Kids Escrima Classes

Answer: We accept kids as young as 4 years old for the kid's class. However, children mature at different speeds. Some children might be ready at 4 while others might need to wait a little longer. We do have a class specifically for kids ages 3-4 called the Tiny Tots that might be more appropriate.

Answer: Yes, of course. You and your child are welcome to observe or even try a class. Please contact us at 702-336-1095 to schedule an appointment to come in. The trial class is free.

wer: Wear comfortable clothing. Wearing flip-flops or sandals are the easiest. Students cannot footwear on our mats. In addition, Students cannot be barefoot off the mats. Also, bring along a water bottle. 

Answer: Our program is on-going. In other words, you can start at anytime.

Answer: Of course! Enrolling in martial arts will help your child with coordination, flexibility, agility, and strength. The whole point is to get them to be athletic.

Every parent I know wants to find some activity for their child that they will be passionate about. You want your child to be asking you to come to class every week. Also. we know you are looking at many different martial arts schools for your child. You are trying to find somewhere that will be a great fit, as far as location, pricing, and quality.

However, you should also know, we (the instructors) screen applicants to find great students for our academy. We are looking for the right students.

Now, tell me...

Are You And Your Child The Right Students For Our Academy?

Let me be a bit more specific…

We are not looking for any kind of short term student here. Short term students are difficult to teach. They don’t practice at home and don’t even know if they are going to attend next week’s class.

​Uncommitted kids in class, brings down the energy of our classes

Look, we pride ourselves on being straightforward with our students 100% of the time. Honestly, there is no way martial arts training will give your child any of the benefits that martial arts have to offer, if both you and they, are not committed to the process..

As you probably know, your child will only start to gain benefits like discipline, respect, self-confidence, focus, and concentration with hard work and dedication.

Our Core Beliefs

One of our core beliefs is that you (the parents) should the ultimate decision-maker not the child. Over the years I have seen many parents allow their child to quit martial arts. These parents know deep down inside, that training is beneficial for their kids.

Let me give you an example, these same parents insist that their child does not get to choose whether or not to brush their teeth at night. Also, they say their children cannot choose to eat ice cream for dinner. In contrast, their kids DO get to choose whether they should go to martial arts class today or not.

Let me ask you a question, would you let your child quit school because they didn’t feel like going? Then why should they quit martial arts, because they didn’t feel like going? In our opinion, martial arts training is equally important to the development of your child as going to school is.

Look, we know that all parents desperately want to find something that their kids will be passionate about. The truth of the matter is that all kids (and even adults) go through periods when they feel more motivated, and when they feel less motivated.

The point is, you should expect these periods of low motivation and you should look forward to it happening. Why? Because these events are what we call “teachable moments”.

Teachable Moments

Truth is, if your child is allowed to quit at the first sign of feeling less motivated, how will they ever learn the lesson of perseverance?

The key question you need to ask yourself is “What kind of instructor do I want for my child?”

Honestly, do you want an instructor whose core belief is that martial arts will benefit your child in hundreds of ways, and make a deep impact on the rest of their life? Or do you want an instructor whose core belief is that martial arts training is just another activity?

However, that being said, there are 4 main ways we keep kids interested.

Answer: Yes, we highly recommend you practicing with your child at home. In fact, coming here is similar to taking your child to piano lessons. Would you have your child go to piano lessons, then not have them practice at home? How will your child remember what they've learned? One thing's for sure, home practice is the best way to retain and perfect what they have learned in class.

And best of all…

Home practice doesn't need to be an hour. In fact, 10-15 minutes of home practice per day is sufficient.

Answer: If your child is already hitting others, we are definitely NOT interested in teaching your child to hit harder or with more accuracy. So you’ll be glad to know, we have encountered this problem frequently over the years we have been teaching. The result? We have had major success in the past in changing this type of behavior. 

Let me tell you how...

How We Address The issue

First,  we address the issue by building a close relationship with your child.

Let’s face it…This relationship is what allows us to have some influence on your child.

So hang on while I explain... 

Your child will start to think about their actions before hitting others only if they have a real fear of disappointing the instructors. OK, let me repeat that…This fear of disappointing us is one of the best incentives to stop the behavior. Of course, if they don't care what we think then we cannot help them.

Secondly, we address the issue is calling them out in class. 

No one likes to be in the spotlight but, if your child is hitting others, they need to feel some negative social pressure from their friends in class. As you already know, peer pressure is 10 times more powerful than receiving guidance from an authority figure. We do this in front of their peer group to try and change their behavior.

Sparring

Finally, the best way for your child to learn not to hit others is through learning empathy for others.

Your child will participate in a martial arts drill called sparring. When kids don protective equipment and actually defend themselves against another child who is trying to hit them, it is called sparring. Consequently, your child will get to experience what it is like to get hit.

Let me explain...

Getting hit is an invaluable experience that is necessary for learning real empathy. Truly, as your child learns more techniques and improves in skill, they start to realize that they could actually hurt another person. Unless they are a sociopath, the hitting stops.

Self Defense

Of course, we remind students daily that martial arts techniques are only to be used for self-defense. Ultimately, It takes some time to actually change your child. Martial arts training can give you real results if you are willing to put in the time and effort.

Answer: Martial arts classes at our school is a safe activity. However, martial arts (like any other sport) has various risks and dangers. We always try to be safe and do what we can to prevent injuries. Kids in football or soccer are more prone to having injuries than a child enrolled in martial arts. Most situations that can cause injuries can be eliminated with a culture of safety.

We remind the kids to practice self-control when executing a punch or kick. Because of the emphasis on self-control, our kid's classes are safe and fun. From the beginning to the end of the class, the instructors are always keeping an eye on everything that goes on. Of course, like in any contact sport, occasional bumps and bruises are possible, but we work our hardest to make sure that they are very rare.

Answer: of course! Our instructors are skilled in taking basic movements and turning them into fun and challenging drills. In fact, what would normally be seen as hard work (like exercise) can be camouflaged into something fun and playful. For example, we have kids doing partner drills, animal warm-ups, and practicing with a pair of punching/kicking mitts. Classes are always a blast.

Answer: Yes, it is! Reality is, martial arts classes are not just for boys. We have a good mix of girls and boys in our martial arts classes! Surprisingly, some people think that boys are much more coordinated and faster learners.  The truth is, girls are just as coordinated, capable, and mentally tough as any boy.

Answer: Absolutely. Kids who are shy or has low self-esteem often come out of their shells. the point is, we teach kids how to be confident in many different ways. In truth, your child's confidence increases with each belt promotion, or each time they answer a question correctly, or when an instructor gives them a praise.  Obviously, instilling confidence in a child is not an easy task, but we've done it time and time again.

Answer: Usually, If your child is enrolled in a trial program, they can borrow our equipment. However, if you are going to stick with it, after the trial program is done, then you should get your own equipment. Good news! Everything you need can be purchased here at our martial arts studio.

Answer: Yes, belt testing fees are $55 per student. Usually, belt testing is held twice a year in April and October.