Making a Success of your Club

“If you want to learn something, read about it.
If you want to understand something, write about it.
If you want to master something, Teach It!!” Yogi Bhajan

As instructors, we are keen to promote the benefits of learning Shotokan Karate and to teach others in this traditional and ancient form of martial art.

There are instructors who simply assist their sensei during the lesson and there are those who set about developing their own teaching methods by establishing a club(s) of their own. This may simply be to teach others what he/she has been taught; like a Buddhist Monk teaches his young disciples, without thought of financial gain. Or he/she may decide to make a living from teaching Shotokan Karate.

Whatever our reasons, dojos are very seldom offered to us free of charge. This means that we have to encourage new beginners to our classes, so that we can merely pay the ‘rent’.

Having approached almost 30 years in karate and 20 years running a martial arts business, I feel qualified enough to share with you my methods for promoting clubs. Obviously, at the end of the day, how you develop your club, or not, is entirely up to you, and you alone.

If you are embarking on establishing a club, or want ideas about developing an existing club, please take a few minutes to read the remaining contents of this note.

You must always present yourself in a professional manner from the first telephone call or meeting.

Always take a name and telephone number, so that you can provide a courtesy call.

Always introduce yourself and present them with the Beginners Information Package. Let them take a few minutes to read it and then run through the brochure with them. You will need to fully explain the costs involved, including your club fees. Always appear friendly and helpful. A parent or guardian must accompany all children.

Always make sure that the individual knows where to stand. Show them the initial format of the lesson i.e. When to bow, feet position etc. When you start the lesson, keep the lesson lively and interesting. To a complete beginner Shotokan Karate can be repetitive i.e. learning the very basic moves over and over again. Your first lesson, however, needs to offer inspiration and the desire to come back for more.

You must explain to parents that you, as the instructor, are not allowed to perform any of the following:

• If you are male, to assist with clothing or karate gi, including the belt.

• To take the child to the toilet.

• No excessive correction of the body because of stress factors on the joints and limbs and because body contact may be misconstrued (body contact also applies to ladies).

Please see me in person about offers available in your area.

For those individuals considering Karate as a full time job, there is a package available to assist and support you. If you wish to discuss this in any more detail, please arrange a meeting with me.

If you have any questions about this letter, or need any more information, please contact me at the Main Office on 01793 690642 or mobile 07970 864 017.