| Here are a few pointers that should help those of | | | | time talking about their tournaments and so called |
| you who are thinking about studying mixed martial | | | | victories? Are they willing to spend time after |
| arts training. You may live in an area where there | | | | class practicing the move you just learned? |
| is more than one martial arts academy, and you | | | | 7. You need to know if the school actually gives |
| wonder which one would be the best for you. I | | | | mixed martial arts classes. If you learn the |
| personally have trained at several and have not | | | | different martial arts, how are you able to mix |
| burned any bridges behind me. | | | | them so that it's useful in a fight? You can |
| 1.The school must teach boxing. I'm not talking | | | | become good in some martial arts, but to be able |
| about Muay Thai. American boxers throw the | | | | to combine them into a useful program is a |
| hardest punches, and that is essential if you're | | | | different thing indeed! |
| going to train for the cage. Also, if you don't | | | | 8. You should decide if the price of training is in |
| know how to take a one, an unseen punch will | | | | your budget. Most schools charge between $100 |
| put you out for the count. | | | | to $150 for a membership. If you have to attend |
| 2. You must study jiu-jitsu, or some other form | | | | more than one school to get the training you |
| of grappling. If you end up on the ground (and | | | | need, can you make that commitment? You may |
| you will eventually) you could get choked out by | | | | have a wife (or husband) and children that will |
| someone who has very little grappling experience. | | | | require time, money and energy. |
| Wrestling is good, but you don't learn how to fight | | | | 9. Will your training interfere with your job? If you |
| off of your back. This is very important if you | | | | have to soak your elbow in ice the next day |
| want to be a good all around fighter. | | | | because you didn't tap out from an arm bar, will |
| 3. You must have a good rapport with your | | | | your boss mind a bucket of ice on your desk? If |
| instructor. Everyone responds differently to | | | | you twisted your ankle from an improper kick, |
| different personalities. You should find one who | | | | can you stay seated most of the day? These are |
| you are comfortable with. A good instructor | | | | real world issues that you may have to deal with. |
| wants to see his students reach their goals, not | | | | One thing that has worked for many people is to |
| the instructor's goals. | | | | get a job, even a part time one at the academy |
| 4. The class schedule should fit your schedule. Do | | | | where you train. You will learn so much, and you'll |
| you prefer to train at noon? At night? What | | | | be able to help other students in the process. |
| about week ends? | | | | Take your time and write down the pros and |
| 5. Decide whether you are willing to drive the | | | | cons of each school that you may be considering. |
| distance to the school several times a week. If | | | | You may train at one for a while, then switch to |
| there is a school close by but the schedule doesn't | | | | another later on. I always recommend that more |
| fit yours, then you probably won't be attending | | | | than one instructor train you. Each one |
| many classes. | | | | concentrates on another point of mixed martial |
| 6. Check out the attitudes of the other students. | | | | arts. The more instructors, the more rounded |
| Are there a lot of "hot dogs" that spend their | | | | your game will be. Best of luck! |