SenseiKeith

That sounds great. Finding a tournament that will suit your needs will be tough. But if I hear of anything that sounds like it is up your ally I will post the info here for you or private msg you the info. You can look into the IFC (International Fighting Championships) see if that sorta thing interests you. http://www.ifc-usa.com/ I do wish you the best of luck in what you seek. Feel free to send me a msg and let me know how you are doing. Respectfully Yours, Keith

Thanks Guys&Gals for the warm welcome I look forward to furture discussions with you all

What are you getting for the $175? If it's only group classes, that is rediculous. If you're getting weekly privates, it's still high. USSD schools tend to charge more because of their overhead (they have to pay the national org for their license). I used to work for USSD (eastcoast) they had not national org license fee that I can recall. In addition to this the fee's were as follows: Advanced Training Program (ATP) $125/month. This included unlimited group classes and one private lesson a day. (school was open at the time 6 days a week) (kids and adults) Black Belt Club $75 kids/ $90adults per month. This included unlimited group classes and one private lesson a week. Group Classes Unlimited classes Kids $55 Adults $60 Testing Fees where as followed Adults: Yellow to blue with a stripe $30 Green and Green Stripe $60 1st Brown to 3rd Degree Brown $80 1st Degree Black Belt $250 Kids: white belt to 3rd Degree Brown $30 Junior Black belt $125 Black Belt $250 These where the prices of the USSD in Clinton CT at the time (1995 from what I can recall) As a side note Grand master Steven Demasco left Grand Master Fred Villari's when he was 7th Degree Black Belt. He worked with Grand Master Charles Mattera and Mattera made him the East Coast Priesident of USSD. A lot of instructors/students of Villari's left with Demasco to the new founded USSD schools. This is from what I have heard from my instructor at the time. Respectfully Yours, Keith

If you don't mind me asking the style of Kempo you do is it from USSD or Villari's lineage? The reason I am asking is because if I know your linage I can give you some drills that will match what you teach. I also teach in CT. so if you wanted to chat on the phone sometime drop me a tell and I can discuss some of the things I do if you like. Respectfully Yours, Keith

I would have to say I agree with the advice Ive seen so far. Also I would like to point out that the attention span of a 4 year old maxes out at about 30mins. Its possible to maybe pull it out to about 45mins but that is a lot of work to do so. If possible it is best to seperate 3-5 year olds from older children. If you cannot do this then you will need to change your format. Young children need high energy motivation to keep them going. Also setting up say an obstalcle coarse or something of that nature. I found that the more you make the kids move the better off they are. I would make them do a relay race and at certain parts of it they would do a tech then continue. So they get all nice and sweaty and practice the tech's I want them to and they think its fun. Its a win/win situation for everyone that way. Respectfully Yours, Keith

I have seen may a few successful schools teach multiple styles under the same roof. They first have to come to an understanding not to disrespect one anothers art and/or what they teach. Ive seen this cause problems before such as say you teach a tech. to someone then the other instructor says hey that will not work this will. And so begins the trouble. Also the school owner has to also give you a chance to build up your classes with new students that come into the school. Again something I have seen is that the school owner will always push the student into their main stream classes and never introduce people to your classes. This should be discussed before doing business. Also as others stated price and such and structure of how your program will be ran. Because your art is not an art the school owner does when people ask about your programs they should know a little more about it so they can discuss it with people and answer any questions you are not there to answer yourself. It makes them and you look more professional overall. Respectfully Yours, Keith

Martial Arts Group, Inc. located in Fla. seems to be good the insurance coverage is provided by Midland Insurance Group. the number you can reach them at is 1-800-207-6603. They have a website and if you search you can find pricing and other info. I now noticed they offer other things as well you will want the insurance link you will find on the page. The website is: https://www.igomag.com I hope this helps if there is anything else I can assist with I would be more then happy to do so. I wish you guys the best of luck in your furture schools Respectfully Yours, Keith

