CLASSES FOR ALL AGES & LEVELS

The gift of martial arts training is one of the absolute best things parents can do for their children. For troubled kids the martial arts can occupy their idle time, provide positive role models and keep them involved with the "right kind" of peer group. For youngsters who are better adjusted, the martial arts can not only build confidence and self esteem, but provide them with character traits and life skills that will serve them well into their adult lives.

At World Class, we understand that each and every young student has individual needs based upon his/her age, physical ability and unique personality, however; Coach Roppo and his hand picked team of instructors will first concentrate on helping a child to develop a solid foundation in 3 core areas of our curriculum.

Area #1 Bully Proofing

Our definition of a "bully proof kid" is a young person who is not only equipped with the physical, mental and emotional tools to handle most bullying incidents, but also the common sense and plan of action to involve adults when these situations prove to be too much. World Class we teach our students to follow the "3 Ts" of self defense (Talk, Tell & Tackle). World Class Kids are taught that the first step is to talk to the bully and resolve the situation verbally.

When negotiating with a bully fails, students are taught to proceed to the "2nd T" (telling a parent, teacher or law enforcement officer). In the rare instance when the 1st and 2nd steps of the 3T system fail to resolve a bullying incident, students are trained to employ the third T, and "tackle" the bully. Tackling is actually the initial move in a series of highly effective, yet simple grappling techniques designed to safely "restrain" an assailant instead of "fighting" them with punches and kicks. When children strike and injure other children it can lead to a number of additional problems beyond the fight itself, including school suspensions and nasty court battles. This, "tackle and restrain" approach to self defense allows World Class Students to assert themselves and control the situation without subjecting the bully to excessive force or injury.

AREA # 2 STRANGER DANGER

At first glance, this simple system of defensive techniques would seem to be geared toward younger children; however, the practicality of our "stranger danger program" gives kids of all ages a fighting chance and an escape procedure in the case of an attempted abduction. With child abduction on the rise, we at World Class are intent on keeping as many children as possible from becoming an "evening news statistic" by arming both parents and kids with rules, code words and a proven "Stranger Danger" action plan.

At the core of our stranger danger program are the physical self defense techniques. While it is highly unlikely that a young child could defeat a full grown adult, by targeting weak spots and pressure sensitive nerve areas, it is possible for a youngster to buy enough time or attract the adequate amount of attention necessary to foil an attempted abduction. Although it is important for our young students to master these physical techniques, developing a keen sense of awareness and memorizing the "Stranger Danger Rules of Engagement" will usually prevent and abduction before it has the chance to start. These rules extend to various areas of a child's life, including: the school, the home, the street and the internet, making World Class Stranger Danger the most effective and comprehensive kid's safety training of its kind.

Area # 3 The Martial Arts Code of Conduct

Honorable warriors throughout history have aspired to live their lives by a martial code of conduct. While a European Knight might refer to this code as "chivalry", the Samurai of feudal Japan called it "bushido". Although this code differed slightly from culture to culture, the basic tenet always remained the same.

"A warrior must always do what is right, even when right... is the hardest thing to do!".

With so many negative influences surrounding the youth of today, parents need all the help they can get when teaching kids right from wrong. Using the martial arts to help convey these lessons is one of the most effective ways to instill a sense of morality and ethics in young people.
Unfortunately many people view mixed martial arts as a violent blood-sport, devoid of any honor or morality. While there are a few disrespectful athletes and poor sportsmen who represent our art/sport in such a negative way, such is not the case at World Class MMA. At WCG we strive to instill character traits in our younger students such as:

Integrity
Self Esteem
Confidence

Discipline
Humility
Courage

Respect
Compassion
Honesty

And many, more. We accomplish this through a series of complex and varied resources that include unique goal setting and reward systems like belt ranking, stripes & patches, re-enforcing formal speech patterns by addressing elders as "Sir/ M'am" and providing positive roll models via our instructors, fighters, assistant coaches and class leaders. We also have a carefully planned out system of rules and regulations, however; the single most important tool for conveying the martial arts code of conduct to young students is the "honor test". Young people are often confronted with confusing situations where the most honorable course of action is not easily recognized. By examining a given situation for the 3 components of honor, (obligation, justice & courage) students are able to choose the most honorable course of action. Once learned, this invaluable method will remain with the student forever, providing a moral compass to help navigate around some of life's most negative obstacles.

