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25 tips to build engagement and fun in your kids martial arts classes
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. …
3 reasons anxious children may not join in your martial arts classes
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 …
Build A member and staff pipeline using a Participation Development Model
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 …
Do as I say, not as I do: How a lack of congruency in your coaching can cost you members
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 …
Building members for life: Leveraging Self Determination Theory in your martial arts club
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 …
10 tips For martial arts photos that actually attract new students
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 …
Coaching Philosophy: What is It and How to Develop Your Own
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 …
7 tactics to help children develop self-control
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 …
Psychological Stages Of Development For Young Children Practicing Martial Arts
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. …
10 benefits of cultivating a Growth Mindset in your martial arts students
Henry Ford is reported to have said “Whether you think you can or you can’t you’re right”. This short quote highlights that your mindset can have a big impact on your actions. Your ability to learn and develop is dependent on you believing that with hard work, you can achieve. …