Red Flag for School?

[CB Jones]

Can I ask (probably a dumb question but pray humour me) why is such a big thing placed on breaking ?

In case you ever need to punch your way out of a buried casket.

 

[pdg]

How do you graduate it - what are the variations? I'm really just trying to get the concept, so if it's complicated you can give me the gist of it.

I don't know how it's graduated, I've just been told the requirements vary based on the candidate...

 

[now disabled]

In case you ever need to punch your way out of a buried casket.

Ok you have watched kill bill lol

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

I think it is a standard testing requirement. My point was that - like a weight-bearing fitness requirement - perhaps it should actually be tied somehow to body size. A big guy can blast boards with less technical skill and get away with it, where the same wouldn't work for someone much smaller. So, I guess it's a matter of deciding what it's meant to test. If it's simply the ability to break boards of a certain strength, then it's not necessary to adjust for size (or age). If it's to test board-breaking skill (assuming that to require good technique) then it probably does make sense to adjust for size/strength. I don't know how you'd do that fairly, which points out a problem with figuring out where to set standards.

It's a lot like the sparring requirements present in many styles. If the requirement is to "hold your own" with X number of people of the rank you're testing for, should that be people selected at random, or matched to the size/age/fitness of the person testing? Again, it depends what you decide the purpose of that test is.

I haven't fully read through the responses, so this may have already been said.

I don't see why one should adjust for size/age/weight. This is comign from someone who is 5'6 and between 130-140 pounds (much less than most 'fighters'). IMO, if a black belt is expected to be able to punch with X force, and I am unable to do that because I weigh less than most people, I shouldn't be awarded that rank. An old sensei of mine told me "I dont have any child black belts. I don't have any issue with that idea, but I expect a child black belt to be better at sparring than an adult brown belt. If he's not, then he's missing something, and hasn't yet earned his black belt." I don't expect to be treated differently because of my weight, most female martial artists that I know don't expect to be treated differently because of their gender, and children shouldn't be treated differently for the same reason. Doing otherwise is an unfair bias against that person (by not respecting them) and against others (by expecting more of them.

Regarding your statement about "If the requirement is to "hold your own" with X number of people of the rank you're testing for, should that be people selected at random, or matched to the size/age/fitness of the person testing?" If a requirement for me was a kumite, and someone could not participate because of their size (again, I am 5'6-5/7 and 130-140 pounds, very short and skinny for a martial artist), I would walk out on that test, and lose respect for the tester. If the system requires me to be able to hold my own with someone of a certain skill level, I God Damn better be able to hold my own with that individual, and create strategy on the fly to handle their advantages, or else I do not deserve to be the same rank as them.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

Dan test board breaking for us is based on age, sex and weight.

A small late teen girl wouldn't be expected to make the same break as me.

Then she shouldn't have the same rank as you. If she's not able to output the minimum power required, why should she have that rank?
Or, if the issue is technique, then the amount that she's able to output should be enough for you to also achieve that rank. By separating it, it's ageism, sexism, and weightism.

Edit to add something: I also would personally find it offensive. As I mentioned in my last post, I am particularly small in most ways. I also trained with an amateur sumo wrestler in an old dojo (so much bigger than me) and reached black belt before him. If someone told me that I did not have to do as much as others because of that, I would be offended by that, and put in an active effort to reach their requirements. If I knew those requirements varied, or found out afterwards, I would not accept the belt, until I reached the requirements that the largest individual had to reach. And I would be annoyed, angry, and upset at my sensei for suggesting that was not necessary. If I was given the black belt anyway, I would not be able to look at my fellow black belts in the eye, at shame that I was pretending to be one of them, or look at the colored belts, knowing that some of them could accomplish what I did, but that would not count for them as a black belt requriement.

 

[pdg]

I haven't fully read through the responses, so this may have already been said.

I don't see why one should adjust for size/age/weight. This is comign from someone who is 5'6 and between 130-140 pounds (much less than most 'fighters'). IMO, if a black belt is expected to be able to punch with X force, and I am unable to do that because I weigh less than most people, I shouldn't be awarded that rank. An old sensei of mine told me "I dont have any child black belts. I don't have any issue with that idea, but I expect a child black belt to be better at sparring than an adult brown belt. If he's not, then he's missing something, and hasn't yet earned his black belt." I don't expect to be treated differently because of my weight, most female martial artists that I know don't expect to be treated differently because of their gender, and children shouldn't be treated differently for the same reason. Doing otherwise is an unfair bias against that person (by not respecting them) and against others (by expecting more of them.

