Question 1

Rules and Etiquette

Accepted Answer

We ask that all students, parents, and guests follow these rules and regulations.

MARTIAL ARTS ETIQUETTE
Students should bow when entering or leaving the mat.
Never wear shoes on the mat. Respect the mat.
Please refer to all instructors and Black Belts by "sir" or "ma'am" or 
by their title and first name.
Respect the property and belonging of others. 
Do not use someone else's gear without permission.
Practice Black Belt respect by being well mannered and courteous to others.
We will not tolerate: Disrespect, UnKindness, Foul Language, Bad Attitude or Racism of any kind.  Students, parents or guest who exhibit these behaviors will be asked to leave the class or in some cases the school.
WE HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.
Trust and respect the judgment and wisdom of your instructors. They are well-trained and have your best interests in mind.
Please refrain from coaching and talking to your children while class is in session.
 
RULES
Please be on time.
Wear your full, clean uniform with your patches sewn on.
Students and visitors should never disrupt a class in progress.
PARENTS: Please keep your younger children or non-students off of the mat while classes are in session
Please keep talking in the seating area to a minimum during classes.
Please take cell phone conversations outside.
Please do not smoke in front of the school.
Always try to leave the school cleaner than when you arrived.
YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT TESTING IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT. We offer instruction in martial arts, however, rank progression is always EARNED AND IT IS NOT GUARANTEED.
Pick-up your children on time.
Students who do not follow class procedures will be asked to sit out in class.
Students who do not received all of their testing stripes or meet the required number of classes will be ineligible to test.  Advancement to higher ranks is determined by the student's progress, attendance, and student's motivation to learn.
DO NOT COMPARE YOUR CHILDREN TO OTHERS. No two children are the same. They have different talents, interests, develop at different rates and have different strengths.
Students and parens must comply with all rules and regulations which may be posted or issued verbally as amended from time to time.
The instructors alone may make decisions regarding a student's readiness to test.
 
STUDENT SAFETY AND HYGIENE
Be aware of your appearance. You should be clean and neat.
Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed and short and clean.
Wash your uniform regularly and use deodorant.
Remove all jewelry. Jewelry can get caught in a uniform and lead to unnecessary injury to oneself or a partner.
No food or gum chewing in class. 
You must have all required safety gear to participate in sparring classes.
Absolutely no "horse-play" in the school at any time.
Students are not allowed on the mats unless supervised by an instructor.
Only sparring gear purchased through the school will be allowed in class.

Question 2

Testing Timelines and Guidelines

Accepted Answer

The following is a guideline for our instructors, staff, students and parents to assist in charting a student’s progress from white to black belt.  REMEMBER THIS IS ONLY A GUIDELINE.  The final decision is up to the discretion of the Master Instructor if a student is qualified to test, regardless of whether or not a student has completed the required number of classes.

LIL' DRAGONS

WHITE DRAGONS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 12
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED: 1
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 4

ORANGE & GOLD DRAGONS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 12
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED PER BELT: 1
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 4
TOURNAMENT (VOLUNTARY): 1

GREEN & PURPLE DRAGONS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 24
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED PER BELT: 2
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED: 4
SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 4

BLUE & BROWN DRAGONS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 24
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED PER BELT: 2
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 5
SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 4
TOURNAMENT (VOLUNTARY): 1

RED & BLACK DRAGONS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 24
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED PER BELT: 2
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 5
SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 4
TOURNAMENT (VOLUNTARY): 1

COLOR BELTS
 
WHITE BELTS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 12
MONTHS REQUIRED: 1
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED: 5

ORANGE - GOLD BELTS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 24
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED PER BELT: 2
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 5
TOURNAMENT (VOLUNTARY): 1

GREEN - PURPLE BELTS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 24
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED PER BELT: 2
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 5
MINIMUM SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 4
TOURNAMENT (VOLUNTARY): 1

BLUE
CLASSES REQUIRED: 48
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED: 4
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 7
MINIMUM SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 8
TOURNAMENT: 1 PER BELT LEVEL

BLUE 1 BELTS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 36
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED: 3
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 7
MINIMUM SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 6
TOURNAMENT: 1 PER BELT LEVEL

BROWN -  BROWN I 
CLASSES REQUIRED: 65
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED: 5
BLACK STRIPES REQUIRED PER BELT: 8 (including pre-test)
MINIMUM SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 10
TOURNAMENT: 1 FOR EACH BELT LEVEL
MUST HAVE A BBC OR XPT MEMBERSHIP

