The hardest belt is the first one

We made a mistake.  I am so excited about my classes and trying to make our leaders and instructors as good as they can be, I forgot to mention something.  Something really big about when students begin classes and then when they start to feel discouraged.

When a student starts, they have to understand that it's not just karate, a sport similar to football or baseball.  We have a specific set of challenges and rewards.  Students that begin in classes, I imagine them "floating around" and eating up the experience.  But in the beginning, that's what students and/or their parents think it is.  Just an activity where they come and take class and go home, just for fun.. but it's that plus more!

They try their best and, maybe accidentally, earn a stripe on their first belt (white belt).  Then they earn 2 and then they get another.  After three stripes, they come to this thing we host every couple of months called "Belt Promotions."  Some parents are confused by it because there's nothing like it in any other activity.  They have to perform, try their best, and only SOME kids are invited to it.  Then at the end, they get rewarded.

The beginner student gets a new belt to wear to class.  This time it colorful, an orange belt. They think, "Cool."  This instant gratification is like a bolt of lightning!  The students become focused - better yet - obsessed on getting good enough to complete the challenges and earn their belts.  This provides a foundation for incredible influence of their physical abilities and to develop their character.

Many families try martial arts for a short time (trial membership) and then stop coming because that's what you do.  When you play soccer, the kids run around and learn some stuff then it's over.  You get better each year as you get faster and bigger and stronger.  You decide to play again or you don't.

But Martial Arts is different.  As you earn a belt, the challenges and rewards get even greater until you earn your First Degree Black Belt.  Then, it completely changes.  You are in a whole new arena.  At Superdojo, that's when students learn how to perform, spar, and defend themselves with martial arts weapons in a safe and respectful way (with their friends).  They truly learn to understand the weapons.

So don't let your child quit until you've really given it your all.  Not just them taking class, help them practice at home and let them perform in front of their instructors so they can be rewarded for a really good job, then move up to the next belt once the time is right.

Alpha First Degree Black Belt Clarification

I'm so excited about this whole Alpha Black Belt Program!  It's a higher achievement of the black belt that everyone can earn. It's made for the students that really want  a challenge - some type of crazy challenge that I could create to try and throw off all the students that think moving up in belts is 'to easy' or simple for them. It's for the ones that see it as just the time it takes to earn their black belt, not the ability levels. It's made for the students that are really goal-getters.  To get the basic details, follow THIS LINK.

OK, so no let me get to the "How" you earn your Alpha Black Belt.  Speaking about only color belts, we teach in a giant 2-year cycle.  Starting in odd-number years (2015, 2017), we teach in this block order:

1. Form A
2. Self-Defense and Sparring Set A
3. Form B
4. Self-Defense and Sparring Set B
5. Form C
6. Self-Defense and Sparring Set C
7. Form D
8. Self-Defense and Sparring Set D
9. Form E
10. Self-Defense and Sparring Set E
11. Form F
12. Self-Defense and Sparring Set F

No matter where you start, you will do all 12 blocks. It's a cycle, so even if you start in the middle, as the whole school is working through the big cycle and we all get to #12, we will restart back to #1. That way people can start training at any time and still be able to learn all the curriculum in the blocks to earn their black belt.

To be an Alpha Black Belt, as you learn all the curriculum in each block, you have to RETAIN that knowledge and be able to perform everything from all 12 blocks really well.  The "Really Well" is up to the judgement of the instructor.

2014 is a weird year because we are going to be doing it a little out of order. Here's what we'll be working on this year:

• July and August of 2014: Self-Defense and Sparring Set E
• September and October of 2014: Form D
• November and December of 2014: Self-Defense and Sparring Set D
• January of 2015, we begin the order that is listed out above (Form A, etc.)

Here's "What" you have to do:

If you are a color belt that has been training for one year or less, ask us about starting the sparring program, don't buy anything or do anything until after you talk to us.  We'll get you set up in the "Part 1" of the Alpha Black Belt journey right away. We give you the sparring gear and everything when you start it up.  

If you are a color belt that has been training for a year or more or already have sparring gear that you bought, then talk to us about the "Part 2" of the journey.  There's not enough time before you complete 12 testings to earn your first degree and be able to become an Alpha Black Belt.  So get with us immediately to make sure we catch you up on all the curriculum.

