Martial Arts vs. Team Sports

Why is it that so many parents are worried about letting their kids learn a Martial Art?

When I was a kid my Mum didn’t want me to learn a Martial Art because she was worried about me getting hurt or beaten up in class. Yet she had no issues with me playing other sports, soccer, rugby, field hockey… . Many Parents Unfairly judge what we do.

The widely accepted team sports are far more dangerous than a well run Martial Art lesson. Trust me, getting smashed in the knee cap with a hockey stick while running full speed into it is a lot worse than any injury I have ever gotten during Martial Art Training.

It is clear that both kids and adults are injured every week during games of League, Aussie Rules, Soccer and even Netball. A close friends daughter broke her ankle last week in a netball game, only a week after passing her Black Belt Grading (congratulations Rachael). You can imagine what her Mum who had to say...

But my point is this… it is up to you to educate the parents about what you do and don’t do in your kids classes.

Most parents haven’t studied Martial Arts themselves and those that have did it in an “old school’ fashion. These days Instructors are much more responsible about the safety of the kids (,I hope)

But people have ideas about what happens in classes. Everybody has heard stories about the things that go wrong. Some are just Urban Myths and the others sound like they happened because of stupidity more than neglect.

Parents need to be educated about the Positives of a well run kids program:

Kids do not do anything unsupervised

Kids learn at their own pace

Kids are treated as individuals

Kids do not finish the lesson as either a winner or a loser (unlike team sports)

The whole class aims to succeed

Kids compete to better themselves

No kid is ever made to sit out a lesson (unless it’s due to bad behavior)

Kids can practice by themselves in their own time or with friends

Any physical conflict is controlled and seen coming (unlike being tackled blindly in most ball sports)

Parents can be encouraged to participate

Parents can assist Instructors during lessons

And my Favorite… The Skills they Learn can help them Protect Themselves, Their Family and Their Friends!

When you are talking to the Parents of prospective new students make these points clear. Be sure to reassure them that you will take care of their kid/s and not send them home with black eyes and a bloody nose every week.

It may sound obvious to you because you know what you do, but the new parents don’t… unless you tell them.

Ask the Parents of existing students to write you a testimonial for you to use in future marketing. Most parents are happy to give you a written testimonial, but you do need to ask them for it. Their recommendation will be all that’s needed to win over the nervous parents.

- Aaron Perry