MARTIAL
ARTS SCHOOLS CHECKLIST
I
am often asked, especially by parents, what to look for in a "Karate" school.
After breifly explaining the differences between Sport, Self Defense, Ground,
and Full Contact, I refer them to this checklist. It is not all inclusive,
and I cannot claim credit for it. One of my fellow Martial Artist
out of Atlanta, Georgia had it posted on his web site. It gives the
neophyte prospective student a starting point. Whether American Kenpo
or Chinese Kenpo; whether Kung-Fu or Karate, Savate or Krav Maga, whether
Ju-Jitsu or Taekwondo, all have something to teach. They may be called
a Kwoon, Dojang, Dojo, School, Studio, or Gym - you will know it when you
see it and the name does not matter. Visit for a few classes, observe
a couple of times, participate in a class, if they allow it, get a feel
for the school, before you make the financial and emotional committment
necessary to succeed in the Arts. Good luck in finding the school
right for you, and good training!!
1.
Beware the hidden costs - Get full disclosure before you sign any contract!
(Once the contract is signed, it's often too late.) I don't require contracts!
2.
Is the instructor CPR and first aid certified?_______Yes __________No.
3.
Do you charge belt testing fees?______Yes _______No.
4.
Do you have a price list showing each test fee?_______Yes _______No
5.
On the average how often is a person tested?________
6.
Do you have written requirements for each belt/stripe test? _______Yes
_________No
7.
What is the total charge for all belt/stripe fees - from White through
1st Black!
8.
What is the belt test fee for (just) Black Belt?
9.
Is sparring/freestyle required? ________Yes _______No If yes:
10.
Total cost of all required sparring/safety equipment?
11.
Must all equipment be bought through the studio? ________Yes_________No
12.
Is contact allowed in sparring? ________Yes _________No
13.
Is kicking to the head allowed? _________Yes _________No
14.
Is kicking to the head mandatory? _________Yes ________No
15.
Is kicking to the head in tournaments allowed _________? Required__________?
16.
Is breaking of boards required? ____Yes ____No - Required for testing?____Yes
___No
17.
Is the studio full time, professional _________? Part time___________?
18.
What are the hours _____________________?
19.
How long has the studio been open _____________?
20.
Must I sign a contract ________Yes ________ No If Yes:
21.
Can I get a copy to take to your attorney for review before I sign it?
____Yes ____No
22.
Contract: for how long _________?
23.
Contract: for how much ? Does the contract state what I am getting for
this money? ____?
24.
Are payments made to a third party ? _________Yes ________No
25.
Are instructors "NATIONALLY CERTIFIED" thru a recognized organization?______Yes
______ No
26.
Is the instruction:
Group only? __________ How many groups per week ________?
Do I have to pay for extra groups ___________? How much _________?
27.
Does the basic course include:
Private instruction/Personal Trainer? _______Yes ________ No
If yes --- is it every week _______Yes ________ No _________?
If no: Is private instruction available at an extra cost? ________Yes ________No
If yes -- How much per hour? ____________
28.
Do you use Youth for Instructors? _________Yes ________No
29.
Do you award Black Belts to Youths? ______Yes ______No If yes: Starting
at what age? _______
30.
What is the average time for a youth to get a Black Belt? _________
31.
Do you primarily teach;
Self Defense ____________? % of total ____________ How many techniques
per belt ______?
Sport Karate/Tae Kwon Do___________? % of total
32.
Is the studio matted for rolling and falling ___Yes____No?
33.
Do you teach ground fighting/grappling____Yes _______No?
JuiJitsu/style ___ ShootFighting ___ Other ____________?
34.Am I required to go to tournaments? ___Yes___No --- If Yes -- How many
______?
35.
If I am sick or go on vacation do I still have to pay for lessons I did
not or could not take ________?
36.
For youth - What about cancellations due to: Little league? ____ Soccer____?
