Once you’ve developed your initial lesson plan, the next step in martial arts school management is to refine your curriculum. A well-structured curriculum is key to maintaining student engagement and ensuring consistent progress through the ranks.

The First Six Months: Building the Foundation

White belts are often eager to learn and excited to show off new moves to their friends. During the first six months, your goal should be to create a curriculum that introduces a new move in every class.

With two classes per week, this translates to a curriculum that includes 48 parts.

Students typically test every month during this period, with a ranking system that might look like this:

  • White Belt
  • White Belt – 1st Degree
  • White Belt – 2nd Degree
  • Purple Belt
  • Purple Belt – 1st Degree
  • Purple Belt – 2nd Degree
  • Blue Belt

In the initial six months, many martial arts instructors focus on the hard, linear aspects of martial arts. To keep your students engaged, consider breaking your curriculum into categories: hard style for the first six months, soft style for the second six months, and a combination of both for the remainder of the training.

Each category can then be further divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

A typical class structure might include:

  • 20 Minutes: Review of previous material and refinement
  • 20 Minutes: Education on new techniques or concepts
  • 20 Minutes: Introduction of a new move

Given this structure, you may not be able to teach an entire new move in one class. Explain to your students that some techniques, especially complex katas, will be broken down over several classes. This approach keeps students motivated and eager to return for the next lesson.

Creating a Flow in Your Curriculum

When planning your curriculum, aim to create a logical progression of moves. Teach basic kicks, blocks, and punches at each level, ensuring they build upon each other and correspond with future techniques.

Consider the level of difficulty relative to your students' abilities. Beginners, for example, may lack the flexibility needed for certain kicks, making it important to start with simpler, less demanding techniques to avoid injury.

Age is another important factor. Younger students may have the flexibility but might struggle with longer techniques due to shorter attention spans. Tailoring your curriculum to accommodate these differences will help keep all students engaged.

Moving On to the Second Phase: Refinement and Mastery

After the first six months, focus shifts from learning new moves to refining and perfecting existing ones.

During this period, students will earn the following ranks:

  • Blue Belt – 1st Degree
  • Blue Belt – 2nd Degree
  • Green Belt

You’ll notice fewer promotions in this phase. By the time a student earns their blue belt, they typically learn faster and begin to appreciate the value of perfecting previously acquired skills.

They will be motivated to sharpen their techniques while learning new ones. Regularly reviewing past lessons will ensure that students retain all the techniques they’ve learned since the beginning of their training.

The Second Year: Preparing for the Black Belt

As students enter the second year, it’s time to motivate them with the introduction of more advanced techniques.

By now, most students will be close to earning their black belt, generally within a year and nine months. The ranks they will attain during this time include:

  • Green Belt – 1st Degree
  • Green Belt – 2nd Degree
  • Brown Belt

During this period, focus heavily on polishing and perfecting techniques in preparation for the black belt test. A standard curriculum might consist of 160 parts spread over two years and nine months.

Creating Quick Reference Guides

To ensure consistency and ease of instruction, consider creating detailed descriptions of each class.

These can be stored on your computer or in spiral-bound index cards, serving as quick reference guides. Another helpful tool is a quick reference guide for each belt level. These guides, organized from lowest to highest rank, should list the required techniques and knowledge for each level.

Regularly Review and Refine Your Curriculum

Once your curriculum is in place, make it a habit to review and refine it regularly.

This ensures that it remains effective and continues to meet the needs of your students. A well-refined curriculum not only improves student progress but also enhances your credibility as an instructor, contributing to the overall success of your martial arts school.