Top Document: rec.martial-arts Newbie Guide Previous Document: 5 - How Much Next Document: 7 - What Not To Look For See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge So what are some of the things you should look for or ask about when visiting a school? Number one, ask about the class schedule. If classes only meet when you can't attend, it crosses the school off for you. Another thing to look for is who is teaching the classes. Often, the person teaching your class won't be the head instructor. Frequently the head instructor will have some of his advanced students teaching classes. This is particularly true if the school you choose has separate classes for lower ranked and higher ranked students or if they have a "new student" class. Don't let this dissuade you. Often instructors teaching "new students" are doing so because they have shown an aptitude for helping new students learn the basics of an art, perhaps even beyond that of the head instructor. The ability to _teach_ a physical skill is often dissociated to some degree from the ability to actually perform that skill at high levels. Most professional boxers could whip the tar out of their coaches even though their coaches know how to box. While on the topic, find out if there is an "introductory" or "getting started" class or course. This can be a good way to get up to speed quickly with the basics of an art or to "sample" that school. While visiting a school, spend some time talking to the students before or after class. Talk to both high and low ranking students, they'll have different perspectives. Spend some time understanding the atmosphere of the school, it will take more then one brief visit. Some are strict disciplinarian and some are easy camaraderie. Again, don't assume that the instructor that runs his school like a drill sergeant produces kick-butt martial artists while a more easy going school is lax or lackadaisical. They are simply different teaching styles and one may be more appropriate to your needs then the other. Another thing to take note of is injuries. Let's face it, martial arts are inherently dangerous. They are _martial_ and no matter how safe you train or what safety equipment is used, there is a risk. There are bound to be some injuries. However, the nature and frequency of the injuries are what you should consider. A black eye is far different from an injured joint and if broken bones occur frequently, that may indicate a problem. You can't train while recovering from some injuries. Some injuries are permanent and will affect you the rest of your life. Finally, though uncommon, some schools have an "enrollment period." They operate like college classes in that you can only join at certain times of the month or year. User Contributions:Top Document: rec.martial-arts Newbie Guide Previous Document: 5 - How Much Next Document: 7 - What Not To Look For Single Page [ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ] Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer: mcweigel+@cs.cmu.edu
Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM
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