If you are already a black belt, no matter what degree, and you want to become an Alpha Black Belt (First, Second, Third, or Fourth), talk to us ASAP! Every Alpha Black Belt builds on the last, so an Alpha Second Degree has to have already completed all the challenges for Alpha First Degree First.  So you need to know all the open-hand forms, sparring sets, and most importantly, the self-defense sets.  So speak with us right away and let's come up with a plan to start from the beginning.  That doesn't mean that you are going to stop wearing your second degree black belt, it just means you are going to complete all the requirements.

Again, because this is important, if you are a second, third, or fourth degree black belt and you start working on the material for Alpha First Degree, once you earn it, you don't wear that belt.  You've already accomplished the rank you are wearing, you are just completing a "checklist" in order to turn your basic black belt (whatever the degree), into the Alpha Version by completing challenges.

So, start "collecting" the different curriculum sets and work on making them really good.  If you want to become an Alpha Black Belt, talk to ME RIGHT AWAY!!  

Keep Training and Stay Strong!

Superdojo Memberships... how do they work?

Auto-renewal, you must cancel or your credit card will be charged, early termination fee, overdraft protection, recycle fee, account maintenance fee, down payment, initial investment, blah, blah, blah, blah. I get so tired of hearing that sleazy sales person talking about paying more by using some fancy words that make it feel like they deserve that extra couple dollars.  

It made me nervous to sign up for "Free Trials," or "Call us for a free gift." Why can't people be straight-up about what it is they are selling?  Jeesh, it never ends with the verbal do-si-do.

That's what it was like before, I was trying to sell a program that I DIDN'T BELIEVE IN and I was teaching stuff that I didn't like.

So I learned new stuff and it was more fun and it was more practical.  If you know what it's like to be saying things because it's your job to say it and then you don't really believe it deep down... then you know how heart wrenching it is. 

I was living in a stereotype with our old system that I didn't need to.  One Mom came in and yelled at us SO HARD one time when our former program director dropped some knowledge in the verbal do-si-do fancy language at her.  Her husband was the owner of 6 restaurant franchises what are VERY well known in our area so she took NOTHIN' from NO ONE.  Anyway, after the program director "handled her objection" in the way we were taught, she grabbed her daughter, took a deep breath and said (in the lobby, in front of everyone), 

"I don't know if everyone else believes the garbage that's coming out of your mouth or not but I won't be DRINKING THIS #%$ KOOL-AID LIKE THEM!!"

*Don't know what "drink the kool-aid refers to? Follow this link.

I remember that encounter and think about it all the time.  With Superdojo, I don't want any of those situations, I want enrolling easy, no hidden stupid fees, just pay tuition and we'll take care of everything else.  Of course, we are a business, so we like to do Birthday Parties and special cool seminars and we have tshirts to sell to make a few more dollars, but none of that stuff is "mandatory." We make every event something that will make our students better people or better martial artists.  

To finish up this long story, here's how our memberships work:

• All of them include as many classes as you would like to take per week, but the classes are divided up by theme/ subject matter and age group.  There's also a black belt class.  That being said, there's only about 3 times you can train per week, which is just enough. Spend the other 4 days with your family!
• We don't charge for Belt Promotions, that's silly.
• If a student wants to do more stuff, they can, as long as they are working hard in their regular class, so we created a bunch of special classes for kids that want to really specialize in one or two different things like sparring or flipping and doing extreme martial arts (Sport Karate) 
• Bring a friend to class because you want to share something fun with them, not because we guilt you into it or make you in order to earn a patch or something. Earn a patch for bringing a friend, WHAT!?

Thanks for Reading!

What “Type” or “Style” of Martial Arts do you teach at Superdojo?

What a huge question! 

What “Type” or “Style” of Martial Arts do you teach at Superdojo?

When people call martial arts schools to get information, we are always apprehensive to directly answer that question.  People that were not satisfied with a certain “style” DO NOT want to train there again and people that did like the style they used to practice MUST find another school that way.  The truth is, if I taught people how to fight bad guys with hamburger buns and I made it efficient, fun, and people got really good at defending themselves with hamburger buns, you would think that style was the best. 

