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CB Kids and Baby Review of kombatkids Karate grading
kombatkids Karate grading

kombatkids Karate grading review: grading fees 9

J
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5:24 am EDT
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My daughters attend karate classes with Kombat kids. at the begining we had to pay one off payment of 40 pounds each membership fee and plus class fees. what I didn't knowthat every ten weeks they have to take grading exam and get a new belt for 25 pounds per child. last year I couldn't afford the fees so my daughters didn't take the gradings. this was a big problem we have been threttened to be kicked out of the club a few times..Gradings are not challenging and parents are made to pay these fees unfairly every 10 weeks... If a child is good enough to get a yellow belt they can't get it until they pay for the first three belts comes before yellow. Parents are stuck and are having to pay what ever we are asked to pay because we'll do anything for our children so no questions asked just pay whether it makes sense or not! ..
I would like my kids to progress ofcourse but I am guestioning the fairness of gradings for children and for parents. Can you help?...
Thank You
Kind regards

Jan Hill
[protected]@hotmail.com

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

9 comments
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CKSA Steve Moore
burton upon trent, GB
Dec 15, 2015 4:05 am EST

Oh Dear, you posted an anonymous complaint in June 2014 that i answered extensively, under the heading concerned parent. Now nearly 20 months later you have posted another ill informed, biased, negative, totally inaccurate posting again.

To be brief with my reply:
The sparring kits we sell are a particular kind that our students have to wear in competitions recognised by the EKF (Governing body for Karate in this country). They provide adequate protection for our students when entering competitions. Many of our more serious competitors purchase more expensive kits from wherever they want, these have to be WKF recognised to use in major tournaments.
Many parents simply buy the wrong kits, the wrong size and sparring kits that can to be used safely in the dojo.
We charge the princely sum of £30 for a full sparring kit that last for around 4 years if looked after!

You talk about the street as though you are some kind of expert, the average age of our students is between 5yrs to 9yrs, where formulating positive attitudes, discipline, developing a good character, building confidence and developing all students in all aspects of their Karate training is our goal. Teaching fighting in the street is not our aim in any shape or form, students can test their fighting skills in the many tournaments we attend, under controlled conditions in a properly governed environment. You obviously have no understanding whatsoever of Karate or any empty hand style of martial arts, keep your comments to yourself!

You criticise our instructors for their total commitment to being highly professional, in all areas of their teaching, administration and running their classes safely, our instructors don't believe in any hype they are all professional, grounded individuals who are very well though of by many of our parents.

You are not a concerned parent, you are someone who is trying to post a negative image of our company and Karate in general, you are obviously a complete coward, as you would have left your name and E mail address, but of course you haven't.

I am getting tired of your negative postings that you have written anonymously, and some of your comments are slanderous, my advice to you is stop while you are ahead, you have given your opinions on Karate in general which is fine, it is only your ill informed opinion, that no one is listening to!

Steven Moore 5th Dan Chief Instructor of Kombatkids

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ConcernedParent01
Birmingham, GB
Dec 11, 2015 11:47 am EST
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I'm with the negatives I'm afraid, maybe not as harsh as the one chap, but I did find the whole thing on the expensive side compared to some other, and I feel more effective and useful MA clubs out there. I'm sure the instructors work hard, and the kids enjoy it - that's not in question. The issue I had, besides the cost, was with karate as a whole. It's little more effective than dancing. And that's a problem if and when the kids get into any actual trouble. It's probably more dangerous than knowing nothing at all because it gives a false sense of security, and when your block fails to work, as it inevitably will, it's going to be a shock. The money making is the standard martial arts dojo model - pressure to grade (and try telling the kids they can't) and "You must buy your kit from us." Pretty standard stuff unfortunately. And the instructors are usually so invested in the thing they truly believe the hype. I also agree that parents would be better off looking at BJJ, Thai, or even boxing. Or ballet, if they like the dancing part...

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CKSA Steve Moore
burton upon trent, GB
Oct 23, 2014 6:20 pm EDT

Reply from Sensei Steven Moore BSc (Hons) 4th Dan Chief Instructor

Answer to the totally inaccurate complaint against kombatkids

It always surprises me that someone would write such unkind comments about Kombatkids, without contacting me personally first regarding any concerns they have as a parent regarding their children’s progress in our clubs.

Or is it just mischief making from a disgruntled parent or one of our many competitors who also run martial arts clubs in the area!

Of course the complainer didn’t leave their name and address, didn’t say the name of the club instructor they were referring to, didn’t mention the age of the Junior Dan grades they were referring to.

