Choosing a Martial Arts School

STYLE OR SYSTEM

INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS

CLASS COMPOSITION

THE FACILITY

CONTRACTS AND OTHER BOOBY TRAPS

Decisions, decisions: Things to look for in a martial arts school.

Excellent martial arts schools are out there in every style and system. Regardless of their chosen style, those who study the martial arts under a caring, attentive, qualified instructor will learn not only self-defense, but will reap the rewards of fitness, respect for self and others, and the knowledge that hard work leads to achievement.

The choice of style or system is of utmost importance. Your training will be a major investment of time and money, so find a system that appeals. There are literally hundreds of different martial arts styles or systems, far too many to be covered in the space of this page. A VERY SIMPLISTIC generalization of the three major categories could be: Japanese/Okinawan: karate, shorin-ryu Korean: tae kwon do, tang soo do Chinese: kung fu, wushu
	The Japanese/Okinawan percussive systems are linear, static and simplistic, but powerful and relatively easy to learn. Focused on the upper body, they must rely a great deal on mass to be effective. Weapons training is limited.
The Korean systems are a little more evenly distributed between hand and leg techniques and somewhat less static than karate. The style is still relatively simplistic and rather linear, making it easy to learn. Weapons training is limited.
The Chinese systems are fluid and fast, relying on circular motion that requires less mass to be effective (Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Jackie Chan are perfect examples). This makes kung fu / wushu especially useful for those people of small size who are concerned with self-defense. Techniques are evenly distributed between hand and foot. The movements are far more subtle and sophisticated than other styles, requiring more time to master, but rewarding the diligent student with an art that is as exciting to behold as it is potent. For those who are interested, kung fu / wushu is the home of the animal style systems: tiger, crane, dragon, snake, leopard, monkey, eagle claw, mantis, among many others. These are called "imitative" styles, which means that the movement often imitates the actions of the animal. Kung fu / wushu is also where another famous imitative style is found: "Drunken Boxing". Many people find weapons training intriguing. A survey completed in China in the 1990's recorded over 400 different recognized weapons within the Chinese systems! Thus, weapons training is virtually unlimited. When considering a school, have an instructor or student demonstrate a kata, form or routine to get an idea of the flavor of the style and see if it is right for you.
	Above left is an animated gif of a modern wushu technique, the butterfly kick. Although it is a complex kick, it is not very demanding physically. The butterfly kick is often put at the end of wushu competition forms, when the player is most fatigued, to add a bit of flash with a minimum of effort. Patience, Grasshopper. It may take a minute to load . . . Return to Top

No license is required to become a martial arts instructor. There is no universal governing body that oversees schools and teachers. Anyone can proclaim himself "Grand Master So-and-So", award himself an umpteenth level black belt, hang out a shingle, and proceed to "teach".

Certification of rank and teaching experience from another instructor is at least a start. Better still is proof of a winning record as a competitor - think of it as a judgment by peers that the instructor is at least a competent martial artist. But more importantly, take a good look at the classes. Ask to visit the school while the class you wish to attend is in progress. Also ask to observe a class of higher rank so you can get an overview of the curriculum. It's a good idea to wonder what the school is hiding if they refuse to admit an observer for their regular classes.

Watch the students and the staff. Do all the students receive attention, or just a chosen few with exceptional ability? Does the staff offer corrections and encouragement, or merely drill students without comment or aid, or with an automatic "good job". What is the instructor to student ratio? What kind of training do those instructors receive? Does the "Big Kahuna" actually teach, and does he or she teach everyone, or only the higher ranks?

Return to Top

STRUCTURE: Class structure is extremely important if you want to get the most out of your martial arts training. Students should be grouped by level or rank so they are all working on the same curriculum. Organized, written lesson plans enable the students to receive the most possible training in the least amount of time. Important! Ask to see the group class you would be taking - don't settle for a look at a single student or instructor in action. You want to see what you will get in the way of training.

