How To Choose A Martial Arts School For Your Family by Grandmaster Shane Miller

How To Choose A Martial Arts School For Your Family by Grandmaster Shane Miller

If your only exposure to martial arts is from Bruce Lee or the Kungfu Panda movies, it’s time to get a more educated look at way of life — and what it can mean to you.

There are myriad styles of martial arts, karate, kung fu, taekwondo, hapkido, jujitsu, judo, aikido, tai chi chuan, and kendo, to name a few. Some have passed through the centuries, while others have been modified and are relatively new. 

Whether it’s taekwondo or hapkido, what we teach is as important as how we teach. If you are choosing a martial arts school for you or your child, don’t base your decision on what martial art is taught there. Instead, consider what is empahsized in the martial arts program and make sure the school itself meets your expectations. Think about what’s more important to you — that your child simply learns a particular skill, or that he or she becomes more confident, respectful, enthusiastic and a great martial artist?

Selecting just the right school is the most important step. When visiting prospective schools, you should meet the instructor or director of the school, take a trial class and see if it is right for you. Be sure to pay attention to the school literature. If they talk a lot about competition and very little about self improvement and self defense then beware. This is what we in the martial arts industry call a “McDojo” or Black Belt factory. They usually teach a sport style of martial art that is very ineffective and unrealist for self defense on the street.

The Appropriate Martial Arts Emphasis for Children and Families

For children and families, martial arts instruction should primarily be focused on the personal-development aspects of martial arts – rather than the fighting aspects.

All of the martial arts develop self-esteem, self-confidence, focus and concentration, self-discipline, physical fitness and self-defense skills. An emphasis on these benefits of martial arts is what you should look for rather than seeking out a specific style of martial arts based on the techniques used for kicks, punches and/or throws.

You should also consider how the martial arts programs are taught. The practice of martial arts is largely about the development of self-esteem so you want to find a martial arts program where the instructors emphasize the effort as well as the result.

Self-esteem comes from having real successes in doing something you care about. For many children and adults, martial arts can be an important activity that helps build self-esteem but only if the martial arts instructors acknowledge, recognize and reward the efforts of the martial arts student as well as their accomplishments and successes.

To summarize – the most important two criteria in selecting a martial arts school should the level of emphasis on personal development and an approach towards teaching that is focused on building self-esteem.

To evaluate a school against these two criteria, you should discuss them with the martial arts instructor and take a trial class, paying particular attention to what is emphasized and how classes are taught.

Other Criteria To Consider in Choosing a Martial Arts School

1. Curriculum

* Is there a structured curriculum?

* What are the opportunities for leadership? For advanced training?

* How are students rewarded for good behavior and disciplined for inappropriate behavior?

2. Values

* Many martial arts schools have a student creed that students must memorize. Does this creed agree with your personal values?

* What is the school’s reputation in your community?

3. More Class Considerations

While taking your trial class, observe the interaction between students and instructors very carefully. The atmosphere should be formal and professional, but the students should be having fun as well. Evaluate if the students seem happy and motivated.

A good instructor can instruct 50 students with control and ease, but for an inexperienced instructor, 5 students might be too many.

4. Martial Arts Instructors

What kind of training do the instructors have? Just because the instructor has a black belt does not mean he or she is a good instructor. Have they attended and graduated from an instructors training course and internship? Who is their instructor and what governing body are they a member of?

The martial arts instructors at the school you select must be positive role models for the students and should be able to establish an immediate rapport with your child.

5. Martial Arts Facility and Safety Issues

The school should be welcoming and comfortable for both students and parents.

* Is the facility clean?

* Is there a matted area where students can train?

* Is there a seating and viewing area for parents? 

Selecting the right martial arts school is an important decision and will have a positive influence on you or your child’s development. We certainly hope you select the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies.

About the author: Shane Miller is a multi-arts Masters who is a leader in the fields of Hapkido, Taekwondo, Yudo (Judo), and YuSool (Jujitsu). He is a seven times world martial arts champion and head coach of the USA Hapkido Union Demonstration Team. His school, American Dragon Martial Arts in Dade City, Florida is the official training center for the USA Hapkido Union Demonstration and Competition Team. For information on seminars, private training and team camps contact him directly at americandragon3973@gmail.com 

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