| There are many myths about martial arts training, | | | | If take downs, sweeps, and throws are required, |
| and the general public accepts some as fact. In | | | | there should be some kind of matted floor |
| the following article, I have outlined general | | | | available. Many of the state-of-the-art martial arts |
| guidelines, and precautions, for parents who are | | | | schools have a floor surface specifically designed |
| considering enrolling their child, or children, into | | | | for martial arts. It makes no sense to have |
| martial arts. | | | | anyone throw a classmate on a hard floor, with |
| Below, I have listed some common issues and | | | | the type of flooring available, as this can result in |
| questions that parents often ask about martial | | | | long-term injuries. |
| arts for their children. Also, you will be much more | | | | Can parents watch Karate classes? |
| informed about the benefits of martial arts, the | | | | Let's put it this way, if you cannot watch your |
| structure with a martial arts school, and know | | | | child practice karate, or any other martial art, you |
| what to realistically expect. | | | | should find another school. I can appreciate the |
| What should I be looking for in a martial arts | | | | fact that some martial arts instructors don't want |
| school? | | | | to deal with interfering parents. This is the reason |
| Safety comes as a first priority for parents who | | | | for rules and signs. |
| seek martial arts instruction for their children. | | | | Remember the "hockey dad" incident? There are |
| Here are a number of key factors to consider: | | | | a few people who, through their own conduct, |
| Is safety equipment used when children are | | | | create rules for the rest of us. However, you are |
| performing exercises and drills that require | | | | the parent and are entitled to see your child train |
| contact? This is especially important when children | | | | in karate or any martial arts class. |
| are sparring in martial arts. In many martial arts | | | | Fire exits, fire extinguishers, and someone who |
| schools, sparring equipment is required, or the child | | | | monitors visitors, as they enter a karate studio |
| cannot spar. The number of injuries resulting from | | | | full of children, should be standard features. We |
| sparring in Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do is | | | | have three fire exits and one main entrance, in |
| surprisingly low in comparison to many league | | | | our studio, but only one door is used for an |
| sports. | | | | entrance. Kids understand security because they |
| Never the less, I once had a father pull his son | | | | see the same precautions in elementary school. |
| out of our martial arts school because he found a | | | | Also, watch out for poles in the middle of the |
| karate studio that would let his son "fight" without | | | | room. Adults will spot them, but an excited child in |
| protective equipment. In our school, it is | | | | a karate class may forget and end up crashing |
| mandatory to wear martial arts equipment for | | | | into one. Make sure that you feel secure about |
| the safety of the students. Sparring equipment | | | | the studio, surroundings, rules, and the staff |
| has come a long way, so why not use it? | | | | before you make a decision to have your child |
| The flooring surface should match the martial art. | | | | take martial arts classes. |