07/22/2026
How do I Choose a Martial Arts School?
People ask me this question all the time, so here are my thoughts after more than four decades in martial arts.
The first thing to understand is that not all martial arts schools have the same mission.
That's not a criticism—it's simply reality.
Some schools focus on competition.
Some focus on traditional martial arts.
Some emphasize fitness and recreation.
Others, like mine, focus primarily on practical self-defense.
None of those are inherently wrong.
The important question is:
What are YOU hoping to gain from martial arts?
1. Decide what success looks like.
If you're simply looking for a fun activity that keeps you or your child active a couple evenings each week, there are plenty of wonderful schools that will accomplish exactly that.
If your goal is practical self-defense, then ask questions.
Don't just ask, "Do you teach self-defense?"
Every school says yes.
Instead ask:
- How often do you teach self-defense?
- Is it built into every class's curriculum?
- What do you teach besides punches and kicks?
- Do students learn awareness, avoidance, verbal de-escalation, and escape techniques?
- Do children learn age-appropriate responses that keep them safe without creating bigger problems at school?
- Do you practice escaping grabs, holds, headlocks, tackles, and chokes?
- Do you pressure-test those skills in a safe, controlled environment?
Real self-defense is far more than kicking and punching.
It's recognizing danger early, making smart decisions, escaping safely, and getting home.
2. Understand the difference between competition and self-defense.
I love competition. I spent many years competing and coaching competitors before changing my school's focus entirely to self-defense every single class.
Competition builds confidence, discipline, athleticism, and mental toughness.
But competition has rules.
Real violence doesn't.
A school can produce outstanding tournament champions without teaching much practical self-defense.
Likewise, a self-defense school may never produce a national champion.
Neither approach is "better."
They're simply different.
Choose the one that matches your family's goals.
3. Watch a class before you enroll.
This may be the most important advice I can give.
Watch how the instructor teaches.
Are they actively coaching every student?
Do they correct mistakes?
Do students improve because they're being challenged?
Or is the instructor mostly entertaining the room while everyone receives constant praise regardless of effort?
Good instructors encourage students—but they also hold them accountable.
Growth requires correction.
4. Pay attention to the culture.
A martial arts school should build character every bit as much as physical ability.
Ask yourself:
- Are students respectful?
- Do older students help younger students?
- Is humility encouraged?
- Are instructors calm, patient, and in control?
- Is discipline based on teaching rather than intimidation?
- Does everyone seem welcome?
Your or your child will spend hundreds of hours in this environment.
Choose one whose culture reflects the kind of adult you hope your child becomes, and what kind of person you want to be.
5. Promotions should be earned—not expected.
Belts are milestones.
They should represent growth, not attendance.
If every student passes every test, every time, regardless of preparation, ask yourself what the belt really means.
A good instructor wants students to succeed.
Sometimes that means delaying a promotion until they're truly ready.
Failure, handled correctly, isn't discouraging.
It's one of life's greatest teachers.
6. Don't choose a school because of the sales pitch.
Every school needs to stay in business, and there's nothing wrong with that.
But be cautious if you're pressured to sign a long-term contract before you've even experienced the classes.
The best schools usually let their instruction do the selling.
7. Look beyond the techniques.
The greatest benefit of martial arts isn't learning to fight.
It's learning confidence.
Discipline.
Humility.
Leadership.
Respect.
Resilience.
The ability to stay calm under pressure.
The courage to stand up for yourself—and sometimes for someone else.
Those lessons will serve you or your child long after they've forgotten how to throw a roundhouse kick.
My final advice:
Don't shop for the school with the fanciest building or the biggest advertising budget.
Shop for the instructor.
Find someone who genuinely cares about developing better human beings—not just higher belt ranks.
At the end of the day, martial arts isn't about creating people who can win fights.
It's about creating people who are confident enough to avoid them, capable enough to survive them if necessary, and wise enough to know the difference.
I hope this helps you ask better questions.
Every school has its own philosophy, and many excellent instructors teach differently than I do.
My hope is simply that you find a school whose mission aligns with your goals.
You'll find us at The HUB Rec Center in Enchanted Hills every Tues and Thurs from 6-7 pm. Age 12 and up.
