At The EDGE Ultimate Martial Arts we know that you want the best for your child's future. The best way to predict your child's future is to help create it right now. You've heard about the many benefits martial arts training provides children like self-confidence, improved motor skills, self-discipline, concentration, and respect. Unfortunately, most children themselves, are not particularly interested in developing those traits, their parents are. Children are children and they want to be involved in activities that are fun and immediately rewarding. That is why the children's programs at The EDGE are different than typical Martial Arts Schools. In the past, traditional training for children has meant a robotic, rigid, and militaristic class where every child looks and moves the exact same way. Keeping children interested in this kind of environment can sometimes be a task for the teacher and an even bigger task for the parents who have to "drag" the child to class. Our approach is unique because we teach your children to take advantage of the way their bodies move and react naturally. Our classes are motivating and designed to stimulate your child through positive and memorable experiences throughout the class. Children have a natural desire to be good at whatever it is they do, therefore they will quickly notice that the best students have the most self discipline, and will strive to copy their success. Every parent comes with specific goals and desires for their child and we strive to meet them in every class. Your children are the reason we are here and we will do our utmost to earn your confidence in our programs and instructors. Child abduction protection is also taught as part of the children's program in an eight-week cycle during class using "What if" questions and stranger awareness drills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a typical class like?
Sil Jun Do^R
Sil Jun Do^R is the EDGE's most popular program for children. Although there is no such thing as a typical Sil Jun Do^R class at The EDGE, each class includes a stretching and conditioning segment followed by Sil Jun Do^R mixed martial arts training drills in striking, clinching, takedowns, and ground defense as well as life and survival skills. Rolling, tumbling, rope climbing, evasion techniques, and some old-fashioned street smarts are all part of the "Total Package" taught in this class. The exercises and drills are designed to get and keep your kids in shape as well as teach them the techniques they will need to advance in belt rank. Check The Schedule

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Currently Brazilian is offered once a week for students reaching the rank of Brown Belt in Sil Jun Do^R. BJJ is a style of martial arts unlike any other. It is a blend of traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu and modern day submissions and ground grappling movements developed by the Gracie family in Brazil in the 1940's. Since that time, many BJJ practitioners have fine-tuned this art to become the best style of self-defense, and the most popular style in martial arts competition. BJJ is designed to take the opponent to the ground and subdue him by placing him in an environment that he is not familiar with. From the ground, the BJJ man will simply use ground fighting skills to finish his attacker. Check The Schedule

Muay Thai
Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. Although many people think of Thai boxing as the toughest and most physically demanding ring sport in the world, it is excellent for street self-defense. Children will train by hitting Thai pads and focus mitts with full power punches, knees, elbows and kicks. They will be taught and learn to perfect jabs, crosses, hooks, uppercuts, spinning backfists, combinations, slipping, sticking, moving, footwork, clinching and stand-up grappling. Training segments are great workouts that develop toughness, physical as well as mental conditioning, and a “Never Quit” attitude. Thai shorts and boxing gloves are mandatory for this class. Check The Schedule

We have found that teaching repetition day in and day out encourages children to begin skipping classes because they are not going to miss anything new. What keeps children interested is the idea of learning something new and exciting. While we try to make each class fun and exciting, there will be times when classes will seem like more work than fun. That is where self-discipline will gradually develop. Each child wants to improve and advance in belt rank and they know that practice makes perfect. Please note that all age specific learning, motoring skills, and abilities are always considered on an individual basis for children. We have worked wonders with many Attention Deficit students (ADD and ADHD).

