Information to Help You Choose a Martial Arts School For You and Your Child Consider the following factors when choosing a martial arts school. • Your expectations of how martial arts training will benefit you. • The school. • The instructor and his style. Your Expectations Your first step is to determine what you (or your child) expect to gain from martial arts training. You may think that you don’t know enough of what martial arts offer to make an informed decision. You won’t have to spend very much time on the Internet to find and read various sites filled with the information that will help you understand the benefits of martial arts.

There are many benefits; however, many people participate in the martial arts for light physical activity, which could be represented by the art Tai Chi. Others choose martial arts training to learn practical self-defense skills. The martial arts are also personal development training for adults and character-building lessons for children. For many adults, martial arts training reduces stress and anxiety, and gives them a robust workout. That is why fitness kickboxing is such a popular, modern art. Virtually all styles of martial arts sharpen mental skills, such as concentration. Other students have discovered value in the spiritual element of martial arts. Adults may seek to gain new confidence and develop assertive skills to revitalize their careers. Parents may also want their children to improve their confidence, develop better self-esteem and learn discipline. In fact, for many parents, martial arts training is an important complement to their academic schooling.

The School
Once you understand how martial arts can benefit you or your child specifically, then you can find the school that provides the training with those benefits.

For example, if you want light physical activity, then your community center probably offers the right program for you. Community centers are also likely to offer fitness kickboxing and other high-energy exercise programs, based on martial arts.

For any of the other benefits mentioned above—self-defense, personal development (mental and spiritual) and character development for children—you want the services of a professional school with a full-time staff and curriculum.

Any modern, professional martial arts school is clean, well lit and spacious, and has a good family atmosphere; however, it is just as important to trust your first impressions and not be lured simply by the look of a school. More and more school owners are making significant investments in the exterior and interior design of their schools. A wise consumer knows how to look beyond the “glitz”.

At the same time it’s important to notice whether the mirrors are polished, the floor is clean and the dressing rooms orderly. Look for photographic and other displays and presentations on the walls and in the lobby that promote the school and the successes of its students. You should also feel comfortable with the personnel and the facility.

A professional school should include a “viewers’ gallery” for parents and family members to relax while watching classes. Beware of any school that doesn't allow you to watch classes and observe how the instructors interact with children, either as part of the process to choose a school or after you’ve enrolled your child. Instructors may say that they don't want parents to distract the children, but it’s more likely that instructors don't want to be accountable to parents.

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, you'll be even more supportive of the training. The instructor who encourages you to take the time to watch your child is doing you and your child a great service. In today's busy world, too many parents tend to transport their children to an activity, but won’t take the time to share the experience of learning a new skill.

Most professional instructors will tell you that the students of supportive and involved parents seem to do much better and are well adjusted, compared to students without their parents in attendance. Children want their parents to take an interest in them and be proud of their accomplishments. Martial arts, when taught by a professional, provides each child with a series of challenges that, through his hard work, result in "victories" and rewards, such as a new belt, a new stripe on their belt or other forms of recognition. Those rewards are greatly enhanced when parents are present to share their children’s joy and pride.

A professional martial arts instructor is 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 the classroom is critical to the success of the team.

Finally, avoid choosing a school because it is convenient and a short drive from home. When it comes to your safety or the safety and education of your child, an extra ten-minute drive is well worth the effort.

The Instructor and His Style
Choosing a school is really choosing an instructor.

Visit a number and variety of schools and watch the instructor work with students your age or your child’s age. You’ll quickly notice the difference between schools because every instructor is different. Don't be 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 you and your child will respond to his or her instruction. You’ll also quickly learn that there are an enormous number of martial arts styles. You may prefer one style to another, but style is really a distant, secondary consideration. Your first priority is finding an instructor with whom you feel comfortable and who can motivate you to come to class twice a week, practice and achieve.

All styles have their strengths and weaknesses. Although it might seem like a good idea to match your body type, flexibility and/or age with a certain style; it's more important to find and choose the right instructor at the right school.

The most popular martial arts, taught in the United States, have been developed from a number of basic systems, which are generally referenced by their geographic origins.

Please visit the Martial Arts Styles Page and Dictionary Page in this New Student Guide Section for more information about specific styles. You’ll discover even more information, when you do an Internet search of those styles that interest you.

