whitematt

Heard and experienced are two different things.

What is the point of training in two different (but somewhat similar) styles at the same time? Each school will have their own form sets and curriculum they will expect you to learn and practice. You will spend a lot of time spinning your wheels.

Wear a cup when sparring - no exception! What happens on #11 when something is permanently damaged?

Definitely wrong - and to be frank I have an issue with young children holding pads for each other in the first place. If you need padholders, ask mom and dad to come out on the floor. If you decide to leave, you need to be clear to the instructor that this is the reason. He needs to understand that improper actions cost him students.

It is a tough thing for people to do. Kids seem better about it than teens and adults. Try doing it with her. Tell her on the count of 3, you are both going to ki-hap. Do it a few times together, and then count to 3 and let it her do it on her own (don't tell her.) You could also try having her yell a word, something like "Hey!" For example you grab or push her, and she defends and yells "Hey!" at the same time. That can be easier for some people than a traditional ki-hap. One thing I should add - ask your instructor how they would handle it.

Kids this age need a fast-paced class with small blocks of information. You can barely expect them to stand still, let alone stay in a proper stance for any length of time. If you want them to stay in a stance, make it fun. Tell them front stance for a ten count, then have them count with you. Then switch. This teaches basic counting, a stance, and right versus left. And if all else fails, have them sit when you give them instructions. Sit down, quickly tell them what they are going to do, then have them jump back up (saying "yes sir" or "yes ma'am!") Good luck!

CPR training is required, but not basic first aid. All of our instructors are CPR-certified (per ATA requirements). I have taken the Red Cross first aid course, and one of my instructors is a trauma nurse. We have had a few accidents over the years, so it is nice to be prepared.

Core strength. Most people automatically assume that strong legs are the secret to a great kick. While that definitely comes into play, the core of the body (abs/lower back) is key to great kicks, strong strikes and balance. But I would never just train one part of my body, or even focus more on one part. Martial arts teaches balance, apply that to your weight training as well and train your whole body.

#1 thing to know - their name! When a new student comes to class and you address them by their name, they feel that they belong and that they are important. If you want to retain your students, you need to know who they are. Matt

While I am not a big fan of them, a lot of people have great success with "phone scripts." Basically write out how you will answer the phone, note the most FAQ's with information on how to answer, and determine what your goal is. Do you just want to provide information? Do you want to get them in the door for an intro class? The trick is to make this sound natural, otherwise it will sound like a telemarketing pitch - and no one likes that. Matt

I actually did this on a Mac with a program called iWeb. It's pretty straight-forward, and worked really well. It does have some limitations, but nothing I wasn't able to live with. Matt White

Talk to him, tell you found the same shoe for half, and ask if he can give you a better price.

I used a template approach for my site. A bit of modification here and there, and it didn't turn out too bad. https://www.pellamartialarts.com

I have not heard anyone, from ATA HQ to other ATA school owners, state that we are now required to offer the XMA curriculum. Matt

I'm curious to see the fitness requirements you're referring to. I'm wondering if they are not the same suggestions that came out as work-out tips from CM Clark.

A married 60 year old man propositioning a married 24 year old woman is not what I would consider "normal." Blame your spouse? How about instead of... "I could never even consider that. My wife is very suspicious/paranoid and would probably find out even if I did" or "My wife has a terrible temper. If she heard a rumor, I'm afraid she would become violent" You try... "I could never even consider that. My wife is a wonderful woman, and I love her very much" or "I'm married, I love my wife and family - I don't cheat" The above reasons will tell the other person why nothing will happen, and not paint your spouse in a negative light.

This link talks about it a bit... http://www.taekwondotimes.com/index.php?PAGE_ID=52

Grandmaster Woo Jin Jung (was Master Jung at the time.)

I don't usually see TKD Times - though my original instructor (and former family doctor) are two of the people that helped get it off the ground. I'll have to pick up a copy and give it a read. Thanks for the heads-up! Matt

The physical requirements must just be part of your school. I have not received anything from ATA HQ mandating specific fitness requirements for black belts or colored belt students. ATA HQ has been distributing "Training Tips" with suggested work-outs. But again, at this point they are only "suggested." Matt White

I wash mine separate from all other clothes, in cold water with Oxyclean and hang to dry. No other items in the wash = no lint.

Highly popular school...? As in big school, lots of students? To me this sounds like a recruiting tactic, thinly veiled as a gesture of goodwill. I also agree that if he is teaching a similar style, is there really much benefit?

[Karate is something I love with a passion, I would hate it to become something that I had to do because I needed to pay the mortgage and therefore grew to resent it.] I can absolutely agree with that statement.

I use artist as an example, because I am one. I went to school for it and have spent the last 14 years in the field. It's something I love, and make an extremely good living at it. So I do take issue when people imply that if it's something you love, you shouldn't try to earn a living from it. So doctors are a bad example - so I'll try and come up with some others... photographers, carpenters, landscapers. (For what it's worth, the professionals I know in those fields make more than my doctor.) I also run a "part time" martial arts club (for the last four years.) I currently have 70 students and teach three nights a week (from 5:30 to 8:30.) By the time I get out the door, and get home it's after 9:00. So three days a week I'm gone from my home from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. In addition to teaching, you have class plans, planning for testings/seminars/events, ordering gear, bookkeeping, advertising/marketing. I usually do these things after I get home from class, as the kids are in bed by then. So I get to spend quality time with my kids (three under the age of five) Sunday, Wednesday night, Friday night, and Saturday. I still have to find time to spend with my wife (who works 40+ hours per week as well), and work on my own personal training. If I could make enough teaching to replace my current salary I would LOVE that. It would allow me to spend more time with my family. It would also give me more time to improve my skills, and the skills of my students. Running a part time club is a lot of fun, and very rewarding. But even if you teach part time, your very likely spending full time hours running things behind the scenes.

[i suppose my true feelings are that one shouldn't seek to "eat from karate" you should teach because you love it and not try to support yourself financially off the back of it.] So if it's something you love, you should just "give back" and not seek to earn a living from it? What about Doctors? Artists? Teachers? Coaches? Athletes? Ministers? There is little more rewarding than being able to earn a living doing something that you love.