Special Note to Parents From Instructor Richard Raciti
Parents, are you yelling more than laughing? Are your children whining more than listening? In the past few years I have noticed a few alarming trends that are affecting our children. A recent national survey has disclosed that 1 out of every 5 children in American suffers from obesity. A recent survey of our own martial arts students has disclosed that Gym classes in school are typically offered on an average of twice a week. With kids either engrossed in video games, television, or their computers it is becoming more difficult to motivate them to do anything physical. I remember being 7 or 8 years old and being outside playing and running for hours. I didn't walk around fences...I jumped over them. I didn't have a GAMEBOY to play with...I depended on my own imagination. And, I didn't carry around a water bottle because I was dying of thirst after walking up a grueling staircase...I drank out of the hose on the side of our house. Basically our kids have too much and appreciate too little. They have become less physically self reliant. Today an average ten year old can look up the history of Rubber Ducks imported from Hong Kong on the Internet but they can't take out the garbage without moaning and turning it into a physical and emotional ordeal?

What Can Parents Do?
Take Charge! We are the parents. We call the shots. Far too often I hear children being asked 5 times to do something only to be ignored. Yet, if your child calls you and you are not there in the blink of an eye they get upset. Too many times I have heard "Give me a dollar" instead of "May I please have a dollar?"...and if the answer is no, it becomes a whining debate. At the EDGE we are experts at assisting parents in breaking negative behavior patterns in children by showing them the excitement of putting forth an effort, the joy of accomplishment following their effort, and the gracious acceptance of disappointment if their efforts do not pay off immediately. They learn that to be a winner they must make efforts...not excuses, and to have a no-quit attitude.

How can my child begin?
That's easy. We begin new students with an introductory program and our official martial arts uniform. The introductory program is designed to allow you and your child an opportunity to experience a hands-on introduction to The EDGE’s programs to see if they are right for you while allowing us to determine if you are right for us. Before beginning the trial program the EDGE's program director will explain the fees and class schedule to you so that you can determine if they fit into your schedule and budget.

We realize that not every person who takes the introductory program will enroll on a regular program. We also do not accept every child into a regular program. Before accepting a student they are evaluated during their introductory program. Enthusiasm, respect, interest, attendance, perseverance, and maturity are the qualities we look for in potential students. It is also important that the child's parents share in and support our training philosophy. If you are looking to buy your child's belt we are not for you. Our academy's standards are high and they are uncompromising. Prior to the end of your introductory program the program director will meet with you to discuss continuing your training if you are eligible for enrollment and you have an interest in committing to a regular program.

What makes The EDGE different from other martial arts schools?
We feel that children today are being raised in an era of political correctness that wants to celebrate mediocrity at every opportunity and at every level. There are now graduation ceremonies for Pre-school, first grade, fifth grade, eight grade, and of course high school. I recently signed a third grader's year book. Third Grade!!?? Kids seem to have their hands out for a reward for even the most minor deeds or accomplishments. Many martial arts schools have adopted this philosophy and have subsequently become belt factories in order to attract the ever growing and financially rewarding "Kid Market". They offer birthday parties, movie nights, board breaking parties, and "special" clubs within the school...for a fee of course. Those who don't attend these "personal development" events are often made to feel like an outsider from the Black Belt clubs, demonstration teams, and leadership clubs that are often designated by more patches on their uniforms than a race car driver. This type of environment can often result in a "clickish" school that is only desirable to those in the click which in turn results in only a small percentage of students who actually improve in their skills. At The EDGE we enjoy true camaraderie because we are all on the same team. Our students strive to improve and help each other without predjudice and ego and that is why all of our students become excellent martial artists. We judge and promote our students based on their efforts, abilities and attitude. Belts are awarded in class thereby making every class a test in itself. Our young students learn that the only way to earn a higher belt is to improve in their abilities...and the only way to make that happen is to train hard and be dedicated to learning and improving their martial arts skills.

To find out more on Choosing the Right school for your child click here

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect in my first class?

To be surprised. Martial arts training at The EDGE is probably not what you thought it would be like. The atmosphere is friendly and dynamic as opposed to stale and rigid like most traditional martial arts schools. You will feel awkward at first but will quickly “get it”. Don’t worry about how you look or if you’re performing the techniques correctly, just enjoy the experience and the rest will fall into place before you know it.

Are their any rules I should know about?

