McDojo has been around for some time:
The term “McDojo” is used to describe a martial arts school where profit is of a higher importance than technical standards. In other words, it is generally used to refer to a school that aims for profit over the quality of teaching. McDojos are often part of a franchise. A “McDojo” is a school that teaches martial arts as a business, the creator’s and staff’s goal is only or mainly for money. This in itself should turn one away - because a teacher who teaches only for money cares very little, if at all, for the style or for his students.
Such schools often:
Has an instructor who has recently acquired a rank of black belt or higher, and held it for less than 3 years. Or a self-proclaimed instructor who randomly studied martial arts without conviction to complete any one. Thus said instructor, decided to open a “Martial Art Business”
Binding contracts when you join, with high up front training fees, high testing fees (belt/rank/grading) and the use of collection agencies to collect any remaining fees if a student quits before the contract term is up.
Any school that promises a Black Belt in under 3 years or routinely produces Black Belts in 2 years.
Any school which seems to have many young or inexperienced experts (usually “Black Belts” or “Dan ranks”)
Any school recently made the news, noteworthy because they had just promoted a three year old toddler to “Black Belt” and they had a five year old child as a 2nd Dan (second degree) “Black Belt.”
Belt Factory is a derogatory term for a Martial Arts school where there are a seemingly endless number of grades for students to progress through. Actual ability is not a requirement for progression through these grades, only a willingness to pay the high ‘grading’ or ‘grade registration’ fees.
It is easy to spot this type of place. Things like promised black belts in so many months, a large population of children (especially with high ranking status), a mandatory contract to pay for so many months of training, and a teacher or owner who tries to sell you on his contract and school are all things that are common in Mcodojos. You will find yourself paying a lot more for a lot less at a place like this.
In short, a McDojo is a school that sells a poor product, often at a high price, and endeavors to ensure that the students never learn that the product is deeply flawed. Often they use a ‘Creed’ or Code of Behaviour that the students must abide by to achieve this, wherein ‘don’t use your skills’ is given much emphasis.
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