Martial Arts of Business

05/11/2025

The main reason we do what we do is the difference it makes in the life of a student...

Instructor Sean Allen explains how to make a real difference whilst training students in martial arts.Sean has been a martial arts coach for 40 years. Approa...

20/11/2024

Not sure if you want to do this, but thought I would share.
Firstly, there is the paper scissors rock game, and a quick decision concerning who attacks who, in the appropriate movement.
Finally, I added in the element of surprise. I explained that everybody freezes in certain situations, but it’s what you do after you freeze that makes the difference. So as I move behind a pair, I point to one person and they can attack whenever they like.

18/10/2024

None of this happens by accident.

14/10/2024

18/08/2024

Simple, you can only put 1 foot over the line when punching or kick from your side. Great start to sparring.

17/07/2024

Sharing a message that I sent to apprentice instructors. Hope you find it valuable…

I would like to add some education in another area of Martial Arts that we haven’t touched on in our instructor training.
That area of education is advertising.
Zoey, this specifically applies to our efforts to advertise more spots for Augusta.

SELL THE SIZZLE, NOT THE STEAK.
I’ll start with one of the best ways to lose a person if they call up on the phone. When they ask for information about Martial arts training, we give them all the details. The usual response is - Thanks, I’ll think about it.
Myself and Brigitte use a system where we find the ‘hot button’. This means we find the real reason why the person is calling from an advert on social media or in the paper. If a parent is interested in Martial Arts for their child, the reason is because they have a need to be fulfilled.
It might be concentration.
It might be self control.
Martial Arts training is just the vehicle of delivery.
So instead of advertising training details, we should highlight the results that we deliver. This is the sizzle.
We see this time and time again when we put an advert for a specific class up with just details and no photo. Crickets.
If we add a compelling reason to pick up the phone or make an inquiry we see results.
Finally, the picture is important, which is why I am always hunting for pictures that tell a story.
Examples:
* The effort on a child’s face whilst trying hard.
* Two kids with their arms around each other smiling.
* A student with her eyes closed, concentrating.
I’m sure you get the idea.

Finally, I’ll leave you with an ad that we have watched several times.
The aim is not comedy.
The aim is to think outside the box.
Enjoy.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8O1h0LvSRm/?igsh=MWtvbHAxNGc0YWd5

07/05/2024

How do we get the kids to remember stuff?
By understanding Cognitive Load Theory that’s how.

First of all, it’s not just one thing. It’s many things strung together.
For example:
* We give kids a 30 second break to get a drink/run around the room before we introduce the next movement. This allows previous knowledge to sink in.
* We attach nicknames to techniques so that there is an instant picture associated with the movement. For example – the Venus flytrap method of catching an arm.
* We explain to the kids that a great way to remember something is to repeat the main parts over and over. You will notice this as the instructor asks the kids to describe each movement.
* We often have the class copy our physical movement whilst they are watching, so it is anchored and creates a neural pathway.
* Finally, we teach our students these methods of decreasing cognitive load so that they can use them at school.

Here’s a cool video that explains the theory. Especially look for the part at the end, where they talk about the “aha” moment.

Our teaching strategies videos use research to help educators understand how students learn, so they can incorporate instructional methods and practices in t...

16/02/2024

Recall to Reaction.
Many martial arts schools test recall when assessing their students.
Less test reaction.
The problem is that during an adrenaline dump, recall is lost. Only reaction remains.
So, the teaching aim should be to create recall, then build reaction.

29/10/2023

24/08/2023

Constant items concerning training - short but topical keeps the focus high.

Margaret River Martial Arts BJJ black belt Sean Allen explains how to perform a Figure 4 from a basic side control position. A basic sequence for those begi...