It's all about the instructor and the teaching team! To make a long story short, we used to teach the world’s most common martial art, Taekwondo, and some of our classes are based around what our foundation was. 

As we learned more and experienced different styles, the Superdojo curriculum became a modern mix of practical martial arts. We include a little bit of everything: Learning “Forms” (or Katas, Poom-sae, etc.), Practical Self-Defense, and Sparring. That’s why we just say “Martial Arts.” We do a little of everything.

Visit www.Superdojo.org to learn more and 

check out some of our videos at Youtube.com/MrHayhurst

Alpha Fourth Degree

The Alpha Fourth Degree is our highest accomplishment so far (As of June 2014). Our system is designed to cultivate innovation and constantly improve. Here is what is required for Basic Fourth Degree Black Belt:

• Instructor training program completion
• Personally responsible for a group of students to achieve their next belt (Teach that class for a complete cycle)
• Have a rating of 9 or better with an after-cycle student survey

To become an Alpha Fourth Degree, the basic challenges increase in difficulty and time required.  Here is the additional accomplishments required:

• Completing all previous Alpha Black Belt (First through Third Degree) challenges.
• Teaching a group of students to black belt, beginning with white belts. The student working towards achieving Alpha Fourth Degree takes the responsibility of mentoring a new student all the way to first degree black belt

The Alpha Fourth Degree is the ultimate leader at Superdojo. They've accomplished a ton of challenges, is a positive role model for other students, and is an instructor.

Alpha Third Degree

The Alpha Third Degree Black Belt is a whole new ladder of success in itself. The challenges are super challenging and the students that achieve this will really be awesome martial artists.  There is no time-requirement, only accomplishment of the goals.

Here's what they have to do:

• Have complete understanding of all curriculum of to their rank
• Amazing performance and ongoing community activism
• Accomplishing 104 sparring challenges, 52 "Master," and 52 "Ultimate" Challenges
• Accomplishing 104 weapons sparring challenges, 52 "Master," and 52 "Ultimate" Challenge

Students earning their Alpha Third Degree will also receive their Basic Third Degree.  But of course, they'll wear their Alpha Third Degree Belt.

Alpha Second Degree

The Alpha Second Degree Program is the next level of incredible challenges! For a student to test for their Alpha Seonc Degree, they really have to be an overachiever and try as hard as they can.  They have to:

• Have already completed all of the Alpha First Degree Requirements
• Memorize and be able to perform all 6 Black Belt Weapons Forms (Bo Staff, Nunchucks, Double Nunchucks, Escrima, double Escrima, and Sword)
• Memorize and be able to perform all 6 Sparring & Self-Defense Sets (Focused on 6 different weapons)
• Participate in Superdojo's community events and seminars, etc.  They really need to be a part of our school, not a hobby martial artist but someone truly living the lifestyle.
• Complete 156 Weapons Sparring Challenges; 52 "Core," 52 "Power," and 52 "Prestige" Challenges
• Perform a Spectacular Demonstration at Belt Promotions to "Seal the Deal" and actually receive their Alpha Second Degree Belt

The completion of everything consists of 2 parts.

The first part simply involves starting to spar with weapons. Students can start sparring after completing one of the Weapons Self-Defense and Sparring Belt Promotions Cycle (As opposed to a Forms Belt Promotions Cycle). We use a brand of weapons called "Action Flex" and they are super strong padded weapons that are rigid enough to feel like a real weapon but not injure your opponent. 

The second part involves the mastery of all the curriculum.  The student will do 6 private lessons that are also pre-tests with their instructor. Here's what the lessons will focus on:

1. Bo Staff Form, Self-Defense & Sparring
2. Nunchuck Form, Self-Defense & Sparring
3. Double Nunchuck Form, Self-Defense & Sparring
4. Single Escrima Form, Self-Defense & Sparring
5. Double Escrima Form, Self-Defense & Sparring
6. Sword Form, Self-Defense & Sparring and Spectacular Demonstration

The student should also have already completed the 156 weapons sparring challenges by the end of private lesson #6 but if they haven't, they can test for their Alpha Second Degree Black Belt (by doing the spectacular demonstration at Belt Promotions) as soon as all the other requirements are met.

