Welcome to Assembly of the Fighting Arts, (A.F.A. Karate). We have developed a special program to provide you with the following benefits:

If you have any questions, feel free to talk to any instructor. We believe strongly in the values of our program for all ages. Especially for the young, who can gain lifelong benefits from our school.

Sincerely,

George & Roseann Fusco

Owners

As a student of the Assembly of the Fighting Arts, LLC of North Branford, you may train at any of A.F.A. Karate School affiliates listed below. A student wishing to train at one of the Karate Schools listed below, should always notify the head instructors in advance.

DeLeon’s American Shotokan Karate - 156 Center Street - Wallingford, Ct.

(203) 269-4127

Matt Jones Karate Academy - 2004 E. Main St - Bridgeport, Ct.

(203) 336-1405

Tony Penna’s Extreme Karate - Southington, CT

(860) 426-1667

Attendance is the key to progress. We recommend at least two classes a week to gain the maximum benefits from A.F.A. Karate Centers, however, many of our students are progressing well at one class per week. Please communicate to your instructor any obstacle to your regular attendance, so we may assist you in overcoming them. Overcoming obstacles and experiencing the exhilaration of victory is one way we teach our students how to build self-discipline, confidence and perseverance. Through the exercise of this responsibility, we all learn the value of teamwork. TEAMWORK IS ESSENTIAL!! Once you are a member of A.F.A. Karate Centers, you will be allowed to train at any affiliate school with prior approval.

Please refer to your schedule for class times. We highly recommend you attend class at least two times a week. If for some reason you are not able to attend class, we ask that you call the school and inform the receptionist or your instructor. Prior to visiting one of A.F.A. Karate’s affiliate schools, please call in advance & notify the head instructor of the school you will be visiting.

The student uniform consists of a black traditional karate uniform plus a belt. Your uniform should be kept clean. Students who are Black Belts may wear any style uniform. On Saturdays you are allowed to wear a school T-shirt or sweatshirt with your karate pants plus your belt. During the months of April through October, you may wear a A.F.A. Karate T-shirt along with your karate pants. If you have a custom made uniform, you may wear it on Saturdays ONLY. DURING TESTING, YOU MUST WEAR YOUR COMPLETE BLACK UNIFORM WITH AN A.F.A. KARATE PATCH. All Black Belt instructors may wear any color or style uniform they choose along with their belt.

A.F.A. Karate School Patch - Left front chest (all students)

American Flag - Right shoulder (all students)

Yellow Star – After passing the Beginner "A" Test

(Center cross point of collar or at the tip of the V on a V-neck uniform)

Green Star – After passing the Beginner "B" Test

(1^st star from yellow star on the right side of the collar)

Blue Star – After passing the Beginner "C" Test

(1^st star from the yellow star on the left side of the collar)

S.W.A.T. Patch – Upon beginning the Intermediate Class – Left Arm

Purple Star – After passing the Intermediate "A" Test

(2^nd star from yellow star on the right side of the collar)

Red Star – After passing the Intermediate "B" Test

(2^nd star from yellow star on the left side of the collar)

Brown Star – After passing the Intermediate "C" Test

(3^rd star from yellow star on the right side of the collar)

Metallic Star – After passing the Advanced 1 "A" Test

(3^rd star from yellow star on the left side of the collar)

Black Star – After passing the Advanced 1 "B" Test

(4^th star from yellow star on the right side of the collar)

Black with Metallic Star – After passing the Black Belt Test

(4^th star from yellow star on the left side of the collar)

Your instructor must approve any other patches that you would like to wear on your uniform.

Students of A.F.A. Karate show their progress in the art by the color of the belt they wear. Each color belt is a step toward the goal of Black Belt. Our students are graded on a regular basis. The progression toward Black Belt is as follows: White, Yellow Stripe, Green Stripe, Purple Stripe, Black Stripe, ½ Yellow & ½ White, Yellow, Green, High Green, Purple, High Purple, 3rd Brown, 2nd Brown, 1st Brown, 1^st Degree Black Belt, 2nd Degree Black Belt, 3rd Degree Black Belt, 4th Degree Black Belt. Testing is held on one Saturday of every month, (however you will not test every month), see the schedule in the waiting room for exact dates. At the New Student stage, testing will be done about every 1 to 2 months, once you reach yellow belt, testing will be every 4 months, at the intermediate level, testing will be every 6 months & at the advanced 1 level testing will be every 6 months, at the Advanced 2 level testing will be in approximately 12 months. If for some reason you miss classes or a belt exam, please see your Instructor to arrange a make up time or a private lesson so as not to delay your progress.

Students who pay for the 11 month membership in advance will save 10% off the tuition.

