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