Student Handbook
Copyright © 2003-2025, The Edge Martial Arts & Fitness, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Revised 12/14/2021
Great Grand Master Jhoon Rhee has been coined the "Father of American Tae Kwon Do". Rhee is responsible for the major expansion of the Martial Arts across the United States with his students pioneer many of the major cities across the nation when the Martial Arts were very new to the United States. 
Grand Master J. Pat Burleson was a Golden Gloves boxer who studied Shotokan Karate while stationed in Japan while in the Military.
When he came home from the Military there where no places to train and made friends with Grand Master Allen Steen who was training under GGM Rhee and was invited to train under Rhee.
Grand Master John Longstreet was winning Adult Competitions in Sport Karate at the age of 14 which at time was more like Full Contact Kickboxing of today. He was the first student to step foot in the Jhoon Rhee Institute >> Mid-American >> National Karate / USA Karate and was their first Black Belt.Longstreet was instrumental in the development of the curriculum and systems that helped Martial Arts students better learn and progress to Black Belt. Longstreet started guiding Master Nathan Thorn as he got close to Black Belt and has been a mentor since.
GM Thorn,
42
, is the Owner, Master Instructor, and Founder of The Edge Martial Arts started his Martial Arts training in 1987.
PLAY VIDEO - Kids Program PLAY VIDEO PLAY VIDEO WATCH VIDEO Headwear Guidelines
In classes, only headbands or bandannas are acceptable. These items should not hinder performance and must be pre-approved, ensuring they are free of inappropriate logos, images, or words.
Striking Classes - Uniform Requirements
Students will learn the mechanics and techniques specific to their belt level. Striking targets are a key component of these classes. Either Traditional or sparring uniforms are acceptable.
Sparring - Traditional Uniform / Sparring Uniform
Sparring classes require sparring gear. Students must bring their gear to class. If a student forgets their sparring equipment, they may be unable to participate, emphasizing the importance of preparation. Either Traditional or sparring uniforms are acceptable.
Stand-Up Defense Class - Uniform Requirements
Focusing on self-defense while standing, students learn to defend against strikes and grabs. Traditional uniforms are acceptable for all students under Red Belt. Jiu-Jitsu uniforms are mandatory for Red Belt and above.
Grappling Techniques - Uniform Requirements
This session covers ground-based self-defense strategies. Each belt level will practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques for ground control. Traditional uniforms are acceptable for all students under Red Belt. Jiu-Jitsu uniforms are mandatory for Red Belt and above.
Belt and Testing Systems
Belt Striping System ( WATCH VIDEO)
Developed by Master Thorn, our belt striping system helps students concentrate on specific sections of their curriculum for belt advancement. The curriculum at each belt level is divided into four stripes: Striking, Sparring, Stand Up, and Ground. Instructors will sign off on student cards when they demonstrate the required skills in these areas.
Earning Stripes
To earn a stripe, students must complete and receive instructor signatures for all parts of the curriculum in one of the four sections. Students are encouraged to attend relevant classes and can request instructors to observe specific skills before class.
Red Stripes for youngers students (WATCH VIDEO)
Students aged 12 and under need to earn a Red Stripe for Respect and Discipline, both inside and outside the classroom. Parents can request the removal of this stripe if they feel their child is not embodying martial arts values outside class. Without a Red Stripe, students cannot progress in curriculum or earn other stripes.
Dragons Program(WATCH VIDEO):
Instructors monitor the progress of 'Dragon' students. Stripes are awarded after class when a Dragon is ready.
Belt Testing Process
Colored belt promotions depend on continuous physical and mental growth in martial arts. Each belt level has a specific curriculum that must be mastered error-free. This includes demonstrating self-discipline and overall improvement in martial arts training.
For belt promotion, after receiving all four Black Stripes for their level, students must perform each section again for a Head Instructor to get Approval to Test. Once approved for all curriculum sections, they're eligible for the next belt test.
Testing Schedules
Gold Belts and lower will schedule tests after class at the school. Green Belts and higher are tested in front of a Black Belt Panel during Monthly Exams. Candidates for Monthly Exams must secure approval and a verified partner a week before the exam.
See Handout “Monthly Exams FAQs” for more information on testing.
Tournaments
We encourage students to participate in tournaments during their martial arts journey. Tournaments offer a secure and constructive environment for competition, both against others and oneself. Tournament Sparring involves a single-elimination format with competitors placed on a bracket sheet, and elimination means the end of participation for the day.
Tournament Levels
Tournaments vary from state to international levels, involving varying degrees of travel, from local to weekend stays. Participants can choose what best suits them.
Team Edge - National Competition Team (Invite Only)
Team Edge consists of elite competitors from The Edge and occasionally other schools who have shown consistent winning capabilities and represent The Edge well. This team competes nationally.
Play Video
Club Membership Training
Our club membership offers students the opportunity to attend exclusive additional weekly classes designed specifically for club members. Additionally, this membership guarantees a fixed for the inital 12 Months of the memberships. Following the first year the monthly rate go to the current club membership rates.
Masters Club Training
For students aspiring to continue martial arts beyond Black Belt, the Masters Club training is ideal. It represents a lifestyle choice, offering unlimited classes per week in Basic, Club, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes.
Membership Pause for Medical Reasons
Memberships are ongoing and require regular payments, regardless of class attendance. A pause for a minimum of two weeks can be requested for medical emergencies, supported by a doctor’s note. Membership payments continue during this period, and the pause starts immediately after medical restrictions are lifted.
