The 4Skills Framework – Making Progress Visible

This is part 3 of a 3 part-mini series, written by Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan tackling the problem of retention in dojos.

Part 1: Why Retention Beats Recruitment – and the Numbers to Prove it.

Part 2: The Forgetting Curve and Why it Matters in the Dojo.

Part 3: A Progression System for Kids’ Judo – Making Progress Visible 

Make Progress Visible

“My child isn’t progressing.”

If you’ve coached kids’ judo for any length of time, you’ve heard this. Maybe from a parent at the door. Maybe in an email. Maybe when they don’t renew their membership.

And here’s the frustrating part: the child IS progressing. They’re learning. They’re improving. But the parent can’t see it.

Engaging parents is essential.

It’s not hard to do – it’s a matter of making the children’s progress and effort visible, so the parents can see the smaller and larger achievements.

Five Coaches, Five Wins

Download the Koka Kids free case study first: Five Coaches, Five Wins – real stories of how coaches improved retention in their dojos by making progress visible

Get the free case study →

The 4Skills Solution – Kids Judo Progression System

The solution is simple: make progress visible. And one of the best way to do that is with a structured progression system.

The 4Skills framework does exactly this. It breaks down learning a throw or a hold into four clear skill areas. For example skills areas for ippon-seoi-nage could look like this:

1. Basics

• Grips, footwork, positioning
• Ability to attack to the left and to the right
• Being able to attack moving around the mat

2. Intermediate

• Ability to throw with control
• Being able to perform alternate uchi-komi with a partner
• Throw and follow into a hold

3. Advanced

• Link the technique with another
• Be able to counter the technique
• Be experimenting with this throw in a randori situation

4. Expert

• Be consistently throwing in randori
• Be experimenting with this technique in competition
• Able to explain key points to another judoka

Each level has clear, achievable milestones. Kids know exactly where they are and what’s next. Parents can see the journey. Progress becomes visible, tangible, real.

Learn more about Koka Kids →

How the 4Skills Framework Engages Parents

When you use a structured system like 4Skills, something magical happens with parents.

Instead of “How was judo today?” “Fine.” you get:

“I see you’re working on your O Soto Gari. How’s the footwork going?”

“I noticed you earned your Level 2 Certificate. What hold did you learn?”

“What combinations are you working on?”

Parents become informed. They become engaged.

And when parents are engaged, retention becomes easy.

Real Results: Judoka take ownership

Judoka shift from passive attendance to active engagement. They can see their progress. They understood the journey. They became invested in their own development.

And parents? They can see what their child is learning. The value of driving their child to judo week after week becomes visible.

How to Start with a Kids Judo Progression System

You don’t need to build a complete progression system this week. Start simple:

This week: Identify 4 levels and 12 clear milestones for one technique. Write them down. 

This month: Design a simple progress tracker sheet. A chart kids can take home. And a certificate for achieving each level for each technique.

This term: Build a complete 4Skills-style system. Clear milestones for multiple techniques. Multiple certificates and tracker sheets.

Or – and this is the easier path – use a ready-made system designed by someone who’s already done the work.  🙂

Don’t sweat it! Here’s a Complete Progression Toolkit you can use for Kids Judo

If you’d like ready-made tools to make progress visible both to judoka and to parents, and retain more members, I’ve put together a complete resource toolkit.

It includes:

• 4Skills progression system – Clear milestones kids and parents can understand
• Achievement certificates – Physical proof of progress to take home for each technique for each level
• Take-home task sheets – Engage kids in multiple learning styles
• Posters – Visuals for the dojo that judoka and parents can see
• Monthly drills and games – Keep classes fresh and exciting

4Skills is just one of the full resources you will get when you subscribe to Koka Kids Resources. Others also included in your subscription are Encouraging the Moral Code, Making Judo Interactive with I-Dojo and Top Ten Throws. 

Everything is instantly downloadable, ready to print, and designed specifically to make progress visible and keep kids on the mat.

£29.99/month or £150/year

Learn more about Koka Kids →

Or download my free case study first: Five Coaches, Five Wins – real stories of how coaches improved retention in their dojos using Koka Kids tools.

