How to Tell If a School Is Right for You
by Marc MacYoung
This is the side bar for the article "Four Focuses" featured in the July 1999 issue of Black Belt magazine.
How to Tell If a School Is Right for You by Marc MacYoung
Choosing the proper martial arts school is relatively
simple. The process is based on
three elements: discussing, observing and acquiring some basic knowledge before
you go looking.
Start by being an informed consumer. Check your local library for books, surf the Web and read magazines to find descriptions of the many styles available, then narrow your search to those that appeal to you.
Any owner or senior instructor at a commercial martial arts school should
be willing to sit down and discuss the training he offers, what is expected of
students and how much it costs. If
an instructor doesn’t have time to answer your questions, it’s fairly
obvious he’s not real keen on attracting your business.
At times, martial art instructors may forget that they are in a service
industry.
Observe a number of classes before making your decision. When watching open classes, note how the instructors interact
with students. Pay attention to the
students’ attitudes and general atmosphere of the school.
Would you be comfortable learning in that environment?
If the school offers only long-term, closed classes, you should proceed
with caution. You could end up
getting locked into a contract with a focus and atmosphere that is all wrong for
you.
Decide on the level of formality you are comfortable with. Some schools are more casual, while others insist on strict
protocol. You may be uncomfortable
with an instructor who insists that you address him as “Master Smith,” or
you may be uncomfortable with a more relaxed atmosphere.
This is especially important for children.
Evaluate the instructor’s teaching skills.
How well does he explain what he is doing?
Does he just say, “Do this,” and proceed to perform a complicated
series of moves that few beginners can hope to emulate? Or does he break down each move and explain it fully?
Just because a black belt moves well or has a wall full of trophies
doesn’t mean he is a good teacher. Larger
schools will have several senior instructors and may structure classes depending
on age, ability or experience, so watch the class in which you would be
starting.
See if there is a trial period. Many
schools offer one or two free classes. It’s
a good idea to take advantage of this, especially if the school or instructor
requires a contract. Otherwise, you
may find yourself locked into a yearlong payment plan even if you become
disillusioned with the training early on. Check
for short-term contracts if you are unsure about you or your child finishing a
year of training.
Ask about accreditation. Lineage
doesn’t ensure a good school. However,
many instructors can trace their training back through an entire line of martial
artists or through various professional organizations.
Check the dates on the certificates and ask if they are still affiliated
with the source. If not, ask why?
Ask about the limits of the style. There
is no ultimate fighting art, no style that works everywhere and in every
situation. A good instructor will
admit this and offer cross-training suggestions to fill the gaps.
Ask about other styles and schools. This is the litmus test – not for the other schools, but for this one. An instructor who is disdainful and hostile toward other arts and schools shows you the kind of students he is likely to attract. - MM
Read Four Focuses of the Martial Arts by Marc MacYoung
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