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Frequently asked questions regarding martial arts
training expectations
Once your introductory program is completed and you
have been placed on a training program, you may
encounter some or all of the following concerns or
questions.
How often should I go to class?
We expect all of our students to attend class two
times each week.
For the first few months, resist the urge to
go more than two times a week.
Parents, this also encourages consistency,
and ultimately discipline within our children’s
day-to-day activities.
This prevents you from overdoing it at first
and helps to avoid burnout from an over-enthused
start. Then, at the orange belt level attendance can
be increased to three times a week if you wish. By
gradually increasing your class attendance you have
developed a martial arts routine that is manageable
in your everyday routine.
How often should I practice outside of class?
In order for you to become proficient in your
training you must practice outside of class. At the
early level of training (White / Gold), about 5 – 10
minutes weekly is sufficient. As you promote to the
next level, it is recommended to increase your
practice time to 5-10 minutes every other day. For
example: Orange belt 15 minutes, Purple Belt 20
minutes, etc.
Your practice time should be spent reviewing
current material and perfecting previous material.
Some students like to develop a training
relationship with another student. These training
buddies usually set aside 10 – 15 minutes prior to
class to review with one another.
Another recommendation is to occasionally,
pick up a third class as a review opportunity with
previous material.
What can I expect to learn?
This is an exciting question. Contrary to the
media’s image of a tough drill sergeant-like martial
arts instructor, AKKA is well schooled in positive
motivation, modern training methods, and character
development. The school has special programs built
into the curriculum on goal setting,
self-confidence, how to avoid violent confrontation,
bully buster programs, and other personal
development goals. Adults enjoy a variety of great
conditioning in a safe atmosphere while learning
effective self-defense concepts and basics.
This emphasis on personal responsibility and
successful attitudes was introduced into the martial
arts classes and has come as a pleasant surprise to
many students who feared that martial arts would be
an “only the strong survive” experience. Students of
all ages and athletic ability are able to train in
the martial arts without the fear of injury and
intimidation.
What if I am unable to attend my regularly scheduled
class?
Please notify the school
as soon as
possible that you will not be in attendance
at your regular class. Cancelled lessons may be made
up and the AKKA staff will assist you in scheduling
a make up lesson.
Notifying us as soon as possible allows us
set make-up classes to prevent you or your child
from falling behind.
What if my schedule changes and I need to change my
scheduled classes?
No problem. Notify AKKA staff as soon as possible
and the classes will be rescheduled to accommodate
your new schedule.
What are the “peaks” of my training?
Throughout your martial arts training, you will
experience many ‘peaks’ or high points.
These are normal and everyone experiences
them. You will experience a rejuvenated feeling
after each belt promotion. As you move up in the
ranks, you will join new classes and make a
connection with new people. There will also be a new
excitement through seminars and leadership
development.
Black Belt pre-tests and Black Belt tests are
another peak in your training.
What are the “valleys” or low points in my training?
Just as in the excitement of training, you will also
experience the low points. Once again these are
normal and everyone experiences them at some point
in their training. You may become frustrated in your
training and wish to quit. Please avoid this by
speaking with your instructor. Your instructor
is familiar with this situation and can provide you
with assistance during these times. Sometimes this
frustration occurs because you are burned out from
coming in to class TOO much. Or perhaps you are
experiencing “right before the belt promotion”
boredom or anxiety. Some belt ranks have what
we refer to as the long-term blahs. These usually
occur at the blue belt level and at the 2nd
brown level. Extra-curricular activities may
also hinder your training enthusiasm. If you are
overwhelmed with sports, clubs, music, or other
obligations, you may feel that you are unable to
obligate yourself to
your personal development training. Again we highly
encourage you to speak with your instructor or any
AKKA staff about your frustrations. We are here to
help you achieve your goals.
What should I do if my child wants to quit?
There will come a time when your child says, “I’m
too tired to go to class today”, or “I have a
stomach ache”, or “I don’t want to go to karate
anymore”.
This is a critical point in a child’s
training. This is when you help teach them about
follow through and the never-quit attitude. Don’t be
concerned about “pushing it on your child”.
This is
hogwash. Children
wouldn’t go to school, brush their teeth or clean
their room if you didn’t “push it on them.” There’s
a big difference between helping a child follow
through on a goal they agreed to and force-feeding
something on a child.
