Structuring my MMA program

[J. Pickard]

We have been running a youth point mma program for almost a year now. It started small (about 3 kids with years of previous martial arts experience) so it was easy to give personalized instruction to each student based on their skill level and previous experience.

The good news is the class is growing. The bad news is, we now have several absolute beginners with no experience. This means our individualized approach and relaxed curriculum is no longer an option. I have the different level progression and curriculum figured out what I am struggling with is finding an affordable and practical way to display this progression. Coming from a Karate and TKD background I like how the belt progress is structured in those arts, but given that we train MMA in shorts and a tshirt I don't think belts are the best bet. I've looked into different colored rash guards like a uniform but that gets pricey. Any suggestions on how to display what level in the curriculum each student is at?

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf114 145]

If it's kids, and if you've got a 'school' t-shirt (if you don't it may be a good idea to get one of those), potentially patches or something similar for the tshirt. Simple certificates for each level could work and not have a way to display it in the actual class - plenty styles don't have a visible indicator and they seem to work just fine.

 

[philwhite44 1]

I think you have a lot of options. Tshirts are cheap. We just printed up a bunch of custom tshirts with a local shop for $15 each. You could color code a tshirt or use patches/stripes/etc.. I do karate and we sometimes spar in shorts and a tshirt. The belts don't really get in the way but it might be slightly different or less comfortable for what you do. Just make sure if you do use belts or something else as a progress marker, it is clearly defined like TKD, Karate, Judo, etc..

 

[drop bear114 53]

You possibly should be training in rash guards though to prevent fingers and toes getting caught.

You can't compete in jits without a ranked rashi.

And for youth. That's probably where you want to aim the bulk of their competition.

 

[Tony Dismukes112 9]

You possibly should be training in rash guards though to prevent fingers and toes getting caught.

And also (as the name indicates) to prevent the spread of ringworm and staph. I have not gotten ringworm once in the 17 years since I started wearing rash guards. Prior to that, when I grappled in shorts and t-shirts, I caught it about once per year.

 

[Simfers114 22]

Rashguards would get expensive right quick and t-shirts are sub-optimal... I always thought belts without a gi looked stupid, and they'd probably just get in the way... How about different coloured armbands? Same principle as belts, but worn on the bicep.

 

[Tony Dismukes112 9]

Rashguards would get expensive right quick and t-shirts are sub-optimal... I always thought belts without gi looked stupid, and they'd probably just get in the way... How about different coloured armbands? Same principle as belts, but worn on the bicep.

I’ve seen people do that with Muay Thai programs where they wanted to add a rank element.

 

[J. Pickard]

You possibly should be training in rash guards though to prevent fingers and toes getting caught.

You can't compete in jits without a ranked rashi.

And for youth. That's probably where you want to aim the bulk of their competition.

I should specify, the tshirts are a rashguard design, they are just whatever style and color each student wants to wear. I dont allow regular cotton or loose tshirts for safety when rolling.

 

[J. Pickard]

I

Rashguards would get expensive right quick and t-shirts are sub-optimal... I always thought belts without gi looked stupid, and they'd probably just get in the way... How about different coloured armbands? Same principle as belts, but worn on the bicep.

Interesting. I wonder how that would hold up in grappling aspect though? Its worth trialing I suppose.

 

[Simfers114 22]

Probably about as well as a belt, which is to say 45 seconds of a spirited roll.

 

[drop bear114 53]

Just throwing this out there.

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