FAQ

1. Why does my child have to train twice a week?
2. If my child does miss a session in the week what can I do?
3. How many students do you have in a class?
4. How do you count to ten in Japanese?
5. Do you have to be a Black Belt to teach?
6. So what makes a good teacher?
7. What is the Foundation Student Creed?
8. What is the Junior Student Creed?
9. How do you do the bowing in ceremony?
10. What are the six rules of Black Belt?
11. What is the difference between karate and kickboxing?
12. Do you teach kickboxing?

Why does my child have to train twice a week?

Twice a week training is a firm policy of OSMA. Some parents have begun asking if they can pay the usual membership rate and choose to bring their children only once a week. This is a definite no! Twice weekly training is all about motivation, quality, relationships and effective educational experience. A child training once a week is not only progressing painfully slowly and is likely to be demoralised - he or she also holds up the group requiring extra explanation and attention. We ask that you attend at least 80% of sessions (missing no more than 1 in 5 classes)

If my child does miss a session in the week what can I do?

As a member of OSMA you are entitled to attend any of the classes that are run during the week (see our venues page). Please note though, that all classes in all venues run on an A and B cycle during the week, in 2 progressive sessions. If you are using 2 different venues for your child's classes you will need to ensure you take in an earlier class(Mon-Wed) and a later class (Thur-Sat) to receive the syllabus as planned.

How many students do you have in a class?

Technically a student only needs room to stretch their arms and spin around. On that basis we could fit perhaps 60 children in a session. A better question is, what is your instructor to student ratio? This will depend greatly on many different factors including the seasonal variations. However, to give you some idea it is rare to see an OSMA instructor teaching unassisted. Large classes can create a fantastic atmosphere, but still need to be staffed appropriately. The larger the class and more importantly, the greater the ability spread, the more assistants we bring in. Where appropriate, classes are divided into ability groups and allotted an individual tutor for that section of the class. As a very general guide, your child is likely to experience a staff to pupil ratio of 1:8. It is very common for a student who is struggling with an element of the syllabus, to be given 1 to 1 tuition until they have progressed sufficiently.

How do you count to ten in Japanese?

1 - ichi
2 - ni
3 - san
4 - shi
5 - go
6 - roku
7 - shi chi
8 - ha chi
9 - ku
10 - ju

Do you have to be a Black Belt to teach?

Certainly not! Neither do you have to be tournament champion or a security guard. Some of the top MA school owners today began teaching as Blue Belts. There are an awful lot of misconceptions about what a Black Belt is and this is compounded by the fact that there are vastly different requirements for different associations. Some associations include teaching training modules within their syllabus up to Black Belt- most do not. Therefore gaining a Black Belt is not a qualification for teaching. It means one has reached a certain personal standard, it does not mean one has developed great communication skills,although the training may have helped, it was not the focus: teacher training focuses on communication skills. Often the best athletes make the worst teachers (and football managers), because they do not understand the difficulties and special needs of the average student.

So what makes a good teacher?

Compassion, patience, infectious enthusiasm, reliability, organisation, integrity and an analytical mind to begin with and then teacher training. At OSMA we may invite a student as young as 10 to begin our teacher training programme if we see the above character traits. When assisting in class, they bolster our great student/teacher ratios still further and help to give even more attention to each student. These young apprentices do not lead the class, they learn slowly and progressively. A three year old child in the foundation programme does not need a 4th Dan instructor throughout the duration of the class. They need a smiling assistant to tie their belt (again) and show them the way to the toilet. In this way we are giving even better value to the programme and investing in the character education of our young apprentices, as well as in the future of our school.

What is the Foundation Student Creed?

I promise to be a good student (hold right hand up)

to put knowledge in my mind (point to head)

to build muscles in my body (make a muscle)

to have truth in my heart (put hand over heart)

and to make great friends (shake the hand of the people next to them).

In order to get the student creed badge students have to say it with no hesitation or deviation, in a clear loud voice in front of the class.

What is the Junior Student Creed?

I promise to develop myself in a positive manner and will do my very best to ensure my mental growth and physical health.

I will develop self discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and in others.

I will use common sense before self defence and will never be offensive or abusive.

We are a black belt school, we are motivated, we are dedicated and we are on a quest to be our best!

How do you do the bowing in ceremony?

Musubi Dachi:
Stand with heels together and hands down by your side: attention stance.
Seiza:
Kneel down.
Sensei Ni Rei:
Bow to your instructor.
Otagai Ni Rei:
Bow to Dojo and everyone assembled.

(Kiritsu)
Your Sensei will give this command for you to stand to attention.

What are the six rules of Black Belt?

Courtesy

Humility

Integrity

Perseverance

Self Control

Indomitable Spirit.

What is the difference between karate and kickboxing?

