What Happens in Your First Martial Arts Class?

I can't tell you what happens at other martial arts schools in Shawnee, Ok. or most places but I can tell you what will happen at our school.

When you first come into Spherical Martial Arts in the Shawnee Mall, I, Chance, the head instructor will probably greet you with something like "Did you have any questions?" When you inform me that you are here to try a class I will then hand you a clipboard with our application/liability waiver and then say "Just fill this out and don't forget to sign the back page. It's not a contract, just a standard liability waiver and information page."

Once you are done with that, I will invite you on the floor and introduce you to other students. Before I go on I need to inform you that for kids martial arts, the class is pretty standard and follows a similar pattern most days. In the adult class we have a different program. I will cover ages 4-6 first, then ages 7-12, and finally adults (ages 13 and up).

In the 4-6 year old class your child will likely start with some basic boxing footwork drills and then move to basic kickboxing striking drills. Then they will move to some Tae Kwon Do forms. From there they will do applications of the forms and then likely go back to forms and end the class with kickboxing sparring or a game.

In all age groups, the first two times that someone spars, they are paired with someone who will simply be a moving target. They need to get used to moving while punching and kicking with out the fear of getting hit. Starting at the third time that they spar, a more experienced students will begin to "touch" them with fists and feet to let them know when their arms are not in correct position. In our dojang/dojo, "Touching" is kicking and punching in such a controlled manner that it is nowhere close to hurting. As the student spars more and becomes more acclimated, the strikes slowly increase in power as they are able to handle it. For example, during the white belt through early orange belt phase, students are only expected to learn to move comfortably while kicking and punching and learning basic defense. In the late orange belt to low purple belt phases, students are expected to begin to operate under moderate pressure. Through the high purple to high brown belt phases, students are expected to improve to higher levels of intensity. This journey can take any where from 3-5 years with each phase lasting 12-18 months each.

In the 7-12 year old class your child will likely start with some basic boxing footwork drills and then move to basic kickboxing striking drills. Then they will move to some Tae Kwon Do forms. From there they will do applications of the forms and then likely go back to forms. From there they may be paired with an assistant instructor to work on basic striking or Jiu Jitsu/wrestling. From there they will watch sparring or participate with a moving target.

In the adult class (ages 13 and up) you will either be parred with one instructor or high level student to go over all your basic foot work, movement, strikes, self-defense techniques, and Jiu Jitsu/wrestling or you will be rotated through multiple higher level students to learn the previously mentioned cirriculum. You will either then watch sparring or kick and punch "moving targets".

No matter your age group, you will be told that "There is no pressure to remember all of this. We will go over it all again next time. I hate tests and I also hate the pressure of having to try to remember everything. You will be shown what is important time and time again, so no pressure."

I hope that helps and if your live in Pottawatomie county, Lincoln County, or Seminole County, we would love for you to contact us to schedule your free trial class! If you are just passing through, feel free to drop by! I hope that was reassuring and educational.

Be Blessed,

Chance