what is age 7+ beginner?
Age 7+ programming is Magnus Karate’s youth black belt training program. Students begin their journey at the Beginner level and gradually progress into intermediate-advanced level, youth black belt levels, and eventually full black belt courses.
Designed as a progression based curriculum, students test quarterly (and eventually bi-annually) to advance to their next belt rank.
All Magnus Karate Teaching Team members are direct products of our Age 7+ training program. Many of our support and teaching team members transitioned from Junior Magnus to Age 7+ also.
Junior Magnus is our developmental readiness program designed to prepare students for Age 7+ black belt training while also providing a great introduction into martial arts training as seen at Magnus Karate.
Age 7+ is our youth black belt training program, this is where students enter into our authentic academy based experience. As opposed to Junior Magnus, Age 7+ should not be seen as a part time or “rec” based experience. All students are provided with an unlimited attendance option as to encourage attendance anywhere between 6, 7, or 8 times per month at a minimum.
Our main priorities are the same as Junior Magnus – to provide an age appropriate setting that enhances organization skills, develops strong character, and provides endless opportunities to build confidence.
Different than Junior Magnus is that Age 7+ features an organized belt test cycle training curriculum designed to progressively provide new challenges and learning opportunities.
Age 7+ features a tremendous amount of opportunities from learning classical Shorin Ryu (Okinawan Karate), weapon arts practice, sparring practice, and a vast personal protection curriculum (featuring 4 units that we cycle through monthly – joint offsets, sensitivity/connection/flow, takedowns, and grappling).
Eventually your child will be invited to clinic intensives, weapon arts courses, and potentially have an opportunity to join our leadership team.
Black Belt!
Although each belt rank is a huge win for our Age 7+ students, the big goal of this program is black belt.
There are more ranks to go after black belt – the mass majority of black belt recipients continue training into advanced certification levels of black belt.
As far as you would like!
Some senior students at the academy began their training at the Junior Magnus level and are still training 11 years later!
Martial arts training can be a lifelong activity and a great compliment to all aspects of life and activities any person is involved with.
Our curriculum is designed to provide new insights, learning opportunities, and training progressions every class – and it has no end!
Training length and duration is a complete family choice. Sensei always recommends to take it one step at a time and make decisions based upon your schedule and personal interests when the time comes.
how belt testing works
Belt testing is an exciting process for all Age 7+ students.
All in all there are nine belts to earn before a youth black belt test (which generally takes a student 4 to 5 years to become an eligible test candidate).
Students are invited to belt tests through private invitations.
They become eligible to test for new rank based upon attendance and Sensei’s recommendation to level up (based upon technical readiness).
The test invitation will come in a private email and will provide the following details:
1. Test Date
2. Test Group Time (based upon your child’s age and rank)
3. Spectator Information
4. Test Registration Fee: Each test features a $50 registration fee at Age 7+ programming per participant.
Belt tests are special events and are not seen as an extension or inclusion of your monthly tuition at Magnus Karate. That rate covers new belts to be purchased, special event time (or make up test time) which is not included in monthly tuition, and Sensei and teaching team members who are there to run the event.
The first two years of black belt training offer an opportunity to test (level up) every 3 months.
Our belt tests are scheduled in quarters and show up on events calendars on our portal and announced through email blast reminders.
Invitations to the test are always based upon class attendance (we track attendance using the registration app – if a student attends anywhere between 12 – 14 classes from their previous test to the invite period which occurs one month before the test, they will be eligible based on attendance).
Regardless of attendance, Sensei has complete discretion to invite a student to a belt test based upon technical or personal readiness to take the test.
When a student becomes a brown belt in Age 7+ (approximately two years after beginning Age 7+ Beginner) test cycles are increased to 6 months apart. At black belt candidate (brown with black stripe) a student will train and prepare for youth black belt over one year of time before taking the test.
Absolutely!
We invite up to 3 parents / guests per participant to each belt test. Seats are placed inside of the dojo for you to sit and enjoy the test process.
*Sensei will not facilitate a test for any student who does not have a parent available to watch the test. Taking a belt test is seen as an opportunity to elevate and he believes all parents / guardians should be able to share in their children’s success.
belt ranks at age 7+
Students have the opportunity to earn new belts by being invited to belt test day.
Upon passing their test, they are awarded their new belt at our promotion day event or a small belt promotion ceremony after a regular class.
Different than Junior Magnus, belts are earned at belt tests and will not be provided as a progress and attendance marker which is what they were used for in Junior Magnus.
