Need to move my 9year old son.

[lux]

My 9year old son has been in Karate with ATA since he was 3. He is a 1st deg. Black Belt. My wife and i have become more and more dissatisfied with this ATA establishment. Cost, lack of competitive training etc. I will not waste your time with all the complaints.

 

Here is the ?

 

I would like to move him to a different place, non ATA. Would this effect his belt, learning etc. I think you all no more of what im trying to say.

 

We are in Georgia, any good places you are aware of?

 

Thank

[aefibird]

Hi lux, welcome to KarateForums! Why dont you pop along to the Introductions Forum and say hi and introduce yourself to everyone there? Thanks.

 

Whether a move to another dojo would affect his belt or not would depend upon the individual instructor. Some instructors will let your son keep his grade, some will make him re-test for his current grade and some will start him off as a lower grade. It all depends on the individual instructor. Be prepared for your son to have to start again as a beginner grade if you move to another style of karate from what he's doing at the moment or if he moves to another martial art. The differences between what he's been doing and another style might be too great for him to keep his current grade.

 

As for looking for karate schools in Georgia, I'm afraid I can't help you with that one! Try looking in the yellow pages or doing a search on Google. Remember, though, most small MA schools won't necessarily be found in either place. Also, ask around at work - see if anyone you know knows of any martial arts clubs in your area. Plus, you could phone up local sports centres, community/church halls or other places that an MA club might hire and ask them if there are martial arts classes at that place.

 

Good luck in your search for a new place. I hope you have a smooth move to another club if you do decide to move your son.

[ninjanurse]

Just a note to add here.. not all schools within a particular association are the same. Variables such as teaching style and personal emphasis by the head instructor can make a big difference. This is true(for the most part) no matter what style you study or what association you are affiliated with.

 

The point here is visit several schools in your area , talk with the chief instructor, and watch classes. At your son's age he will most likely have to start over if he changes systems but being that he is a Black Belt he should understand that it is not about the color of your belt, it's about the kind of person you have become; and, his years of experience may allow him to progress faster through the ranks. Good luck in your search!

 

[lux]

Thanks for the quick replys. I'm definitely going to keep him in the same style. That should make the change easier i suppose?

[Chunky Monkey]

lux - if he's with ATA, he's really been studying Tae Kwon Do, right? Possibly with their "Karate for Kids" program? If so, it's really a misnomer - but I understand why for marketing purposes they use the word Karate when it really isn't.

 

If so, I'd look for another TKD school. Despite concerns many have with the ATA, a different TKD school would be most likely to meet your concern about the belt.