Students earning their Alpha Second Degree will also receive their Basic Second Degree.  But of course, they'll wear their Alpha Second Degree Belt.

Alpha First Degree

The Alpha First Degree Program is the first of the incredible challenges! For a student to test for their Alpha First Degree, they really have to be an overachiever and try as hard as they can.  They have to:

• Memorize and be able to perform all 6 Color Belt Open-Hand Forms
• Memorize and be able to perform all 6 Sparring Sets (Focused on 18 different kicks and strategies)
• Memorize and be able to perform all 6 Self-Defense Sets (Focused on 16 different scenarios)
• Participate in Superdojo's community events and seminars, etc.  They really need to be a part of our school, not a hobby martial artist but someone truly living the lifestyle.
• Complete 156 Sparring Challenges; 52 "Core," 52 "Power," and 52 "Prestige" Challenges
• Perform a Spectacular Demonstration at Belt Promotions to "Seal the Deal" and actually receive their Alpha First Degree Belt

The completion of everything consists of 2 parts.

The First part simply involves starting to spar. Students can start sparring after completing one of the Self-Defense and Sparring Belt Promotions Cycle (As opposed to a Forms Belt Promotions Cycle). So the minimum rank is Orange or Yellow Belt. 

The student needs to be a member of that class - contact us to get involved in it, we don't let students just drop-in to the class because sparring is a sensitive subject to new people. Sparring is the #1 reason why kids quit!

The second part involves the mastery of all the curriculum.  The student will do 6 private lessons that are also pre-tests with their instructor. Here's what the lessons will focus on:

1. Form A and Self-Defense & Sparring A
2. Form B and Self-Defense & Sparring B
3. Form C and Self-Defense & Sparring C
4. Form D and Self-Defense & Sparring D
5. Form E and Self-Defense & Sparring E
6. Form F and Self-Defense & Sparring F and Spectacular Demonstration

The student should also have already completed the 156 sparring challenges by the end of private lesson #6 but if they haven't, they can test for their Alpha Black Belt (by doing the spectacular demonstration at Belt Promotions) as soon as all the other requirements are met.

Students earning their Alpha First Degree will also receive their Basic First Degree.  But of course, they'll wear their Alpha First Degree Belt.

Alpha Black Belt Program (for the overachievers)

Our Alpha Black Belt program is the first of it's kind and very powerful! Our goal is to create a strong overall well rounded martial artist through super challenges, memorization, and spectacular demonstrations.

Earning your black belt is an incredible accomplishment. The student goes through so much improvement physically and has overcome failures and possible injuries and continues to train and keep working towards their goals.

For me, I memorized forms quickly and always practiced the moves as strong as I could everywhere I went. I earned my First Degree Black Belt alongside some other students but I was much better than them. Well how does that work? This standard achievement is awarded to people of all ability levels? One one side, a student had to work really hard to memorize and couldn't focus or it took them 4 years to accomplish their goal. For kids, teens, and adults like me, I wanted to give them something they could sink their teeth into and it was hard and challenging and they would love the journey!

So here it is: The Alpha Black Belt program!  For each degree of black belt: First, Second, Third, and Fourth, I've created a specific group of tasks that a student has to complete. In contrast, the Black Belt a student earns (That isn't "Alpha") is a little thinner, has gold thread, and their name is on it.  The Alpha Black Belt will be a special symbolic belt. It's 35% thicker, is distinguishable because of it's light blue thread and has the special "Alpha" Symbol on the end. It looks so awesome. The First Degree Black Belt is like graduating from college but the Alpha First Degree Black Belt is like graduating Valedictorian.

Basically, here's the difference:

"Basic Black Belt"

• Perform all 12 tests, over come all 3 stripes/ challenges for each rank
• Tests consist of 6 forms, 6 sparring sets, and 6 self-defense sets
• Will earn their black belt at the 12 test.