Please reference the belt progression image attached to this section:
White to Yellow Belt: 3 Months
Yellow to Orange Belt: 3 Months
Orange to Blue Belt: 3 Months
Blue to Green Belt: 3 Months
Green to Green/White Stripe: 3 Months
Green/White to Green/Black Stripe: 3 Months
Green/Black Stripe to Brown Belt: 3 Months
Brown Belt to Brown/White Stripe: 6 Months
Brown/White Stripe to Brown/Black Stripe: 6 Months
Brown/Black Stripe to Youth Black Belt: 1 Year
All students who have passed their belt test are invited to our promotion day event. It’s a nice opportunity to watch Sensei award your child their next belt rank, watch black belt demonstrations, and enjoy snacks and refreshments for the family.
If you are unable to attend promotion day, a private belt promotion ceremony can be scheduled towards the end of a regular class that your child attends.
Junior Magnus belts are provided at Sensei’s discretion and are generally used as progress and attendance markers. There is no testing process at Junior Magnus and belts are not seen as an “earned” process within Junior Magnus. Sensei keeps belts very “low key” in Junior Magnus.
Age 7+ belts are all earned at belt tests. Every belt a student earns helps them climb one step to closer to their big goal of black belt.
schedule & attendance suggestions
Current Age 7+ Beginner Flex Schedule Options:
For September 2024 through May 2025
Monday: 5:00 – 5:45PM
Tuesday: 5:45 – 6:30PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 5:45PM
Saturday: 10:00 – 10:45AM
*Note – Our Saturday class option has been added as an extra class option during the school year. Saturday classes will not be offered during the months of June, July, August (annually). It will return back to schedule in September.
Schedule FAQ:
Q: Will this be my permanent schedule forever at Magnus Karate?
A: No, the average time spent in Beginner is approximately 9 – 12 months. At that time your child will level up to Green Belt making them an intermediate level student. That level provides a similar schedule, but the time offerings will change based on days. About two years into training in 7+ you will be leveled up to Brown – Black class where the schedule will change so that you can attend those offerings.
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Q: Will all of my classes now begin at 5PM or later?
A: Yes, all Age 7+ classes will now be scheduled for 5PM or later depending on your current rank or class level.
4:30PM or earlier start times will be used for Age 4-6 Junior Magnus students.
Q: Can I use the schedule flexibly like I did in Junior Magnus?
A: Yes, please schedule flexibly and use the schedule to your advantage to attend at an unlimited basis.
faq - moving up to age 7+
Not immediately.
Magnus will send out email announcements regarding any needed equipment (when and if the time comes in the future).
Example: Sparring Gear Packages, Weapons, Striking & Kicking Equipment.
No.
Attending one time per week is not recommended. One time per week is considered part time training, which is highly discouraged.
Based upon many years of experience we have found that to receive the most benefits from what we do in Age 7+ all students should aim to attend class anywhere between 6, 7, or 8 classes at a minimum.
Attending class anywhere between 3-5 times per month consistently will generally lead to confidence loss overall and eventually lead to the student discontinuing based upon feeling behind the group and all content categories.
Extremely prepared.
Junior Magnus class has provided the direct foundation required to be immediately successful at this level.
A blend of our teaching team members and Sensei.
Essentially the same teaching team and feeling from Junior Magnus class.
Nothing really changes here.
Our Age 7+ curriculum is not designed for part time attendance.
Historically, we have seen 100% of part time participants discontinue before reaching black belt.
Magnus has never had a part time Age 7+ participant achieve longevity in practice – which is a goal at our academy for students at this level.
To provide best quality practice and programming, Magnus highly discourages part time practices as your main form of membership.
Junior Magnus class is a very instructor driven environment and the curriculum has been designed by Sensei to allow students to see success as part time students. The Age 7+ curriculum will double in content and feature a great deal of partner interactions.
If using our schedule part time due to a seasonal sport (example – it’s baseball season, we can only make it one time per week for two months) – this should have no impact of confidence or progression.
If attending at an average of one time per week for 3 months or longer – most likely results in a full confidence loss in the activity therefore leading to the student discontinuing.
Absolutely.
Using our schedule flexibly is always encouraged.
If your child is participating in a seasonal sport and you need to use the schedule to attend when you can – this should have no significant impact on progress.
Historically speaking – Students have not been impacted when changing routine for a small amount of time (2 months).
Sensei will work with you directly on this.
Please do not begin bringing your child to Age 7+ classes without Sensei recommending when to do so.
Absolutely!
Send Sensei an email at [email protected] or text / call at 610-890-3656.