September means the start of a new session here at the dojo! With all the hectic energy of back-to-school and all the fall activities, it’s easy to lose track of things — so let’s make sure the kids are ready for karate with this easy back-to-karate checklist!
- DOES THEIR GI STILL FIT?
- Have your child try on their uniform and belt before their first class. We’re fully stocked in all sizes, so email us at office@edge-ma.com and ask for the next size up (check the tag on the back of the gi jacket) and we’ll have it waiting for your child when they arrive for their first class
- Green Belts and above who have outgrown their gi may want to upgrade to a heavier weight uniform – the stronger material is perfect for sparring and grappling, and gives punches and kicks that extra little “snap”
- Don’t forget: check their t-shirts too! Students are not required to wear a layer under their gi jacket; however, if they choose to, the only permitted options are a plain black t-shirt/tank top/sports bra or a black Edge t-shirt
- REFIT THEIR MOUTHGUARD
- For our yellow belts with 3+ stripes, and for all green belts and above, a mouthguard is an essential part of their gear — students are not permitted to do any live sparring/grappling without it. As teeth shift and bodies grow, mouthguards need to be remolded to accurately fit them. The SISU brand we use at the dojo can be remolded up to 20 times!
- DO A LITTLE PRACTICE ON THE SPARK APP
- Hopefully your child’s been keeping their skills sharp all summer, but the best way to beat back any nervous energy about returning to the dojo is to do a bit of practice ahead of time! If you still haven’t downloaded the Spark App, visit www.edge-ma.com/digital-dojo ASAP!
- DOUBLE-CHECK CLASS TIMES
- For most families, September means a brand new schedule with new routines to develop. Take a few moments to visit our Class Schedule and make sure you know when your child’s classes are. Our classes start on time — meaning students should be on the dojo floor lined up at the start time, not walking through the door. A good rule of thumb is “five minutes early is on time, on time is late!”
Let’s make this the best year yet for your child!
