There are nine colored belts (kyus) and ten degrees of black belt level (dans) at Kick Masters.  Testing usually takes place in 3-month increments at the beginning and intermediate levels, and at 6-month increments at advanced red and brown belt levels.  The order of our belt system is white, gold, orange, green, purple, blue, red, 2^nd kyu brown, 1^st kyu brown, and then black belt level.  It takes approximately 3 ½ years to achieve a black belt at Kick Masters Karate.

Grades are extremely important in our program, and they should be promoted at any quality studio.  In fact, 95% of our junior black belts are straight-A students, and over 80% of our under belt student population are honor roll students.  Kick Masters has several academic programs to improve, encourage, promote, and reward great grades.  They include our academic achievement patch/stars for straight-A student for the entire school year and the Kick Masters Karate Black Belt Scholarship for high school seniors.

Yes! 90% of sticking with an exercise program is mental.  Just by asking the question, you’re almost there!  We have a fantastic system set up for introducing beginners into our teen/adult class, regardless of their current physical condition.  Included in our state-of-the-art, 8,000 square foot facility is a private training room.  All first time teen/adult students take their first few classes 1-on-1, in the comfort of a more secluded training setting.  After a beginner feels comfortable enough to join the rest of the class, they are encouraged to participate in the group warm-up, after which time they are split again into their smaller rank group.  You’ll be able to keep up, because karate is an individual sport and each participant moves forward at their own speed!

Sparring or “kumite” is not done until orange belt level, or 9-months into the Kick Masters taekwondo program. Students, dressed in full safety gear, participate in one-on-one timed matches for points in matted floor rings. Required foam dipped protective gear includes hand and footgear, shin pads, mouthpiece, headgear, and groin cup. Some students even add extra safety gear as they wear chest protectors, elbow and/or kneepads, and face shields. After one and two-step drills are established, students spar with junior or adult black belts first, as they exhibit the most control while adding positive feedback in developing skill. If the student demonstrates the ability to control his/her attacks and counter-attacks, highly structured matches between individual students of the same rank or higher then follow. At Kick Masters, sparring is quite fun and safe for younger students, and very challenging, yet non-confrontational for teens/adults.

Absolutely! Our weaponry program is accessible at green belt level. Weapons classes are forty-five minutes in length and work off a rotating curriculum of various weapons (bo staff, sai, kama, nunchaku, escrima, sword, tonfa, etc.). Instructors teach fundamental blocks, strikes, and movements with each weapon so students can better understand basic handling and central concepts. The history and application of each weapon are established first, before any student is taught the basics. And in case you’re wondering, yes, we teach both traditional and modern weapon application. Weaponry is not required until black belt level.

In order to break boards at Kick Masters, students must be 18 years old or older, or, be 15 with parental consent. Boards are 1-inch thick pine shelving wood, cut to the dimensions of 10 x 12. Adult breaking does not take place until green belt level, or 1 year into the Kick Masters’ program. Board breaking requires students to demonstrate focus, technique, speed, follow-through, and confidence. It’s done in a controlled and safe environment, with proper black belt supervision. Board breaking itself measures the quality and power of any given technique and is quite exhilarating to watch.

One word: ABSOLUTELY! We encourage all parents/guardians to accompany their child in their training, be a constructive coach, or be a participant themselves. When you take an active part in your family’s cognitive and physical development, only positive things can happen. Whether it’s explaining the “Life Words” in the Little Dragons Program, reinforcing the “Anti-Bullying Tip of the Week” in the Youth Program, or implementing the Quote of the Week and Weekly Health Fact in the Teen/Adult Class, onlookers can emphasize the values and character traits promoted by the Kick Masters staff.

No. In general, the martial art is very “military like” with its commands and structure. Within the armed forces, participants are taught to respect those of a higher rank by saluting and saying “yes sir” and “no ma’am”. Respect is what karate teaches its students on a daily basis through specific actions and verbal responses. More specifically, bowing is one of the main ways to show respect at Kick Masters, other than saying “yes sir” and “no ma’am”. Bowing can be compared to a handshake, and is done when entering and leaving the studio, when leaving or entering the training mat, when beginning or ending a class, and/or at the end of an exercise.

Great question! 1) The youth classes meet more frequently; two traditional classes and two optional classes per week (Self-defense/Striking and the Skills Class are optional). 2) The youth program is more performance based (advancement in the youth program is based upon knowing and demonstrating a specific set of curriculum at each belt level). 3) Memorization is required (terminology and basic history are taught to encourage a cognitive approach as opposed to just the physical). 4) Practice is standard (practicing at home is necessary for success in the youth program – i.e. 15 minutes a day). 5) Games and drills are more substantive and more skills based. Our best advice, try out a Little Dragons Class first to see if it’s too easy for your child. You can always move to a more challenging class at any time!

Very few differences separate a junior from an adult black belt. The biggest distinction between these two ranks is board breaking. Junior black belts have completed all the other requirements necessary for achieving the rank of black belt, but due to their age (i.e. body development), are not allow to break boards. Another difference is responsibility and maturity. Certified adult instructors, under the supervision of senior leadership, run and facilitate each and every class. Juniors are present to assist the adult instructors, but most importantly attend class to set stellar examples for fellow students in the form of skill, respect, detail, discipline, and attentiveness.