Mr. Haase and Mr. Barker are very nice people and are good instructors.
That said, the business model for the ATA is ridiculous and expensive for watered down martial arts. DO NOT SIGN YOU CHILD UP FOR A 3 YR BLACK BELT CONTRACT. Your child will undoubtedly tire of the repetitive "forms" and get sick of the program, with rare exceptions. If you do this, I encourage you to set up month to month payments so you/your child can stop as you wish and don't throw away money.
This is EXPENSIVE. The gear cost is exorbitant. There are a thousand different colored belts and graduations; not surprisingly, this is because the ATA gets a payment for each graduation. For higher belts, there are two graduations for each color. 1 X (color) belt "recommended" and 1 (same color) belt "decided". Why are there so many?!!! At higher levels, there are required mid terms and boot camps and each cost a hefty fee. There is also a substantial yearly ATA membership fee. These things add up quickly.
Instructors are mostly good, especially for kids. For adults, instructors treat you with respect, but respectfully like a child. Imagine calling kids "sir" and having to hear their life advice; that's what it feels like. There's a patronizing attitude, so this may not be a good training environment for adults. I suggest you take up Kra or some other practical martial art where instructors don't have a superiority complex. In many cases they are the ones who could benefit from some advice in all honesty.
I could not keep track of the number of students who keep going due to to parents signing them up for a contract of several years, but are miserable. Please avoid this contract completely. read more