"Alpha Black Belt"

• Perform all 12 tests, overcome all 3 stripes/ challenges for each rank
• Retain all 6 forms, 6 sparring sets, and 6 self-defense sets and be able to perform them all (So you can't forget the old form when you start learning the new one)
• Participation in our Sparring Strategy/ Creative Sparring Class and complete all 156 Sparring Challenges
• Ongoing participation in the majority of our events and community events (Meaning, we don't want hobby-martial artists, we want people that live the lifestyle)
• Will earn their black belt after 12 tests and will perform a spectacular demonstration at belt promotions.

For each rank, there are slightly different challenges. You can check out the requirements by clicking some of the links below. If you would like to participate or have your child participate, contact us today by emailing MrHayhurst @ Superdojo.org.

Alpha First Degree
Alpha Second Degree
Alpha Third Degree
Alpha Fourth Degree

How long does it take to become a Black Belt?

One question for a lot of families is: Is my child ready for belt promotions? Are you sure?

This allows another question to surface: What is a belt and what is it for? Martial Arts belts and the progression to each one is a symbol of a student's improvement.  At Superdojo, we have a Belt Promotions every 2 months for students that have trained regularly during that time.  Throughout the 2-month Belt Promotions "Cycle," we have three challenges that students have to accomplish. Some challenges will be easy for students and some will be hard. When a student performs what's required for each of the three challenges, they earn a stripe.  Get three stripes, you're invited to Belt Promotions.  Sounds pretty easy but as a kid said last night when his mom was trying to practice with him, "It's harder than it looks Mom!"

There are 12 different belts and three stripes per belt. Students have to be able to perform strong and powerful enough to earn their stripes physically and also attend enough classes to get the physical fitness from class and the character development lessons.

Our expectations are simple: Try your best and complete the challenge. As a student goes up in belt, they get better.  Some martial arts schools have only  2, 3, or 4 belts and it takes a year or two to get to the next one.  In the past, I've always thought those were the "Hardcore Schools." But the truth of the matter is, kids will quit if they don't get rewarded for a good job.  It's like dance or gymnastics or sports - a kid does it for a while and moves on to something else.

What we've done is added a few more belts, challenges for each one of them, specific character lessons that the students learn, taught by positive and "rock star" instructors to keep them with it for a long time. As an ATA Martial Arts location, we had to charge for each belt and belt promotion. To keep students for longer, we've decided not to charge for it and allow the students to move up the "ladder" when they have completed their challenges.

Ladder? Yes, short for The Ladder of Success.  You see, at the bottom or floor level, that's you. At the top, is your long-term goal.  Every rung you step up gets you closer to your goal.  When you stick with the climb, you will eventually get to the top.

The view from the top is AMAZING, figuratively. But literally, the difference between a white belt and a black belt is substantial.  But you have to realize that when you only take one step up a ladder, the view doesn't change at all. 6 inches doesn't make much of a difference.  Parents should always understand that there isn't a drastic change from each belt but when the student gets a few rungs up the ladder and goes up a few belts, the difference is a lot.

To make a long story complete, allow a child to complete each challenge and make sure they try their best for it.  Help them practice at home and let them get their stripe for a completed challenge on the first try.

Every student is different, the really amazing athletes are going to get better, faster, and stronger and the kids that have terrible balance and no coordination will get better too.

For students that want a really big challenge, start working towards the Alpha Black Belt! You can check out the details on that by clicking here and viewing that blog post!  It's going to be awesome!

5 Ways Kids Gain Confidence Through Martial Arts

Every few months, someone stumbles into Superdojo and asks if I know Master [Insert Random Last Name Here]. As usual, with a smile on my face, I tell them no. They immediately go into the life story of this person who trained in [Insert Asian Country Here] for so many years and they learned everything they know from [Insert Someone Else's Name Here]. Then they talk about all the things they used to do in class and how you would leave black and blue and how hard everything used to be.  Then they would smile and leave.

I always wonder what attracts them in my door. What causes them to stop what they are doing or get a spark of initiative to walk into Superdojo just to ask if I knew someone.  It's weird to me.

On the other hand, 99% of people that come into my school is to USE the physical skills we teach to GET a benefit.  It's usually a specific life skill coupled with self-defense.  The most common reason why people join martial arts is one word: Confidence.