Before answering the complaints, I should point out that the majority of our students who train with us start at a very young age, and comprise of a lot of students with Special needs such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism, Aspergers etc.
We also have a lot of students who attend who have no confidence, have been badly bullied at school and need as much support as possible. I am personally very proud of the fact that we have a really caring. Honest team of instructors who work very hard at their own karate and really try their best to produce the best students possible. I find many of these comments offensive, not at all fair and not a fair reflection of our club.

They also didn’t say what style of Karate they did, who was their instructor, if they still trained in karate and where they train!

Complaint
They state the gradings are every few weeks and nobody fails!
Facts
There are 4 gradings held per year – March – June – October and December
This is not every few weeks!
Students definitely do fail gradings – 3 students failed their Black belt gradings in 2013.

Facts
We work to the traditional Wado Karate Syllabus, there are no intermediate gradings – apart from 11th Kyu and 10th Kyu that are only taken by children, not adults or over 16 years, they start at 9th Kyu if they are able to do so.

Complaint
Our classes are based on mainly Kata practice!

Fact
We follow a Traditional Wado syllabus of Kata, Kihon and Kumite
Students learn all 9 Katas up to 1st Dan
Students learn the basic pair work of Ippon Kumite for hands and feet
Pad work drills, competition fighting drills etc.

Fact
We have had 5 students selected for Kumite (Fighting) for the EKF England A squad
We have one senior student who has represented England and the GB Squad in Kumite at International level.
As a club we have won hundreds of medals in both Kata and Kumite at Domestic and international level in competitions for the past 10 years.
All pictures and details of competitions are on our web site.
This year we have had 11 students selected for Kumite (Fighting) and 10 students selected to represent Wadokai England at the forthcoming European Championships in November being held in England.
To say our club is primarily focused on Kata is absolute Rubbish!

Our instructors and myself give up at least 12 weekends a year for competitions to support the students, we do not get paid for any of this we do it for the students!
Complaint
The kids are soon moved onto a 2 hour lesson which is twice as much money!

Fact
All Students are told they only need to train for 1 hour per week until they reach the grade of Yellow Belt, which would mean a student would have to train for a minimum of a year before moving to a 2 hour class. If this is classed as soon, how is the student to develop the skills needed above if they only train for an hour a week. Many of our competition students train between 6 to 8 hours per week.

Complaint
Parents would be better off learning BJJ or Thai boxing. Learning something that actually works rather than Kata.

Fact
I personally have experience in both Thai Boxing and BJJ and would recommend both styles with the right instructor, they are both excellent styles of Martial Arts.
The crossover for the street is good for both if that is what a parent wants for their child. Both styles are probably not the best for kids with special needs.

Kata is taught as part of a system of pair work and freestyle Kumite, and is useless if taught on its own without the other elements. This is what we do in our clubs we teach all three. We don’t profess to teach students how to fight in the street, but after saying that the students who are taught competition Kumite would have no problem against the average thug, all of them can do clinch work, ground work and stand up fighting. But before being able to do this they all have to spend a lot of time building up a base of basic technique.

Finally I anyone has a valid complaint contact me the chief instructor first, I would be very happy to deal with any issue a parent has with our clubs.

Sensei Steve Moore 4th Dan

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confusedparent
Birmingham, GB
Oct 23, 2014 2:06 pm EDT

Dont normally write on these sites, but just read last post and could not disagree more.
The standard at Kombatkids has always been high, you must remember they are kids. My daughter has come on great since starting karate at this club, her confidence has come on loads.
She is now a green belt and we feel she has worked extremely hard to achieve this. Our friends daughter goes to a martial arts club in Stourbridge, she is a brown belt and is no where as good as my Kayleigh.
You only have to look at the website to see the medals this club have won, some members are also in the England squad. I to have had a letter regarding a sparring kit, which my daughter had all ready. Surely your childs safety is paramount in any martial art, and if kombatkids recommend this type of kit, I am surely going to buy it.
My only problem that I have with this club is that it closes for the full 6 weeks over summer, my daughter gets bored but could not wait to get back

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M.Mistry
Bromsgrove, GB
Oct 15, 2014 3:30 pm EDT
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I whole heartily agree with the final parent. Although I have no formal training or ever confess to know all the ins and outs about karate, even I can see that this organisation is very financially driven. They are more concerned about the number of students they can physically fit in a room rather than if any one individual is doing the actions correctly I have just had a letter from the instructor saying that my son needs a full sparring kit but they will only accept a sparring kit bought from them alone, and if you decide to get a rogue kit then that won't be accepted, how ridiculous is that I did take my son out of this school a short while and he went to another and they could not understand how he achieved his coloured belt when it was clear that he was below that standard.
Any parent who is considering taking their child to kombat kids please go there a few times on your own and see how they teach and compare with any other clubs nearby.

