What should I look for before I join a karate class?
This is a great example from shaped-by-karate every single part of it is like mind-reading to me.The mental part is just as important as the physical part. Many seem to leave that out or not portray it well lately.It’s important to know the difference between competition fighting, practical self defense, etc- they should have a good balance of things.Also important to know that yes, depending on your reason for joining depends on what you look for…still important to know the differences and that if you train just to fight in competition, don’t expect to know much of anything else.As all this basically is stated already.Personally I would avoid a school that is way too competition based. Not only do I want a good balance… and not that competitions are bad, at all. I just know some obsess over it or act like that is where your success comes from… it’s not.It should be shown and lived as in your everyday life, not just in the class. In other words, they need to portray it, the attitudes of the people there I think are quite important to the influence of what has been taught.If you hear any “this is the best place to go to” that would be a warning sign to me.If it seems to always be “competition” against each other in class… another warning sign. If they are consistently trying to one each other up, and I know that at my old dojang to correct people they’d sometimes compare people and put others down or boast- let’s just say it ended up to be a horrible horrible place. It needs to be personal improvement and at a students own pace.Too many belts and requiring you to pay them all…. most likely want money. As already stated basically- a bunch of white belts, or something. I know of a place that has like 18 belt ranks- there’s usually.. what… 12? I have 12. Or so. I know it is different depending on the art and place… but too many is too many.I also know some have kids wait longer as some may need more time… but still having them buy a shit ton more belts Idk if I’d be ok with.Other points I’ve paid attention to at other dojangs or noticed at my old dojang that should be a warning sign:- GUARANTEEING a black belt or any other belt… guaranteeing anything. They can teach, but not put the work in for anyone else.- Anyone that has gotten their black belt in a short period of time… like, 1-2 years.. couple months… I’d take that as a warning sign.- Advancement to rank seems to be based more on money than achievement.- If they pay more attention to mistakes than achievements, ie loudly making a mistake known and ignoring much of something else- If they don’t allow trials… if they make you ‘pay’ before watching or trying it out. They should at least allow you to try it.- I have patches on my uniform, and I am very proud to have them cause it has my masters association on it and other patches as part of the uniform, but if there are a TON… that’d be another warning sign. Some saying ‘world champion’ (When they are not… clearly) or others being totally random down the arms and legs saying other stuff.- If your instructor claims to be over 10th degree…. or is anywhere near 7th degree and quite young…like, under 30. - “Always one way” attitude. Limits personal expression and development, and acts like one way is the only right way. His/Her way, or no way.- I’ve seen camo belts, pink belts, idk how I’d feel about that.- If you are REQUIRED or NEVER ALLOWED to compete- The instructors hitting the students too much, and rather than actually doing so in sparring or whatever, they are openly rough, aggressive, careless, maybe seem to try to be intimidating, etc- ‘Sargent like’- Good instructors know there is a difference between teaching discipline and acting like a Sargent. They know when to be patient and when to go for more discipline, etc. - If the instructor seems to be demanding everything all the time, and seems to demand respect rather than earn it. - Anything related to the asshole instructors in the karate kid movies.. kind of like what I already wrote- Instructors let/make students test because it is required, knowing they’d not pass them
- but also a warning sign if EVERYONE always passes- Any other style and school talked down. Each style and martial art brings something different and new, nothing is ‘better.’- Questioning anything is ‘looked down on’ as questioning the school, the style, and being dishonorable and disrespectful. Questions should be encouraged- bout anything.- If your instructor changes movements to forms and stuff whenever he/she feels like it. (Mine did this to ‘make it more Japanese like’) What? Also note there is a difference between changing things (kicks, usually) to the modern way or an additional way as some things have changed, and then changing a whole movement because they feel like it.- If they act like an additional way is superior than another- If one steps are ‘self defense’ and are only with the student taking one step forward and doing a straight punch, as the other student does a defense and leaves the arm dangling somewhere
- Memory is tested more than skill. Both are important.- If they have no teachings about their history, style history, applications (HOW to apply movements, where) etc
- Joining another art, sport, or associated with them and showing a technique you learned there is “frowned upon” and they act like it’s lack of loyalty - If your instructor freaks out all the time about being called ‘master’ or ‘grandmaster’ (probably an ego thing) my master didn’t require it, only required Mr. I do call him master for respect reasons… and requiring it and freaking out about it is still different. (My old instructor was my cousin… outside of class if I saw him or his wife and called them by first name… that’d be enough for a threat to get kicked out or a long lecture)- Wayyyy too much kihaping (screaming) acting as if it is for intimidation and constantly doing it more than bowing or improving.
- If the minimum time required between belt ranks is ridiculously long- say, at my old dojang.. 1st-2nd degree takes forever.
- If they restrict anyone from “being an instructor” until 3rd degree like my old dojang- Ridiculous punishments (pushups for not answering as soon as they wanted, laps, overly extreme lectures, being asked to leave, etc) (example, a kid that didn’t look an age above 9 didn’t say ‘yes sir’ loud enough so he was required to drop and do 20 pushups right there. He wasn’t even a high rank, as I do know some hold more responsibility, but still.) Personally I got pulled out in the hallway alone to get lectured all the time… usually screamed at. Stuff like that.- They should know the difference between a punishment and discipline Off the top of my head- note some of these things may not be noticed until after joining… so I still look out for it.
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