🧠 Coaching the Parent: How to Build Retention Through Relationships

If you win the parents, you keep the students.

At MUV, we don’t just coach athletes—we coach families.

The kids may be the ones training, but the parents?
They’re the decision-makers. The encouragers. The ones driving every ride to class.

If a parent doesn’t see progress…
If they don’t feel connected…
If they don’t trust your leadership…

They pull their kid.
And when that happens, it’s game over—no matter how much that student loves class.

🔁 Why Parents Are the Retention Engine

Retention isn’t just about curriculum.
It’s about connection.

✅ Parents stay when they see visible progress
✅ They renew when communication is clear
✅ They refer when they feel like part of the mission

Key Principle: If you win the parents, you keep the students.

🎯 How to Spotlight Progress (Every Class)

Every class is a chance to show parents that their investment is paying off.
Before, during, and after class—here’s how to make it visible:

👋 Before Class

• Greet parents by name

• Share something specific their child did last class:
  "Hey Mrs. Taylor, Noah crushed his push-ups last night. Huge improvement."

🥋 During Class

• Teach loud enough for the back row to hear

• Spotlight kids mid-drill:
  "Parents, watch this—Dylan’s round kick just leveled up. Look at that hip rotation!"

🙌 After Class

• Catch a parent before they leave

• Share one concrete improvement you saw
  "Today Ava’s focus was off the charts. You’ll see a difference at home this week."

These little moments stack trust—and trust is what keeps parents committed.

📊 Progress Reports: Every 6 Weeks

Every six weeks, parents should know exactly where their child stands.

If on track:

• Celebrate it

• Preview what’s coming next

If not on track:

• Send notes home on what needs improvement

• Schedule a 1-on-1 to address it

"Mrs. Smith, Dylan is a little behind on his round kick for his next belt. At this level, we’re looking for more hip rotation to generate power. Can I schedule a one-on-one with him so we can fine-tune that?"

This builds confidence. Shows initiative. Proves you care.

📞 Quarterly Courtesy Calls

Every coach should call every parent once per quarter.

What to share:

• A quick progress update

• A strength you’ve noticed

• A specific area of focus

• And a thank-you for trusting you with their child

These calls aren’t “extra.” They’re expectation management.
They prevent surprise drops and build long-term loyalty.

🤝 How to Build Trust With Parents

Connection builds retention. Period.

Here’s how to lead that off the mat:

✅ Thank parents regularly
"Mrs. Smith, I love how you always cheer for Dylan. That matters more than you know."

✅ Ask for their perspective
"How’s he doing at home or school? Anything you’d like us to work on here?"

✅ Learn 5 non-martial arts facts about every parent
(Hobbies, jobs, family, interests, goals)

This turns parents into partners—and partners don’t quit.

🧍‍♀️ Engaging Parents During Class

Even when they’re on the sidelines, they’re still watching. Or not.

Here’s how to pull them in:

• Teach loud enough for the back row to hear

• During mat chats, face the kids toward the parents so they can hear the life lesson too

• Use the Heads Up Principle:
  If parents are disengaged, re-engage them with ovations, direct callouts, or specific praise

Keep them involved—even from the sidelines.

📲 Don’t Forget the Drop-Off Parents

Some parents never stay. That doesn’t mean they don’t matter.

Use the Orphan Text:

Send a quick picture or video with a message like:
"Here’s Ava hitting that round kick we’ve been working on! She’s earned a big high five at home tonight. Can’t wait to show you what’s next."

This eliminates the “I didn’t see it” excuse and keeps disconnected parents feeling included.

🧑‍🏫 Life Skill Workshops = Deep Buy-In

Want to supercharge parent engagement?
Run a MUV Life Skill Workshop.

• Parents and students attend together

• Parents learn how to reinforce the skill at home

• Students get to show off the skill in action

This turns martial arts from “just an activity” into a family development system.

The result? Deeper buy-in. More trust. Longer retention.

🔥 Final Word for Coaches:

You’re not just coaching kids.
You’re coaching families.

If parents feel seen, respected, and valued, they stay.
And when they stay, kids grow. They thrive.
They become the Black Belts we’re all working to build.

Win the parent, keep the student.
Lead on and off the mat.

This week’s lineup brought powerful reminders about parenting, presence, energy, and what it really means to lead—yourself and others. Here’s what caught our attention:

🎙 Off the Mat Podcast with Josh & Nicole Dumoulin
“We have to let our kids FIO—Figure It Out.”
You’re not fighting the match—they are. Protect them, yes. But don’t rob them of the struggle that builds strength.
👉 Watch it here

💡 Dave Kovar
“When I start my day on purpose, the rest of it flows better.”
Short workout. Positive reading. Stillness. Intentional fuel.
If your mornings are a mess, your leadership will be too.
👉 Watch it here

🧠 Simon Sinek
Let’s shift the language: not “vulnerable”—but “available.”
Being human, honest, and open isn’t weakness. It’s connection.
👉 Watch it here

🔥 Cameron Herold
Success doesn’t matter if you’re too burnt out to enjoy it.
Work is what you do. It’s not who you are. Protect your energy and build a life you don’t need to escape from.
👉 Watch it here

🔍 Brian Bogert
Simple but powerful:
Make two lists—what fuels you, and what drains you.
Then start building a life around the first list. Awareness is step one.
👉 Watch it here

🧠 This week’s takeaway:
Lead yourself first.
Protect your energy.
Let others grow by doing hard things.
And never confuse performance with purpose.

😂 Martial Memes

These memes hit home for all of us martial artists and gave us a good chuckle. Click on the image to view the original account that posted each meme. Enjoy!

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