We provide all paying BMABA members with completely free access to our vocational Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Qualifications.
This is part of our work to help raise professional standards by ensuring access to coaching and instructor courses are accessible to all.
We know how hard it is to find any sort of credible coaching qualification in martial arts.
We also believe it’s grossly unfair that a small minority of martial arts associations charge instructors hundreds of pounds to access these.
We are immensely proud to be able to offer all of our paying members access to our Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Qualifications completely free of charge. This is part of our #MartialArtsDoneRight campaign that aims to make it affordable and accessible for even the smallest of clubs to be professional.
As an association we’ve spent the last 3 years developing a comprehensive level 1 and level 2 instructor qualification built around professional standards, industry norms and instructor ethics. Our multi-thousand pound investment is offered to our premium members without charge through an exclusive online learning platform which will help you blend videos, podcasts, presentations, text and vocational submissions into an easy online format.
Our instructor qualifications are also open to assistant and trainee instructors so you can start moving them onto a recognised pathway toward an instructor certificate.
The courses blend a predominantly online format (which allows you to fit the qualification into your busy routine) with some practical requirements at Level 2. It’s our pledge that any vocational / practical requirements can be easily submitted via the online platform without paying us any fees whatsoever.
WE KNOW THAT RESPECT IS EARNED, NOT GIVEN.
WE'RE MULTI-AWARD WINNING FOR A REASON
We’ve featured in newspapers and radio, have won various external accolades and continue to work with a number of high-profile charities and organisations.
“I would like to thank everyone on the BMABA Team that has helped me during my time with what can only be described as the best Martial Arts Association I have ever belonged to and I am proud to be one of its first members. Giovanni, you are an inspiration and entrepreneur for those that embrace a politics-free association, professionally run and a shining example for the rest. Keep up the good work – the recognition is already there and I suspect it will continue. The BMABA is the association that I had hoped and dreamed about to allow me to start teaching self defence with the support and advice I needed, but without the politics and interference I wished to avoid.”
“Someone has answered my gentle prayers and FINALLY designed an organisation that will leave you stress-free in the world of MARTIAL ARTS 🙂
I am so excited to leave my recommendation because words cannot describe how much BMABA means to me and how it has changed everything in my organisation for the better. They are literally representing what we are about here at British MMA in West London, Brentford. We go by ‘Traditional Values with a Modern Approach’. They are so much more and you can take it from me – you’ll never find any other organisation or company doing GREATER things than this team BMABA. For all those who are still traditional and thinking old ways of not changing things around in case there are some concerns. Give me a call from our website or facebook page and I will personally give you a recommendation in why you should change and revamp everything in your club or as an instructor with the BRITISH MARTIAL ARTS & BOXING ASSOCIATION.
Content & Delivery
Our qualifications are offered in a purely vocational format. This means you don’t need to pay for any expensive ‘on-site’ training, nor do you need to pay for an assessor to visit you at club level.
Our industry-leading online member’s extranet has an integrated learning suite through which you’ll be able to access content securely. The courses’ content is tailored around the essence of producing a professional, competent professional and not around the technical delivery of a particular style; this you should already know if you’re attaining a 1st Dan or equivalent.
Level 1 Instructor Qualification
BMABA Level 1 Instructor Qualification
Course Objectives
The BMABA level 1 qualification is designed to introduce senior martial artists, typically circa 2nd Kyu and above, to the fundamentals of safe and effective instruction. The course covers the fundamental requirements of an instructor – insurance, DBS, first aid, safeguarding and health & safety, all with a view to introducing a basic understanding and working knowledge of each element. The course will also introduce the basics of instructor supervision and student management with a view to producing a safe and competent assistant instructor, whom may assist in the delivery of safe professional lessons. The course is also considered a compulsory step for those hoping to move on to achieve their Level 2.
Eligibility
Access to the qualification requires;
- The applicant to be a registered BMABA instructor member (full or assistant)
- To be atleast 16 years of age
- To hold a structured grade of 2nd Kyu or if practicing an ungraded style, an equivalent grade
- To have been practicing the core discipline for a minimum of 2 years and 6 months
Modules
The following form the Level 1 Qualification modules;
- An introduction to the course, and the purpose of a coaching programme, including the clear focus on professional standards, rather than trying to conscript the instructor to a specific type of syllabus
- An overview of the martial arts industry, including the structure of clubs, associations and governance as well as differentiating between the role of a senior martial artist and the role of an instructor
- Martial arts insurance and it’s function, including the differential between public liability, professional indemnity and the function for participants and instructors
- Core requirements for practical, safe martial arts instructorship (first aid, insurance, DBS, safeguarding, coaching qualification etc)
- Your responsibility when supervising martial arts, and the role of an instructor to safeguard their members
- An introduction to safeguarding for instructors and the need for cultural change in martial arts in this area,
- An introduction to health and safety awareness, and it’s place within martial arts
- Equality and diversity in martial arts
- The human anatomy, including the skeletal and muscular systems
What’s The Cost Of The Program?
