Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you teach any other martial arts? (MMA, Krav Maga, Karate, Kung Fu, Judo, Jujutsu, BJJ, etc.)
A: No. North Battleford Taekwondo Academy is a Taekwondo school.
Q: Is Taekwondo the same thing as Karate/MMA/Kung Fu/etc.?
A: No, Taekwondo is a martial arts system unto itself which has roots in various styles. Please see the About TKD section for more information!
Q: Do I have to sign a long term contract?
A: No. There are no shady long term contracts or hidden fees. There’s a one time per year registration fee and a monthly fee. Uniforms, sparring gear, tournaments, belt tests and training seminars are separate fees each.
Q: I know someone who tried it / whose kid tried it and quit for x reason(s), though. If it’s so great why did they quit?
A: A cursory search on Google will bring up entirely anecdotal statistics stating that anywhere between 2% - 10% of people who set foot on a martial arts training mat make it to black belt, that means that 90% - 98% quit. There is no way to verify these numbers but it seems about right.
It’s years of really hard work and dedication. Though it is proven to build skilled martial arts athletes, not everyone will enjoy my style of instruction. Not everyone who ties on a white belt has it in them to become a black belt. This club certainly isn’t for casual playtime.
Q: How do I get a uniform?
A: A dobok (pronounced “doh-bohk”) purchasing guide can be found here.
Q: How do I get sparring gear?
A: A sparring gear purchasing guide can be found here.
Q: Am I too old to start Taekwondo?
A: Too old for martial arts doesn’t exist! It’s never too late to pick up a new skill, come in and try it out! We have a great adult class!
Q: Is this a competitive sport?
A: Yes, for both fighting and patterns. Saskatchewan hosts 2-3 tournaments per year with serious competitors having the opportunity to travel outside of the province to other events. Provincial championships are held every year and elite athletes may get the chance to represent Saskatchewan at nationals or even represent Canada on the international stage!
Q: I’m slow/weak/inflexible/unathletic, can I still start Taekwondo?
A: Of course! Everyone works to push their own self to new levels. Your progress is relative to your own abilities.
Q: I can’t make it to more than one class per week, can I still sign up?
A: No, unfortunately. The level of skill I expect from my students cannot be realistically built when you can only practice it once per week.
Q: How long does it take an average person to get a Black Belt?
A: The cheeky answer is that the average person doesn’t make it to Black Belt but it really depends on how hard you work and how often you train — 5 to 6 years is pretty standard but for some people it’s a bit more or a bit less.
Q: Do I have to spar?
A: Yes. Full contact sparring is a required part of the school’s curriculum for Yellow Belt and up. Sparring does not happen immediately at White Belt (beginner level) and by the time you are ready to jump into the full contact classes you will find that everyone has excellent control. For the most part, the club’s approach is to go hard on the pads during drills and then light, technical and playful during sparring. This increases athlete longevity and supercharges actual skill development. There’s a time and place for hard sparring, and it’s not every practice.
Q: Okay so I have to spar — do I have to go to tournaments?
A: No, you will never be forced to go to a tournament in order to advance in skill or rank. Tournaments sure are fun though, just saying.
Q: Can I sign my 2/3/4 year old child up for the Dragons class?
A: No. It is my opinion that schools running programs for children of these ages are more for play time than for providing a spring board for actual martial arts and athletics training. While I have nothing against these programs I feel that it is not in the scope of what I am trying to accomplish at this school.
