What A Child Can Expect in Their First Martial Arts Class
You tell me which class you think is better.
I distinctly remember two very different classes at two different ages.
My first class? I got kicked in the face and cried. I was about 5 years old. I was sparring. And I was accidentally put in a group with the older, more advanced kids. Oops! Bad experience that I still remember over 20 years later.
My second class? I remember leaving the class feeling two things: Inspired & Confident
I couldn’t wait to try the next class! I was challenged and pushed in a way that made me feel confident and strong, but also showed me that there is much more to learn.
I was 13 years old and it was because my mom made me. By the time I left, I couldn’t wait to start the next one.
Two very different experiences. One that could have made me want to quit immediately. The other one left me feeling confident and ready for more.
Which class would you like your child to try out when they are first starting Martial Arts?
Read below to see what your child can expect in their first class at Hybrid Martial Arts. And what you should expect from any class they try for the first time!
Your Child Should Leave Feeling Excited & Happy
I may upset some hardcore martial arts schools that think every class should be hard. “Martial Arts is a combat sport and class should feel like a real fight”.
That is a post I read from another school just the other day.
My question: Is that how I want my child’s first class to feel?
A fight? Absolutely not…
Your child’s first class at any Martial Arts school should without a doubt leave them feeling:
Empowered
Inspired
Happy
Part of a team
Challenged
Yes, there is a time and place for a hard class that really pushes you to your limits. The first class is not it. The first month is not it.
There are three questions I ask every nervous kid that walks through our doors for their first class.
Do you think you can try your best?
Do you think you can get a little bit better today?
Do you think you can have some fun on the mat with us?
That is what you and your child should expect, in a nutshell. Did they give effort and try their best doing something new? Did they (And you!) see progress? Did they have a good time while they took class?
Your child should not leave their first class feeling like they were in a fight. They should leave feeling excited, happy, and proud of themselves.
How A Child’s First Class Should Look and Feel
Every school is different and has their own way of running classes, but how the class makes you and your child feel should be nearly universal. A child’s first Martial Arts class should have some of the following components.
Inspiring, yet challenging.
The first class should focus on the basics.
You should feel warm and welcomed.
Actively looking at different schools?
Grab our free checklist to bring to each school and help you score them!
Your child should feel inspired, yet challenged
Just like I felt in my example class above. I was a 13 year old teenager that didn’t want to go to class. I felt like I was being forced to go by my mom. But by the end, I felt like a completely new person!
I was challenged throughout the class and had to push myself in ways I didn’t have to before. And because of that challenge, I was inspired by the end of the class. Inspired to try again and get better in the next class!
While your first class should be easy (More on that below!), it shouldn’t be too easy!
Don’t expect your child to master everything in the first class. They should pick things up and be able to follow along, but obviously, you should see that there is room for growth. That means there is something to look forward to!
And if done right, by the end of class, your kid is going to want to come back for another class because they can’t wait to improve!
Your child’s first class should focus on the basics
This is a new activity. A new skill. In a new place. Your kid is nervous enough.
The class itself should be easy to learn. Basic strikes or combinations. Beginner-level positions. Quick and easy wins.
This is how confidence can be built in the first class, immediately. They should NOT be getting kicked in the face during a sparring session! (Truthfully - It wasn’t my first class, but I was still new and had no business being in the situation I was in.)
Your child’s first class should make them feel welcomed
Martial Arts is an individual activity done in a group setting. It is all about your own growth, effort, and progress, but done with teammates who are supporting you! One of the first things to look for in your first class: Do I feel like I am part of the team?
We have heard from parents before:
“We tried that other school, but the classes were so big. It felt like they got lost in the mix.”
“They were a bit cliquey. My kid didn’t feel like they fit in.”
“I don’t think the instructor really liked working with kids. He didn’t seem too nice.”
And the best one: “My kid got yelled at by the instructors during the birthday party.”
WHAT?!
One of my favorite things about Martial Arts is that it can be for everyone!
Everyone should feel like they are part of the team
Everyone should feel welcomed into class.
And that feeling should be on Day 1! If you and your child don’t feel warm and welcomed by the end of your first class - Keep looking!
My Challenge For You - Did you hear their name?
If you are currently looking at schools and trying out classes count how many times you hear your child’s name said out loud. From coaches and teammates, your child’s name should be said multiple times throughout their first class! They should feel seen and should feel like a part of the team!
Story Time: Emily’s First Class
Just yesterday we had a new student, Emily (Not her actual name, but a real story), come in for her first class at Hybrid Martial Arts. We either get one of two students:
The nervous, scared, or shy kid who needs a push to get on the mat.
The out-of-this-world energy kid who can’t wait to get on the mat.
Emily was #2! Ha!
She was ready to run, jump, hit, and do whatever else she was told to do. You know what we taught her in the first two minutes? Focus positions…
The coaches and leaders raced each of the students through our three focus positions that we learn on the mat. You know what Emily did?
She used all of that extra energy to work on her focus… and she crushed it!
Quick, easy wins to build confidence in the first two minutes. Not intimidating. Not boring.
That class we worked on a kickboxing combination that the rest of the students had seen before.
How did Emily do? Pretty good, actually. Not amazing. But not bad either.
That is exactly the right balance we want!
Easy enough to pick up the combo in the first class. Hard enough that she has some room to grow. Hard enough to challenge her and get her excited to get better.
(Hint: Dad told us before class that his goal for Emily was to work on her focus. Mission accomplished!)
By the end of class Emily’s face was red from sweating. She was smiling from ear to ear. And? She told me she can’t wait for her next class!
Inspired and Empowered? Check.
Happy? Check.
Challenged?Check.
Part of a team? Check. (By the end of class, everyone on the mat both knew and said Emily’s name! So cool!)
If your child is not leaving their first class sweating, smiling, challenged, and feeling inspired, then keep looking until they are. The right school is waiting for both of you!
How To Know If My Child is Ready for Martial Arts
In the Williamstown area in New Jersey, there are countless Martial Arts schools to choose from.
All different styles and different skills being taught.
Knowing which school to choose from is hard and overwhelming! And it can be hard to know what to look for!
We answer all of your questions here: The Complete Parent’s Guide to Martial Arts for Kids
Know which age to start (And what to look for depending on your child’s age)
How to evaluate schools
What to look for when watching a Martial Arts class!
Want To Try Out Your First Martial Arts Class?
If you have been looking for the right Martial Arts school and are in the South Jersey area, come check out Hybrid Martial Arts.
Our free two week trial is the perfect opportunity for them to try out Martial Arts in a fun, safe environment.