Don’t be surprised, however, if your training experience in a specific art is different than any description. This often happens because of an instructor’s specific modifications to a particular art. This is by no means bad. In fact, the instructor may have made the modifications to better suit his students. That’s just another reason why the style of the instructor is what really matters.

The importance (or unimportance) of an instructor’s Black Belt rank or degree was mentioned above. Understanding the basics of the belt ranking system will help focus on an instructor’s teaching abilities, not his technical prowess. That is the first basic of martial arts belts. They signify an instructor’s technical abilities, not his teaching abilities.

Most styles of martial arts include ten degrees of Black Belt. Students must advance through a primary series of Belt ranks (white, yellow, green, orange, etc.) before earning a First-Degree Black Belt. The First-Degree Black Belt student continues to train to earn the other nine belt degrees. At this point in the evolution of modern martial arts, there are no universal standards that specifically define a Fifth-Degree Black Belt or any other degree in any of the many styles. The definitions vary so dramatically from style to style that rank doesn't really convey any meaning to the general public.

Joe Lewis, one of the legends of American martial arts has often been quoted, when asked what degree Black Belt he holds, "There are two types of Black Belts: good ones and bad ones. I'm a good one." Mr. Lewis’ statement reinforces the concept that a Black Belt rank may have little if anything to do with quality of instruction.

Just because an instructor is highly rank in his specific art doesn't make him a good teacher. Indeed, sometimes the opposite is true. Some Black Belts (who are also instructors) are more focused on their achievements, instead of their student’s.

The word “may” was underlined in the previous paragraph because a professional martial arts instructor should clearly be a Black Belt or its equivalent in the style he is teaching; therefore, Black Belt rank has some bearing on the quality of instruction, just not primarily. Technical prowess or skills in that style is the first requirement of being a competent instructor.

Again, there are no standards that require an instructor to be a First-Degree, Fifth-Degree or Ninth-Degree Black Belt to teach that style. Although, if you’re goal is to earn a Black Belt, then the instructor who promotes you must be at least a Second- or Third-Degree. This logic continues as one advances through the Black Belt ranks.

Beyond that requirement, your instructor’s belt rank 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 and other marketing materials to list or boast about the ranks of their instructors. What he has accomplished is not as important as what he can help you accomplish, so don't be mislead by claims of being a “Grandmaster” or 10th-Degree Black Belt. That's not as important as finding an instructor who cares about his students and focuses on their training and not his.

Virtually all instructors have won a martial arts tournament at some level; and many of them present themselves as champions in their advertising, as proof of their teaching abilities. As with belt ranks, an instructor’s 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.

Once again, a martial arts champion may be an excellent teacher. It’s more likely, however, that a hard-core competitor will have a difficult time adjusting his instruction for the novice or for kids. For instance, John McEnroe is a great, past tennis champion, but he is probably not the best choice as a children’s tennis coach. That's not to say titles disqualify an instructor. It's just not an important consideration when choosing an instructor to teach you or your child. It’s easier to ignore the instructor’s championship claims and focus on what he can do for you.

Two other positive factors that may be considered when choosing an instructor are his martial arts educational certification and his professional affiliations.

Many instructors are members of associations for their particular styles or members of professional, industry-wide associations, such as NAPMA, the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, which is also the world’s largest such association. NAPMA members are provided with a window decal and membership certificate, which you may notice when researching schools in your community.

NAPMA and similar associations support school owners and instructors with continuing education materials throughout the year to expand and improve their curriculum, train their staffs, operate with best-business practices and become a recognized personal safety expert in their communities. You’re invited to tour the entire NAPMA Web site to learn more about how it supports its members to benefit martial arts students around the world.

Professional affiliations are no guarantee of an instructor’s teaching abilities, but they do signify that he is committed to his profession, his style and his students.

The American Council on Martial Arts (ACMA) offers instructors an educational certification program that does test an instructor’s teaching abilities. The world-renown Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, located in Dallas, Texas, administers the program through a home study course. Please go to the Instructor Certification Section of this Web site to learn more about the ACMA and its certification program.

An ACMA-certified instructor has been formally trained in the science of teaching and other topics that prepare him to be a good teacher. This is one factor, or distinction, that is more apt to signify that your instructor really knows how to teach.

Please visit the FAQ Page in this section for more answers to questions about becoming a student and choosing a school and instructor.