When you begin the classes agree with your
child on some short-term goals such as purple belt
or brown belt with the understanding that there will
be no quitting until the goal is achieved. The real
goal in the training should be black belt, but until
you’ve had a chance to really understand what it
takes to earn a black belt, it’s best to set a more
reachable initial goal. Once you’ve determined that
black belt is your goal, commit to it with full
enthusiasm.
However, it’s unrealistic to expect a child
not to, at some point, rebel against the effort.
Quitting can quickly become a bad habit. Facing
these types of challenges is part of the training
inherent in the martial arts.
Maintaining YOUR “stick-to-it-iveness” will
teach your child consistency and discipline, which
strengthens their values.
How can I motivate my child to continue?
Staying with a goal without quitting is an integral
skill that has to be instilled by the parent. This
is the very foundation of goal setting and
achievement. Quitting is the very foundation of
under-performance and failure. The world is full of
great starters. Teach your child that it’s the
ability to set goals and see them through to their
completion that’s most important. When you’ve been
attending with the child and know exactly what’s
been happening in class, you can help re-motivate
the child into getting to class by reminding them of
how much they enjoyed the last class and that they
can look forward to seeing their friends in class.
What are the instructor’s expectations with higher
belt ranks?
As you progress in the curriculum, you will be held
responsible for all material (current and previous).
This is why establishing a solid practice routine is
essential in the beginning of your training. You
will also begin to take a leadership role in your
classes and in the school.
What if I am apprehensive about sparring?
The term sparring describes using the different
techniques that have been taught against different
training partners while using full safety equipment.
Control is always used when sparring as we spar
students of differing weight, size and experience.
Light contact is always used in group classes and
the sparring sessions are supervised by the class
instructors.
New and beginning students will often spar
with the class instructors at first. We find that
this helps people overcome their initial feelings of
apprehension and develops confidence. Sparring is
done with different rules or limitations applied
e.g. just hand techniques or just kicks, etc. Please
remember that everyone is apprehensive about
sparring at some point in their training. We find
that communication with your instructors and fellow
partners assists in relieving some of the
apprehension.
What are grade checks / at home to do lists and when
are they due?
Every four weeks junior students are given an at
home to do list and grade check. We utilize these
tools to monitor the personal development of our
students outside of the karate school. These
progress checks are due on the first week of each
month. If any area is marked as unsatisfactory, a
student /parent / instructor conference is held.
During this conference a goal is set to improve the
area as well as a check-up conference is scheduled
to monitor the new goal. Tutoring in all academic
areas is available to all students.
Please notify your instructor if you would
like to schedule a tutoring session.
What is a private and how do I schedule one?
Private classes are designed to provide the
individual student with one on one instruction with
an instructor. These lessons do not replace regular
group class attendance. We do not charge for private
lessons. Each lesson is 20 minutes in length and is
set by appointment. If you are interested in a
private lesson please see your instructor to
schedule one.
Do you offer any extra-curricular activities such as
tournaments, parties, etc.?
We offer a school sponsored tournament twice each
year.
Tournament announcements are made during classes as
well as in our newsletter. While tournaments are not
required in our school, we highly encourage all
students to participate in at least one tournament
in their martial arts training. It doesn’t matter
how you place, but that you had the courage to stand
in front of your peers to perform.
We find that participating in potluck dinners and
social events (parties) are a great way to feel
connected in the school. We offer potluck dinners at
our Black Belt pre-test events in May and November.
We also sponsor a Halloween party and Christmas
party. Dates, times, and detailed
information is made available approximately 3-4
weeks prior to the event.
AKKA KARATE USA is now offering
Birthday parties
for students and non-students as well!
We offer exciting, upbeat birthday events in
a professional, clean, and safe environment.
Feel free to call, email, or even better,
come on by for more information.
What is the Black Belt Club?
The Black Belt Club (BBC) is a very special program
within our school that is designed to aid and
recognize the students who have set a goal of
earning a black belt. This program is a goal
oriented program that is designed to take a student
to achieve his / her black belt. The
program is by instructor
recommendation only. Students in the BBC are given
special classes and training opportunities in order
to help them reach their goal of black belt.
The BBC nomination is an evaluation process
whereby students spend a few months in the classroom
learning about the martial arts and its benefits.
The instructors also spend those first few months
evaluating the student to determine if they have the
necessary attitude and aptitude to earn a black
belt. Students who decide to set a goal of black
belt can qualify for advance training in the BBC.
The commitment to black belt is very prestigious and
is given tremendous reverence within the school
ranks.
We understand that you will continue to have many questions
throughout your training experience. We encourage
your questions and we are looking forward to
assisting you in your quest towards personal
betterment.
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