It's easy to see a kid who became a black belt showing confidence but HOW did they get it?  Here's how it happens:

1. Small Victories: We use stripes on their belt to show a complete challenge and we test them every 2 weeks. When kids accomplish specific challenges (physical skills) and are responsible for achieving them, they get a self-esteem boost.
2. Positive Learning:  We know that kids love gratification and need attention.  We strive to keep a positive atmosphere to teach them and allow them to get better without negatively comparing them to the other people in class.  The kids know that if they get better, they are doing great. As they get better, realized that they shouldn't be afraid to learn new things because as long as they stick to it, they can get it. PS- Nothing is wrong with a little friendly competition, but that's different.
3. Rewarded for improvement: When a kid sticks to a specific set of moves, self-defense techniques, or sparring drills and get good at it, they are rewarded with their next level in the form of a Belt.  They strive to get to the next level and "climb the ladder," which helps to set them up for success in the future: At school, on teams, and in the job-world after they finish school.
4. Social Education & Positive Role Model Instructors: Students not only learn the physical martial arts skills but we use it to teach character development.  When two kids have an argument, we use it as an opportunity to teach the whole class about how to solve problems. We not only teach spontaneous character drills but we use our curriculum to inspire kids to have a better attitude, team spirit, discipline, determination, respect, and excellence. Kids that act like super heroes will feel like a super hero.
5. Physical Self-Defense: Students that learn how to protect themselves and their friends will have the physical abilities to stand up for themselves so they won't be afraid to stand up for themselves verbally. We use 18 different self-defense scenarios to try and prepare kids for anything.

When a kid has confidence, they aren't afraid of anything. Confidence helps kids make the right decision for themselves and when confronted by peer pressure.

FAQ #1: Why are all the belts in the same class?

There is a joke I always tell to kids that forget their belt:

Oh no! You forgot your belt!! Now you know what happens now right?? [And the kid gets scared and embarrassed that they forgot and they are going to get in trouble now]
Your pants are gonna fall down!!

But what REALLY is a belt for? A belt is a symbol of improvement... Personal improvement.  Every student starts out as a white belt, a beginner.  As they accomplish and complete challenges, they will earn stripes on their belt.  Three stripes means they can attend Belt Promotions and go up in belt.  After white belt is the orange belt.

As a student earns a new belt, then stripe A, B, and C and continues up the ladder, they get better at the things we are training on.  If a student, focused on personal improvement has no focus, no coordination and absolutely no commitment or discipline completes the challenges, they earn three stripes and a new belt.  The same holds true for a student who is a top athlete, in incredible shape, and can learn things really fast.

So in those two examples, both students started as a white belt and went up to the orange belt. One unique thing about Superdojo is that every student's accomplishments are based on individual achievement but have their entire team to keep them excited and motivated to keep going.

So for you, would you rather have someone much younger and smaller than you that's the same belt keeping you motivated or someone that's your age and size that you can relate to keeping you motivated?

Also, our instructors don't teach martial arts to a belt level, we teach martial arts to an age group. When someone learns something new, everyone is equally bad or good at it.  But inspiration and motivation is given in our classes based on age.  For example, teaching forms or self-defense to adults should be reality-based and focused on practicality, proper technique, and fitness.  For kids aged 6-9, we need to teach them proper technique but it's based on bully defense and standing up for themselves to kids their age and be able to do it at school.  Not to mention, if their class isn't fun, they won't care at all.

Another reason is this: The number one answer to 'why kids stick with martial arts' is that they are learning something new with their friends. As long as they are in a group that are close to their age group, we can continue to teach them new things, help them improve their skills, and help to develop their character as a team.

The last reason I'm going to mention is that an experienced 8 year old that has been doing martial arts for 2 years is the PERFECT PARTNER for an 8 year old that just started.  They remember how hard it was taking their first class, they probably go to school with that new student.  We can use the higher belts in the class as leaders, someone that the newer students can look up to and relate to, and are motivated to match their skills to.

We used to change classes and move kids around as they go up in belts but this system is designed to keep kids focused and excited about class.  Now, we only move kids to a new class when they test for their Black Belt because then, they get to do weapons training.

Our goal is to keep them in class because they love it for as long as possible.  Our age-based system will prove to keep students training for longer than ever!