I think my club has become a mcdojo

[midnight]

Hey all the bright guys and girls out there, tell me what you think is happening here.

When I joined my ma school 4 years ago all seemed well it was well priced and the training was very good I know a load of you don’t like belts but we have belts naturally to measure progress ect. My wife who has a load of talent progressed a lot faster then me and she was asked to become an assistant instructor, she mainly worked with the kids as she is very good with children, the instructor’s partner left and my wife was asked if she would do all the back room work and then we would not have to pay any fees, this was pretty cool with us and every 3 months or so we would "test" get a new belt and carry on. Now we have noticed that there is a test every month a load of students test every month and is moving up in belt rank very quick we asked about this we were told that the club needs the money as there us not enough students to cover the over heads, these students are really not ready this past Saturday a couple tested for their brown belts half way trough they were huffing and puffing making mistakes totally losing it on the ground ect. Last night they got their brown belts one away from the coveted black belt,
when my wife said some thing the owner got really nasty and said that perhaps we should go else ware as she could be a liability (she was seriously ill for a month or so and could do full contact training).Also since coming to this board and reading some of the posts I have become quite disillusioned with some of the stuff that we have been thought

[Szczepankiewicz]

A key indicator of a McDojo is that you pay for tests.

Schools that are corporate enterprises do need to pay the bills, however financial concerns should NEVER outweigh the responsibilities of training students.

ESPECIALLY if the schools is making a claim to training self-defense. There are some pretty good articles on the web that illustrate the McDojo Mentality as it releates to self defense training.

Martial Training is like any other trade (see the Book of Five Rings for a comparison ) You can learn the techniques and you can regurgitate the dogma, but the true craftsman truly understands the subtleties of his chosen path.

When questioned, the artisan may or may not answer, but when fear or resentment come to the surface, you know you are not dealing with a true teacher and should seek your training elsewhere.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Here is a good article for you to read.

McDojo

[midnight]

Thanks SZ
I don’t think its that bad yet but I have to agree with an earlier post by CJ its all about the cash my club is going that way fast from what I have seen in the past 4 months guys passing their test when they have to have an instructor standing in front of them helping them trough their moves or robotic moves that is so predictable that you just have to step back and watch as they punch the air in front of you, I have no problem when its kids learning how to way before their proper training starts but these are adults the latest brown belt moves like MR. Robarto she knows all the moves but its like right kick left punch block ect you get the picture she trained every day in is super fit but if she ever gets in trouble she'll perhaps get away with her life and that it now he wants to make her an instructor ?. Also I have noticed that there is no plan or curriculum you get thought what he feels like on that day if he feels lousy all you do is conditioning ect the same as the senior students (red and above do exactly what the white belts do perhaps with a few more kicks or techniques but that is it. He also seems to jump around like one day it will be getting trough all your kicks and if you miss that day to bad he will say it up to you to come and ask him I know I am ranting but I am really pissed about it. As a person he is a really nice guy, but it doesn’t seem to keep students or partners for long I also think he is a bit of a control freak way past keeping discipline in class.
I have also noticed that he will pick on certain kids ignore others and really let others do what they want.
Midnight the pissed

[Guest]

Crap training methods, crap club. Find a new one where you can both be satisfied. The guy is a wanker. what else do you want him to do to prove it?

[jesse7]

Think to yourself .. have you gotten pretty much all you are going to get from the club? Then deside whether you want to leave it not.

Dont think of the time spent there as wasted as you will have gained some useful training. Try out some other clubs in other styles, maybe try Muai Thai, Ive just started this after Karate and I love it but I am glad I did karate before hand. And forget about belts you have earned you will quickly realise they mean next to nothing, its all about the effort you personally put in.

Maybe do both, I still go train karate now and then as I did enjoy alot of it.

Jess

[Szczepankiewicz]

Sage advice from the Sheepsniffer. What more could you ask?

[jesse7]

Sheep jokes over Spanky! Its all you've got these days .. so basically ... you've got nothing!

[midnight]

I am leaving to go to South Africa for 2 years in the new year so I suppose my problem is solved I had a look at Mornes club www.jkdu.co.za and http://www.icon.co.za/~jkdrsa/ this one to they both seem good I have never done Mauy Thai any advice what to look for Bri or CJ

[Guest]

I like instructors who are honest and open. They 9or, at least, their students) can really perform on the mat, but they don't bash people about.

Of course their can be full contact sparring between equally matched trainees, or with one who is far better than the other, as long as the lesser able one isnt just used to be beaten.

I like to work in different ranges too.

Find any club with an honest and open teacher who can train you uin both stand up and ground grappling and that should keep you going for a long while.

PS - marching up and down a dojo punching thin air does not cut it for me. Good luck! And tell your present teacher to flook off, from little old me.

[hammertoe]

Hi midnight, I live in South Africa and have trained with both Rodney King (a SBG affiliate guy, not who most of you are thinking of) and Morné Swanepoel. You won't be dissapointed with either of them - both cool people and top class coaches. Rodney's stand-up is particularly good.

I presume you're going to be staying in Jo'burg?

[GRACIEAUSTIN]

Where do you live? Maybe we could suggest some where much better for you to train.

[midnight]

I currently live in GA but I am leaving in Jan to go to South Africa for about 2 years I am going to the Johhannes Burg area.

[GRACIEAUSTIN]

Practice your marksmanship & your ability to build small bomb & such, good luck over there, it is a war zone.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Aren't guns illegal in South Africa?