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ConcernedParent01
Birmingham, GB
Jun 25, 2014 5:44 am EDT
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I have to say I'm in agreement with the original poster. I took my son there for a while and he was doing very well, but I felt I had to pull him out because of the poor technique he was learning and the pressure to grade constantly. The place is basically a grading conveyor belt, with the costs rising incrementally. As a black belt of 15 years in another karate style and with experience in several other martial arts, I'd say the standard of karate here isn't great. The gradings are enforced every few weeks and nobody fails. There are intermediate gradings between each belt to make ever more money.

The classes are predominantly kata based, and the kids are soon moved onto the two hour session for twice as much money, which mostly seems to involve the younger kids sitting around watching the brown and black belts (some of whom were shockingly bad). If you've got no martial arts background, it might seem ok. The kids like it because they get a shiny new belt every few weeks. But the actual technique they're learning is sloppy and the whole thing is a very professionally presented money making system. For those who talk about paying for your child to do activities and hobbies, I suggest your money could be spent much better elsewhere - BJJ is great for kids and at least they're learning something that actually works, unlike katas. Thai boxing is also good. Both can be found for much less money that KombatKids and with much higher levels of tuition.

On a final note, I have to say this kind of thing isn't unique to KombatKids, it's endemic in Martial Arts teaching in general, particularly in the more 'traditional' styles. If your kids are enjoying it, that's fine, but ask yourself if your hard earned cash couldn't be spent better elsewhere.

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Mr Steven Parks
Sutton Coldfield, GB
Dec 30, 2013 2:05 pm EST

After reading the complaints, i have nothing but praise for kombatkids. My son has just started karate with kombatkids at Wylde Green with the instructor Ricky Evans, he has always been friendly and right from the start he told us about the membership and gradings etc. The membership is quite expensive £103 but this includes a karate suit and 10 lessons. kombatkids was recommended to me by a friend. As long as my son is enjoying it i will take him.

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Lynn Cody
Birmingham, GB
Jul 14, 2012 8:15 am EDT

My son has been with Kombatkids now for 3 years. I have been under no pressure to progress with any gradings and the staff are very friendly. I pay by term however know others who pay weekly...it seems the complaint is by someone who expects not to pay for the service they are receiving. In this economic climate I have to consider what I can afford. I decide to not have holidays abroad, expensive meals out etc but rather give my child quality teaching in a subject that will hold good stead for his future.
I suggest you either put your hand in your pocket or seek another hobby for your child to persue. I have never added a comment to this site but feel when I hear something that sounds so unfair I must reply.
Lynn Cody

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kombatkids
burton, GB
Mar 29, 2010 1:45 am EDT

I woud like to present a number of facts regarding Kombatkids.
Membership is indeed a one off payment of £40 which includes a free Karate suit, Syllabus, club Badge and a membership pack. The students also receives 4 free lessons when they join so the parent is not put under any pressure to pay a joining fee without first deciding that they want to commit to regular weekly Karate training. Which would be a saving of £16 per student which makes the membership payment £26.

When a students first arrives at Kombat kids they are presented with an introduction letter which states clearly the membership price and details, the cost and frequency of gradings and other relevant information for the parent.
Our website also states how much our gradings and licence fees are.

Students are categorically not forced to attend gradings but are entered for a grading by their own club instructor if they have attended the correct amount of classes, and have reached the high standard required.
What may seem not challenging to a parent is very challenging to a student, performing confidently, and demonstrating a high level of technical competence in front of a grading examiner is certainly not an easy task.

It also has to be said that it takes a period of five years to achieve a Black Belt with kombat kids unlike the majority of clubs which take 3 years.

We are very proud of the fact that we have over 1100 students who train with us on a weekly basis, we are also proud of the fact that a high percentage of Doctors, Surgeons, Police officers, Head teachers and top professionals choose our club over the many clubs that operate in the area.

We have many students who compete at both national level and international level and have won many medals throughout the years.

Finally i personally find it insulting that someone would post such an innacurate article on the net that questions our integrity, honesty and credibility.
Kombatkids

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