Club Information & Rules of Ethics

February 2003, S.S.M.A - The Scottish School of Martial Arts is now fully affiliated with The British Kickboxing Association. Memberships have now been rolled out and will hence forth be ongoing with BKA. For more details click... here
There will be no increase/change to membership costs. The same since 1996.
Mondays are at Kirn Drive Community Centre, Gourock.
Friday's are at Kirn Drive Community Centre, Gourock.

Tuesdays are at Boglestone Community Centre, Port Glasgow.

Yearly Memberships must be paid within a month of commencing for all ages 5 to Adults (16 & Over). This gives BKA Licence and Insurance for year and allows training worry free training. Martins Martial Arts Insurance, (BKA) , provide individual student and Instructors Indemnity Insurance.
Suits can be purchased from Instructors: Sizes: 1.0m to 2.1m (metre).

Sparring Gear can also be supplied, all sizes and variety of colours.
Other goods are readily available at realistic prices!

Martial Arts Suites, Sparring Gear & Equipment supplied by The Blitz Martial Arts Corporation, Bexley Heath, Kent. Blitzsport Martial Arts Emporium

The high calibre of standards by all Students is testiment to the supreme amount of self motivation & effort on behalf of all Students, being commended on individuals abilities by World Famous Martial Arts Star's such as "Superfoot" Wallace & Jean Yves "the Iceman", when they came to inverclyde to do Seminars.
TECHNIQUE-SPEED-DISTANCE-STAMINA-STRENGTH-FLEXIBILITY = Proficient FIGHTER.
The style taught is NON CONTACT short stanced freestyle, with very fast movements & manoeverability, make for a realistic & useable means of defending oneself, should it be called for. Unlike some more traditional Martial Arts, Freestyle in itself is far more readily adaptable for practical use. In a shorter period of time, practical techniques for realistic defence & application are possible. Not to mention building stamina and character. As Grades increase, close quarter & joint locking along with various throws & effective take downs are incorporated into training. Anyone who has been in a "scrap" or two will know, loads of street fights can end up going to ground, this scenario is practised with higher grades.
Our Art is a derivative originally of Tae Kwon-Do with a breakaway named Super Tae Kwon-Do later naming as Tukido with a further breakaway leading to eventual creation of our Scottish Freestyle Art. All kicks are as Tae Kwon-Do with emphasis on retracting kick post execution, there are additional kicks brought from John's years training in Kung Fu. Fighting Forms replace the Patterns used in Tae Kwon-Do, these done with speed. All Fighting Forms include kicks & punch's. Hand techniques are varied & very fast, again all techniques are retracted after execution. For example, Fighting Form One, with 20 Movements (Kicks & Punch's) can be done in 5 seconds !! As Students progress & reach higher grades generally Blue Belt & above, various defence techniques are taught including sweeps, arm locks & take downs of differing methods along with evasive blocking. There is strong precedence given to youngsters regarding use of their Art for Self Defence purposes only & to instill a sense of discipline & respect in all aspects of their lives regarding Peers, Family, Friends & the Law.

Code of Ethics and Club rules:
Show respect to all Instructors / Black Belts & your fellow students.
Arrive Promptly for your class session.
Always use the formal bow upon entering / leaving the Dojang/Centre & following discussion with any Black Belt.
Please remove all Jewellery before class.
No chewing gum or eating sweets during class.
Keep Uniforms neat, clean and odour free, belts must be worn.
Always concentrate on your Instructor & listen to what they are saying.
The more regularly and consistently you train the better potential you gain.

Student guests must also be well behaved.
Prepare for class in an orderly and quiet fashion.
Known Smokers will not be allowed to get 1st Dan Grading as I perceive this to be a "weakness".

You are an ambassador for the Art you train in and participate in. Although your Instructor cannot control you outwith your Class, you would be expected to pursue externally the same respect and fortitude among the general public as you would in your Dojang. If it becomes known to your Club of any misdemeanours socially by a Student then Membership may be revoked. Your Martial Arts should never be abused and used for anything other than Self Defence of oneself or close Family or up holding the Law. As you progress as does your ability you must be aware of the potential you may have in causing serious damage if used in anger. Restraint where applicable must be shown.

CONCENTRATION: Concentration has two distinct meanings. First, it pertains to "paying attention;" it is essential to be constantly aware of what are the limits within which you practice. Injuries in the dojang most often occur when students fail to pay attention to their instructions or neglect the principle of limits - everything has a limit. Joints, for instance, when placed in the proper angle can be broken with the pressure of a single finger. Thus, training in techniques that are potentially dangerous, demand that one "think hard" about what exactly he is doing. The second meaning of concentration is a state of consciousness that may be characterized as a heightened receptivity to learning. Concentration is also related to a calm mind; as the ancient masters taught, "with a calm mind, one is free from hesitation."
PATIENCE & ENDURANCE: "If one's mind is made up to learn then there will be success." Nothing can be learned without patience while endurance is part of the dues one must pay to gain the knowledge. Nothing of value is worth learning if there is no sacrifice. Summers are hot, winters are cold; that is the natural condition of mankind. Knowledge will come only to those who have the patience to sacrifice, to endure the pain and recognize the humility of their ignorance. Only a few will prove worthy to the challenge.
SINCERITY IN PRACTICE: "If one does not practice regularly, then do not face the enemy." Perfection of techniques requires deeply ingrained habits, and a mental attitude of thoroughness. Exercises, no matter how many times they are repeated, are a waste of time if they are done incorrectly. The time you spend in the dojang is precious in comparison to the time spent on the outside. The perfection of technique requires that they become second nature and reflexive. If you have to "think" of your response, it is already to late. Perfection in the martial arts is like a jewel. It is merely a rough stone until polished. If it is not polished, no one will know its inner beauty. Training is the same.
SPEED: "Judge the chance and take the opportunity. Take the first opportunity and be quicker." Every technique requires speed. There are counter-defenses to all known offenses. Therefore technique must be done with the greatest speed and efficiency.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY: "The Inner Force is concealed until it is released." Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the martial arts to master is to learn how to conserve energy and to relax while under stress. Ki cannot be released if the body is stricken with inner tension and fear. Tension is also the greatest consumer of energy; even when the body is not in motion, one can become exhausted simply by being tense. When you are calm, you are free from hesitation. These are essential elements of conserving energy. Of course, we must not over exert ourselves while training either. When the body is fatigued, errors are committed and constant repetition only makes bad habits.
RESPECT & OBEDIENCE: In every martial art there are aspects which make it dangerous. To assume the responsibility of placing a dangerous weapon in the hands of a stranger, literally to make a dangerous weapon out of the body is a sobering experience. One of the most essential tests of character is whether the student is humble enough to subordinate their own personal ego to the rules of the dojang and respect the gravity of their new power. The martial arts are not a store-bought item that you are entitled to because you pay for the lessons. The burden is too great, the reflection larger than the individual. All our schools operate according to code of ethics of respect and obedience.
VANITY: "Large egos are carried by small minds." It is easy to be vain towards those who know less. But students must realize how little one really knows. There are many numerous different techniques in our Art. Assuming a student learned a new technique every day, it will still take many, many years to master them. Such a study course is not likely, but it is to illustrate that when a fish is in a cup, the cup seems to be the whole world.