Choosing a school

[Kacey]

There are a lot of threads posted about choosing the right school, and there's been some discussion about putting up a stickied discussion - here's a start (attempt 2; I accidentally closed the first one instead of saving it :o)

Would this be better placed in The Beginnger's Corner, General MA, Meet & Greet, or somewhere else?

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5 Steps to Choosing the Right Martial Art for You (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31462&highlight=choosing+school)

Choosing a style (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39577&highlight=choosing+school)

Choosing a school (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43613&highlight=choosing+school)

Choosing an instructor
(http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44111&highlight=choosing+school)
Looking for an effective martial art (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44091&highlight=choosing+school)

Choosing a martial art for self-defense - women (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46174&highlight=choosing+school)

Choosing between available styles (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43908&highlight=choosing+school)

The right age for a child (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45017&highlight=choosing+school) to start MA training

Returning to martial arts (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43349&highlight=choosing+school) after a break

I'm already here - but is this really the right school (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45697&highlight=choosing+school)?

Choosing a second (or third, or fourth...) style (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=749847#post749847)
(http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=749847#post749847)

[Kira S]

Hi Kacey,

This is great information.

I am currently looking for a martial art with my daughter, and a friend recomended I download a free report at www.which-martial-art.com (http://www.which-martial-art.com)

I found the information really useful on this report as it tells me what to expect from starting to train in a martial art and a checklist of what I should be looking for when checking out clubs.

I'm using this along with the advice on this forum to help find a school right for me and my 6 year old daughter.

Thanks again, nice work

Kira x

[Skippy]

Hello,


First I would ask myself why is it I want to study & train? Second stay clear of any school or instructor that will promise you a particular amount of rank in a particular amount of time for a particular amount of money ...(Schools like this only want your money)... It's also best to stay clear of the politics of the arts & the arts are full of this. You will encounter lots of that here as well as many people wanting to feed their egos. Keep in mind being a martial artist and a brawler are totally different. Anyone can fight, thats just blind rage. A good school with a good instructor will teach you how not to fight as the highest level of martial arts is being able to end an encounter without having to fight & use force. Lots of people regardless if they admit it or not start in the arts with one thing really on their minds ...(A Black Belt!) If a person wants a black belt that bad it's much cheaper to go out and buy one! Rank in reality means nothing as the path you follow as you train is much more important as on your path the experiences you have good as well as bad make you a far richer person & give you a stronger spirit. Trust me, I teach but I'm also a student as everyday I learn something new. Best of luck in your search for the right school & art.

[WingChunIan]

My advice would be to develop a criteria list and rank them in order of importance.
- why do you want to train? fitness, discipline, sport, self protection, want a hobby, co-ordination, etc etc
- distance from home, accessibility by public transport, car etc
- class times
- limitations in terms of personal beliefs, religion etc
- limiting physical conditions, injuries, etc
- level of expense, class fees, uniforms, gradings, memberships, insurance, seminars etc - establish your budget
- reputation of instructor, local unknown vs international best seller (only you can decide if its important)

Once you've drawn up your criteria then do a local search and note down the ones that might score highest. Finally go visit the school, watch a class, talk to the instrutor and the students and decide if it feels right. If anyone refuses to let you watch before choosing to join, cross them off the list and move on.