Regarding your statement about "If the requirement is to "hold your own" with X number of people of the rank you're testing for, should that be people selected at random, or matched to the size/age/fitness of the person testing?" If a requirement for me was a kumite, and someone could not participate because of their size (again, I am 5'6-5/7 and 130-140 pounds, very short and skinny for a martial artist), I would walk out on that test, and lose respect for the tester. If the system requires me to be able to hold my own with someone of a certain skill level, I God Damn better be able to hold my own with that individual, and create strategy on the fly to handle their advantages, or else I do not deserve to be the same rank as them.

This comes back (again) to what you consider a rank to mean...

If you treat it as much like an academic qualification, with a set standard to reach to pass, then your opinion is perfectly valid.

But if you treat it as more of a personal accomplishment and test based on the person it's something different.

There's also the fact that having a minimum standard is just fine - on the subject of breaking something "you have to be able to punch with X force". Nothing wrong with that.

But say a slight woman can do that and it takes 100% of her effort, she's earned it.

For me, that could be a 20% punch. I'd sail the test without thinking. Not much of a test is it? Have I truly earned it? Would I really deserve the pass if it's supposed to be a true test?

I'd say no. There's no challenge.

 

[pdg]

Then she shouldn't have the same rank as you. If she's not able to output the minimum power required, why should she have that rank?
Or, if the issue is technique, then the amount that she's able to output should be enough for you to also achieve that rank. By separating it, it's ageism, sexism, and weightism.

See my previous post.

'They' could well meet the minimum, but it wouldn't be physically possible for them to do the same maximum as me.

 

[now disabled]

This comes back (again) to what you consider a rank to mean...

If you treat it as much like an academic qualification, with a set standard to reach to pass, then your opinion is perfectly valid.

But if you treat it as more of a personal accomplishment and test based on the person it's something different.

There's also the fact that having a minimum standard is just fine - on the subject of breaking something "you have to be able to punch with X force". Nothing wrong with that.

But say a slight woman can do that and it takes 100% of her effort, she's earned it.

For me, that could be a 20% punch. I'd sail the test without thinking. Not much of a test is it? Have I truly earned it? Would I really deserve the pass if it's supposed to be a true test?

I'd say no. There's no challenge.

Is it not a very "today thing" that people are graded and want to be graded (yes some who truly want to know where they at, others so they think what they are paying for actually shows results:- if that makes sense) and that any curriculum is going to be flawed in some way or be picked up on in some way by some one (I'm not having a go at any thing in particular here ).

Is it or could it not be that a school needs to have "X" number of BB (or indeed any colour they choose) to see themselves as relevant and thereby pull in the new students? Thereby survive ?

I know that a very simplistic view however could it be a modern wanting gratification and satisfaction thing ?

 

[pdg]

@kempodisciple - you seem to have a desire to want to prove that you can overcome being smaller than average. Nothing wrong with that motivation, but maybe not everyone always measures themselves against others...

There's a big guy in my class who is younger than me, there's no point measuring myself against him (he's about 6" taller than me and probably almost double my weight).

Should I try to make myself do the same breaks and techniques as he can?





Even if that means I'd have to lower the standards I've set for myself?

 

[pdg]

Is it not a very "today thing" that people are graded and want to be graded (yes some who truly want to know where they at, others so they think what they are paying for actually shows results:- if that makes sense) and that any curriculum is going to be flawed in some way or be picked up on in some way by some one (I'm not having a go at any thing in particular here ).

Is it or could it not be that a school needs to have "X" number of BB (or indeed any colour they choose) to see themselves as relevant and thereby pull in the new students? Thereby survive ?

I know that a very simplistic view however could it be a modern wanting gratification and satisfaction thing ?

If I'm putting myself into a test, I want to be tested. I don't want to meet the minimum standard.

On an earlier test I received a pass. My first response was to ask what I did wrong. Where did I lose marks so that I didn't get 'credit' or 'distinction'.

I'd say our tests are set up so that with effort the average person can pass. I don't want to be that easy on myself...

 

[now disabled]

If I'm putting myself into a test, I want to be tested. I don't want to meet the minimum standard.

On an earlier test I received a pass. My first response was to ask what I did wrong. Where did I lose marks so that I didn't get 'credit' or 'distinction'.

I'd say our tests are set up so that with effort the average person can pass. I don't want to be that easy on myself...

I am not criticizing you or the like

 

[pdg]

I am not criticizing you or the like

I didn't take it as a criticism.

I was just stating my reasons for testing. If those reasons make me self gratifying then so be it - there are plenty of things I do for self gratification.........

