aspects, there are two primary areas of physical training in the martial arts. First is the
traditional arts and techniques of the style taught at the school. This is known as the "Do" or "The Way." These
techniques and forms are not made up by the school, but are passed down from instructor to student through the
years. Students honor the art by adhering to its traditional principles.
Traditional training is the most difficult to understand and to execute. However, the process of traditional training
develops outstanding discipline, self-control and coordination. The other aspect to physical training is a more modern,
practical science of self-defense. Here the focus is less on adhering to an ancient art than practicing what works and
discarding what may not work as much.
There is tremendous scientific data that comes to us at a phenomenal rate these days, which continually improves our
understanding of how the human body works. And with that understanding of how the body works comes a better
philosophy and, hopefully, better practices about how to condition the body so that you're not hurting it. This is the
basis of the modern method of martial arts training.
-What is better training? Modern or the traditional method?
Modern training is much more adaptable to an individual's needs since the training can serve the student rather than
the student serving a particular style. While this may sound more appealing, many of these schools are more gym-like
than school-like. With the lack of traditional ideals, there can be a lack of decorum within the school. While this is
certainly not always the case, respect, courtesy and discipline are important elements of the martial arts experience.
Most professional schools have a very effective mix of the traditional arts and modern applications. The school's
exams and lesson plans will be balanced between the traditional forms and basics and the more modern self-defense
and fighting applications. The atmosphere is warm and family oriented with a strong sense of courtesy and respect
throughout the student body.
So, you can look forward to learning the foundational techniques of a traditional style, the practical applications of the
modern strategies, and the personal development skills of self-discipline that work as the glue that holds it all together
and makes a black belt.
-How do I choose a martial arts school for me or my child?
The principles are the same for choosing a school for yourself or your child, so I will address the answer for parents,
as there are a couple of special considerations when children are involved.
Step one in choosing a school is to clearly understand what you want you or your child to gain from learning the
martial arts. Is it a light recreation? Then a community center program may suffice. Is it self-defense or personal
development? If so, then a full-time professional school will be more suitable. Many parents view the martial arts as
part of their child's educational development. With a good professional school, this is very possible.
Step two is to recognize that choosing a school is really choosing an instructor. Be sure to visit the school and watch
the instructor work with other children of the same age. Every school is very different because every instructor is
different. Don't get confused by claims of black belt degrees, tournament wins or martial art styles. The only style
that matters is the teaching style of the instructor and how your child will respond to him or her.
Finally, trust your instincts. A professional school will have a family atmosphere, lots of smiles and be well kept.
You'll feel comfortable with the personnel and the facility.
While this may not end up being the closest school to your house, when it comes to your safety or the safety and
education of your child, an extra ten-minute drive can make a world of difference in the outcome.
All excerpts are taken from the frequently asked questions section on the NAPMA web site.
Training
I hope this will be a great tool to help you or your child find the right school.
How early should you start your child in the martial arts?
What style should I choose?
What kind of facility should I look for?
How much do martial arts lessons cost?
Do I have to sign a contract?
What if I like the school, but the school insists on having me sign a contract?
What is Electronic Funds Transfer?
What if the instructor wants me to pay in advance for lessons?
What are testing fees?
What belt rank should my instructor be?
Should I find a "champion" instructor?
How often should I go to class?
How long are classes?
How risky is martial arts?
What can I expect to learn?
What kind of physical training do the martial arts teach?
What is better training? Modern or the traditional method?
How do I choose a martial arts school for me or my child?
-How early should you start your child in the martial arts?
While the martial arts are an enjoyable and very worthwhile activity for children, it should be recognized that progress
will take consistent class attendance, some practice and support from the family (kids can't drive themselves to class).
How early to start a child really depends on the individual child and their level of interest and maturity. Many
professional schools have age specific classes and curriculum programs for children as young four, five or six years
old. These programs are very popular and can be a great way for a child to learn concentration, self-control and start
to develop more coordination.
Programs for children of this age usually are less demanding than mainstream martial arts programs and bypass much
of the serious self-defense training in favor of more age appropriate and fun activities.
-What style should I choose?
