Joining a school soon, and want to make the best possible first impression....tips?

[Matthew]

Once the semester ends, i plan in enrolling in a kickboxing school in town. I have never belonged to a martial arts school before, and i want to make sure i make the best possible first impression with the instructors and other students.
I've never had an ego problem, and consider myself fairly humble and passive, so i think that will help. But are there any mistakes that most new attendies make on a regular basis?
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks.

[ryanhall]

Trying to teach the teacher will always piss off a coach. Watch, learn, and do what he says while you're in his school.

[terry]

Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.

[skilzkid]

Although you should generally do as Terry said and keep your mouth shut and listen, you should also not be afraid to ask questions...IMHO, when you have a question, a good instructor will never respond along the lines of "because I said so" or "because it has been done this way for thousands of years", but will have a legitimate explanation/answer to your question. Also, one of the best things you can do to make a good impression is to work hard and be consistent. Good Luck

[swan104]

Yeah, just be hunble, but don't be afraid to ask questions! You're there to learn!

[retired]

As above
And just do your best, bringing a friend can sometimes make it easier or make a friend there.

[Biker]

Do not pretend to know more than you do.

Do not take criticism in a bad way, it'll make you look like you think you know more than you do.

Never be afraid to admit when you are having problems doing a particular technique or when you are wrong.

[Guest]

When a fist or a foot is about to hit you in te head, move oyur head out of the way.

[platinum_angel]

be yourself.

[platinum_angel]

Originally posted by Crouchtig


what if that involves being loud, annoying, unwilling to learn, unobservant, disruptive and telling your instructor that they are wrong?

is that advice actualy useful

it doesnt even make sense

even if i could be other than myself it would only be dishonest (why do i get the feeling ive said this before and got told off for it?)

he didn't say he was any of those things did he. even if he was those things then he probably wouldn't be pursuing martial arts unless his parents made him.

what if, what if, what if, what if, instead of worrying about what if you should worry about what is. and shut yo mouth biatch

[retired]

(Kids in a circle)
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

[platinum_angel]

Originally posted by Crouchtig


Negative you be silent yourself you inconceivably disrespectful and injudicious individual

what ifs can be very important

especialy for someone studying martial arts

"what if someone attacks me"

"what if that technique fails"

"what if they are armed"

Hence discontinue being irrational

i agree, what ifs are important in that scenario

[retired]

Ha Ha we used to have a guy way back when i was doing kungfu & we called him the "but what if man" because every lesson when we were taught a technique as sure as hell the voice would come frome the back saying "BUT WHAT IF", until my instructor eventually said after 1 technique that if you stand in front of me & throw whatever technique you like & i'll do a defencive technique & we will see what happens, his reply was classic - "BUT WHAT IF YOU HURT ME", exactlly i thought now SHUT UP & LET US TRAIN, there's always "a but what if" scenario with all technique's & some people just dont know when to give up, also the guy wasn't seen again.
I used to wonder "but what if he returns" NO BLANK IT OUT
LOL

[Guest]

I'm afraid I was guilty of that when young. I think its because these mystical martial arts promise to make you some kind of unbeatable superman....... so it was hard to get used to the fact that all the techniques have counters, which have counters etc etc.

[retired]

so true mate!!