 

[now disabled]

I didn't take it as a criticism.

I was just stating my reasons for testing. If those reasons make me self gratifying then so be it - there are plenty of things I do for self gratification.........

No I'd put you and your goals not as self gratification ....more your need with in yourself to be the best you can be and to me that is a martial arts concept often misunderstood ...Your path is your path not anothers and your best ( what but hard work and studying ) may be well above anothers or below but that is to me not the point it is what and where you see your path and where you see your goals to be

 

[_Simon_]

Yeah it's a tricky one hey...

In one sense it makes sense for each rank to have its standards and requirements, it's what defines it.

But on the other I've heard of a few styles which award ranks based on RELATIVE progress, and relative to the person's capabilities.

This to me makes total sense, but is incredibly tricky to measure and keep track of... Everyone will have different capabilities and limitations (based on age, strength levels, body's limitations, disabilities or impairments), so it makes sense to look at the student and see that they meet the curriculum based on their own personal capacity and progress. It just takes a really awesome instructor to be able to keep track of all the students and to really know them well.

And I think it's nice that it makes martial arts more available to everyone. But it's a bit of a catch 22... in once sense you want there to be a standard and for each rank to mean and stand for something. But not everyone is the exact same, and can only perform with what they've got...

Interesting!

 

[now disabled]

Yeah it's a tricky one hey...

In one sense it makes sense for each rank to have its standards and requirements, it's what defines it.

But on the other I've heard of a few styles which award ranks based on RELATIVE progress, and relative to the person's capabilities.

This to me makes total sense, but is incredibly tricky to measure and keep track of... Everyone will have different capabilities and limitations (based on age, strength levels, body's limitations, disabilities or impairments), so it makes sense to look at the student and see that they meet the curriculum based on their own personal capacity and progress. It just takes a really awesome instructor to be able to keep track of all the students and to really know them well.

And I think it's nice that it makes martial arts more available to everyone. But it's a bit of a catch 22... in once sense you want there to be a standard and for each rank to mean and stand for something. But not everyone is the exact same, and can only perform with what they've got...

Interesting!

You to me have hit a really good and valid point ...no two people are alike or have the same capabilities

My two girls are both the same dan rank now but are totally different in their styles one is more flowing and natural and the other is more technical but they are both deserving of being the same rank (ok I am biased being Dad but I didn't award them their ranks lol)

 

[pdg]

No I'd put you and your goals not as self gratification ....more your need with in yourself to be the best you can be and to me that is a martial arts concept often misunderstood ...Your path is your path not anothers and your best ( what but hard work and studying ) may be well above anothers or below but that is to me not the point it is what and where you see your path and where you see your goals to be

There's simply no point measuring myself against someone else, I'm not them.

Being 40+, can I ever realistically believe I have the same physical capabilities as a dedicated 25 year old who has been training for 15+ years?

I have a physical job and attend class a minimum of 3 times a week, can an office worker who only has time for one lesson a week expect to have the same condition as me?

While there's the "way of life" thing around, MA can only really be a partial way of life that can influence other parts. People have jobs, school, families and myriad other things to live for - is it actually possible now to be a full time martial artist?

 

[now disabled]

There's simply no point measuring myself against someone else, I'm not them.

Being 40+, can I ever realistically believe I have the same physical capabilities as a dedicated 25 year old who has been training for 15+ years?

I have a physical job and attend class a minimum of 3 times a week, can an office worker who only has time for one lesson a week expect to have the same condition as me?

While there's the "way of life" thing around, MA can only really be a partial way of life that can influence other parts. People have jobs, school, families and myriad other things to live for - is it actually possible now to be a full time martial artist?

I so so agree with your last statement

In theory it is possible to be a full time martial artist (there again we get into the definitions of what is a full time Martial artist ...I'm not trying to start an argument there lol) but as you rightly state we all have to live and survive put bread on the table etc and that is not always easy and can come into conflict if anyone is "full time"

I listened to a sensei talk years ago and they said (para phased) it was easier for them to teach full time as their partner had a well paid job. They also went on to say that when they taught they had to accept that not all the students would have the same dedication to the art as them or want to live and breathe it as they did or practice train as they had done with their sensei. When asked if that meant letting their standards drop they answered no but they have to be re-evaluated as it the students coming that pay for the dojo etc

dunno if that makes any sense

 

[pdg]

I so so agree with your last statement

In theory it is possible to be a full time martial artist (there again we get into the definitions of what is a full time Martial artist ...I'm not trying to start an argument there lol) but as you rightly state we all have to live and survive put bread on the table etc and that is not always easy and can come into conflict if anyone is "full time"

I listened to a sensei talk years ago and they said (para phased) it was easier for them to teach full time as their partner had a well paid job. They also went on to say that when they taught they had to accept that not all the students would have the same dedication to the art as them or want to live and breathe it as they did or practice train as they had done with their sensei. When asked if that meant letting their standards drop they answered no but they have to be re-evaluated as it the students coming that pay for the dojo etc

dunno if that makes any sense

No, it makes sense.

