Open House Reception: SMA will host an open-house reception in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Willits on Sunday, March 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Come visit with Mr. and Mrs. Willits and wish them well as they leave to start their own studio in Chesapeake, VA.
Picture Days: Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28, 2010. Appointment times are going fast. We want every member on the picture board this year. No purchase is necessary to appear on the board. Sign up on the front bulletin board.
ATA Regional Tournament: Friday and Saturday, April 16-17, 2010, in Virginia Beach. For more information, go to the tournament web page.
April Graduation/Rank Testing: Saturday, April 24, 2010. Special guests: Senior Master Tracy Thomas and others. Times to be announced.
Enrollment
Q: How old do you have to be to take classes?
A: To enter our taekwondo program, students must be age six and entering first grade in Fall 2010. For krav maga, students must be 18 or older.
Q: Do you make exceptions for younger students?
A: Generally speaking, we do not, because of the maturity levels required to safely participate in our programs.
Q: I have belt rank in another martial art. Can I keep it if I enter your taekwondo program?
A: In nearly all cases, the answer is no, unless the rank is in our particular style of taekwondo.
Q: I hold level rank/certification from a krav maga organization. Does that entitle me to advanced placement in your Gladiator Krav Maga program?
A: Possibly, but not automatically. We would have to evaluate your skill and knowledge level before making that decision.
Financial
Q: How much do lessons cost?
A: We offer a three-week introductory program for $49, including a free uniform. Beyond this, we do not give out pricing information over the phone or via the internet. When you come in for a free introductory lesson, however, we inform you fully of all the costs associated with our programs.
Q: Can I pay month to month, or do I have to sign a contract?
A: We do not offer a month-to-month payment option. Our membership agreements range from six months to a year, depending on your membership program.
A: Certainly. That is the purpose of our three-week introductory program. In fact, we require all prospective clients to take this program as the first step to enrolling at our studio.
Q: Can I watch a class before signing up?
A: Yes. However, we request you call ahead so we can make sure you have the correct days and times of our beginner classes.
Schedule and Attendance
Q: Where can I get your class schedule?
A: Please click here.
Q: Do I have to schedule which classes I attend each week?
A: No. We have flexible scheduling, which means you choose which classes for your age, rank, and program to attend.
Q: How many classes per week do I have to attend?
A: You can attend as many classes as you want for your age, rank, and program. However, we require you to attend an average of at least two classes per week in order to progress.
Q: Can kids and adults train together?
A: No. Adults and kids learn differently, and the classes reflect this difference. Also, the curriculum for kids is less intense than the adult curriculum, and the adults learn techniques not appropriate to teach children.
A: Yes, to remain a member in good standing. Memberships at Spotsylvania Martial Arts are year round. We do not offer partial-year registrations.
Instructors
Q: What are your taekwondo instructors' qualifications?
A: All classes are led by nationally certified adult instructors. To be certified by our organization, an instructor must hold a black belt in our style and complete a formal, two-year training program that includes 300 hours of supervised instructing.
Q: What are your krav maga instructors' qualifications?
A: Our Gladiator Krav Maga instructors have been certified by (and are overseen by) Tracy Lee Thomas of Virginia Beach, a former Krav Maga Worldwide instructor who has also trained in Commando Krav Maga.
Q: Do you allow children to teach classes?
A: No. While we do have a team of junior black belts who assist our instructors with taekwondo classes, all instruction is delivered by adults.
Q: Are your instructors subject to background checks?
A: Yes. Our instructors must undergo periodic background checks to retain their certification. These investigations are handled independently through our national Association.
Q: Do you accept black belts from other styles as instructors?
A: No. You must earn an ATA black belt to be eligible.
Curriculum
Q: What art(s) do you teach?
A: We teach traditional taekwondo (tae kwon do) and krav maga.
Q: What do you mean by "traditional" taekwondo?
A: "Traditional" means we do not teach Olympic-style taekwondo. Traditional taekwondo is substantially different from the Olympic style. It is closer to karate.
Q: What taekwondo organization are you affiliated with?
A: We are licensed by the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), a worldwide organization with over 1,000 licensed member schools. Check out their web site here.
A: We are not members of any krav maga organization; our license agreement with ATA prevents our belonging to any other organization.
Q: How long will it take me to earn a black belt?
A: As long as it takes you to learn the physical material and develop the mental attitude required to be a black belt. For most taekwondo students, this takes three years or longer. (Krav maga students do not earn belts.)
Q: How old do you have to be to earn a black belt?
A: Our minimum age is eight, but nearly all our junior-age black belts are 10 years old or older.
Accredited by:
4100 Lafayette Blvd
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Tel: 540-891-9008
Click Here to Contact Us