Spring 2010 Belt Prep Cycle - M1W3 - Holidays

Hello,

AMA is closed for the holidays until 1/4/10. For those of you who want to get ahead you can begin working on Month #1, Week #3. We will be working these techniques in class beginning 1/4/10. Feel free to download the following M1W3 homework sheets -- they are not due until the Friday 1/15/10 BB Prep class.

Sincerely,
Mr. Herrman

Juniors BB Prep - M1W3
Adults BB Prep - M1W3

Spring 2010 Belt Prep Cycle - M1W2 - 12/18/09

Hello,

Friday 12/18/09 was the second week of our Spring 2010 BB Prep Cycle. This was our last practice before 2 weeks off for winter break. I recommend focusing on Month #1, Week #2 the week of 12/21/09. The week of 12/28/09 you can review Month #1, Week #1 and begin working on Month #1, Week #3 (I will post the M1W3 sheets by 12/28/09). Please download the following M1W2 homework sheets, complete them, and bring them to the Friday 1/8/10 BB Prep class.

Sincerely,
Mr. Herrman

Juniors BB Prep - M1W2
Adults BB Prep - M1W2

BB Prep Process - 3 Keys to Success

I wanted to follow up with all of you after your first week in the new Brown-Black class. Hopefully you are enjoying the new format and are excited about preparing for your Black Belt. I am very proud of you for having made it this far. It has been several years since you began your journey in the martial arts and you have earned an advanced rank. It is like you are climbing a mountain and you can see the top – you are within sight of your goal: BLACK BELT! Unfortunately, like a lot of mountains the journey from where you are right now to the summit is often the most difficult. It is steep and there are some obstacles between you and the top. It is going to require some extra work, but I guarantee that if you take small steps in the right direction every day you will accomplish your goal! You will reach the top! You will become an AMA Black Belt!

There are 3 keys to your success:
1) Consistently Attend your Brown-Black class 2x/week

• You should attend on 1 “A” day (Monday or Tuesday) and 1 “B” day (Wednesday or Thursday). On the A day you will learn 2 self defense techniques in addition to your basics, drills and sparring skills. On the B day you will learn 2 different self defense techniques in addition to your basics, drills and forms/sets.
• ADVANCED BROWN BELTS are also invited to attend the Friday BB Prep class. During this class you will review all 4 techniques taught during the A & B days and work on your conditioning, basics, drills, forms & sets. You are also invited to stay for the Friday BBT Sparring class. Attending this class will help prepare you for the sparring & conditioning portion of your exam.
• If you cannot attend the Friday BB Prep class – don’t worry! You can still prepare for your Black Belt Exam, it will just take a little extra work on your own outside of class…and that is the 2nd key to your success.

2) Consistently Practice @ Home

• You cannot earn your Black Belt simply by attending class 2-3 days/week. You must practice at home on the days you are not at karate. We provide weekly homework sheets to help you with your at home practice. They provide details of what to practice and how many reps to complete. Homework sheets can be downloaded from this BB Prep website. Homework sheets must be completed and turned in at the next week’s BB Prep class.

3) Ask for Help

• Earning your Black Belt is a difficult task, regardless of your age. We have had students as young as 8 ½ earn their junior black belts and students over 50 earn their adult black belts. Both juniors and adults need the support of your instructors, current black belts, your fellow black belt candidates, your friends and your family. We believe in you and if there is anything we can do to help you along the way ASK!

Dedicated to your success,
Mr. Herrman

PS: Descriptions of the forms, sets and self defense techniques can be found in the Student Resources section of the AMA website (username & password required). If you do not already own the BB Prep Manual & DVDs it is HIGHLY recommended that you purchase them. They are the single best resource to help you prepare for your Black Belt Exam outside of class.

New Black Belt Prep Cycle - M1W1 - 12/11/09

Hello,

Friday 12/11/09 was the first week of our new BB Prep Cycle. We are off to a great start! Hopefully everyone enjoyed the new format of the Brown-Black class and is excited to be working towards your Black Belt. Please download the following homework sheets, complete them, and bring them to the Friday 12/18/09 BB Prep class.

Sincerely,
Mr. Herrman

Juniors BB Prep - M1W1
Adults BB Prep - M1W1