RED
CLASSES REQUIRED: 72+
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED: 6
STRIPES REQUIRED: 8 (including pre-test)
MINIMUM SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 14
TOURNAMENT: 1-2
MUST HAVE A BBC OR XPT MEMBERSHIP

RED 1
CLASSES REQUIRED: 72+
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED: 6
STRIPES REQUIRED: 8 (including pre-test)
MINIMUM SPARRING CLASSES PER BELT: 14
TOURNAMENT: 1-2
MUST HAVE A BBC OR XPT MEMBERSHIP

RED/BLACK BELTS
CLASSES REQUIRED: 120+
12 Weeks of Association Black Belt Training held every Saturday morning 
during a student's testing cycle.
MINIMUM MONTHS REQUIRED:  8-9 MONTHS
STRIPES REQUIRED: 10
TOURNAMENT: ALL
MUST PASSED TRY-OUTS (In-House & Association)
MUST HAVE A BBC OR XPT MEMBERSHIP

BLACK BELTS
1ST - 2ND DEGREE - 24 MONTHS
TOURNAMENTS: ALL

2ND - 3RD DEGREE - 24 MONTHS
TOURNAMENTS: ALL

3RD - 4TH DEGREE - 24 MONTHS
TOURNAMENTS: ALL

4TH - 5TH DEGREE - 48 MONTHS 
TOURNAMENTS: ALL

5TH - 6TH DEGREE - 48 MONTHS & MUST BE 18

ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Every student must have a West Coast World Martial Arts Yearly Membership card renewed at the beginning of the year and pro-rated throughout the year.
Our curriculum and classes are based on consistent weekly attendance by our students.
Students (or parents) are responsible for giving us written notice if a student is going to be out for an extended amount of time due to illness, injury or vacation.
Curriculum DVDs are available for purchase for ranks for home practice.
Private lessons are available for students unless someone is coming off a prolonged absence from classes. This is an additional fee paid to the instructor.
Students who do not meet attendance and / or striping requirements will have their testing date(s) pushed back until all requirements are met.

Question 3

Sparring and Protective Gear (Lil Dragon Green & Jr. Belt Green Requirement)

Accepted Answer

Sparring is a regular and required part of all normal classes’ junior green belts and above.  Participation in sparring is not optional than it is optional to participate in patterns, line drills, or conditioning.  Occasionally a student may not be able to participate in sparring due to illness or injury, if this is the case the student needs to speak to the Master Instructor about non-participation in the sparring portion of class.  With very few exceptions, if a student is not healthy enough to spar, then the student is not healthy enough to participate in other class activities.  If a student has health concern he or she needs to discuss it with the Instructor.

All students who participate in sparring must, for safety purposes, have and must wear their own protective gear including mouth guard, foot pads, hand pads, chest guard, headgear with face shields and cup for boys and men.  There are no exceptions for using a mouth guard and groin cup.  Occasionally a student may not have hand pads, foot pads or headgear for whatever reason with them in class, the instructor will make a case-by-case decision on whether a student may participate in the sparring portion of class if they are missing hand pads, foot pads or headgear.

Any student who consistently "forgets" to bring the required protective gear to class to avoid participating in the sparring portion of class will not be allowed to test.

Additional protective gear is acceptable (i.e., forearm guards) but must be approved of by the Master Instructor before the student can use the protective gear in class.

The school has carefully chosen our WC line for sparring hands, sparring feet pads, face shield, shin guards and head gear for their durability, reasonable price and general acceptability in tournaments.  If a student wants to purchase equipment other than that which is available through the school, he or she must get Master Instructor approval to use different style protective gear in class for the safety of all students.

Question 4

Equipment List

Accepted Answer

GREEN TO BLACK DRAGONS

BOXING GLOVES
HEAD GEAR WITH FACE SHIELD
MOUTH PIECE
FEET GEAR
SHIN PROTECTOR
CHEST PROTECTOR
GROIN CUP (MALES)

COLOR BELTS

WHITE & ORANGE BELTS

BOXING GLOVES

GOLD BELTS

BOXING GLOVES
FEET GEAR

GREEN & PURPLE BELTS

BOXING GLOVES
FEET GEAR
CHEST PROTECTOR
HEAD GEAR WITH FACE MASK
MOUTH PIECE
SHIN GUARDS 
GROIN CUP (MALES)

BLUE & BLUE I BELTS

BOXING GLOVES
FEET GEAR
CHEST PROTECTOR
HEAD GEAR WITH FACE MASK
MOUTH PIECE
SHIN GUARDS
GROIN CUP (MALES)
ESCRIMA STICKS (1 PAIR)

