SCHERERVILLE | Most martial arts academies require that their young students master round numbers as well as roundhouse kicks.

"It's part of being disciplined," said Braulio Corral, owner and head instructor of Corral's Martial Arts, which has schools in Schererville and Valparaiso.

"A lot of instructors demand to see reports cards ... comments from teachers. And if there is a problem, they maybe have their students do extra push-ups before class," Corral said. "But we want to take that one step further."

Since moving to a bigger facility amid the Triple A Plaza in Schererville, CMA has added eight computer terminals all hooked up to the Internet.

"They're fully equipped, and they're popular among our students and parents of students -- give them something to do while they wait for their kids in class," Corral said. "But now that school has started again, they give our school-age students a place where they can do their homework.

"And if these students are having trouble in school, we're going to require them to finish their homework first before they start training."

Corral also said that they require their older students to help younger students in academic areas that may need attention.

"It's part of their training ... to help other students out," Corral said. "We require them to do that for martial arts, so it should be the same in other areas.

"That's how you develop leadership."

For more about Corral's Martial Arts, which has schools in Schererville (816-20 Cedar Parkway -- off U.S. 41) and Valparaiso (265 Morthland Drive -- off Rt. 30), call (219) 688-7363 or visit WWW.TEAMCORRAL.COM.