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| - Within 1 minute of meeting Jack McVicker, I knew I would be training with him for a long time. 5 years later and I still have the same feeling. He brings a strong pedigree of experience, knowledge and awards to recommend him, but it is his positive, caring and earnest attitude that makes the school what it is. It's infectious and helps define the 'team' feeling that you get working with other students under McVicker. He is 100% class, start to finish.
I've trained in a few different styles of martial arts and a number of dojos/schools. McVicker's is hands down the best martial arts academy I've ever been to. It provides a well-rounded education in stand up fighting and ground fighting, touching on many levels of technique and providing links to join all the styles and /techniques that you learn. Most things are provided in two versions - what you do in tournament/practice and what you would do in the street.
The classes run on Tuesday evening and Saturday day. They are split into two 45min sessions that cover almost everything you could want to learn from a martial arts program. The first half is a blend of Kali and Jeet Kun Do (Bruce Lee's theory /methodology, rather than a style). It is primarily stand-up fighting with hand striking, kicks, and using pretty much any other part of your body that could feasibly be used to attack/defend. You also learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is arguably more a war of intellect than fists, but most often fought on the ground using grappling, chokes and other submissions to control your opponent.
The school in Champaign has a fairly wide range of ages, but it not really designed for younger kids. I believe the youngest currently is 15 (don't quote me) and runs up to the 60's... I'm 42. McVicker has his parent school in Terra Haute, where he offers a kids program on the days when he is not in Champaign. At both locations, there are people of all experience and backgrounds and you will find later that -absolutely nobody- cares if you look foolish and uncoordinated at first...because everybody did.
As a last note, there are some truly accomplished students in the academy, many of whom travel year round to compete at BJJ tournaments or MMA fights around the country.
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