Karate is a complete health, fitness and self-defence system. Practitioners seek to enhance their life through the disciplined practice of fitness exercises and self-defence drills. A comprehensive karate system utilises many parts of the body as tools, including, elbows and knees for striking, the open hand for grabbing as well as the feet and fists. A good karate programme will devote a significant amount of time to reality scenarios and thus to techniques not permitted in formal competition. Kickboxing is one section of most modern karate systems.

Kickboxing is the sporting or sparring section of a karate syllabus. Some martial arts schools choose to focus solely on this aspect. Typically, practitioners in a match adhere to a set of rules, where strikes are kept above the waist and should be light contact. Some students choose to perform in a full-contact version of the above. Thai-boxing is full contact kickboxing where elbows and knees are often used to strike and blows are also permitted to the leg.

Do you teach kickboxing?

Yes, it is one of the 5 sections of our testing syllabus. Typically, children ages 2-6 will be expected to develop their control and coordination through the first 5 stages of our system before being required to spar/kickbox.

Team Taurus

I was lucky enough to be in the audience of Chris Bradford’s book launch at the Abingdon School last Saturday and wanted to contact you regarding the amazing performance that Team Taurus gave.

My two Godsons, Daniel and Ben Murray, have been showing us their increasing skills over the last two years when we have been to visit them in Kidlington (I live in Cornwall) but this was the first time we had been able to see them as part of Team Taurus. I was absolutely blown away by the whole team and the amount of pride that I felt for the whole team actually reduced me to tears.

Nicola Saunter

Sensei Jake

I just wanted to say how impressed I was with Sensei
Jake when we attended his class last week. James was very unsure about joining in
the second class and Sensei Jake handled it brilliantly as he could see that James
was genuinely upset...
Although he was still a little unsure Jake persuaded him to join in with Pinan Nidan and soon
got him smiling and really enjoying himself while focusing on all the fine detail of the kata.
Sensei Jake is a natural teacher and you are very lucky to have him. I see a lot of Sensei Rob
and yourself in him, which is hardly surprising considering the number of years you trained him.
You can both be very proud.

Mrs F Lodge

A big thank you for letting Lucas achieve his blue stripe today - it
really means the world to him (and I'll make sure he practises his shuffles
and his turns ;-)). I really appreciate everything that you and Sensei Kate
are doing for the boys. I have just been so impressed with your fantastic
teaching skills, your enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication. And it
really is bearing fruit. Samuel has had a brilliant school report. His
focus, his concentration skills, his whole attitude has really come on and
Samuel's teacher actually commented on the link between his taking up Karate
and an improved attitude. Well, and how you manage to handle Lucas is a real
joy to watch! They both love coming to your sessions and I enjoy watching
everything that goes on (my Japanese has really come along and my shuffles
are also improving steadily :-))

Klaudia Schwenk

Team Ninja is just great. Our son is always keen to get there, and his concentration and coordination has improved a great deal as a result of the classes. He is also now able to humiliate me with his Japanese counting skills.
William Shaw (Professor of Mathematics, King's College London)

.....I came to take a few shots for a magazine and within minutes I was captivated. Often without words the children are taught to act with consideration, concentration and are imbued with a sense of fun. I stayed for hours soaking up the magic and that's what Sensei Rob and Mary are, MAGIC. You come across them once in a lifetime and their enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism stay forever. I left totally captivated and wanting to return......

KT Bruce, school teacher and photographer

Dear Mary,

We wanted to thank you and OSMA for the amazing work you all do. Luca started in October as you described him today as a very shy boy. After six months he is now much more confident, interested in participating in every single activity on offer and enthusiastic about his martial arts. He is willing to learn and he has shown a much more positive attitude both at home and at school. What more can we ask??

Your teaching is inspirational to the children and certainly to me as a teacher: learning through fun and discipline, at a level they can all relate to, is something you should be very proud of. Luca often refers to what you say to him in class, using it in his daily life and often even manages to do things 'first time' as Sensei Mary says that it is a good thing to do!!!

The structures of the classes, the constant support and encouragement you offer through belt stripes and badges, and the enthusiasm you show in teaching makes the whole experience really worthwhile. The inspirational experience of the gradings also provides children with confidence and sense of achievement which is fantastic to be part of.

Thanks again for all that you have done with Luca.

Daniela and Marc

Just to say a big thank you for the skipping workshop this p.m. It was amazing to watch and Robert is very inspired by it - he would have skipped his way through our evening meal if we'd have let him!

Kate and Robert MacFarlane

Joseph had his first ever skiing lesson over the Christmas holidays. Rob always talks about how the martial art training helps with learning new skills. It was great to see how Joseph was focussing on the instructor really intensely, using his active listening skills. On his first run the instructor gave Joseph some further instructions on things to improve (not crossing the ski tips, flattening his skis etc). Second run down and Joseph incorporates all the improvements and the instructor looks shocked! Although I am biased (at least I admit it) Joseph was head and shoulders ahead of everyone else in the group (8 children all about his age) in terms of focus, listening, interaction, following instructions, co-ordination and discipline. Mary, you and Rob must take a lot of the credit for this for the training you guys have given him over the last 3 years. It was wonderful to see.