There's a lot going around about standards slipping and how it might damage the arts - but so what?

If someone with less ability than me holds a higher grade, why should that affect me in the slightest? It doesn't mean I'm not going to try my best.

To operate, a school needs students. Without them it simply can't stay open.

People in general want to see progression with their activities - whether that's real progression in my eyes or not doesn't really matter. So someone gets promoted who I think isn't really that good - so what?

They keep turning up, they keep paying.

That means the school stays open and I can afford the lessons.

If I don't allow myself to coast, I don't care if 99% of other students are crap and uncoordinated. If I don't allow their performance to influence the standards I set for myself why does it really matter?

As a bad example, say someone says "I can do 100 push-ups". But they're doing them with their bum in the air, their back sagging, not going through full range of motion, actually doing little more than bobbing their head.

They're only cheating themselves, not me. Their poor form doesn't devalue what I can do. If they got a badge for doing 100 push-ups and I got a badge too, but mine were better - what real impact does that have on anything at all?

So a member of the public says TKD is crap because they saw a black belt fail a kick. Big whoop. That person who failed that kick might very well be helping to subsidise my continued learning.

 

[now disabled]

No, it makes sense.

There's a lot going around about standards slipping and how it might damage the arts - but so what?

If someone with less ability than me holds a higher grade, why should that affect me in the slightest? It doesn't mean I'm not going to try my best.

To operate, a school needs students. Without them it simply can't stay open.

People in general want to see progression with their activities - whether that's real progression in my eyes or not doesn't really matter. So someone gets promoted who I think isn't really that good - so what?

They keep turning up, they keep paying.

That means the school stays open and I can afford the lessons.

If I don't allow myself to coast, I don't care if 99% of other students are crap and uncoordinated. If I don't allow their performance to influence the standards I set for myself why does it really matter?

As a bad example, say someone says "I can do 100 push-ups". But they're doing them with their bum in the air, their back sagging, not going through full range of motion, actually doing little more than bobbing their head.

They're only cheating themselves, not me. Their poor form doesn't devalue what I can do. If they got a badge for doing 100 push-ups and I got a badge too, but mine were better - what real impact does that have on anything at all?

So a member of the public says TKD is crap because they saw a black belt fail a kick. Big whoop. That person who failed that kick might very well be helping to subsidise my continued learning.

I agree and your last comes back to the teacher having to re-evaluate ... ok if the person with their back end in the air should be gently reminded lol that may be another way lol but if tey choose to ignore that it their choice.

Schools as you say have to pay their bills and always have (well ok way back they would have been part of a lords domain but still they would have had to "perform" as such) schools will always turn out the good the bad and the mediocre that is the way , It not just the teacher that is at fault the student plays just as important a roll ... it a two way street imo ...the teacher has to have the skill and knowledge to impart ...the student has to have the capabilities and make the effort to absorb etc

 

[now disabled]

An example of a two way street lol

A younger lad came to as class I that night was taking. He was a jack the lad (thought he was anyway lol) and my middle daughters new beau (we won't go into my first thoughts on that lol). I suggested he came along and that as I was taking the class (my sensei was back home at the time) as no one else wanted to, he would get an idea what my daughter did and why she was a slightly different person in the dojo to outside it lol.

Long story cut short the beau got taken down by daughter and younger daughter (which was not to his liking at the time lol) but after we got home and a few days later he came to me and asked if he could join properly. He did and now he is my son in law lol (he still has to sit below his wife lol) but he actually grasped the concept of he could learn and he wanted to learn to share a concept with my daughter (she can still take him lol mind you I haven't seen then in a dojo for a while ) and it worked. Yes I coached him and yes at home I was hard on him but he took it and understood why maybe at the time he grumbled occasionally lol but he did gett the two way street ... I would help him if he wanted that help and in a class he would learn from my sensei (more than one incidently) if he was minded to absorb and learn.

Incidently my daughters would both have to sit below me in the line. I do still just about hold higher rank but there again I can no longer participate so really rank means nothing (well it does as I'm still Dad lol) in reality

might make no sense at all just a family experience