Wow heard this today, several local dojo's are charging $300 for a child to test for Black Belt pass or fail. Considering a Black Belt generally costs about $10 - $20 to buy from a supplier or about $50 for their name embroidered on it seems very excessive.

Wonder if the parents thought to ask if grading fees are included in the training fees when they first went down for a trial......... Happy to say all our grading are free, always have been always will be. 

Don't get me started on 2.5 - 3 years to Black Belt for a child, there are no shortcuts.

Training Takes Time.

This will surprise many reading this but one of the things I strong disagree with in Martial Arts is sparring (kicking and punching not wrestling) for primary school aged children, the idea of small children hitting each other and being rewarded for it with a trophy I just find really unnecessary.

It’s the psychological aspect of it, that it’s a good thing to hit someone else and that you will be rewarded for it if you do it well.

check out this clip I came across on YouTube last week to see what I mean.

4 Year Olds Sparring

At 4 years old do they understand the real purpose of sparring, highly unlikely.

What they do understand is that adults are applauding and smiling and congratulating them from the sidelines for the very thing that they would be in trouble at preschool for doing. If you read further down you see that their child (now 6) can do tornado kicks and launch complex strategies for defeating an opponent.

Any psychologist will tell you that you reward the behaviour that you are trying to instill.

A fantastic children’s programme will offer relevant self defence training and gross motor skills development as well as an amazing character development programme. It’s focus will be on making the children better equipped for life and the daily challenges that they face at school and at home.

I know I’m at odds with 99% of martial arts teachers on this but what are your thoughts as a parent or concerned adult?………….  Should 6 year old little Johnny with all his life experience and ability to reason take his tornado kick to school or not?

Kind Regards

Craig Guest