David Clapton

Just to say a HUGE THANK YOU for an excellent grading session yesterday.

Interestingly, it is only when things run so smoothly that you realise the amount of organisation that took place beforehand. Your positive energy into, and commitment to nurturing your trainees are much appreciated.

Both Des and myself think that enrolling Yasmina into OSMA has been the best investment we have made into her future.

You are both such an inspiration to our children and to us as parents as well.

Valli Yanni

Just wanted to say a thanks to OSMA for the additional life skills that are included in the classes and pass on some feedback so you can see how much what you teach is taken and used outside your classes. We have recently received Joseph’s progress report from school and there are glowing references to his dedication to and methods of learning, his teacher recently verbally told me that he shares a lot of your memory methods with the class (repetition, repetition, repetition!) There were also great reports on his discipline, self control and playground manners, we work hard at home with all of this but I do feel that a lot of this is supported by the learning in your classes and easy to use/understand methods, which means it’s not just us telling him “to and why” but he is learning skills that show him “how to and why”. His physical education report was glowing as well and of course a lot of this advanced understanding of his body and the importance of exercise comes from what you teach them – the teachers were very impressed with his flexibility, skipping, ball control and knowledge of his muscles and bones. – Louise & Mark McLean

I really enjoyed my time with you. Your children demonstrated ultimate concentration, dedication and enthusiasm.

I have been in this country for three years now working with schools and British Gymnastics Clubs across Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon.

I have yet to see the commitment and dedication showed by your students and instructors in any of the clubs I have worked in.

It was amazing to see how conditioned these children were and how the variety of training assists with this.

WELL Done for all the energy and positive attitude you have instilled in these young children.

Keep up the good work.

Kim Paul, International Gymnastics Coach

I'm writing to say how much Lucy and Nicky are enjoying the classes. They are talking frequently about what they've learned and are having little practise sessions at home several times a day. In addition, they appreciate greatly Sensei Rob's more academic instructions, and we've been having interesting and useful discussions on the way home in the car after every class. And they can both do their Japanese numbers!

Esther Grabe-Watson

Dear Mary,

Our warmest thanks to you and to Sensei Rob, Sensei Jake and Sensei Kate for the superb organization of the grading today. It was both supremely efficient and warmly humane.

We are also very grateful to you all and to Miss Marie for the work and wisdom you have put into helping our children achieve red-belt level in just a few weeks.

Very best wishes,

Esther and Ian

Daniel (after 2 ski holidays) tackles any red run he is faced with, with a confidence I believe you would be proud of, and I believe this is down to his Karate training and discipline! Thank you! so so much!!!!

Sandra Hutton

Excerpts from gavinallinson.com
...I booked Jack in for 2 trial classes at Oxford School Of Martial Arts. I was totally impressed with how organised they were. I’d taken Jack to just about every kids activity in Oxford, Tumble Tots, Energisers, Oxsrad, Busy Bees, Monkey Music, Splat, Baby Swimming, Ducklings so I was well versed with what is on offer as far as children’s activities in Oxford was concerned. What impressed me the most was the attention to detail and the organisation. In Jack’s first lesson Sensei Rob King spent about 5 minutes teaching the group of 4-7 year olds how to remember different parts of the body...I think the class happened to be learning about what to say if someone bigger than you grabs you, as in a stranger trying to abduct you... In the classes there was lots of running around and I noticed that there was a well defined system that rewarded the students with a stripe as they mastered a new skill. What’s more Jack seemed to love it and was excited about going. It was a no brainer to make the decision to join and everything went smoothly until it was time for Jack to take his first grading...it looked pretty exciting to me so I decided to check things out and sign up for 2 trial lessons myself. I was excited to see that the adult lessons were really fast-paced and exciting - we practiced skills from other martial arts forms like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which I really enjoyed, we did elements of Body Pump for conditioning and the sparring was exciting, I soon realised how slow I was and how good some of the higher belts were. I’ve been to some other clubs in Oxford and talked to members of some as well and I’m really pleased that we choose to start with Oxford School of Martial Arts and if you’re thinking about karate in Oxford then I suggest you look them up first.

Ryan has been enjoying the snow and has found that he can snow board!!! His balance has really improved and it is all down to his karate training! His black belt training has made him determinted and confident and he is so proud with himself that he can do it!! Thanks.
Jannine Hale

Greg and I just wanted to say thank you to Rob for the way he dealt with Luke yesterday. Luke came home with the biggest smile I have seen on his face in a long time and an even greater determination to one day become a black belt. It’s the little things that you do that go a long way to bolstering a child’s confidence and with a child like Luke whose confidence is knocked very easily on a day to day basis in the school playground, Rob managed to send my son to bed with the knowledge that it is not just his parents who tell him he can be good at things. A very big heartfelt thank you.
Greg & Tracy