ATA Tae Kwan Do question....

[CF'er]

We joined an ATA school the end of Dec. and be. of Feb were asked to join the Leadership program. We are a family of 4 so lots of $$ for us to do so. We thought it was an "honor" to be asked so soon.

As we are there longer I notice that just about everyone is in Leadership or is at least asked fairly soon after joining.

Is this the norm at most schools? Do most people join the LP early? Should I be leary of this?

Give me your experience and advice please.

TIA

 

[KelNottAt]

I'm not familiar with ATA, so I can't give you the kind of answer you're looking for. Sorry.

But, my kids have been in martial arts for many years (DS 9 years, DD 7) and there always seems to be some sort of program, club, promotion, etc., going on.

We got into taijutsu because we were looking for a fitness activity for the kids. I envisioned something casual and low-pressure like their rec sports teams. Wrong! Martial arts schools are businesses and they run them as such. Marketing hooks and real contracts.

Don't get me wrong, this is not meant to be a criticism. We've stuck with it this long b/c it's worthwhile and fun. But it is not for the naive or wishy-washy participant. It's a financial, physical, and scheduling commitment.

 

[RitaZ.]

It's a financial, physical, and scheduling commitment.

I agree.

 

[chris1gill]

DS has been in ATA for five years... I would not go into Leadership at this point... wait until you get to a point where you are in competitions and if you should decide to try for State Champ or beyond, then you should join Leadership. In order to be State Champ you must be in Leadership.... we didn't joing until DS was a first degree recommended black belt....

 

[Bob Slydell]

DS has been in ATA for five years... I would not go into Leadership at this point... wait until you get to a point where you are in competitions and if you should decide to try for State Champ or beyond, then you should join Leadership. In order to be State Champ you must be in Leadership.... we didn't joing until DS was a first degree recommended black belt....

ITA DS has been doing ATA for around three years now and we haven't even considered Leadership at this point. He'll do a tournament or two this year, but more for fun rather than State championship points. I don't think we'll consider Leadership until he's black belt or at least black belt recommended (he's upper level blue right now).

 

[chris1gill]

ITA DS has been doing ATA for around three years now and we haven't even considered Leadership at this point. He'll do a tournament or two this year, but more for fun rather than State championship points. I don't think we'll consider Leadership until he's black belt or at least black belt recommended (he's upper level blue right now).

Bob, it's almost time for you to hit the tournament circuit there's National's in Orlando in October you know once DS really made the decision he was ready to compete (and lose at times) & that he wanted to go for state champ, we hit several tournaments including National's, in fact he just took the red eye back Monday morning from National's in Vegas.....

 

[Bob Slydell]

I know, our school was closed last week due to Nationals as well -- they were all there. We're going to start with a local tournament or two this year and then maybe travel to one in a year or so, depending on how much DS likes them. He's still pretty young, so we're easing him into tournaments at this point.

 

[chris1gill]

I know, our school was closed last week due to Nationals as well -- they were all there. We're going to start with a local tournament or two this year and then maybe travel to one in a year or so, depending on how much DS likes them. He's still pretty young, so we're easing him into tournaments at this point.

How old is he at this point? DS is now almost 12, and I think his first Orlando National's was when he was 9, almost 10.... I think he really started doing a lot of tournaments when he was about 9... He made State Champ last year.... now he's moved up to the 11-13 age group, and he won't make state champ this year.... it's tough competing with the older kids who have more experience.... but he's working on it

 

[Bob Slydell]

How old is he at this point? DS is now almost 12, and I think his first Orlando National's was when he was 9, almost 10.... I think he really started doing a lot of tournaments when he was about 9... He made State Champ last year.... now he's moved up to the 11-13 age group, and he won't make state champ this year.... it's tough competing with the older kids who have more experience.... but he's working on it

He's only 6 -- he won't be 7 until Labor Day. He's really even supposed to be in Tiny Tigers at this point, but a while ago, his teacher moved him in with the regular classes. He really improved by leaps and bounds after that.