I'm
So Confused!
How
do I know that this is the right karate school for
my family?
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OK... your kids have been bugging you for months to try karate.
So you finally opened the Yellow Pages to find
a school near you. After all, how hard could
it be to find the perfect school? Who knew?
Who knew there were so many
different schools teaching so many different
styles? Where to begin? Who to call? And, most
importantly... what to ask?
First... start by selecting
the karate schools near your home. Then, get
an instructor on the phone and ask him these
six (6) important questions...
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| 1. |
Do You Teach
a Martial Art or a Martial Sport? |
A martial sport school focuses on sparring and tournament
fighting. A traditional martial art will teach
you how to fight... when to fight... and why to
fight. Neither is better than the other. It simply
depends on what you're hoping you and your kids
will experience and learn.
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| 2. |
What Experience Does the
Head Instructor Have? |
Anyone can buy a
black belt and open a school -- qualified or not.
You need to know more than the head instructor's
rank and belt color. You need to ask (1) how many
years he has been teaching and (2) if he still
trains. The more experience the instructor has,
the more learning opportunities he can offer you.
And, you can be sure that an instructor who still
trains loves the martial arts and what he does.
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| 3. |
Do You Charge Belt, Testing
or Tape Fees? |
These fees are "hidden costs"
that some martial arts schools will charge you
above and beyond your monthly membership fee.
And, boy can they add up! Testing fees can range
from $50 to $5,000 (depending on the level of
testing). Add tape and belt fees to the Testing
Fee and you could pay hundreds -- even thousands
-- more just to test for your next belt.
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| 4. |
Do You Offer a FREE Trial
Class? |
Free is always good... right?
Plus, a free class lets you get a first-hand idea
of what the program and the instructors are like.
"Introductory Offers" are all well and
good, but you should be able to try before you
buy.
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| 5. |
Do I Have to Sign a Contract? |
Schools that don't require a
commitment are not committed to you or their program.
To really learn a martial art both you and the
school must be dedicated to each other and what
is being taught. Think about it. An athlete cannot
practice for 6 months out of the year and expect
to win the race. He must practice, practice, practice,
and study year round to become successful.
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| 6. |
How Strong is Your Adult
Program? |
Simply put, adults are tougher
to please than kids. They know when they're getting
a quality program or a snowball job. So, a thriving
adult program speaks strongly for the experience
of the head instructor... quality of his program...
and character of his dojo.
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P.S. Visit the School Before you Commit
to Anything!
This will give you the chance to…
See if the instructor is physically
fit.
Can he keep up with the pace of the class (especially
with the kids)? Does he look like the type of
person you would like your daughter or son to
imitate?
Watch how the students act.
Are they respectful and polite? Do they practice
the life skills that are being taught at the
dojo?
Talk to the
other parents.
They’ll tell you all about their experiences
with the instructors and the dojo. And, first-hand
information is invaluable
No two karate schools are alike,
so shop around... ask questions... and find the
school that is right for your family.
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