BEAVER COUNTY'S ONLY MMA PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

YOUTH M.M.A. (Children 8 -12 Years in Age ):
Our Youth M.M.A. Program is a mirror of our Adult M.M.A. Fundamentals Class in almost every way. The significant difference would be removing from the curriculum, those techniques that would be inappropriate for children as far as safety is concerned. Unfortunately, when most parents hear the words "mixed martial arts" they envision a UFC Title Fight, with 2 hulking men, beating each other senseless in an octagon cage.

While our children's programs do have an element of practicality and effectiveness that is hard to find in traditional karate, kung fu or tang soo do classes, they are completely safe and injuries are extremely rare. In fact, most people are unaware that statistically, MMA is safer than football and other contact sports.

Our Youth M.M.A. Classes provide children with a level of self esteem and personal self defense skill that is not so easily achieved with a traditional martial arts program. When a child earns a belt rank in our curriculum it not only empowers the child with self confidence, but affords parents the peace of mind to know their son or daughter has been trained in practical and effective self defense that works in the real world.

Most traditional martial arts focus on only one type of defensive skill, for instance, Tae Kwon Do & Tang Soo Do focus mainly on kicking skills, while Judo schools teach lots of effective throwing & grappling techniques. While young people who study these arts often become very proficient in these individual areas. They are only learning part of the skills necessary for real world self defense.

In the World Class Youth Program students have the option of attending classes and earning rank in both Kickboxing & Grappling Classes at the same time. This provides young boys & girls with a complete martial arts education as well as keeping them from becoming bored with practicing the same old techniques class after class. Best of all, our lucky students get to attend two different classes, and learn two different martial arts skills for the price of one!

We also enroll many young people who have already earned a high rank (like a brown or black belt) in another traditional art, but became bored with the lack of advanced training. WCG has a lot to offer these young martial artists as far as exciting new techniques, a variety of different classes and a new form of competition, as many local tournaments now have no-gi, youth grappling divisions.
Perhaps what parents like the most about World Class are our flexible memberships which allow athletic kids to take time off to participate in other sports, and a wide variety of class choices that allow our younger students to work around a hectic family schedule or train almost every day if they choose to do so.

Mon. - Youth Grappling.............................................5pm to 6pm
Tues. - Youth Striking................................................5pm to 6pm
Weds. - Youth Grappling...........................................5pm to 6pm
Thurs. - Youth Striking...............................................5pm to 6pm

LIL' DRAGONS ( Children 4-7 Years in Age ):

Our Lil Dragons Program consists of half hour developmental classes for small children that combines carefully selected martial arts techniques, life skills, and special drills designed to build character and self control.
Children under 8 years of age find it easier to learn those things that they can perceive through their senses, therefore, great care is taken to insure that the instruction in the Lil' Dragons class is always stimulating to a younger students tactile, auditory and visual senses.
Our exciting Lil' Dragon's curriculum helps small children to develop positive personality traits that will serve them throughout adult life. Each month. Our Lil' Dragon Classes focus on a different themes, like:

Resonsibility
Respect for Elders
Listening Skills
Telling the Truth

... and many more important areas in a young person's development. Our team of professional instructors is able to instill these important character traits with exciting techniques, games & drills reinforced with a reward and goal setting system of stripes, patches and special Lil Dragon Rank Belts.

Another important part of our Lil Dragons program is "Stranger Danger". This simple system of defensive techniques gives small children a fighting chance and an escape procedure in the case of an attempted abduction. With new stories of kidnapping, molestation and child abuse showing up in the media almost everyday, it would seem that these predators are everywhere. Because they tend to target "Dragon aged children" (probably because they view these kids as being easier targets) We at World Class have made stranger danger an integral part of our Lil Dragons Program.

Above all else, anything that can hold a 4-7 year olds attention and keep them eager to return, must be fun! While many schools now offer "dragon like" classes for younger children, their lack of an age appropriate curriculum and individual attention soon leaves kids bored and uninterested.
Our exciting, high energy lesson plans are specifically designed to keep Dragon age kids pumped up and brimming with enthusiasm, while our low student to instructor ratio insures that each and every student receives the best possible instruction in every class.

Lil Dragon Classes
Monday................................................4:30 - 5:00pm
Thursday.............................................4:30 - 5:00pm

"Mommy & Me" Toddler Classes ( 2-3 Years in Age ):
Special developmental classes for toddlers & parents
.......COMING SOON !!!.......