Parents are encouraged to watch classes. We ask that you respect the class by not entering the training area while classes are in session and that if you are bringing younger children with you, please keep them quiet and under control. Please do not walk across the floor while class is in session, not only does it distract the student’s, it also is very dangerous.

S.W.A.T. (Special Winning Attitude Team) is a very special team. Members of the S.W.A.T. Team must be the rank of high green belt or higher. All members must be excellent academic students, excellent role models, have positive attitudes and a strong desire to teach. The S.W.A.T. Team is for students who would like to learn how to teach. They must be able to commit to 1 class a week as a Teaching Assistant or Helper and they must be able to commit to regular attendance.

This team represents the best of the best from all students’ ranked high green belt & up who meet the requirements. This team is specifically designed for teaching leadership skills.

As exciting as it is, you must understand that there is a big commitment to accepting being part of the S.W.A.T. Team. You must at least attend your 2 regular classes each week and you must commit to be a role model at the least 1 day per week, (must consist of 2 classes). This is the leadership (S.W.A.T.) program for instructor training and while not all of you will go on to professional status when you make your Black Belt, only the S.W.A.T. members will be considered for professional status. You must also be able to make a commitment to regular attendance at our demonstrations. During demonstrations, you are the members of the school that make direct contact with the public, and the honor of being a member of this team is weighed heavily on the impression and example you set for others.

2. High Green belt minimum

3. Tuition must be paid up to date

4. Super Black Belt attitude

5. Good communication skills & the ability to work with others

6. Popularity with classmates. Since you will be leading classes & in a higher profile position in the school, you must not be the source of controversy.

7. Good solid technique. This area is the least important, since a yellow belt needs a teacher with enthusiasm & patience, more than a teacher with a sky high side kick.

A.F.A. Karate offers a substantial discount to allow families to learn karate together. A 30% discount is taken on the 2^nd Family member, a 40% discount is taken on the 3^rd family member, the 4^th family member can train for FREE, a 50% discount is taken on the 5^th or more family members. A family member consists of anyone in your immediate family.

Testing for a new belt is done on one Saturday of every month, see the "What’s Happening" schedule on our website or check the schedule in the waiting room for exact days & times. You must have an A.F.A. Karate patch on the left side of your uniform, (over your heart), prior to testing for any belt; you must have an American Flag patch on your right arm prior to testing for High Yellow Belt or higher.

Students are allowed to start sparring after they earn their 1^st belt. Due to mandatory insurance regulations, it is mandatory that all students who spar must have hand, foot, head protective padding, as well as a protective mouth guard & groin protector (if male). If you plan to spar in tournaments (sport karate), the same protective gear is required. Shin guards, a face shield/cage & a chest protector are strongly recommended. All protective gear is available from A.F.A. Karate, please see your instructor.

We run 7 A.F.A.C.T. Rated Karate Tournaments each year & tournaments we feel are suitable for our students will be posted on the bulletin board. Any student wishing more information or having questions on requirements to enter a tournament should see your instructor.

The school is available for birthday parties on Saturdays. At the birthday parties we provide all paper goods, juice, pizza, cake, games and a ½ hour karate class, parties last 1 ½ hours. If you would like information and prices on parties, please see your instructor.

If for any reason you fall behind and need extra help or want to schedule a private lesson see your instructor. Achieving goals at A.F.A. Karate Centers is one of the most vital instruments used in building our student’s confidence. Communication, teamwork and action are essential for the benefits to be obtained. Private lessons are also available from any of the instructors or S.W.A.T. members, for scheduling of private lessons see your head instructor.

Periodically your instructors get together and hold a Movie/Game night for our students. We play games, watch movies and eat Pizza. In the morning, Roseann makes pancakes for everyone. All A.F.A. students, their siblings & friends are eligible to participate. The cost for our sleepovers is $25.00 per person. Drop off is any time after 6pm on Saturday & pickup is anytime before 9am on Sunday. Please check our "What’s Happening" section of our website for exact days & times.

Gift Certificates are available for Karate & Kickboxing Instruction & merchandise purchases, if you would like to purchase a Gift Certificate, please see your instructor or stop by the front desk.

Any student that has a friend try a FREE karate class will receive 1 KARATE DOLLAR. Any student that brings in a friend during buddy week will receive 1 KARATE DOLLAR for each friend that takes a class. If that friend signs up for our six week special you will receive $5 more KARATE DOLLARS. These dollars may be used toward your renewal, or spent in the school store (Pro Shop). Please make sure your friends let us know they were recommended by you.

To order supplies not in stock, please speak to your instructor, or make the order at the front desk. Special orders are placed at least 2 times a month, so allow about 1-3 weeks for delivery. Many items not seen in the store may be obtained more quickly if they are in stock in one of our other schools.