Thanks *Bow*

Word of Mouth is how you will end up getting 90% of your student base from what I hear. Most of the students I have recieved have been that way. I can understand you not wanting to make a profit off of people and just want to teach to share the art. I think that is great and I too started out that way but I did learn in the long run you will have to either have another job or charge enough to make a living. Its everyones dream to make a living from something they love to do. And by making a living off of it is not a bad thing or something to feel shameful about. Just be fair in pricing and such and you will be fine. You can start off small like that then work your way up. Also remember the bulk of your students will be children so starting programs in a school system or park and rec type program for both adults and children will help. It will be something that will help you with that bug and also see if its something you would really want to do full time. Programs for school systems and park and rec programs usually go for a period of so many weeks meeting only once to twice a week. It is Something you can do to get your name out as well as making a little coin for your time. Think of it this way it covers your gas and also puts some money into your fund towards your school one day. Take a look at what it costs to learn a musical instrument or to take dance lessons. Things are not cheap again if there is anything I can do to help just let me know. I used to teach for chain of schools and I learned a lot while I was there till they ripped me off in pay and would not fix it. Thats when I opened my own school and I am happy that I did. Any questions you have feel free to ask Respectfully Yours, Keith

When I think of Master in the terms of martial arts I dont think of it as me looking up to a higher power of sorts. I look at it as a respect thing look for example at people who go to school and get their doctorates we call them Doctor. Or a judge Your honor again it ties to respect not so much religion. One day when I am lucky enough to reach that status I do not think I will force people to call me master. When I hear the term master in the martial arts I do not think of anyone who has truly mastered the arts. To master something is to mean it is perfected and as long as we are all human we are bound to make mistakes. And we can always improve on what we are doing. So to me master is a title that is a respectful one, one who has great knowledge and can use that knowledge. I do agree too many people are belt hungry. Its funny the founder of Judo created the colored belt system ( the colored belts in between white and black) with the different degrees of black belt. Today most people care about that then their training. In the end the only time a belt matters is when you have someone attacking you that cares about your belt. "Oh wait your a black belt I had better not mess with you huh?" and mean it. I dont see that happening if anything it will fuel them with desire in kicking your rear. Well there goes me on my rant, what do you guys / gals think? Respectfully Yours, Keith

Hello All, I just signed up tonight to the forums. I admit I had to troll the forums before deciding to sign up. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to sign up to a dead forum or a forum fill with flamers. So far its looking good Great people and good topics. And if I didnt already say it Hello All !!! A little about myself I have been training since 1993 in various arts the highest rank I hold is 3rd Dan in Kempo. I started teaching as an assistant in 1996 and opened my own school in 1999. I have trained in other arts such as Jujitsu, Wing Chun Kuen, Modern Arnis, American Kenpo, just to name a few. I have studied (dabbled in) about 10 arts so far some more so then others. And I look forward to making some new friends here on the forums. Respectfully Yours, Keith

If we look at how Bruce looked at the martial arts always learning as much as he could and perfecting his ablities I believe he would have added more to his ground game. But as some stated he would be older that would make it a bit harder not to mention the rules that are in place. If you were to take the rules out then that would be another story. So I think in the end no one can say for sure. But I do know this we all deff. have our own opinions. I have not seen to date anyone that can match his speed, power and overall package as a martial artist / fighter. But that is simply my personal opinion after all there are a lot of good fighters out there but I consider him one of the greatest. Respectfully Yours, Keith P.S. Bruce might not have entered tournaments but its a known fact he was challenged a lot by other martial artists on and off set. There was never any mention to him losing to these guys. figured I would add this since I see people stating things that can be taken that he never fought. It is also one of the reasons he was place in the states to work at a friend of the family's resturant.