BROWN - RED/BLACK BELTS

BOXING GLOVES
FEET GEAR
CHEST PROTECTOR
HEAD GEAR WITH FACE MASK
MOUTH PIECE
SHIN GUARDS
GROIN CUP (MALES)
ESCRIMA STICKS (1 PAIR)

BLACK BELTS

BOXING GLOVES
MMA GLOVES
FEET GEAR
CHEST PROTECTOR
HEAD GEAR WITH FACE MASK
MOUTH PIECE
SHIN GUARDS
GROIN CUP (MALES)
ESCRIMA STICKS (1 PAIR)
SHORT STICK (1)
TRAINING KNIFE
BO STAFF (2ND DEGREES & UP)
SAFETY GOGGLES (5th)
KARAMBIT

PLEASE NOTE
All training equipment purchased through our school meets all safety standards and regulations established by the Ernie Reyes' West Coast World Martial Arts Association.

Any gear purchased from outside vendors must be approved by the instructors before it can be used in classes or West Coast Association events.

Question 5

Striping System

Accepted Answer

Striping System:  
White stripe: shows that a student has been taught the material.  
Black stripe: shows that a student is proficient in the material to test.
Orange stripe: shows that a student has the instructor’s approval to test.
Purple stripe: shows that a student has met the sparring requirement (applies to belt green and above).

The black stripes act as a progress report allowing the student and the instructor to know how each student is progressing and each black stripe shows that the student has worked in class, practiced well, and understands the required techniques to the best of his/her ability.  After you have received all the number of stripes for your belt and you have fulfilled the number of classes with your instructor’s approval you will be scheduled to test at the next available test for your next testing stripe month.

Question 6

What is the testing based on?

Accepted Answer

Testing is based on everything you have ever learned in your belt rank. Testing is primarily based off of the following:
Attendance - 3 days per week recommended for beginners and time spent overall.
Knowledge - Students must be proficient for their rank
Effort - Students give 100% effort
Discipline-Students must respect others at home and at school
Focus-Students must pay attention and not disrupt class

Question 7

How do I know when my child is ready to test for the next belt level at WCWMA Fremont?

Accepted Answer

At WCWMA Fremont, we ensure that each student is thoroughly prepared before they advance to the next belt level. Your child will be ready to test when they receive approval from their instructor. Our experienced instructors will monitor their progress and let you know if your student is not yet ready to test.

Typically, an orange stripe on the belt indicates that your child is ready to test. Additionally, for students in the Lil Dragon program, a purple stripe signifies that the sparring requirements have been met. This structured approach helps us maintain high standards and ensure that each student is fully equipped with the skills and knowledge required for their next level in martial arts.

For over 26 years, we have been dedicated to impacting and empowering our community through martial arts, and we take great care in each step of our training process. If you have any further questions about the testing process or your child's progress, please feel free to speak with an instructor.

Question 8

Do you charge for testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do. Testing fees starts at $15 up to $20 for Lil Dragons.  Jr Belts/Adults starts at $20 up to $50 for Jr. Belts (below black belts).  Ask for the fee schedule at the front desk.

Question 9

When is testing or belt advancement?

Accepted Answer

Color belt tests are held on the 4th Thursday of the month (except during June, November, & December).

Question 10

Do you offer make-up classes?

Accepted Answer

No Make-up Classes: Students will not have the opportunity to make up missed classes, similar to a gym membership structure.
Time Credit for Injuries or Illness: Only absences due to injuries or illness are eligible for time credit.  A medical note must be submitted to verify the absence.
Vacation Time Credit: During summer or holiday months, students may receive time credit for vacations. The credit card charges will still continue. Notice must be provided in advance to be eligible.
Communication is Key: Students are encouraged to communicate any questions or concerns regarding this policy to ensure understanding.
Agreement to Policy: By enrolling and attending, students acknowledge and agree to adhere to this no make-up class policy.

Question 11

Do you offer make-up testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer make-up testing for Jr Beginner Ranks and Lil' Dragons (White, Orange, and Gold only) without additional fees other than testing. However, we do not offer make-up testing every month.

For color belts tests above Green Belt (including pre-testers), if they miss their test due to missing stripes, they will be pushed back until the following month's test or until they met their required stripes are earned. This includes tournament stripe and sparring stripe. It is important to attend classes regularly and earn all required stripes to avoid missing tests.

Question 12

Is there an option to make up a color belt test if a student misses it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a make-up test is available for color belt green and above through a private test.

However, the student must have met all the requirements for stripes in order to qualify for the make-up test which includes sparring and tournament stripes. Please note that there is an additional fee for this service. Please speak with an instructor or front desk staff for more information.

Question 13

Are there any additional expenses other than test fees and tuition?