Yes, but they are mostly common courtesy and common sense rules. The most important rule is that you are on time or early for class. Parents, it is imperative that your child is on time for class. A child starting a new class is nervous enough without walking into the class after it has already started. It can be difficult to overcome a negative first experience. Also, parents should be certain that the class schedule fits into their schedule before enrolling their child into the introductory program. The rest of the rules are simple and will be explained in your first few classes.

Will my child be sore after class?

That all depends on their level of fitness and health. If they haven’t been active for a while their muscles will probably be sore and tired. Their bodies will adjust and the soreness will go away. The amount of soreness you experience should be used to gauge what type of shape you are actually in. The more sore you are the more you need to exercise.

What do the different color belts mean?

Students of Sil Jun Do^R, Sil Jun Hapkido, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are awarded colored belts when they reach the next higher level of expertise. Muay Thai students are awarded colored arm rings called Prajit or Kruang that also show their level of expertise. At the EDGE we do not have scheduled belt tests like most martial arts schools. All belts with the exception of Black Belts are awarded in class by the senior instructor. Training for a specific test date is the same as cramming for a test in school. The information is quickly forgotten once the test is taken. Many schools charge a fee for the belt test and virtually everyone passes regardless of ability or dedication. Every class at The EDGE is considered a test. Would you rather buy your belt and crumble at the moment of truth because your sense of confidence was a false one or earn your belt and actually have the confidence to defend yourself should the need arise? Belts are not awarded during the introductory program. A student must be on a regular program to be considered for advancement in rank.

What if my child is accepted, enrolls on a regular program, and then wants to quit?

This question is generally known as the taboo question for martial arts schools. Typically they glaze over the question by boasting about their retention rate and then redirecting the sales pitch into a more beneficial and positive direction for them. When asked this question my answer is always the same: Kids don't quit, parents let them quit. They did not make the decision to join on their own and they should not be allowed to make the decision to quit on their own. The most common response by a parent when faced with their child wanting to quit is, "I don't want to force him to go". Why not? You force him to get up in the morning, brush his teeth, go to school, wash his hands, do homework, go to sleep, and everything else that you know is good for his development and builds responsibility. When I was a child quitting was never an option. When you started something, you finished it. Period. So why does a child want to quit something that they were once interested in? Often it's because the activity is more challenging than they thought it would be and they take the easiest way out which is to just quit. They never find out how good they could have been. They never reach their full potential in anything and they have taken one more step in asserting that they are in charge and not you.

Short Story: I have a student who's son wanted to play soccer. He thought he'd get involved and volunteered to coach the team. Just before the season began his son decided that he didn't want to play soccer and wanted to play football instead. Now his son is playing football and he is coaching a group of kids that he doesn't even know. He asked me what I would have done. First, not playing would not be an option. Won't play? Fine. I wouldn't want the rest of the team to suffer. Sit on the bench. Won't sit on the bench? Fine. Stay home. NO TV, NO video games, NO phone, and NO going outside after school until soccer season is over. Next year if they wanted to play football, no problem...but I would not be coaching.

I love it when I get a person who comes in the academy looking to "get back" to training. They trained when they were younger but quit. They tell me how they could have been a Black belt by now...And then the words come out," I WISH MY PARENT'S NEVER LET ME QUIT".

So let's rephrase the question with parents taking the responsibility: What if I allow my child to quit?

The EDGE has a cancellation policy. If you wish to cancel the program your tuition must be current. Their is a small cancellation fee. If the fee is paid we will gladly welcome your child back if they decide that they would like to continue their training at some later date.

Where can I find more information on the Academy?

This website is loaded with information about the academy. Class descriptions, schedules, training tips, upcoming events, martial arts philosophy, and links to our friends are all on the site. You can also e-mail any questions you may have.

We know that children are involved in many activities and parents do quite a bit of chauffeuring to get them there, our class schedules are designed with parents in mind. After your trial program, our program director will sit down with you to discuss one of the many programs we offer to fit your schedule and budget. You are trusting us with your most prized possession and we will do our best to earn that trust every class.