Are you ignoring this student?

Every martial arts school has A, B, and C students.

You probably already know who your A and C students are, but let’s talk about the ones that are slipping through the cracks.

The A Students:

• These are your rockstars.

• They show up to class consistently, ace their techniques, and are enthusiastic learners.

• You know their names, love when they walk through the door, and they often serve as class leaders or demo partners.

The C Students:

• These are the ones who struggle.

• They’re late, miss class often, or are easily distracted.

• They take the most time and energy from your team because they need extra attention and hand-holding.

• You remember their name, but usually not for the right reason. 

But what about the B Students?

• They’re good but not great.

• They don’t miss class often, but they don’t stand out either.

• They’re not disruptive, but they’re not overly engaged either.

• You “always forget” that student’s name. 

Here’s the problem: B students tend to skate by unnoticed. They’re not causing problems, so instructors don’t spend much time with them. But they’re not super engaged, so they’re more likely to quit between the 6-12 month mark.

And you might not even notice until they’re gone.

The Solution? See the Trees in the Forest.

This week, I challenge you to identify your B students—the ones who are skating by. These students need attention, feedback, and a little extra motivation to feel connected to your school.

Here’s how:
📌 Step 1: Take Inventory

• Look at your attendance list. Who’s showing up regularly but not standing out?

• Ask your instructors to name a few students who aren’t getting much individual feedback.

📌 Step 2: Engage Personally

• Call out their progress in class: “Hey [name], that roundhouse kick is looking sharp! Keep it up!”

• Give them a small challenge, like leading a warmup or helping a newer student.

📌 Step 3: Involve Your Team
Explain this concept to your instructors during your next staff meeting:

• Who are our A, B, and C students?

• What can we do to make sure B students feel seen and valued?

Why This Matters

✔️ Stronger Retention: The more engaged your B students feel, the longer they’ll stay.
✔️ Better Culture: When everyone feels valued, the energy in your school improves.
✔️ Leadership Pipeline: Some of your best future leaders might be hiding in the B student category, waiting for you to bring out their potential.

Action Step for This Week:

Identify one B student in each class and give them extra attention. Whether it’s praise, a challenge, or even just asking them how they’re feeling about their training, that small effort could make all the difference.

As always, 3 min read, no fluff, all strategy.

Your Hype Man,
Matthew Brenner