Crappy Martial Arts School???

Question

A school that gives belt tests that require you do nothing more than perform techniques in the air and katas.

Crap?

They clain they teach self-defense. But no sparring. Huh?

"Time to renew your one-year contract!" they say.

I don't think so.

Well, I guess it was good exercise, if nothing else.

I'm in my 40s and don't wanna get my face smashed in or broken bones and be unable to work.

What's the best martial art for me for self-defense?

Please state your experience.

Thanks!

Answer 1

glad that you realised that you are going to a crappy school.. (some people never do) now that you know what a crappy school looks like and how they are structured, i would just go to various martial arts club in your area ask.. to sit in and watch a lesson or even ask to attend 1 lesson for free... since you have experienced a crap school you'll be pretty aware of what to look out for now and what questions to ask.. ask them about thier grading processes and if they require you to pay any extra fee's for this, does all the equipment get supplied or do you have to purchase your own (big money making scheme for most schools..they should provide you the basic equipment and when you do have to buy something you should have the freedom to get this equipment from anywhere.. not just purchase it from the school only).. ahh whether you have to lock into a 12 month contract (don't) alot can happen in 12 months.. a good school will let you buy a 10 or 20 class pass or let you pay casually or give you the option to sign up in 3 or 6 month blocks.. and a big giveaway look at the type of students which attend the classes.. how competent do they look for their level.. are people that have higher belt ranks overweight.. (they shouldn't be at that level they should be a certain fitness to get to the level they are at, if they are overwieght the belts are obviously getting handed out).. how old are the instrutors?? are they all 18 - 23yrs old another warning there.. they should be ideally very late 20's or above.. that way you know that your instructor has the adequite knowledge to teach the art.. just some small factors to be mindfull of that will hopefully help when finding a new dojo to train at.. Hopefully you will find a style you enjoy soon.. as for real life effectiveness.. I would look into styles like Brizilian Ju Jitsu, Muay Thai, Krav Maga or the likes..

Answer 2

Being able to show the techniques you learn is very important when testing a lower ranking student. This is simply because you have to know the technique before you can apply that technique.
Kata is also VERY important especially at lower levels. This is the next step when applying a technique to a combat situation- much like "shadow boxing."
SO, it's not necessarily a "crap school" if you weren't tossed into a ring during your first week of classes. However, actually applying those techniques is important, and you should do some sparring at some point. You will never learn proper control of your techniques if you cannot USE them in a fight. You will never learn how to react to some technique used AGAINST you unless you see it actually coming at you in a fight. Sparring is the only controlled way to do that without getting hurt.
I would come right out and ASK your instructor about sparring. Some schools do not allow a student to spar until he has advanced to a certain belt level just because most injuries occur to lower ranking students who cannot control their techniques or who cannot defend themselves well enough yet. Ask the instructor if you will be participating in a sparring class soon, or even if the instructor does sparing at all. If he answers that he does not do sparring, ask him why. If that answer is not good enough for you, then certainly I suggest changing schools. However, before you do that, I would do him the honor of asking first.
As for what is best for self defense...well, I suggest something other than a purely grappling art. In my own opinion, grappling arts are exceptional in self defense situations until you are forced to deal with more than one attacker. While you are rolling around rearranging the guy's anatomy, his 2 buddies are kicking the crap out of you. I would learn the basics of a "stand up" style like Karate or certain Kung Fu styles before I would dlve into a grappling art. However, many grappling arts like Jujitsu DO teach punching, kicking and blocking, but I would make VERY certain that you are getting into such a school rather than a school that teaches wrestling disguised as grappling.
Hope this helps...
Sensei Cox

Answer 3

It depends. There's no cut and dry way to handle it. It all depends upon the individual. A) If I know what they've learned is equal to what I've set for that rank and I know or know of the teacher, they can keep the rank. Their next ranking is based on the requirements I've set. B) If the style is completely different, such as if a pure grappler (who knew no striking AT ALL) came to my TKD class, they'd have to start over. They don't know anything similar. C) If the style is similar, they start over with me aiming to promote them with either minimum time in grade or time-in-grade waived. Example: if someone where a Shotokan black belt and had the expected proficiency, all he'd need is to learn the forms I teach and maybe some new kicks. As soon as one form was learned, I'd let him/her test. If he/she did not know how to fall or any of the other Judo aspects I sprinkle in, I'd let him/her learn those. Odds are, the person would pick them up quicker than less experienced students. I had a situation where a brown belt came in. He wanted to start over. I said no. I could tell just by looking at him that he should actually been a black belt YEARS ago. I let him spar---Taekwondo sparring, and believe it or not, he even knew some Judo standing AND groundfighting! So I have offered to promote him to black belt once he learns the first 9 ITF TKD forms. He hasn't made the time to do so. I hope he reads this posting and comes back so that he can get what he deserves. So it depends. Most instructors, if they know your previous teacher, trust that person's judgement. If they don't, then they make you start over. I will say this: having been a student who in the past has transferred and been more than willing to start over (and who'll happily do it again in the future), sometimes the students who have been in the school for a while feel uncomfortable when they see what they expect to be a "white belt" performing techniques well. They don't understand how someone can transition from say Karate to Taekwondo or Judo to Jujitsu, etc., and may already know a few of the basics. Yes, they should not be comparing themselves to anyone else. But hey, they do. They're human.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