The cost is fully inclusive in all premium memberships. Additional instructors registered without charge to the association under the lead (premium) instructor may also access the course without charge.
How’s The Course Assessed?
The course is managed via a series of multiple choice assessments after each module, following by a full assessment of the course’s content before completion. Throughout the course, the applicant will need to score atleast 85%, however certain modules of greater severity (for example, safeguarding), may carry a higher overall requirement to pass.
How Does The Program Work?
To ensure as much participation as possible in the coaching program, the entire course is provided via a distance-learning based e-course program. This ensures there is no need to burden instructors with large financial costs or time requirements spent traveling to and from centres. Instructors may simply login to Club.BMABA and complete the course as their leisure, returning as and when they have the time / opportunity to complete modules until the full qualification is achieved.
What Do We Hope To Achieve With The Qualification?
The Level 1 Qualification is designed to offer the instructor a broad understanding of the martial arts industry, the way it’s structured and it’s somewhat outdated practices. It develops on this to brief instructors on the key checks and criteria all martial arts coaches should hold, to ensure culturally, the idea of DBS checks, safeguarding qualifications, first aid training and so on are not an alien concept.
In addition to briefing an instructor on the general and specific requirements / checks, the qualification also includes health and safety awareness, and ensures the instructor fully understands the role of a coach, and their duty of care to students.
This course is designed to ‘pull up’ minimum standards of coaching to a point at which the instructor is aware of their legal requirements, health and safety obligations and the ethical responsibility they hold to instil good, practical coaching skills.
Level 2 Instructor Qualification
BMABA Level 2 Instructor Qualification
Course Objectives
The BMABA level 2 qualification builds on the coaching concepts and overviews learnt under the level 1 qualification, to provide an in-depth knowledge of a coaches role, responsibilities and the required skills needed to not only lead a safe martial arts class – but a technically proficient one too. The course looks at how to best utilise the instructor’s technical understanding and the best methods of delivery for coaching.
Eligibility
Access to the qualification requires;
- The applicant to be a registered BMABA instructor member (full or assistant)
- To be atleast 18 years of age
- To hold a structured grade of 1st Dan or if practicing an ungraded style, an equivalent grade
- To have been practicing the core discipline for a minimum of 3 years and 6 months
- The instructor must have completed the BMABA Level 1 qualification
Modules
The following form the Level 2 Qualification modules;
- How the martial arts industry may adapt in the follow years, and an overview of the governance of martial arts more broadly
- Understanding insurance and, in particular, how to remain compliant with the claims process as well as a look into the boundaries of martial arts based fitness
- A refresher on the core requirements for practical, safe martial arts instructorship (first aid, insurance, DBS, safeguarding, coaching qualification etc) including case studies of past industry failings, and the way in which these checks and balances safeguard individuals, clubs and martial arts more generally
- A refresher on martial arts safeguarding
- A more in-depth look into health and safety awareness, and it’s place within martial arts, including a specific emphasis on the use of weapons, focus pads and training aids
- The structural elements of a class, and their role in effective coaching (warm ups, stretching, sparring, technique training, katas, exercise, cool downs and so on)
- The use of weapons and training weapons for technical development
- Supervising groups, and appointing assistant instructors.
- Recruiting assistant instructors and volunteers, including your obligations to safeguard
- The fundamentals of coaching sport, including the differing types of coaching and the various types of learners
- Understanding the legacy of effective coaching on participants lifestyles, including how to develop participants with effective coaching
- Lesson planning and ‘on-the-night’ deviations
- Managing club registrations and student insurances, and ensuring relevant protected access to student information and medical details during classes.
- Logging lessons and incidents
- Improving public perception of martial arts via best practice and professional conduct
- A refresher and more in-depth look at equality and diversity in martial arts
- Principles of Coaching and the Role of a coach
- Developing Your Coaching
What’s The Cost Of The Program?
The cost is fully inclusive in all premium memberships.
