whitematt

[Try it, I guarantee it will make you feel better.] Until you find that you are giving more to the community than you are your own family. A full time job, and running a martial arts program is a lot more work that people anticipate on the front end.

You are working the system in reverse. All collected money should go to the head instructor. They should calculate the money owed to the teaching instructor and cut them a check. Based on your arrangement, it might be difficult to say this is theft. He is technically not stealing, but failing to pay the proper amount to the head instructor. It might take some work, but I would go back through the books and calculate what is owed (back dues) to the head instructor. Submit this as an invoice to the teaching instructor, and tell him that you either need to work out a payment plan - or an exit plan.

20-40...? That's quite a range. I would start training on consistency. Split the difference and push out 30 EVERYTIME. Then increase from there.

I question the fact that he "challenged and beat" others - especially head instructors/owners. What method did they use to determine a winner? Was is full contact? Did they both fight using the same ruleset - or no rules at all? Was there anyone there to verify that he won? Were waivers signed in the event of an injury? This is not to say your friend is not a skilled fighter. But I don't see someone that is running a legitimate program/business agreeing to fight someone they don't know for bragging rights. If I were to seriously injure someone that walked in off the street and challenged me, I could lose everything I have worked for - waiver or not.

Look for a book (I think a DVD now) titled, "Law and Martial Arts" by Carl Brown. Mr. Brown is an attorney, author and judo instructor.

I was also taught that making eye contact when bowing was disrespectful and showed a lack of trust.

ATA out of Colorado? Would that be Jody Horn by chance?

The original poster said "philosophical" answers, not evasive. And if the school teaches from a philosophical approach, then he answered the questions appropriately for their style. The fact that a physical confrontation did not occur over this tells me that it was handled well.

That is a GREAT idea! Work up a deal with your dad for a better price, and have him print his name on the sleeve of the shirt. Nothing like a little co-op advertising. Since you have a great resource for shirts, I would consider offering a free t-shirt with sign-up (at least for the summer.) This is a great way to get your name out in your market. Matt

You can try the ad on the race car, but I can't say it's going to be the best $150 you'll spend. Unless your name is very prominent, people won't likely see it - nor will they remember it when they get home. I would recommend an ad in the local paper, and subseqeunt small ads for the following weeks. Not everyone will see it the first time, and even if they do, they might not act until the next time they see your name. Flyer to schools and gyms are a good idea, providing they allow you to advertise in their locations. Do you have any community events where you can perform a demo? These usually go over very well. Also make sure you get business cards printed ASAP and hand them out everywhere you go. Summer months are tough times to bring in new students, be prepared to work harder to generate numbers. Matt White

A real Mcdojo expert can spot a McDojo by looking at a website or looking through the school's windows. Success is a great indicator of a McDojo. Really good MA instructors should be poor. Nice touch of sarcasm. Unfortunately, far too many people are willing to judge a school "McDojo" based on your criteria above. Matt White

These requirements do not come into play until you are a 4th degree black belt advancing to 5th. If you are simply a "student for life" you will not learn as much as you will if you were teaching - or giving back to the art. Even in a "traditional program" I would be surprised if your instructor would still allow you to promote without you taking on additional responsibilities. Matt White

The only testings that the ATA offically conducts, are testings at National Events - Spring Nationals, ATA Worlds, or Fall Nationals. All other testings are scheduled at the discretion of the school owner.

Certainly your market has an impact on what you can/should charge. But just because the other schools charge $XX.XX, doesn't mean you have to. Simply put, sometimes you have more to offer than your competition. As for middle class America incurring greater expenses... yes gas and utility prices are expected to increase. But signing your kids up for any activity is expensive. Football, dance, martial arts. Should I have to charge less because the others are charging more? I'm not an advocate of charging excessive rates, but if you set your prices too low up front, it's going to be very difficult to raise them later.

I think you really need to get down off the anti-ATA soapbox. As for the other... five years minimum in a hardcore full contact school? At the end of five years you would need that belt just to hold your body together. As for six-year-old black belts... The ATA is not alone in this. http://ksdi.net/wybb.htm http://www.dhaliwal.in/fullstory2005-insight-news-status-2-newsID-1806.html

You are not coming off as a jerk, just someone making rash judgements. You've not offended anyone, but you should realize this is the truth from your perspective - which simply makes your statements your opinions. If you were closer, I have more than a few students that would be more than happy to spar you with increased contact. And they aren't even black belts.

You do if you plan on borrowing her clothes.

And your aggressor says, "Is that supposed to impress me?" Instead, point and shout, "Look it's the Goodyear blimp!" Then turn and run. Or just tell them that you don't want to fight.

Brandon: That is certainly a tough one. Will you be going to school full-time? Does the college offer any type of MA clubs that you could look into? I can relate to the kids. I have two small children, work full-time and teach MA a few nights a week. By the time I'm done, I have little time for my own training. As for self-training, books, videos, etc. If you are using them to refresh knowledge you already have, they can be a great tool. But if your are attempting to learn a completely new style, I wouldn't recommend it. It's tough to get the nuances of an art without a teacher. If you decide to go the self route, find a training partner. You'll need someone to practice on.

You are correct in that blocks are not bricks. But if you take a look at what people are commonly breaking these days, it's a patio block more often than not. And everyone I know that breaks blocks buys them off the shelf. Just my experience. Matt

Don't worry, she'll pay you back after you're married.

Check this link... http://www.usopen-karate.com/welcome.asp?default.asp&2 Look under Power Breaking. Specifically, "Patio blocks must be purchased from supply committee." This is not required because these are specially made blocks. Quite the contrary, this is done so you cannot bring in your own special blocks. Poured concrete blocks are mass produced, and DO meet specific manufacturing standards. So in essence, a block purchased at Home Depot is the same hardness as the same size/material block purchased at Lowes. I would state that since most people do not have the necessary knowledge required to make their own blocks, attempting to do so would pose a greater risk than buying them off the shelf. I couldn't even find a How-To with Google. Matt White

Yes. Home Depot, Lowes, or anywhere you can buy landscaping products.

The trick with the egg is not due to the strength of the shell. It is simply a matter of proper alignment of the hand/wrist/elbow/shoulder. I do a break for my students where I keep my hand relaxed, and in a very loose fist. You can see a lot of daylight through it. The purpose is to show that the first two knuckles are my striking point, not my full fist. I could easily put an egg in my hand and do the same thing. As for slow motion... the better question is what defines slow motion? Did he slow down for the break? And just because he slowed down from his usual speed, doesn't mean he was breaking in true slow motion. More likely it was just a very smooth, powerful motion that appeared slower than usual. Since we weren't there, we are forced to speculate. When breaking wood, we use 12" x 12" x 1" pine boards. While they are not difficult to break, it does take more than just a push to break it.

Care to elaborate on this statement? Most of the bricks I ever used/seen used were standard patio blocks purchased off the shelf from the local home improvement store. Nothing special about that. These types of "bricks" are poured concrete, they are not made vertically vs. horizontally.