I am sorry that you are hearing people say that your art cannot defeat others. All I have to say is one name "Bruce Lee" hehehe. As far as arts Yip Man always told his students to go out there and practice their Gung Fu. And by that Yip Man ment go out there and fight people to see how your skills match up. Also if you look at the history of the art it was designed to defeat other systems (mainly shoalin systems). With that being said just ignor other people who might not know any bettter. Its not a matter of style that wins or loses its the fighter themself. One thing I want to also remind you if you look at any of these NHB events they all have one thing in common. They all have rules try reading them sometime they will take away from what you can do. To tell me that you cannot hit to the throat or groin for example is silly in a street fight I am going to go for those targets and then some. And Im not trying to take anything away from NHB events Im just stating a fact that some people will over look. And to turning your Wing Chun into something you can compete in are you thinking of something that is open to all styles or just to compete against each other. You can do forms or weapons or sticky hands for events. I am not completely sure where you are trying to head but I am sure you will let me know. Respectfully Yours, Keith

Good advice all around one more thing you will need to do is get insurance for the event. They do have Tournamanet Insurance you can get and I strongly suggest having this it will in the end save you when all else fails. You will need to shop around for a good company some will charge by the person some will just charge a flate fee. Also see how much the coverage is. For example it might be 1 million in coverage some will be 2 million. Its good to shop around and see what best suits your needs. Respectfully Yours, Keith

Just remember one thing. You have been hit and you know what it feels like the worst that can happen has happened move forward and think of it as a learning experience. By this I mean most people fear being hit and you have tasted it with this said do not let ego, pride or fear get in the way. If you go in there and give it your best that’s what matters most as with getting your nose broken something had to have happened. Only you know what mistake you made or what you could have done better to have insured that from happening if something could have been done. You are doing a good job by going back in and trying but you are letting something be it your pride or fears get to you. How can you win when you let yourself defeat you before the match begins? By this I mean you have already in your mind let your fear win now you are outnumbered out on that floor. I am not saying all this to be mean but just to give you another way of looking at it. I have a lot of respect for you for going in there and for not giving up. Being prepared mentally is equally important as the physical aspects. I think it's good to work on every part of training Respectfully Yours, Keith

Not everyone is interested in self defense most people I have talked to do it for one of the following reasons: Workout Social Disciple Art form Some do it for a mixture of things but a good instructor will teach every aspect of their style. As a martial arts school owner you have to learn to cater to everyone not just hardcore fighters. I hate to say it but hardcore fighters do not pay the bills and keep your school doors open so you have to make martial arts programs designed for every walk of life. Besides as long as you are getting the training you are truly looking for does it matter to you what everyone else knows? As for myself I am playing devil's advocate I personally train for self defense and enjoy the martial arts for that reason but I also know that others, a lot of others do not share the same interest. So be patient and hope that most instructors teach all aspects of their respective art. And after all that is the best one can hope for. (From a self defense person's point of view) Respectfully Yours, Keith

So far I have seen a lot of good advice. I will make a suggestion for you pick a location you want to teach in or a few locations you would like to teach in and start some programs in the school systems, YMCA's, adult education programs and any other avenue you can teach a program. Not all have to be free either you can charge for some of them. This way you build up a potential client base before you go and rent / buy a place. I have had friends that ran on going programs at YMCA's then built a client base up and went and rented a nice store front without going into debt. This way you not only can do that but you can get a feel for the area to see how well you can actually do. Anytime you would like to pick my brains please feel free if you have a headset and can setup ventrilio client we can chat online on my pals vent server and I would be more then happy to give you a strong foundation in information that might help. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

Depends on what you are looking for to be honest. Some places will cover only your school location. Some will cover any location you teach such as an after school program or the YMCA, ect. Most cover upto 2 million coverage. When you host tournaments or seminars thats when extra fee's come into play so you have to pay attention to that. The one I use gives 2 million coverage and will cover me no matter what location I teach from. I started using them in 1999 and have not regretted it once. If you send me a private msg I will give you the info of the one I use I do not like to advertise for companies and such. Good luck to you friend