How Does The Program Work?
To ensure as much participation as possible in the coaching program, the entire course is provided via a distance-learning based e-course program. This ensures there is no need to burden instructors with large financial costs or time requirements spent traveling to and from centres. Instructors may simply login to Club.BMABA and complete the course as their leisure, returning as and when they have the time / opportunity to complete modules until the full qualification is achieved.
How’s The Course Assessed?
The course is managed via a series of multiple choice assessments after each module, following by a full assessment of the course’s content before completion. Throughout the course, the applicant will need to score atleast 92%, however certain modules of greater severity (for example, safeguarding), may carry a higher overall requirement to pass.
As this is a level 2 qualification, there will also be the requirement to submit a lesson plan for assessment and a couple of more advanced questions on the course content (which is not multiple choice). This will require the individual to have access to a live class setting in which they can practice their lesson plan and evaluate it’s goals. This should be either the named instructor’s own club, or the club in which they are training (if under a lead instructor).
What Do We Hope To Achieve With The Qualification?
The Level 2 Qualification intends to ensure all BMABA instructors not only understand the concepts and principles of coaching, but more to the point have a robust and professional understanding of their moral, ethical and legal obligations as a coach. Whilst the proficiency of coaching is of course important, the course aims to build a broader understanding of industry pressures so as to ensure the coach and club effectively instil the correct culture of professionalism to participants, especially when laying the way for new assistant and full instructors.
The Level 2 Qualification will arm instructors with the key skills needed to structure lessons and to provide the correct level of guidance to students with a view to not only improving martial arts training, but also broader life choices through healthy recreation.
The course should also act as a ‘springboard’ from which instructors can study individual elements in more details, to enhance their specialist understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, coaching principles and so on.
Costs & Fees
We are immensely proud to confirm that both the Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Qualifications are provided 100% free of charge with every premium membership to our association. This also includes certification upon completion of each course.
Certification Is Included For Free
Inclusive in the free of charge level 1 and level 2 qualification is a customised PDF certificate to ensure that you can demonstrate completion to students, parents and schools.
Learn From Any Device, Any Time Of Day Or Night
In this modern age we understand fully that your time is stretched. No more traveling to weekends away at your expense, to undertake courses on set days and at set times. Complete both the level 1 and level 2 in your own time, from any device, 24/7.
Questions & Answers
How can the courses possibly be really free? What's the catch?
There is none – it’s genuinely free with premium memberships. You’ve already paid an annual or monthly membership fee to join us and we don’t think you should pay more for a qualification. Too many big organisations – including some who no doubt receive funding – still charge excessive amounts of money for access to courses. We fundamentally believe that martial arts should be accessible to everyone from all backgrounds; and this means making sure instructors from all backgrounds can access and afford the right training too.
I run a club and want all of my instructors to access the qualifications - how does it work?
Quite simply, all premium BMABA members are entitled to sit both courses without charge. If you join us online you’ll see the option to request a bespoke club quote. By default we’ll quote your additional instructors as premium members (even if insurance isn’t needed) so they’ll automatically have access via their own account, which is under your authority. Please mention to us when requesting a quote that it’s important to you so we can prioritise access.
Are your courses recognised?
Because of the politics of martial arts – and the associated costs which would be passed onto our members – we haven’t yet accredited this course with any third party examination houses. That said, the course is of the highest internal standards and represents vast amounts of industry specialist knowledge. To date, we are not aware of a single BMABA instructor qualification not being accepted as a gold-standard for martial arts instructors, and we’ve never had it rejected by a venue, council or insurer. Our brand name is recognised both within and out of our industry, and as a multi-award winning governing body your qualification carries our renowned BMABA Crest.
I'm a trainee instructor. Can I access this course?
Trainee and assistant instructors can access the course via their club or lead instructor’s account. You’ll need to be registered by them to gain your own login details in order to access our qualifications platform. Please speak with your instructor or manager for more information.
Does the course teach me how to teach martial arts?
Not quite. Because of our eligibility criteria already requiring that you hold a 1st Dan Black Belt or equivalent we’re confident you’ll already hold the technical competency to relay a technique to a student. What our qualification does is build up your professional competencies around the core function of teaching martial arts.
This predominantly works around matters like Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Insurance, Regulation and Ethics and should help you become a well-rounded professional instructor as opposed to just a technically capable black belt.
Is the course style specific?