GOOD:
Students separated by rank
At least one instructor per rank grouping
Written lesson plan

BAD:
Students of all ranks jumbled together
No lesson plan
Too few instructors

INSTRUCTOR TO STUDENT RATIO: Look for the ratio of students to teacher. Too many students per instructor means there will be little time for the instructor to offer individual help. Will you receive training from the head instructor, or is the "big name" just a figurehead?

Return to Top

Often overlooked, the martial arts school and its equipment are very important. A good school will make an investment in the well-being of their students.

Bear in mind that few operations are so likely to be "fly-by-night" as a martial arts school. An estimated 90% of them fail within the first year! An investment in a large, well-appointed facility is a good sign. You'll also want to know how long the school has been in operation.

FLOORING:
Of utmost importance! Many students are unwittingly injured by hard, repetitive motion on an insufficiently cushioned surface, such as concrete or standard carpet. Spine, knee and ankle injuries abound. The surface is especially critical if one is doing an art that involves any kind of jumping or gymnastic movement, such as modern wushu or kung fu.

CLIMATE:
The building should have a heating and cooling system, and good ventilation.

AMENITIES:
Bathrooms are a must, and a drinking fountain is a plus. An on site sport shop is convenient.

SIZE:
Is there enough floor space for the students to do their forms? This is especially important in kung fu or wushu schools where the forms can take up a lot of space. Is the ceiling high enough to accommodate long weapons, such as staff or spear?

Return to Top

Some martial arts schools use contracts or hidden fees to get more money from the unwary consumer. Here are some of the most common to watch out for . . .

CONTRACTS: The biggest and worst of the traps. This is a sure sign that the school in question feels that their program is so poor, they'll never keep you any other way. NEVER sign a contract!

TESTING FEES: They're not going to mention this one to you. It'll be a surprise, and don't you just LOVE surprises! For the first test, the fee may be fairly reasonable, say, $35.00 a test. After all, we don't want to scare you away before you've invested enough time that you'll be loathe to quit. But, with each step up in rank, the tests will become more and more expensive. Some schools charge more than $1000.00 for that coveted black belt. They're sure not going to tell you that when they're trying to get you to sign up.

EQUIPMENT: You have to buy all your sparring gear! Right away! Your very first day! Whether you are interesting in sparring or not. Why? Could it be that that way, if you leave, they've at least made a hefty profit on that gear? Hmmm... And what the heck are beginners doing making body contact in the first place? Do you really want somebody walloping the tar out of you or your child on the first day of class?

REGISTRATION FEE: Ask, "and the reason for that is . . . ?"

AND ONE MORE THING: Don't fall for the "guaranteed black belt" claim. No ethical school will promise you a black belt. No honorable instructor hands out rank on a timeline, or for a set fee. That's like buying a college diploma on the internet, and it has about as much value.

A worthwhile black belt will be earned. And that's what it's all about, isn't it? Not what you wear around your middle, but the hard-won wisdom of head, heart and spirit. You can buy a black belt in any martial arts catalogue. But knowledge must be earned - with effort, not with cash.

Return to Top

Please feel free to copy and print this checklist.

STYLE:
Does the specific art appeal to you?
Will it intrigue you for years to come?

INSTRUCTORS:
Is the Head Instructor qualified?
Will the Head Instructor teach your class?
How do the instructors relate to the students?
How much training do the instructors receive?

CLASS COMPOSITION:
Are the ranks separated?
What is the instructor to student ratio?
Do the instructors have a written lesson plan?
May you watch their group classes?

THE FACILITY:
Is the facility large enough?
What flooring is used?
Is there a drinking fountain?
Are there restrooms?
If you wish to learn long weapons, such as staff or spear, is the ceiling high enough?

WEAPONS:
Since the box office success of CROUCHING TIGER/HIDDEN DRAGON, many students wish to learn the exotic weapons of kung fu and wushu.
Does this style offer weapons training?
At what level?
What weapons are taught?
Are they taught in a safe manner?
Is there plenty of room to use them?

BOOBY TRAP CHECK:
Must you sign a contract?
Are there testing fees?
Do you have to buy equipment right away?
Are there registration fees?

Return to Top