Accepted Answer

Yes,  all safety equipment at Green Belt, eskrima sticks at Blue belt and tournaments are not included in the monthly tuition.  In addition, a new uniform when students outgrow their old one.

Question 14

Can I put my martial arts program on hold if I am sick, on vacation or on a business trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your martial arts program can be put on hold if you're going to be out for more than one week.  Time credits do not apply on absences 7 days or less.  Holding the program will not stop the payments and will extend your membership's expiration date and testing dates.  Time credit are not non-refundable and not redeemable with cash.  Please email frontdesk@westcoastfremont.com if you have any questions.

Question 15

Attendance/Active Training

Accepted Answer

Attendance is the key to progress.  It is necessary that you attend 2-3 classes per week to gain the full benefits of your training.  Please notify front desk in writing or email (info@westcoastfremont.com) when your child will not be attending class or will be on vacation.  However, taking time off will push back the student’s testing date.  
Class attendance is up to the individual student. It is suggested and a common practice to attend a minimum of 2 classes per week to be considered active training.  All Lil Dragons and all junior belts students have a minimum number of classes they must attend before they are eligible to test.  Active training is defined as above, minimum of 2 classes a week.  
However, if they do not attend the minimum of two classes per week (at the beginner level) for the required amount of time; they will not be eligible to test.  The reason for this requirement is that through extensive experience in martial arts training it has been proven that most martial arts students cannot be adequately prepared for rank advancement with only one class per week.  This requirement is in the best interest of all students. More classes are required as students move up in ranks. They will need more classes as the curriculum increases with the number of techniques and skills. At the advance belt students will need to attend class as many as five classes per week.
Eligible only means that a student has satisfied the time of training requirement, it does not mean that the student is ready to test, that decision must be made by the Master Instructor.
Attendance Procedure:  When you arrive at the school, please check-in in the iPad.  This must be done before you leave the school for the day.  Please remember that attendance is one of the criteria for advancement through the ranks.

Question 16

Tuition Payment Policy

Accepted Answer

To ensure that we are able to meet our obligations to you, all payments are required on your due date for that month or in advance.  Any payments received five (5) days past the due date of each month will be assessed a $50 late fee charge per month per student.  Prompt payment is appreciated!  
Tuition fees cover classes during the scheduled month. Payments must be made in full regardless of the number of classes actually attended.
There is no cash refund for tuition payment if a student quits during the month or cannot complete training during a month due to debilitating injury, serious illness, or death in the family.  In some cases a credit for classes will be given in the form of additional classes (not cash value) if a student cannot complete classes during a month when they have already paid their tuition.  The credit may be used in the following month. Credits for classes beyond the following month are to be decided by the Program Director or the owner.  These credit options are to be used ONLY in extreme cases; students should make every reasonable effort to attend class during the month.  If a student abuses these options, the Master Instructor or the Program Director may waive forwarding credits.  If a student decides to prepay more than one month at a time, the above policy for refunds and credit applies for any and all month(s) that are prepaid.

Question 17

Monthly Tuition & Dues

Accepted Answer

Except as expressly provided herein, all tuition/dues and/or payments are non-refundable.

Tuitions are billed monthly or prepaid, in advance on your billing date of each month, due and payable at the time of billing. Payments must be made in full regardless of the number of classes actually attended. We do not prorate fees for absences or make-ups.

Payment Convenience:   West Coast Fremont accepts check, cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express) for the initial payment.  However, parents/students must sign-up for auto pay by signing a Recurring Payment Authorization Form at the front office to ensure timely payment.

To help keep costs down, we do not send paper statements unless tuition is past due. Emails will be sent out as a reminder in advance, but it remains your responsibility to pay your tuition on or before each month’s billing cycle.  If you are concerned about forgetting or not making it to the school on time to pay, we offer a payment convenience option.  We strongly encourage families to put their credit or debit card on file for automatic payment.

Question 18

Life Skills

Accepted Answer

LOGO EXPLANATION (Life Skills #2)