The only style that really matters is the teaching style of the instructor. Yes, styles vary and you may prefer one
style over another, but style should be a secondary consideration. The first priority is finding an instructor that you
feel comfortable with and who can motivate you to come to class twice a week.
All styles have their strengths and weaknesses. While it would be nice to say that your body type or flexibility
should match up with a certain style, it's more important to match up with the right instructor and school.
The most popular martial arts in the United States are comprised from a number of basic systems. These systems are
generally referred to by their geographic origins.
Elsewhere in this site you'll find detailed descriptions of each of the martial arts styles. However, you may find a
completely opposite experience with each art than how the art is described in this book. That tends to be the result of
the research and modifications made by a school's instructor. This is by no means bad. In fact, the instructor may
have made the adjustments to better suit his students.
Again, you can see how much more impact the style of the instructor will have rather than the style of martial arts
being taught.
-What kind of facility should I look for?
Here it's important to trust your first impressions. The modern martial arts school is clean, well lit, spacious and has
good family atmosphere. The floor is clean and the dressing rooms in good order. On the wall you might see
photographs of recent school events and outings and there should definitely be an area for parents or family to sit and
watch the classes.
Beware of any school that doesn't allow you to watch the class. Particularity if you are a parent looking for school for
your kids, you should have real concerns about a school that doesn't allow you to watch them work with your child.
An instructor might say that they don't want the child to be distracted by the parents, but the truth usually is that the
instructor doesn't want to be accountable to the parent.
Conversely, professional instructors will practically insist that you stay and watch. They know that once you see the
positive lessons they are teaching your child, that you'll be even more supportive of the training. The truth is that the
instructor who encourages you to take the time to watch your child in class is doing you and your child a great
service. In today's busy world, the tendency to drop off a child and not take the time to share the experience of
learning a new skill is all to prevalent.
I've always found that the kids whose parents were in class and supportive seemed to do much better and be more
well adjusted than the drop off kids. Children, more than anything else, want their parents to take an interest in them
and be proud. Martial arts, taught by a professional, has a series of "victories" for each child ranging from a new belt
or stripe on their belt to other forms of recognition for the child. That recognition is greatly enhanced when the parent
is there to share in the pride.
Consider a professional martial arts instructor as a part of the team whose goal is to instill a strong sense of self-pride
and confidence in your child. As a parent, your presence in that classroom is critical to the success of the team.
-How much do martial arts lessons cost?
While the actual cost per month will vary widely from market to market, this question has to be approached from a
slightly different perspective than money alone. In seminars around the country, I ask the black belts a simple
question, "If I could give you $10,000, would you be willing to sell me back your black belt and the impact that
martial arts has had on your life? Would you be willing to erase your martial arts experience from your life for
$10,000? For $20,000? How about $50,000?"
In speaking before thousands of black belts, never has someone offered to accept my hypothetical offer. The point is
that whether your classes are $40, $70 or $100 a month, the value of earning a black belt far exceeds the investment.
What is it worth to walk out to your car with a loved one late at night after a show and know that if something
happens, you have the skill to deal with it? What is it worth to a parent to know that their child is developing the self-
pride and inner confidence to avoid negative peer pressures? What is it worth to any of us in today's violent world to
empower ourselves or our children with the skills to handle a confrontation?
It's worth a lot more than it costs to gain the knowledge. With the huge variance in the instructors, facility, and
atmosphere of one school to the next, you should never shop for the martial arts based upon price. Schools tend to
charge what they think they are worth. If a school is charging $30 per month, there is a reason it's so cheap. If a
school is charging $85 per month, there is usually a reason the instructor feels it is worth more.
What's interesting is that, in most cases, the schools that charge a little more for the quality of their instruction tend to
be bigger and have many more students than the bargain-basement schools that charge apologetically.
Most good schools will charge anywhere from $60 per month and up with a small registration of about $149. This
registration might include your membership in the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, your first
month dues and, possibly, your uniform.
-Do I have to sign a contract?
This depends on the school and your situation. Many schools do not require any contract or agreement. However,
signing a contract for lessons is not always a bad idea. One advantage to signing a contract is that you are locking in
the tuition at the current rate and can avoid increases. The key is to not sign for more than you're confident you can
follow through on. Since earning a black belt should take three to four years, you should avoid any kind of long term
agreements over four or five years.