You are right a school that's training on basis of annual contracts is probably crap.
My advice on choosing a school is pick out some near you, make a list and read up on their arts. There is tons of material on the web on all sorts of MA. Learn the history, the principles, the nature of the techniques and then go talk to the instructors in the school respectfully, ask them questions, I don't mean testing them, but have some common ground. Look at the classes. If you like what you hear and what you see in the school, think about trying out training with them. Decent schools almost always allow some test-training to newbies. Do this one by one item in the list. Then make your pick.
If you are serious about MA, you may even consider moving around the country to find the right school. I think, picking out your MA is like finding out a good girlfriend or a boyfriend, some search, reflection, error is required and it'll dawn on you all of a sudden in the end, when you've found the right thing.

And, yes, in some types of very effective self-defence disciplines sparring is reserved to very high ranks and for a reason: self-defense is about neutralizing, restraining, albeit temporarily an attacker asap. And, if needed (and it is oft needed), giving you a chance to run.
Self defense is not about fighting the life out of the opponent or showing off MA prowess - its about keeping you and innocent people around you alive and well. Even if it takes retreating. Usually one or two techniques are needed for that and they are best learned not in sparring mode.

Let's put it this way, when you have an opportunity to punch or kick yourself to victory (e.g. your opponent is open, disoriented etc, unless you've studied tae-kwon-do or muay-thai for about 3 years - retreat honorably :)
As for my personal opinion, if you are younger (15 - 21) it's better to learn the softer arts (Jiujutsu, judo, hapkido, aikido) first and then proceed to to the tougher ones. You can also always work in the gym in addition to learning the softer arts. Contrary to architectural principles in MA it's better to build the tough on the soft, because, circular and pliant principles are useful even in a protracted all-out street-fight (and more legal, I should add).
If you are older - you are fit to decide for yourself

Answer 6

It's pretty important that a dojo should have sparring. The reason is that to enable you to execute the skills you gain in a real life situation. But you needn't worry because whenever there's a sparring proper gear have to be worn before there will be sparring (some martial art don't though). You should visit afew martial art schools before making your decision.

Answer 7

jujitsu-this was basically taught as self defense so you can put anyone in the world on the ground and at that point you can help them back up and things look different to the @ssholes when their on their backs looking up at you, taught at Bollinger gymnastics & martial arts 1958-1963, Bollinger is one of two black belts on the western side of the Mississippi in this time frame and i taught before Bruce lee ever set foot in America, have witnesses that have seen me break three 2x4 with a punch years ago, nice to have the confidence but i have no love for the failures of humanity to address the problems of the hostile world, hope bush drop the nuke so the rest feel the resolve in staying the course, Spokane tong 1850's (hatchet thowers) had a saying etu men tuzi-death before dishonor

Answer 8

Why do you fear of getting beaten at forty years of age, first of all. Secondly which martial art have you taken an interest in. Is it a true martial art with root and culture or is it just a self defense class for children and butch house wives?
You should find an art that interests you and study it cause you like to, and dedicate yourself to excelling in it.
If you are still worried about getting your *** beat you might want to humble your manner.

lr

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http://www.pacificwingchunassociation.com

Answer 9

There is no best art, only best artists.
I sympathize with your desire.
Please find a good school. Do not look for a good art.
Tips:
No contracts
No paid rank tests
Look for a clean friendly school

Training should not require injury. There will always be an occasional mishap like any physical activity.

Answer 10

I study & teach Tae Kwon Do. I was 44 when I started. We do emphasize forms a lot. This traditional because in many cases, people trained alone in remote places. There should be sparring as well. My only advice is to visit several schools & find 1 that suits your needs.