One of the biggest problems we face as bonafide martial arts instructors and exponents is the amount of unregulated groups who give away grades too easily, which forces down the general standard of martial arts in the UK. All too often when I see a dojo or seminar packed with students the quality of the teaching leads a lot to be desired! I prefer a class of dedicated students where we can only just manage to pay the rent, to clubs which pack them in and make a lot of money out of fooling the students that they are better than they really are?
Add you views and ideas for irradicating this problem........................
Thursday, 2 October 2008
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5 comments:
If you have a real passion for what you have been taught and wish to pass on these skills you should not make your priority a financial one. Clubs have bills to pay and replace equipment but I believe that profits should be reinvested in the club to ensure its continued existence.
Large groups of students learning parrot fashion leads to a do this, this way or because I say so syndrome not learning the reason or to develop understanding of a technique.
It’s a great asset to any martial art to set its own standards but maybe instructors should once in a while invite others to their clubs so that bad habits that if not careful everyone develops in their martial arts careers can be noticed.
If your club gives away grades like sweets yes students stay because they expect to be awarded them as a matter of course not for real achievement and high standard. This I believe belittles the achievements of others.You maybe at a standard at that time but you need to keep the training to maintain your grade the old saying.
Its easier to get the grade then to keep it.
Mark Berry
Sho Dan Ho
South Coast Martial Arts
A good point Mark, there is no merit in being given a grade because you have turned up for training, it is about proving you have a first for knowledge and a dedication to pass this onto to others. Clubs only grow by the members helping to pass on their skills and in many cases by opening their own clubs.
I think that grades should be taken time to consider over and they should have a more strict code of getting graded. It also helps that this would make my grade have more impact on people as I feel I have have worked harder than some people who go around saying they have so and so belt and it only took them a very short time. granted there are some gifted people but not can progress that fast. It seems to me that certain dojo's seem to have a lot of high grades.
Dear Hanshi Bruce
I agree with your statement in its entirety, ref grades
I only hold a grading once a year.
Does not make me any monies but only the dedicated students stick around.
Nice Web site, it would be nice to meet you someday
If ever you get to the Nottingham area please get in touch
Yours in Zen
Gordon Lawson Shihan
British Zen Judo Association
Thanks Gordon, It's good to know that there are others out there that still share the values of 'standards before profits' I trust your association is a decendant of the Zen Judo Family originated by Mac McCarthy from Petersfield? My father and I used to enjoy his Sunday morning classes in the community centre, it was a sad loss when he passed on.
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