Questions & Answers
1. What memberships are available?
The next level of training available is the Black Belt Club, which can be paid for on a monthly basis. Depending on the commitment level, students can come to class up to three times per week.
2. How often do the students receive a new belt?
Rank advancements are held every eight weeks. Any student who has met their requirements will be invited to demonstrate their material for their family and friends. If the student has not met the requirements, they simply wait for the next rank advancement date. Every student progresses at their own speed and are not judged against one another.
3. How much does it cost to rank advance?
A forty-five dollar fee pays for their new belt and nationally accredited certificate for the countries largest martial arts organization.
4. What is the Victory patch?
The victory patch is a unique rewarding system for the Tiny Tigers and Karate Kid programs which allows the children to wear blue stars for their patch in return for demonstrating weekly themes such as courtesy, respect, confidence, goal setting, etc. Any student turning in their report card or monthly work sheet will be awarded their stars at the end of that class.
5. Are tournaments required?
No. Our four regional tournaments a year are strictly optional but provide a safe, fun and exciting learning experience.
6. What if my child is involved in other sports?
The physical and mental skills developed from the study of martial arts will certainly enhance your child’s performance in other sports as well as improving their grades in school. We offer classes several times a week which makes it possible for a child to continue their training while participating in other activities. Our extension privilege allows a period of two weeks r more to be taken off and then made up at the end of the membership if that time is given in writing prior to your break.
7. Why are there different colored belts in my child’s class?
In order for there to be four classes available to choose from a week, belt colors must be combined in class according to their level of experience. We try our best to keep our ratio of 10 students to every one instructor. The material that is taught at the intermediate level rotates every testing cycle. While every student learns the same material it is all required curriculum. We are very excited to announce that the Camo through Blue belts will begin to learn board breaks as part of the stripe requirements.
8. When will my child start learning advanced/double weapons?
Students start double weapons at the brown belt level. As explained above we rotate these double weapons with form requirements. For example, if your child is learning a double weapon this testing cycle they will learn an empty hand form next cycle. We will continue to rotate the double Ssangh Joel Bahngs and the double Bahnge Mange Ee with empty hand forms for testing requirements until the student reaches black belt recommended.
9. Why does my child have to break boards, and when will they start breaking boards as part of their advancements?
A lot of people have the misunderstanding that board breaking demonstrates ones power, this is not true. Board breaking demonstrates focus, concentration, and speed. Without these three components one would not be consistent with their board breaks. At the color belt level the board breaks are done in class, however when the students reach the black belt level the board breaks are done during rank advancement. We are excited to start implementing board breaks into the intermediate level (Camouflage through Blue belt) as part of their testing requirements.
10. My child’s uniform and sparring gear doesn’t fit anymore, can these be replaced?
Unfortunately your child will eventually outgrow their uniform and sparring equipment. Uniforms can be purchased but come as a set and the pants and jacket must be purchased together. Sparring gear should last a little longer because we fit the child so they can grow into it. If the sparring gear gets damaged or outgrown it can be purchased by the piece.
11. How can all the students advance at the same rate and not be at the same ability level?
The Karate for Kid and Tiny Tiger programs are designed to improve a child’s self-confidence, self-esteem and discipline. This is not taught through a competitive environment and therefore we compare ones ability to themselves not to other students at their level. Comparing them to themselves means we look for improvement from their last testing cycle, making sure the student meets all the physical and mental requirements, and demonstrates these to the best of their ability. After these requirements have been met the student will have permission to demonstrate their material at our rank advancements.
12. Why is it necessary for my child to spar?
Up until your child becomes a camouflage belt they learn pre-determined moves which ar taught in their forms. Sparring allows the student to practice their techniques they learn in class with a partner in a fun, safe, controlled environment. Without sparring, students will not fully benefit from the program.
13. Why do some students wear face shields during sparring?
The ATA has designed a face shield suitable for free style and point sparring. The face shield is an extra piece of sparring equipment that is not included in the standard set. Many students like the extra protection of the face gear for several reasons. The face shield will become mandatory this year for those students who compete in tournaments after June 2007.
14. Why do some students have their names on the backs of their uniforms?
The name on the back of the uniform along with the different colored collars signifies those students in the leadership program. The leadership program is designed for students to take their training to the next level. The leadership students start learning basic skills in order to assist in class along with some advanced curriculum such as weapons, board breaking and demo team.
15. My child is in the leadership program, when will they be eligible for S.W.A.T class?
This class is open to students by special invitation only. In this class students will learn more advanced instructional skills and implement those skills in the classes they are required to assist. Only the students invited to S.W.A.T. class will be eligible to assist in class. Invitation is based on several different aspects including age, ability, strength and maturity level.
16. My child has earned his/her black belt. What happens now?
Your child will learn several different weapons forms and an 81 move empty hand form through out their training at the black belt level. There will be a total of six mid-terms the first degree black belts will demonstrate. After the successful completion of these mid-terms, your child will be eligible to test for the rank of 2nd degree recommended. This is when your child’s name will be in red-lettering on their black belt.
