I know this article is looking at the question ‘Are games for martial arts classes a good idea?’ but you should know that I was going to name it ‘Here come the fun police: why are so many children’s martial arts instructors against games?’ Before we get started, I just want to reiterate a statement […]
Are games for martial arts classes a good idea? Read More »
Every now and again I get a request from a martial arts instructor asking how to build engagement and fun in the classes they deliver as part of their kid’s martial arts programme. This one thing is obviously top of the list when it comes to increasing enjoyment and retention. I thought it would be
25 tips to build engagement and fun in your kids martial arts classes Read More »
Have you ever had an anxious child attend your class and refuse to join in? You book a new starter in for a trial class on your young children’s martial arts programme. You email / text / message to remind the parent about the trial class and they tell you the child has been talking
3 reasons anxious children may not join in your martial arts classes Read More »
A participation development model can help you map out your programme and how they fit together. Once you master your marketing and you can successfully get people through the door, your next priority in your martial arts club is usually to make sure you retain your members. The balance is to do all this without
Build A member and staff pipeline using a Participation Development Model Read More »
Building congruency in your coaching is all about building alignment between the values you promote and the actions you take. We are all human and as such, at least some of our values will be aspirational. By this, I mean that most martial arts coaches will at least make a solid attempt to ‘walk their
Do as I say, not as I do: How a lack of congruency in your coaching can cost you members Read More »
Ryan and Deci’s Self Determination Theory has been the subject of study in sports contexts for decades. Centred around building intrinsic motivation, it’s surprising that it hasn’t been the focus of attention for martial arts clubs and organisations looking to grow their memberships. If we can understand the motivation of our members and create a
The internet is awash with stock martial arts photos. While these images are better than nothing, they don’t offer the same authenticity as having photos of your own students in your marketing materials. If you don’t want to use stock photos anymore, this leaves you with three real choices. You can pay a photographer to
10 tips For martial arts photos that actually attract new students Read More »
Your coaching philosophy isn’t just a set of aspirational statements that you would like to adhere to, but guiding principles that you do your best to implement in every martial arts class you teach. Defining and documenting your own coaching philosophy will give you clarity when dealing with different situations that may arise over the
Coaching Philosophy: What is It and How to Develop Your Own Read More »
The benefits of developing self-control Who would have thought that having the self-control to not eat one marshmallow in order to receive a second could have such a profound effect on someone’s life? The results of the marshmallow test turned out to predict much about the participant’s future lives. The more seconds they were able
7 tactics to help children develop self-control Read More »
If you teach martial arts to young children, understanding the psychological stages of development is a must. Taking a ‘participant centred’ approach to our coaching translates as meeting our students where they are. Before we can do that we actually need to know ‘where they are’ cognitively, emotionally and socially. This article will look at
Psychological Stages Of Development For Young Children Practicing Martial Arts Read More »
