Trial Classes – what to expect.
At OKKA – Mullica Hill, we want your child and family to get the most out of your trial period. Like other sports, a single karate class (or soccer practice) may not be enough to determine if your child will take to karate. Our black belt ranks are full of students who were tentative at first. A short trial period will allow you to see the benefits of karate for your child and determine if you want to continue your membership. Click HERE to read more about the benefits of Marital Arts for children.
We offer Trial periods on all of our memberships. We do sometimes vary the length and cost based of trial periods but all trials work the same way.
- Schedule your first class with us, whether via our social media program, with a phone call or stop in to the dojo.
- Come to the first class with your child, fill out the paperwork while you child is in class, and leave with a T-Shirt and Uniform (Gi).
- Before or after the first class, ask as many questions as you have and please share with us your reasons for selecting karate as a sport for your child.
- Why do a trial? A short trial membership is the best way to determine if you child is ready for karate and if your family’s schedule allows for participation.
What is the first class like?
All trials are part of our actual program – in an actual class, with real students learning our ongoing curriculum. Prospective students experience the classes as they are most days of the year.
You will be greeted at the door, your child will be asked to remove his/her shoes and socks, and then “bowed” into the dojo. Often, they will be teamed up with an existing student, who will be their buddy and show them the warm up exercises. If a buddy is not available, one of our instructors will be the buddy.
At the start of class, you child is assigned a “Dot” on our floor and that is their home base for the class. Once we have warmed up, we teach our curriculum components, do announcements, and bow out the class. (Dragons class is 25-30 minutes, and Basics class is 35 minutes).
What do I do to get ready?
- Have your child wear comfortable play/exercise clothes. They will be moving around and probably getting a little sweaty. We are a shoes and socks off program – so bare feet! If you arrive with enough time before the start of class, you will have the option to have your child change into their uniform before class.
- Come about 15 minutes before the start of class, there is some paperwork to do and we can answer any additional questions you might have.
- Parents can sit in one of two parent galleries and watch class. You are welcome to escort your future little dragon out on the floor if they are shy or tentative. You are welcome to join your older child on the floor for a trial class of your own. (We are a family oriented karate program).
- If you child is in their gi for their first class, they will receive their white belt at the end of the class. If they are not in their gi, they will receive their white belt at the end of their next class
- When class is over, your child will put their socks and shoes on and we will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.