Get the free case study →

Nik Fairbrother is an 8th Dan judoka, Olympic silver medalist, and world champion. She created Koka Kids Resource to support coaches as they teach judo.

Keeping Judoka Engaged Between Classes

“Teaching on the mat is enough to keep judoka interested.”

But is it?

You’ve been there. A kid nails a technique in class. They’re excited, motivated, ready to learn more. Then they go home. And by next week, they’ve forgotten half of what they learned.

The reality: while in-class teaching is vital, judoka need support outside the dojo to reinforce learning.

Visual aids, take-home certificates, and interactive resources help kids remember techniques and stay motivated between sessions.

It’s time to consider “off the mat” as well as “on the mat” when you are looking to engage kids, reduce drop-off rates and improve retention. 

This is part 2 of a 3 part-mini series, written by Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan tackling the problem of retention in dojos.

Part 1: Why Retention Beats Recruitment – and the Numbers to Prove it.

Part 2: The Forgetting Curve and Why it Matters in the Dojo.

Part 3: A Progression System for Kids’ Judo – Making Progress Visible 

The Forgetting Curve (And Why It Matters)

We forget up to 50% of new information within an hour, around 70% within 24 hours, and retain only about 25% by the end of the week. (Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve)

That means the throw a child learned on Monday? By next Monday, they’ve lost most of it.

Unless.

Unless they have something to remind them. Something visual. Something they can hold, look at, show their parents. Something that bridges the gap between “I learned this” and “I remember this.”

Five Coaches, Five Wins

Download the Koka Kids free case study first: Five Coaches, Five Wins – real stories of how coaches improved retention in their dojos.

Get the free case study →

What Thriving Dojos Do Differently

The clubs that keep judo kids engaged between classes don’t just teach better. They extend the learning beyond the mat. 

1. They provide take-home materials

Worksheets, technique guides, certificates – physical reminders of what was learned. Kids take them home, put them on the fridge, show them to friends. The learning continues.

2. They make progress visible at home

Posters, skill trackers and task sheets, achievement certificates displayed in bedrooms. Parents see them. Kids see them every day. The progress becomes part of their environment.

3. They engage multiple learning styles

Some kids learn by doing (kinesthetic). Some by watching (visual). Some by reading (auditory). Take-home materials and online interactive materials let kids engage with judo in the way that works best for them.

4. They involve parents in the journey

When kids bring home certificates, worksheets, or progress charts, parents see the value. They understand what their child is learning. They push towards a continuation of judo. 

Real Results: How One Coach Engages 300 Kids

Sensei Stas Trener runs a judo school with 300 juniors. His challenge? Keeping all of them engaged and motivated.

His solution: achievement certificates.

“Children have become much more interested in learning!” Stas told me. “They can see their progress. They have something to take home and show their parents. Every class they are asking about technical points.”

The certificates aren’t just pieces of paper. They’re:

• Visual proof of progress
• Conversation starters with parents
• Motivation to keep training
• Reminders of what was learned

And it works. Kids who might forget a technique by next week have a physical reminder. Parents who might not understand what happens in class see tangible evidence of learning.

Multi-Modal Learning

Sensei Natasha Wolf puts it perfectly:

“By having the worksheets available, we are able to engage the kids in another approach to learning. Kids learn through various modalities – having ways to engage kids in multiple ways is key. This allows us to engage all learners and learning styles, whether they learn best through visual, auditory, or kinesthetic approaches.”

This is the secret. Not every kid learns the same way. Some need to see it. Some need to hear it. Some need to do it. Some need to read about it.

When you only teach on the mat, you miss the kids who need other modalities. When you provide take-home materials, you catch everyone.

How to Start Building Your Own System

This week: Give every kid one take-home item. A technique checklist. A certificate of attendance. A colouring sheet with judo terms.

This month: Print out one technique and create progress tracker sheets that kids can take home. Put it on the fridge. Let parents see the journey.

This term: Build a library of take-home resources. Worksheets for different techniques. Certificates for different achievements. Materials that extend learning beyond the dojo.