Assembly of the Fighting Arts Karate Phone - (203) 484-4565

Assembly of the Fighting Arts Karate Fax - (203) 484-0670

ASF International – 1 (800) 525-8967

Matt Jones Karate Academy - Bridgeport, CT - (203) 336-1405

DeLeon’s American Shotokan Karate - Wallingford, CT - (203) 269-4127

Tony Penna’s Extreme Karate – Southington , CT (860) 426-1667

A.F.A. Karate Centers will supply you with instructors and assistant instructors that are trained to be professional, courteous, friendly and proficient in the teaching of the Martial Arts. We pride ourselves on knowing our student’s needs and meeting them. Over the years, we have blended the philosophy and theories of Shotokan, Sport Karate, Taekwondo, ChinNa and other Martial Arts, to create a dynamic and practical approach toward self-defense for the modern American. Follow our guidelines, and our professional staff will guide you to a better mental and physical fitness as well as teach you to discipline through the Martial Arts.

1. MOST IMPORTANT! Leave your ego at the door.

2. A customary bow as you enter the training hall and before you leave, also to the instructor is required.

3. All participants are required to wear a CLEAN uniform with A.F.A. chest patch and respective belt.

4. Cleanliness of the body is mandatory for training.

5. Nails of both feet and hands are to be rounded to the end so as not to inflict harm or damage to a partner.

6. Mouth guards, fighting gear and cups (male students) are mandatory for sparring and should be brought to every class & all tests yellow belt & higher.

7. Refrain from fighting outside the dojo. (Karate is not a license to fight!)

8. Respect all, especially yourself.

9. If class is not yet in session, please use that time for stretching or Kata.

10. Weapons are allowed only when SENSEI provides you with them.

11. The instructor is to be addressed as SENSEI at all times within the dojo. (example: Sensei Fusco, Sensei Roseann, Sensei Rick )

13. No horseplay, loudness, abusive language, or gestures are allowed in or outside of the dojo, before, during or after class.

14. A.F.A. Karate is a family. Help each other in & out of the Dojo. Your instructor will always be there for you (whether it is Karate related or not). If you are having any problems, feel free to speak with us & we’ll be glad to help.

In the "good old days", parents worried more about their children being home by the time the street lights came on than whether they got the recommended amount of daily activity. Today, however, the world has changed and we are faced with a myriad of challenges that were unheard of only a generation ago. For instance, today’s parents are advised to monitor their children’s body mass index (height-to-weight ratio) as the obesity epidemic among children ages 6 to 19 has reached nearly quadrupled from what it was in the 1960s.

Physical activity such as karate will not only help today’s children by preventing them from becoming obese or helping them to lose weight if necessary, it will also teach them healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Here are A.F.A. Karate’s Top 10 Reasons Why Kids Should Take Martial Arts Classes:

1. A HEALTHY, LIFETIME HABIT

Kids who exercise are more likely to keep exercising as adults. Because of our emphasis on personal responsibility, respect, discipline, and control; and our acceptance of individuals of all levels of physical skill, Martial Arts provides a great alternative to other sports, which may tend to exclude certain children.

2. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BODY

The exercises we do in class help our students improve cardiovascular function, build muscle, and achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

3. MAINTAIN A STRONG BODY

Regular physical activity such as Martial Arts helps build and maintain strong, healthy muscles, bones and joints.

4. MARTIAL ARTS DEVELOP OTHER SKILLS

Because our curriculum emphasizes Courtesy, Modesty, Respect, and Integrity, Martial Arts aids in the development of important interpersonal skills. In addition, Martial Arts at our school promotes the self-discipline necessary to set and achieve life goals. Of course, we also offer the best in self-defense training.

5. FEEL BETTER AND SLEEP BETTER

In conjunction with a healthy diet that is low in fat, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives, vigorous physical activity such as Martial Arts classes improve the quantity and quality of children’s sleep.

6. PERFORM BETTER IN SCHOOL

Our own experience, as well as research has shown that the emphasis placed on Focus and Concentration as developed in our classes promotes improved school attendance and enhances children’s academic performance.

7. DEVELOP A STRONG SELF-IMAGE

Because of the positive, highly motivational atmosphere of our classes, kids who practice Martial Arts have greater self-esteem and better self-images. Children with a strong self-esteem are better equipped to resist bullies and negative peer pressure.

8. REDUCE THE RISK OF CERTAIN DISEASES

Participating in regular physical activity prevents or delays the development of many chronic diseases for children (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension) and promotes an overall healthy lifestyle.

9. REDUCE ANXIETY AND STRESS

Children who are active report fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression and a better overall mood.

10. IMPROVE MOTOR SKILLS

The blocking, punching, kicking and other techniques and drills of Martial Arts helps improve children’s motor coordination and enhances the development of various motor performance skills.

"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." -- William James