First of all in my first post I meant what I said about not running a school. At my level I wouldn't dream of running a school. However, I'm not a stupid man, and I do try not to be rude. I may be from time to time, but do make an honest attempt not to be. So with that being said I do apologize twin fist. However,I personally do not see how somebody can say, " I teach the children the same thing I do the adults, but until there 16 they can not test for an adult black belt. They are jr. and that is all." Well, if your teaching the same material, then there getting the same "deadly" techniques at jr. black belt, that they are going to get at adult black belt. SO why the difference in designation? They technically from what you've said twin are the same. That's was my problem and the question about the testing fees with that. Have had bad experiences with belt tests, I won't go into it here, other than that it does make me feel much better, that at least you, and I know some of the other guys at least have scruples you know.
Now on to the next guys post. Doc I like you man. Have read some of your other posts on here, and your very knowledgeable. I will have to personally take up the issue of final exams. No, I am not saying that there should not be a final exam. There absolutely should be. I personally feel that if a student has demonstrated.....better yet I'll put it a different way. If I haven't shown an understanding of the material, by the time I reach the point to test for black belt. I should NOT be testing. If I ask about it, or approach my instructor I personally expect an honest answer, " Man, Nick, you aint ready. You need more time, you got a lot to learn." YOu know what I mean. I do not expect him to say, " Well here's a 30 question essay test you have to take first to show me that you know and understand the material." What I do expect is that when I'm ready he will approach me and say, " Hey, Nick, you know over the course of the last couple of years you've demonstrated that you understand the concepts and principals of the art here. You clearly understand the philosophy it's probably time that you start thinking about taking your black belt test." I've always kind of been under the impression that it's the instructor that says, " Hey if you think your ready, your more than welcome to test at the next test." Cause' he wouldn't have approached me and said that if he didn't feel that I was. However, from my experience that I've seen you don't approach the instructor. So if you think the guys ready, you already know, that he has an understanding of it. He understands the philosophies and the concepts, and the principals that drive that art. He's not simply a machine performing movements, he's ready to learn the deeper understandings of it. That's my point. The other thing being that while martial arts may be more complex than driving a car. It most certainly is not more deadly. You get your drivers license at 16 where I'm from and it qualifies you to drive a 2 ton weapon, and your doing it at 75-80 mph sometimes. Beyond that you get your permit at 15 years and 7 months to start learning how to drive. 3 months later, your driving alone and by yourself. Kind of a bad analogy. Furthermore doctors should take a test also. Big difference with them also. When they screw up somebody else dies. In martial arts when you screw up, you might die. You know what I'm saying. Last but not least. I don't know if you know what dyslexia is or not. So I'm going to inform you. Dyslexia is a mental disorder that causes some people to read certain letters backwards. Example a, b to them looks like a d, and a p looks like a q. Ok? They're not retards. They look and act very much like you and I, and from looking at them you can not tell the difference. YOu may actually have some dyslexic students and not even know it. YOur welcome.
Ok on to the next person that replied to my post, ( I'm sure not making any friends today, I'll tell ya that much.
), MJS. Ok I absolutely think that a 7 year old can retain that information. Imagine all the things that you had to retain even just when you were 3. If you really think about it, quite a bit. There is no reason for why a child can not retain those things. Unless he a) chooses not too, b) doesn't want to be there to begin with, c) does not practice d) is taught to much at one time, or e) is just flat out mentally disabled. Ok a child that learns 1 or 2 techniques a day, or even a week can very easily retain that. That is not too much to ask from anybody. My freaking dog if trained right, can remember that much.
No we probably like many other martial artists won't see another ER for a long time. That is not to say that it is not possible.
As far as the McDojo thing goes. Look, my point being is that if the kid is up to the same standards as the adults, and is one of those ER type of kids. Loves Martial ARts, practices all the time, flat out lives, breathes, eats, craps, and sleeps martial arts. Then yeah if he learned the same material is held to the same high standards, potentially, if he started at say 3, and got his first black belt at 10, that's only seven years. He potentially could be a 2nd or third degree blackbelt, when he goes to test at 18. He'd have been doing it for 15 years. 4th or 5th was a little high, but I just threw it out there as a point of consideration. He's already got more experience than most of your current students would have by the time he reached 18. Yet, for some reason, it's ok to take that away from him, because he wasn't 18 when he got his first bb. That doesn't sound right, nor just in my mind. If he has put in the work, and has the skills, and is capable of receiveing the level of bb should he not, if he's earned it, keep and continue on in that effort if he so chooses? Furthermore, if a child does not have maturity, and capacity to understand what he's doing, why is he getting even a jr. bb? Shouldn't a jr. bb if he is held to the same standards, have the same moral, and ethical knowledge for his age as an adult? If not, is he really even a jr. bb? See my point? I don't know if I make any sense at all. But I'm trying to get my feelings on the matter out there in a way you guys can understand what I'm trying to say.
I guess what I am in essence saying is that if your going to have a jr. blackbelt, they need to be a blackbelt. If they aren't then don't give jr. blackbelts. I think that is what I'm trying to say. Not that you guys shouldn't but maybe more in general. ANyways I'm tired So, laters.
I think we agree. I do the same with all my students. You may ask to test, but if I don't think you can pass, I say no, you're not ready. I don't have a kid problem, because I don't teach children.