No Refunds Policy
We offer various membership levels to suit different commitment levels. Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Monthly memberships or those not paid in full require a credit/check card on file for automatic payments.
Early Termination Policy
Termination policies vary by program. Written notice is required for early termination, and any payments due within the early termination period will be processed. Outstanding balances must be settled on the day of termination.
Class Cancellation Policy
Our schedule, available on the scheduling app, will always reflect closures, and we'll also announce them in our weekly video emails. We observe federally recognized holidays for closures around weekend holidays.
Severe Weather Protocol
Occasionally, classes may be canceled due to severe weather to ensure student safety. In such events, we'll notify all students via email. Our policy aligns with the local school system; if they cancel classes or after-school activities due to severe weather, we will follow suit. As a general guideline, if the local school district cancels classes or dismisses students early due to weather conditions, we will also cancel our classes.
Birthday Parties
Book your childs next Birthday Party at The Edge. We can book these parties on Saturday Afternoons. You will have the school to yourself and your child can bring up to 15 of their friends. We will bring all of the kids who show up through a Beginner Karate Class and play Martial Arts games.
Group / School Talks
If you would like us to visit your childs classroom at school we can have an instructor go to the school and give a speech about the Martial Arts and it's benefits. We also do these for Cub Scouts Meetings, Girl Scouts Meetings, or other Youth Activities Groups.
Private Training
Could you benefit from some One-on-One time with an instructor to build your skills for either your next belt promotion, an upcoming tournament, or fitness training. Talk to the director of the school for more information on pricing and times available.
Women's Self-Defense
From time to time The Edge will hold Women's Self-defense events. These events vary in format and length.
Safe Enviroment
We pride The Edge on being a Safe Training Enviroment. We expect students to be respectful to others students personal space, property, and feelings. If someone's actions make The Edge not a safe enviroment for their fellow students they will have their memberships and training rights revoked. This could include but limited to Aggressively Sparring out of control. Striking someone outside of instructions in class. Any unwelcome sexual behaviour, touching, or comments. Any harassing of others - verbal, digital, inside or outside of the school. Destruction or theft of other people property. Regular disruptive behavior inside or outside of the classroom including a students spectators / parents / siblings.
Who is eligible to compete?
All belt levels Gold Belt and above are eligible to compete in their respective belt and age divisions.
Why should I compete?
Competition is a great way to demonstrate your skills against other schools and to experience different styles of Martial Arts. Preparation for competition increases your awareness of mechanics and small details that you might not otherwise focus on.
Is it expensive to compete?
Regional competitions are approximately $55-$75 for the first event and $25-$35 for each additional event. The spectator fee for each friend or family member is usually $4-$10. Most tournaments also offer a family discount of $5 for each family member competing. National and World tournaments have similar fees $75-$100 for the first event with the addition of travel expenses.
How do I know which divisions I can enter?
Tournaments allow competitors to compete in as many divisions as are offered and that are designated for their belt/age category. See right for “Division Descriptions” for an explanation of divisions offered.
What do I win?
Traditionally karate tournaments award trophies or medals to first-fourth place for form events. Sparring events have first, second and 2 third place awards. For kids events there often times are trophies or medallions for all competitors. Black Belts can win money on circuits.
Do I need additional equipment or attire to compete?
Your school uniform, weapons and sparring gear are all sufficient for competition. New Ringstar shoes for sparring are not yet approved regionally and so foam foot-pads are still needed. Competition bos, kamas and uniforms are available for order at The Edge—see Master Thorn for complete information.
Can I join the Competition Team?
If you want to compete at regional tournaments then YES you can join the competition team. Competition team members must attend Competition Classes where they will receive the extra training that is needed to perform at the highest level and will learn what it takes to win at tournaments.
Competition Team members will be watched and if they continue to compete as once at Black Belt will be considered for Team Edge.
If I want to compete, what would be a good way to prepare?
Competition class attendance is the first step to preparing for competition. To amp your skill for advanced belts or for faster progression, private lessons are recommended.
How do I know when there is a competition?
State, Regional and World tournament brochures can be found at The Edge. Competitions are also listed on the Team Edge website at www.team-edge.com. MBBL and NASKA websites are also good resources for regional and world tournament information.
DIVISION DESCRIPTIONS
Traditional Form/Weapons Divisions:
• No more than 2 kicks without setting down
• No 360 degree kicks
• No gymnastics moves
• Should represent the style being demonstrated
• Any Martial Arts weapon is acceptable
• Weapons specific:
• No releases allowed
• Single figure-eights only and they must be followed by a strike
Creative Form/Weapons Divisions:
• Gymnastics and jump kicks are allowed (may not be able to do inverted kicks)
• Can be a combination of styles
• “Creative” used to be referred to as “Open” division
Musical Divisions:
• Anything goes any style is allowed including creative, traditional or weapons
• Music must be appropriate to all ages and may not be explicit
• Forms should be choreographed to the music
Team Form Divisions:
• Two or more individuals doing their forms at the same time, in sync with each other
Sparring
All sparring divisions are Sport Karate or Point Fighting (this is what we teach at The Edge). Hand strikes are worth 1 point each and foot strikes or kicks are worth 2 points each(circuits may vary) Excessive contact is not allowed and head contact is not allowed in under-Black Belt divisions.