The founders of our association are Masters ERNIE REYES and TONY THOMPSON.
Our logo is composed of a three-bladed martial arts edge coming to a sharp point.  It represents three parts of a whole for staying razor sharp!  The first blade and point at the bottom of the logo represents you, the individual.  The second blade to the left as we move clockwise represents our students.  The last blade and point at the right represents our association, team, and family.
The YIN and YANG symbol represents the source of who we are: martial artists striving for balance and flexibility to adapt to continuous change in the universe.  HONOR, LOYALTY, FAMILY, and BRAVERY are the martial arts values upon which our association was built.
WEST COAST is the root of our organization where our association originated.  It is home base.  The name WORLD MARTIAL ARTS evolved from the fact that our style is a mixed martial arts system of martial arts from all around the world.
Through our association’s reputation of producing some of the most famous Black Belt students, champions, and demonstration teams in the history of martial arts in America, we have had the opportunity to meet, share, and learn from legendary masters, grand masters, and world champions from all styles of martial arts.
This has had a great influence in opening our minds and hearts to create a unique mixed martial arts system for the 21st Century.  Our style no doubt develops well-rounded, versatile martial arts students through a system that is exciting, dynamic, educational, and empowering.
The real dynamic of the three-sided sickle is when it is in motion, in flight, spinning and turning, propelled by taking massive action, then soaring to new heights of health, happiness, and success for us all.
Without you sharpening your blade first, the other blades are meaningless and will remain dull and motionless.  You must stay sharp for life PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, and SPIRITUALLY with GOOD CHARACTER! SHARPEN YOUR BLADE!
 Staying sharp and pursuing the edge are not one-stop destinations.  It is a lifetime journey of striving for “MASTERY” in all areas of your life.
MASTERY is the essence of martial arts and life!

- KJN Ernie Reyes

PURPOSE
The Purpose of West Coast World Martial Arts is to develop ourselves Physically, Mentally, Spiritually and have Good Character!

GOAL
CANI! Commitment to Constant and Never Ending Improvement to Black Belt Excellence.

BLACK BELT SUCCESS SYSTEM
Black Belt is the Goal!
Start Training Consistently NOW!
Strive for Black Belt Excellence!
Correction – Repetition!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Leads to Mastery!
Our Black Belt Success System was designed to create an Indomitable Spirit within our students to Never Quit and constantly create Extraordinary Results for Life!

5-LEVELS TO MASTERY
Non-Survival Level – Zero Commitment
Mediocre Level – Commitment to barely try
Comfort Zone Level – Commitment to get by
Black Belt Excellence Level – Commitment to Excel
Mastery Level – Extreme Commitment to do the Extraordinary!

STATE MANAGEMENT
The ability to control how you act, feel, behave and perform.

MASTERY
Mastery in one’s career and consciousness growth simply requires that we constantly produce results beyond and out of the ordinary. Mastery is a product of consistently going beyond our limits. For most people, it starts with technical excellence in a chosen field; then, with a commitment to excellence, we can create miracles. (When we speak of miracles, we speak of events or experiences in the real world which are beyond the ordinary).

It’s remarkable how much mediocrity we live with, surrounding ourselves with daily reminders that the average is acceptable. Our world suffers from terminal normality. Take a moment to assess all of the things around you that promote your being average. These are the things that keep you powerless to go beyond a limit you arbitrarily set for yourself. The first step to mastery is the removal of everything in your environment that represents mediocrity, removing those things that are limiting. One way is to surround yourself with friends who ask more of you than you do. Didn’t some of your best Black Belt Instructors, Teachers, Coaches, Parents, etc. ask more of you than you did?

Another step on the path to mastery is the resentment towards masters. Develop compassion for yourself so that you can be in the presence of masters and grow from the experience. Rather than comparing yourself and resenting people who have mastery, remain open and receptive; let the experience be like the planting of a seed within you that, with nourishment, will grow into your own individual mastery.
You see, we are all ordinary. But a master, rather than condemning himself for his ordinariness, will embrace it and use it as a foundation for building the extraordinary, rather than using it as an excuse for inactivity; he will use it as a vehicle for correction, which is essential in the process of attaining mastery. You must be able to correct yourself without invalidating or condemning, accept results and then improve upon them. Correct, don’t protect. Correction is essential to power and mastery.
- Stewart Emery

ATTITUDE
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church ... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past... we cannot change the past that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.
-Charles Swindoll

Question 19

What is your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Below is our refund policy:

Prepaid Tuition: All prepaid tuition fees are non-refundable.  We prioritize transparency in our pricing to provide you with the best value.
Month-to-Month, BBC & XPT:  For month-to month option and BBC/XPT students, monthly charges will be processed automatically on your billing date.
Notice for Cancellation: To avoid being charged for the next billing cycle, parents must provide a minimum of two weeks' written notice prior to the next scheduled billing date.
No Refunds: Payments made are non-refundable. If two weeks' notice is not provided before the billing date, the charge will stand.
Cancellation Fee for BBC/XPT Students:  BBC/XPT students who wish to cancel will incur a $100 cancellation fee.
Acknowledgment: By enrolling in our programs, customers acknowledge and agree to the terms of this no refund policy.

West Coast Fremont
510-713-1862

RULES, REGULATIONS, & REQUIREMENTS