Or – and this is the easier path – use ready-made resources designed by someone who’s already done the work. 🙂

Or How to Start Without Creating Everything From Scratch

The Complete Off-Mat Engagement Toolkit

You don’t need to design worksheets and certificates from scratch.

If you’d like ready-made take-home materials that engage kids between classes, I’ve put together a complete resource toolkit.

It includes:

• Achievement certificates for many different wins (ie. effort, attendance, technique mastery)
• Technique worksheets kids can complete at home
• Japanese terminology activity sheets (colouring, challenges, quizzes)
• Moral code materials (posters, stickers, worksheets for character development)
• Progress trackers kids can display at home
• Customisable flyers to promote your club to parents

Everything is instantly downloadable, ready to print, and designed specifically for kids’ judo but also works I’m reliably told with adults

£29.99/month or £150/year

Learn more about Koka Kids →

Judo Kids Engagement

Teaching on the mat is essential. But it’s not enough.

Kids need reminders. They need multiple ways to engage. They need to take judo home with them.

When you extend learning beyond the dojo, you:

• Reinforce techniques between classes
• Engage different learning styles
• Involve parents in the journey
• Make progress visible
• Keep kids motivated

What could you do this week?

Learn more about how Koka Kids can help you engage progress and retain judoka →

Or download my free case study first: Five Coaches, Five Wins – real stories of how coaches improved retention in their dojos.

Get the free case study →

Nik Fairbrother is an 8th Dan judoka, Olympic silver medalist, and world champion. She created Koka Kids Resource to support coaches as they teach judo.

The Challenge Every Coach Faces

You’ve felt it – the frustration when promising judoka stop showing up. Drop-off, membership loss, and churn are common in dojos everywhere.

“Most martial arts dojos lose 50% of their students within the first year. The industry benchmark for annual retention is 70-80% – meaning 20-30% annual dropout is considered typical.” DojoTrack.

And here’s what most coaches get wrong: they focus all their energy on recruiting new members while their existing ones walk out the back door.

This is part 1 of a 3 part-mini series, written by Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan tackling the problem of retention in dojos.

Part 1: Why Retention Beats Recruitment – and the Numbers to Prove it.

Part 2: The Forgetting Curve and Why it Matters in the Dojo.

Part 3: A Progression System for Kids’ Judo – Making Progress Visible 

The Hidden Cost of Churn

Let’s talk numbers.

Say you run a dojo with 50 members. If you’re losing 33% annually (the industry average), that’s 16-17 members you need to replace every single year just to stay flat.

Now consider what it takes to recruit one new member:

• Marketing costs (ads, flyers, time)
• Trial classes (your time, mat space)
• Onboarding (explaining your dojo rules, setting expectations)
• Building trust (takes weeks or months)

Conservatively, recruiting one new member costs 5-10x more than keeping an existing one.

So those 16-17 members you’re losing? That’s costing you the equivalent of recruiting 80-170 new members in time, energy, and money.

Download the Retention Mini-Series –  Five Winning Tips on How Coaches are Engaging and Retaining Judoka

Why Coaches Focus on the Wrong Thing

Recruitment feels productive. You see immediate results – a new face on the mat, a new signup form, a new payment.

Retention is invisible. A member who doesn’t quit doesn’t make a sound. You only notice retention when it’s gone.

Plus, recruitment is what everyone talks about. The retention conversation is quieter – but it’s where the real growth happens.

The Retention-First Dojo

What if you flipped the question?

Instead of asking “How do I get more members?” ask “How do I keep the ones I have?”

Here’s what changes:

You invest in systems, not just marketing. Progress tracking, achievement milestones, parent communication – these become priorities because they keep members engaged.

You create a self-propogating cycle: Happy, retained members refer new members. New members see the engaged community and stay longer. Retention drives recruitment, not the other way around.

This is how you improve dojo member retention, reduce judoka churn.

Why Member Retention Works Best

Let’s run the numbers again, retention-first.