However, if you know you want to earn a black belt, it makes perfect sense to lock in the lowest tuition possible for
that time period. There are some additional items to consider when faced with an agreement for lessons. Check with
the local Merchants Association, Better Business Bureau and Consumer's Affairs or Consumer Protection agency to
see if the school has a history of litigation or complaints.
Many schools use the agreement only as a way to clearly spell out the arrangements for the relationship between the
student and the school. They will not enforce any type of hard collections that may damage your credit or harass you.
On the other hand, there are certainly schools that will attempt to collect on the contract and that could be a real
problem for you.
Other schools go as far as to sell the contracts to a third party. This third party will aggressively pursue the
collections whether you are in class or not. This selling of the contract to a third party should definitely be avoided.
Find out what the school plans to do with the paperwork before signing on the dotted line.
However, it's perfectly reasonable for a school to employ a tuition billing company to process your payments. This
is very different from selling them your contract. In this case, the third party billing company simply accepts your
payments, keeps a small percentage as a fee and then sends the school the remainder. Martial artists don't always
make the best bookkeepers so it's a good idea for them to hire the processing and posting of payments to an expert.
-What if I like the school, but the school insists on having me sign a contract?
If you are uncomfortable signing a contract for yourself or your child, tell the school that you're uncomfortable and
seek out an alternate arrangement. Most schools will work with a student in order to provide the training. However,
other schools will turn the student away if he is not willing to commit to training more than a month at a time.
Also, state laws can affect what type of arrangement a school can make, so find out ahead of time what to expect from
a school.
-What is Electronic Funds Transfer?
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a simple and effective method of insuring your tuition is paid on time each month.
The exact amount of the tuition is automatically withdrawn from your designated bank account each month on the
same day and transferred to the school.
While the thought of someone pulling funds from your account each month may seem uncomfortable to you, the truth
is that it is the safest and easiest method of payment available. In actuality, no one is going into your account. It's
really just two computers talking to each other. Only the exact amount can be withdrawn, not a penny more.
Furthermore, no one can access that account or peek around to see how much is in there. It's all done electronically.
The reason I'm making this point is that your relationship with the instructor as you pursue your black belt should be
as pure a possible. Your instructor doesn't want tuition hassles interfering with your training any more than you do.
EFT makes the whole process easier by guaranteeing that the student's tuition will be made in a timely fashion each
month without any problems. The student also remains in full control of the EFT and can cancel it at any time should
there be any challenges.
-What if the instructor wants me to pay in advance for lessons?
There is a big difference between being offered the option to pay for, say a year in advance for a discount, and being
told that advance payments are the only option. If a school insists that you must pay for more than 30 days in
advance, do not enroll. This is a school, usually, that has a very high drop-out rate and they know you may not stick
around for long so they are going to try getting as much money as possible from you before you leave.
Most schools have a standard payment plan and then a small discount of 15% - 20% if you want to pay the amount
in full in advance. This is a reasonable option, simply that, an option. Many people prefer to pay in advance and that
option should be available.
However, if you decide to pay in advance, make sure you have a written agreement that's signed by the instructor as
to what is being paid for and what would constitute cause for a refund. This is an example where signing a contract
may be in your best interest. For instance, if you are in an automobile wreck or are transferred, is that cause for a
refund? Your attorney would have the answer based upon the state you live in so be sure to investigate that and
protect your investment before making advance payments.
Many states prohibit any advance payments for more than thirty days, so talking with an attorney is always the
prudent thing to do when it comes to advance payments.
-What are testing fees?
Some schools charge an additional fee when you take an exam to move to another belt. These testing fees can run as
high as $40 - 75.
Some schools are charged a testing fee from their association, who in turn, supplies the school with certificates. Also
there are some additional expenses associated with testing for the Instructor; belts, boards for breaking and the
instructor’s time.
The only test fee that virtually all schools charge for is a black belt test. A black belt test is much more involved exam
and often have a number of expenses tied to it for the school. For that reason you can expect to pay $150 - $300 for a
black belt exam. This money offsets the additional preparation the school has to make in order to promote someone to
black belt and is a fair charge.
