What Do You Look For?

[MJS]

When you began your MA training, what did you look for in the school? What drew you to the school? Was it the instructor, the students, how the classes were taught, what they offered, etc?

I ask this, because many new people to the arts, often come on here asking about a particular school, if its worth training at, etc. IMHO, I feel that its important to be confortable at a school, while at the same time, making sure that you're going to be happy there.

 

[KempoGuy06]

I agree with you complete MJS. Like I said in the other thread and like Ive said in coutless other threads. My instuctor is what drew me to my school. He is very passionate about teaching and about the art itself. He wants you to and helps you to understand what you are being taught. He doesnt just throw it out there, and say "now practice it 1000 times". He will actually explain every step and show you how it can be done wrong so that you know what to do.

B

 

[Grenadier]

What I looked for:

1) Is the style a decent one that doesn't have gaping holes in it? Do they teach you mechanically sound techniques? Or do they teach you how to stand in a wide stance, so others can kick you in the junk to demonstrate "toughness?" :rofl:

2) How do the instructors teach the art? Are they patient, understanding, and competent? Are they lacking in instructional abilities? Or are they berating individuals who look for any opportunity to insult the students?

3) Who is the chief instructor? Is his CV a reasonably good one? Is it lacking or dishonest? Or does it have five or more 10th dan certifications on it?

Even if he has only trained in a single system, if the system is a good one, and if he received good instruction throughout the years, then I would have faith in him.

4) Advancement: Are the students ranked in an honest manner? It need not be a direct comparison from one to the next, since advancement should be based on the improvement of the individual. Still, did they actually earn those ranks, or were they just simply given to them after a set period of time? When I see black belts who can't throw a fundamentally good punch to save their lives, then that's where I wonder...

4) Now we come down to price... I'm perfectly willing to pay a decent amount of $$$, as long as I'm getting what I want. I'm not afraid of a $100 / month pricetag, provided that I'm getting quality instruction. But a place asking for $300 / month (and yes, there are such places) is going to be way too rich for my blood, when I know that there are other quality institutions for a more reasonable price.

 

[Blindside]

The first time I took up martial arts, I was 12 and I went where my best friend has started going. Not really much choice on my part.

When I took martial arts up again as an adult, I wasn't real selective, visited a school, said "this looks cool" and joined.

When I moved and had to find a new school I just looked for the best instructor in the area. I looked at the general attitude in the school and at the quality of the top and mid-tier students.

When I looked for the instructor of my second art, it was pretty much curricullum based, it had material that I wanted. It was just gravy that my instructor turned out to be approachable, a good teacher, and very skilled.

Lamont

 

[tellner]

I was 10. There was Judo. That was it.

Many years later when my then-fiancee (now wife) had moved to Minneapolis for grad school she was looking for martial arts. We looked through the phone book keeping an eye out for FMA. The first school we saw was the Minnesota Kali Group. We went in. She talked to Rick for five minutes and had no inclination to look anywhere else.

 

[Drac]

One of my customers came into the bar I worked from a tourney to celebrate and I met his sensei, I was at the school next week...

 

[Kacey]

Honestly? I was pulled in by my then-boyfriend, and fell in love with the art and the class - including the instrutor's style. 20 years later, he's still my sahbum... but it was luck, not planning.

 

[MJS]

When I originally started, I didn't really do much research and went to the school that was the closest to me at the time. Over time, you learn from experience, so I moved on to a school that I felt offered me a bit more knowledge wise, than the first school. Moving on again, I have found a new home. I'm happy where I am now. The instructors are great and everyone made me feel very welcome. Everything that I want out of my training, I can find where I am now.

Things to look for:

Knowledge of the instructor. How well do they know the material, how well they translate the material? Are they open minded to other things aside from what they teach?

The Instruction: How do they teach? Are they out on the floor instructing? How are the classes run? Are they interested in your well being and making sure you're getting the most out of your money or are they more concerned with being a belt factory?

The School: Size of the school and classes. Overall organization of the school. Number of classes a week. The times of the classes. Cost.

 

[tshadowchaser]

I joined my first school because it was the first in the area and I was asked if I wanted to learn the art. I later changed schools because
1. I moved
2. I found the most knowledgeable instructors I could and the most respected for their knowledge and ability of their students