Scenario A: Recruitment Focus

• 50 members, 33% annual churn
• Lose 16 members, recruit 20 new ones
• Net growth: +4 members
• Cost: High (marketing, trials, onboarding)

Scenario B: Retention Focus

• 50 members, reduce churn to 15%
• Lose only 7-8 members, recruit 12 new ones
• Net growth: +4-5 members
• Cost: Low (systems, engagement tools)

Same growth. Half the effort. And as the years go on the numbers compound.

What This Means for Your Dojo

You don’t need to choose between recruitment and retention. You need to prioritise retention so recruitment becomes easier.

The coaches I work with through Koka Kids who have thriving, growing dojos all have one thing in common: they prioritise keeping the members they have.

They make progress visible.

They engage parents proactively.

They create systems that make kids feel accomplished.

And when they do recruit new members, those members walk into a buzzing, engaged community – not an empty mat. 

Start With One Change

You don’t need to overhaul your entire dojo. Pick one thing:

• Create a Progress Chart for your Beginners
• Invite parents to attend a Certificate Awards Evening this month
• Recognise one small win in every class

Small changes compound. One retained member this month becomes ten next year.

Want the Complete System?

If you’d like the ready-made tools to make retention easy – like technique task-sheets, progress and achievement certificates, and the complete system then I’ve put everything into the Koka Kids resource toolkit.

It’s the exact system that’s helped coaches like Stas Trener keep 300+ juniors engaged, Natasha Wolf reach different learning styles, and Sensei Alison Finn build a thriving family community.

Learn more about Koka Kids →

Or download my free case study first: Five Coaches, Five Wins – real stories of how coaches improved retention in their dojos.

Get the free case study →

Nik Fairbrother is an 8th Dan judoka, Olympic silver medalist, and world champion. She created Koka Kids Resource to support coaches as they teach judo.

Real Coaches, real wins. Five ways coaches are engaging and retaining their members. 

Coaches! Training Resources + Christmas Gifts wrapped up in one easy bundle.

By Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan, Koka Kids Editor

Each Christmas I aim to make judo books available to coaches at a reduced rate – and I’m glad to say that 2025 is no exception. In fact this year, I have two books for you: “40 Judo Throws” and “Learn Groundwork: Master 20 Turnovers” are both available for coaches and clubs to buy at wholesale rates.

40 Judo Throws Learn How to Throw is a 100-page book, with every throw in the Gokyo is illustrated clearly, step by step. The perfect reference book for judoka of all levels.

Learn Judo Groundwork: Master 20 Turnovers contains full instruction and illustrations on how to do twenty different groundwork turnovers.

Here’s an overview of prices. If you need specific amounts not shown on the website, or want to mix and match your bundle please contact me, Nik Fairbrother.

Read more

The Koka Kids Judo Book of the Month for September was “Learn Groundwork and Master 20 Turnovers”

4.7 out of 5 with 78 reviews

“A really clever book. Brilliant for children and young adults of all abilities to help aid their learning and skills. Great to be able to take away from the club and revise at home.”

“Definitely worth a buy to have this, whether you’re new to judo, are just want to re instate some classic turnovers. Its set out nicely, with step by step illustrations, you won’t be disappointed.”

“I have been using the materials and the books with my adult Judo students as well. An invaluable resource for my teaching.”

See all the book’s reviews on amazon

What’s this book about?

Groundwork judo is fun and an easy way to score a judo ippon! But many kids get stuck at the first hurdle of not knowing how to turn their partner over. With 20 fully illustrated turnovers to learn, this book will make sure you never have that problem again. This book show step by step how to do turnovers from simple “Pull-Through” or “Shoulder Roll” to more complicated “Scissors” and “Lateral Rolls.”

How it will help your judo

• You’ll learn 20 groundwork judo turnovers meaning you will have a huge arsenal of attacks to use when you find yourself in any newaza situation
• You’ll be able to break through common defences (all fours, flat on stomach, from underneath etc). You’ll know what to do, and how to turn your partner over.

For more Koka Kids Books – see Choose Your Book

Newaza techniques also feature regularly in Koka Kids Coaching Resources – sign up to get printable technique cards and certificates sent to your email inbox once a week.