-What belt rank should my instructor be?
In most styles of martial arts, there are ten degrees of black belt. A new black belt earns a first degree and then it
works up from there to tenth. The problem is that with the lack standardization in the arts, what defines a fifth degree
black belt or a seventh degree black belt varies so drastically, that the rank doesn't really convey a meaning to the
general public.
There is a saying by Joe Lewis, one of the legends of American martial arts. Lewis, when asked what degree black belt
he was, would answer, "There are two types of black belts. Good ones and bad ones. I'm one of the good ones." The
point of the statement is that beyond earning a black belt, rank has little if anything to do with quality of instruction.
This is a critical point to understand. Just because someone has received a high rank within an art doesn't make them a
good teacher. Indeed, sometimes the opposite is true. Some black belts are more focused on their own achievements
instead of helping the student achieve.
It's very hard to say what rank beyond black belt a professional martial artist should be. Clearly, a school owner or
chief instructor should be a black belt or the equivalent depending on the art. Also, if your goal is to earn a black belt,
then you have to have an instructor that is at least a second or third degree, so they promote you to first-degree black
belt. A first-degree black belt cannot promote someone to first degree black belt. In most systems you have to be one
or two degrees higher to promote someone. For instance, an instructor would have to be a third degree or fourth degree
to promote a student to second-degree black belt.
Beyond that, the rank of the instructor will actually mean very little to your classroom experience or the quality of
your classes. In fact, when choosing a school, you should probably avoid schools that use their ads to tell you all
about the ranks the instructor has. What he has accomplished is not as important as what he can do for you, so don't
be mis-lead by claims of grand master or 10th degree black belt. That's not as important as finding an instructor who
cares about his students and makes that his focus instead of seeking all the attention himself.
-Should I find a "champion" instructor?
Looking at the phone-book ads, it's almost impossible not to find a champion. It seems harder to find an instructor
that doesn't claim to be a champion of some sort. Like rank, tournament titles mean very little if anything to your
experience. Just because someone has won an event, doesn't mean they can teach you or your child.
In fact, the hard-core competitor often has a difficult time toning the training down for the novice or for kids. For
instance, John McEnroe is a great tennis champion, but I don't know if I would want him as my child's tennis coach.
That's not to say titles are a bad thing. It's just not an important aspect to look for or be concerned with. Since just
about everyone in the phone book is a champion of some sort, simply ignore the claims and focus on what they can
do for you
-How often should I go to class?
For the first few months, resist the urge to go more than two times a week. Most professional schools will restrict
your attendance in these early stages to twice a week while you evaluate your training. Then, after you've trained for a
few months, they may make more classes available for you as part of a special program such as the National Black
Belt Club.
Note: Be careful though, some instructors place an emphasis on attendance. Only coming twice a week could hurt
your Child's chances for advancement so it’s best to talk to your instructor.
This is a good method for both the student and the instructor. The student is prevented from overdoing it at first and
helps him to avoid injuries and burnout from an over-enthused start. Then, as the student gets in better shape and
understands the training, the instructor can better determine if the student should be given the opportunity for
additional training. This is usually a privilege reserved for students who have made the commitment to earning a black
belt.
Since a new student couldn't be expected to understand what it takes to earn a black belt, the early restrictions on
attendance serve to slowly indoctrinate the student in the martial arts and to evaluate its potential benefits before
setting a goal of black belt.
-How long are classes?
This usually will depend on the age of the class. For most classes targeting 4-6-year-olds, the class should run 30-45
minutes at the most. For classes targeting 7-12-year-olds, 45 minutes is usually about right with a one hour class for
the brown- and black-belt children. Adult beginners classes can be 45 minutes with an increase to an hour upon
graduating to the next belt level.
Schools that are still running two-hour classes tend to burn their students out very quickly. In today's world, it's just
very difficult to devote more than an hour to an activity for any length of time and studies on attention spans have
shown that 30-60 minutes is about the max for most people depending on their age.
-How risky is martial arts?
Past insurance ratings ranked martial arts over golf in the number of injury claims. That doesn't mean you're not going
to get sore or occasionally bruised, it just means that serious injuries are not very common in the martial arts in most
schools. This is particularly true for schools belonging to a professional organization like the National Association of
Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA).
