In the dark days of elementary school, I dreaded doing my daily homework. I had hours of assignments, and my grandmother was watching like a hawk over my shoulder. She insisted I finish every task—plus the extra credit—before I could do anything else. The pressure made it hard to enjoy the learning process.
But now I understand: the purpose of homework is to review, refresh, and encode the knowledge learned in class. Whether in school or martial arts, consistent practice is what transforms information into understanding—and understanding into ability.
Why Homework Works
The best way to improve memory and skill is through regular review and repetition, especially soon after learning something new. Taking notes, reviewing them, and rewriting them are excellent strategies for academic subjects. In the martial arts world, the same principle applies—but instead of notebooks, we use our bodies.
Yes, Kempo has homework. And the best way to acquire new skills is to practice daily, even outside the dojo. Here are three important reasons why martial arts homework matters:
1. Practice Improves Retention
Practicing a physical skill repeatedly not only strengthens your muscle memory but also your mental recall. The more you do a technique, the easier it is to remember and perform under pressure. Regular repetition helps reinforce coordination, timing, and reflexes.
2. Review Deepens Understanding
When you continuously review material, you eventually reach a point where you no longer need to think about how to do it—you do it. And that allows your brain to focus on the why behind the technique. This is where real understanding begins to take root.
3. Repetition Builds Flow and Confidence
Repetitive movement creates smoother execution and natural rhythm. Just like riding a bike, once a movement is ingrained, it becomes second nature. This level of automatic response is what makes martial arts so effective in real-world self-defense.
Homework Isn’t a Punishment—It’s Preparation
There’s no shortcut to gaining great skill in Kempo Karate, just like school subjects—math, writing, science—martial arts requires daily, deliberate practice. Whether your instructor assigns it or not, homework is part of your training. Please don’t skip it. Embrace it.
Take a moment to shift your mindset. Popular culture often portrays homework as boring or pointless. But when you reframe it as a path to mastery, you start to see its actual value. Fake it until you make it. Even if you don’t enjoy it at first, keep doing it until the results make it worth your time—and soon, you will enjoy the progress.
Make a Plan That Works
Break your martial arts homework into manageable pieces. For example:
- Monday – Kata practice
- Tuesday – Weapon defenses
- Wednesday – Punch defense techniques
- Thursday – Conditioning and stance work
- Friday – Freestyle review and shadow drills
Rotate through your training like a study schedule. Keep the momentum going.
Final Thought
Success in anything requires effort. One of my favorite quotes is from Thomas Edison:
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
So suit up—mentally and physically. Practice at home. Practice every day. And remember:
Strike First. Strike Fast. Strike Hard. Strike Last.