No. It teaches the universal principles of running a safe, professional martial arts club. This includes matters such as insurance, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and so on. We represent in excess of 150 disciplines and styles so it’s important to us that the Level 1 and Level 2 are open to all of our clubs.
We’re here to help with questions and queries.
Access expert guidance and speak with our dedicated team for queries on membership, insurance, eligibility, us or just about anything else you might need.
We’re not based from a kitchen worktop, nor do we employ call centres overseas to answer generic FAQs for us. We have three locations throughout the UK including our Headquarters in West Sussex. BMABA boasts over 1,250sqft of newly refurbished top-spec office space for our dedicated staff and everyone you speak with here – be it via email, live chat, Facebook or phone – is part of the team and not an outsourced agent.
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Join More Than 6,500 Like-Minded Instructors & Clubs
We’re one of the largest martial arts associations in the UK with more than 30,000 registered members across thousands of clubs and instructors.
Latest Updates
We have our own offices, not the kitchen table.
There’s nothing wrong with smaller martial arts associations. In fact, we think it’s good for competition and variety. Unfortunately too many are one-man bands run from kitchen tables, and not professional set ups with staff.
We have three locations – Manchester, London and West Sussex. Our HQ has over 1,400sqft of dedicated, bespoke office space for our team of staff and volunteers.
Founded in 2012 by the now Multi-Award Winning Social Entrepreneur & Life-Long Martial Artist
Frustrated by a lack of affordable, professional alternatives to the associations Giovanni Soffietto had dealt with when participating and then teaching Thai Boxing and Karate, BMABA was founded.
Focused on professional standards and ethics rather than belts and titles, BMABA boasts the pedigree of a life-long martial arts expert come award winning social entrepreneur as it’s Chief Executive Officer. It’s fair to say we’re well qualified and backed by an industry giant.
Our Membership Isn’t Just A Piece Of Paper
We have always been focused on providing clubs with everything they need under a single membership, and our range of resources, tools and features delivers exactly that.
From template grading certificates and documents through to a free club website and national club listings. Whether it be advice on club structure and marketing or membership marks and qualifications. DBS checks, first aid qualifications, coaching certificates, instructor licenses, insurance, business plans, equipment, graphics – you named it, we cover it under just one simple, affordable membership.
Beautiful, Professional Certification As Standard
So much of what you do will be judged on the grades, credentials and certification you hold. We get that.
We know parents, students and venues don’t always understand exactly what qualifies you. We help by providing superb, professional certification that ensures you look the part. Be it a Dan Grade, Instructor License or Insurance Document, all of our digital and printed certificates will meet the mark and be accepted across the UK.
Our Profits Fund The Fighting Chance Foundation
All of our eligible profits are donated to the Fighting Chance Foundation to help change lives through martial arts.
From programmes designed to help children in poverty and women & girls at risk of violence through to anti-knife campaigns and disability inclusion work, the Fighting Chance Foundation changes lives through martial arts.
Access The Latest Martial Arts Qualifications
We provide all of our members with a free Level 1 and level 2 Martial Arts Instructor Qualification. We also provide access to more than twenty professional courses and qualifications to help expand our member’s portfolios.
From first aid, safeguarding and coaching through to concussion awareness, club colours and marketing – BMABA are a household name in martial arts for providing high-quality, affordable access to training and qualifications for martial arts.
We Back Our Members, Even During The Darkest Of Times
Our response and support throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic confirmed to the industry the way BMABA treats it’s members.
We provided daily updates, dedicated online training hubs, access to a free COVID instructor qualification, subsidised insurances, a self-funded Covid Recovery Scheme, mediation services with local authorities and interpretations of DCMS policy. We increased our operational hours to ensure a 7 day a week response and invested more than ever in our systems, processes and memberships. This is what an association should be doing for its members we believe. As our slogan goes; “To High Places By Narrow Roads“.
You won't find another UK martial arts association that can offer so much to their members.
Not entirely sure?
Try us for free for 6 months, with no obligation.
There’s absolutely no obligation to commit beyond 6 months. You’ll be able to explore what we offer, our member’s area, all of our licensing options and get a better feel for the BMABA’s service without any obligation to become a full member. We genuinely believe the best way to find out if we’re any good is to try us for yourself.
Switching To Us
We know there’s a lot to think about, and we can help.
We have absolutely no interest in enticing you to switch to BMABA if we’re not the right fit. We know that won’t last and isn’t good for you or us. Instead, we can offer a confidential switching process to help you price up whether or not it’s worth while, whilst also getting answers to any questions you might have.