Most schools are very safe and go to extreme lengths to insure the safety of its classes. Other, schools are rougher and
can have a military-like atmosphere where only the strong survive. These schools can be recognized by an almost
exclusively adult male student body and a gym-like atmosphere.
Any school you attend should have age-specific classes and utilize all possible safety equipment when sparring. The
striking pads should be new and in good shape and the instructors should belong to an organization like NAPMA to
insure they are receiving ongoing information in the latest methods of teaching.
While claims against schools are very rare because the training is very safe, many schools are not insured, which is a
mistake. Make sure your school is insured and the instructors are attending seminars and workshops on teaching.
-What can I expect to learn?
This is an exciting question. Contrary to the media's image of a tough drill sergeant-like martial arts instructor, today’s
professional is well schooled in positive motivation, modern training methods and character development.
The schools will have special programs built into the curriculum on goal setting, self-confidence, how to avoid violent
confrontation and other personal development goals.
This emphasis on personal responsibility and successful attitudes was introduced into the martial arts classroom in
the mid-1980's and has come as a pleasant surprise to many students who feared that martial arts would be an "only
the strong survive" experience.
Students of all ages and athletic ability are now able to train in the martial arts without the fear of injury and
humiliation associated with the so-called "dungeon" schools of the past.
-What kind of physical training do the martial arts teach?
In terms of the physical aspects, there are two primary areas of physical training in the martial arts. First is the
traditional arts and techniques of the style taught at the school. This is known as the "Do" or "The Way." These
techniques and forms are not made up by the school, but are passed down from instructor to student through the
years. Students honor the art by adhering to its traditional principles.
Traditional training is the most difficult to understand and to execute. However, the process of traditional training
develops outstanding discipline, self-control and coordination. The other aspect to physical training is a more modern,
practical science of self-defense. Here the focus is less on adhering to an ancient art than practicing what works and
discarding what may not work as much.
There is tremendous scientific data that comes to us at a phenomenal rate these days, which continually improves our
understanding of how the human body works. And with that understanding of how the body works comes a better
philosophy and, hopefully, better practices about how to condition the body so that you're not hurting it. This is the
basis of the modern method of martial arts training.
-What is better training? Modern or the traditional method?
Modern training is much more adaptable to an individual's needs since the training can serve the student rather than
the student serving a particular style. While this may sound more appealing, many of these schools are more gym-like
than school-like. With the lack of traditional ideals, there can be a lack of decorum within the school. While this is
certainly not always the case, respect, courtesy and discipline are important elements of the martial arts experience.
Most professional schools have a very effective mix of the traditional arts and modern applications. The school's
exams and lesson plans will be balanced between the traditional forms and basics and the more modern self-defense
and fighting applications. The atmosphere is warm and family oriented with a strong sense of courtesy and respect
throughout the student body.
So, you can look forward to learning the foundational techniques of a traditional style, the practical applications of the
modern strategies, and the personal development skills of self-discipline that work as the glue that holds it all together
and makes a black belt.
-How do I choose a martial arts school for me or my child?
The principles are the same for choosing a school for yourself or your child, so I will address the answer for parents,
as there are a couple of special considerations when children are involved.
Step one in choosing a school is to clearly understand what you want you or your child to gain from learning the
martial arts. Is it a light recreation? Then a community center program may suffice. Is it self-defense or personal
development? If so, then a full-time professional school will be more suitable. Many parents view the martial arts as
part of their child's educational development. With a good professional school, this is very possible.
Step two is to recognize that choosing a school is really choosing an instructor. Be sure to visit the school and watch
the instructor work with other children of the same age. Every school is very different because every instructor is
different. Don't get confused by claims of black belt degrees, tournament wins or martial art styles. The only style
that matters is the teaching style of the instructor and how your child will respond to him or her.
Finally, trust your instincts. A professional school will have a family atmosphere, lots of smiles and be well kept.
You'll feel comfortable with the personnel and the facility.
While this may not end up being the closest school to your house, when it comes to your safety or the safety and
education of your child, an extra ten-minute drive can make a world of difference in the outcome.
All excerpts are taken from the frequently asked questions section on the NAPMA web site.
