tkdBill

Those of you who don't think children should be able to earn a black belt, what alternative do you propose? Children need goals to work for, and I think most people here would agree that MA's are excellent for children. Some kids are highly motivated to strive for the Black Belt. I have a 10 year old Black Belt student who is truly amazing. Why should he not be awarded the Black Belt that EARNED? --

Of course I'm not referring to street fighting, I would never attempt a jump kick or even a head kick in that situation. The original post was about sparring someone tall, and my answer was meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek. I do, however, teach my students to use jump kicks properly in sparring. Most importantly, how to disguise them so that their opponent doesn't see it coming, and also how to land properly, and to execute an effective follow-up attack. --

You have never had someone even attempt a jump kick to your head? How tall are you? In my style of TKD, it's a 3 point kick, so it's worth learning to do well. Connecting a jump spin kick in competition is a thing of beauty!! --

Also, consider what your goals are. Some people are looking for physical fitness, some want to learn self defense skills, others are looking for sport/competition. Many schools will have all of these elements, but lean more in one direction or another, even within the same style. You must check out each school, and decide which one fits your goals, schedule, and economics.

Stay light and just jump kick him in the head!

Many Taekwondo schools do not do Olympic style sparring. All of the TKD schools in my organization use the vinyl/foam Macho type gear for point sparring. --

I have enjoyed training in Martial Arts for many years, and I always envied my instructor for his talent, his teaching abilities, and that he could do what he loves for a living. So, I decided to train hard, observe as many instructors as possible, and get my instructor certification. Now I do what I love for a living too! I recommend it because not only is it following your passion, but teaching helps your own technique in ways that are not possible any other way. It's also rewarding to share your passion with so many other people!

Tip #1 - Hit the other guy more than he hits you. Tip #2 - He can't win if he can't score

How do you know he's not looking for an authentic McDojo? The only thing worse than a McDojo is an imitation McDojo.

I agree. Reaching Black Belt is really just the beginning. It would be like a baseball player working his way through the minor leagues, then finally reaching the majors and saying "maybe now I'll switch to basketball". While rank advancement usually slows way down, your training and learning should pick up a few notches. You might think about training in another art as a supplement to your taekwondo, rather than just stopping your taekwondo training

There must be some different types of puzzle mats out there. I have trained on them for over two years, and have yet to have a problem with them. Before that I had trained on wood, carpet, and wrestling mats. I prefer the puzzle mats. The mats we use have a somewhat firm feel when you walk on them, but they are very forgiving when you fall.

Muaythaiboxer wrote: I'm no fan of the ATA, but several years ago I did train at one of their schools, and went to several testings and tournaments. Sure you can find students who are of all different ages and skill levels, but they absolutely have their share of serious martial artists as well. I have seen some ATA guys who are incredibly talented and very tough. I know for a fact that you will not find "no contact" competition at the black belt level, having had my bell rung or the wind knocked out of me a few times. You might not see that by attending one class. I don't like the ATA program, so I don't recommend it, but don't make a blanket condemnation of it. I think that the actual definition of McDojo is: "any school that an individual considers lesser than their own school, especially if the school appears to be financially successful"

We carry a million dollar liability insurance policy to protect ourselves. The insurance company requires us to have students sign a waiver. There are a number of companies that sell martial arts insurance. Since waivers or "hold harmless" agreements seldom hold much water in court, liability insurance is essential unless you don't mind risking everything you have. I think the waiver just protects you against nuisance lawsuits, but if someone gets seriously hurt, they will be forced to sue whoever they can to pay their own medical bills. You (or your insurance company) will have to pay $$$$ just to defend yourself, let alone you could lose the case. Not worth it. Don't forget, someone could get a serious injury just falling down or twisting their back wrong. It's not just if they "rough it up"

Guy_Who Fights: $80,000 Canadian is only about $60,000 US and after rent and expenses he was probably netting less than $35,000 US. That's is not exactly living in style. Where I live, that would be far below average. While it sounds like he was not ethical in the way he left, he certainly was not raking in the dough. Maybe he wasn't charging enough?

No Matter how good the book is, it can never give you feedback. I'm sure many of us have learned the most when our instructor/master watched us then told us what we are doing wrong, or not good enough. Then they tell us how to correct and can even examine and break down the mechanics of our movements. You cannot get that from any book (or video). Many times I would execute a technique that looked good in my mind, but my instructor saw that it was wrong or poorly executed. He then worked with me to fix the problem. Some of my students have tried to learn a form from the student manual instead of coming to class, and the result was not even close to what it should look like. Of course books can be a wonderful enhancement to MA training!

pendakarshihan1, I do recognize the "everyone" is in this forum. If it was only professional martial arts instructors, this debate would probably not take place. Difference of opinion is what makes the forum interesting. I think I can make a good point for MA students to recognize that there is real value to MA instruction (and testing) and they shouldn't feel bad about their instructor getting some financial reward for doing a great job. I disagree with your point that it is more "traditional" to learn from part-time teachers who do not earn a living by teaching martial arts. I believe that the concept of full-time instructors and dedicated facilities goes back at least hundreds of years in Japan. I know for a fact that many of the martial arts pioneers in the US taught MA for a living. It is certainly not a modern concept. What some here might call "profit", they would have called "dinner". Your belt tests sound great, and you get real value from them. Do you know for a fact that 100% of the fees go to the certifying body? In my association, and in several others I know, only a portion of the belt test fees go to the association. When you bring in a Sensei from overseas, does the visiting Sensei make a profit (i.e. get paid) for coming? Would you be dissapointed if your own Sensei made a few dollars for his time and effort?

Make sure you have adequate liability insurance that specifically covers tournaments. I don't know how the law works in your country, but in the U.S., if someone gets seriously hurt they can and will sue you in spite of any "hold harmless" agreements they sign.

I charge $85/month in a market where the average is about $95. I provide my students with a very nice facility, plenty of training equipment, and a full schedule of classes available 6 days per week. Most of the owner/instructors in our organization make a decent middle-class income, and a few that are exceptional instructors and good promotors make a very good living. While you probably won't get "rich" teaching martial arts, it's very rewarding to do what you love for a living and to pass on your knowlege to so many people. The thrill of seeing that once "akward" student change before your eyes and pass his first belt test is awesome! Getting to make a very positive impact on children is a wonderful responsibility, and very satisfying.

"It shouldn't be about the money" If only I could tell that to the landlord, the electric company, phone company, my mortgage company, my kids who want to eat now and go to college when they grow up.... Before I became a full time instructor, I paid my instructor what he charged for belt test fees ($45) and monthly fees because he was very good and it was worthwhile to me to have a full time instructor available to me. Being able to train with him and learn 3, 4, or 5 days per week sometimes twice a day made me a better martial artist and instructor. It didn't matter to me that part of his income was a belt test fee instead of higher monthly fees. Now my students pay me the the fees that I charge, and I hope they feel they are getting a good value. If they don't, I suspect that they will stop paying them. Certainly if someone is in a dire financial situation, I will work with them so that they can continue their training. Bottom line, look at the total cost of the program including belt test fees and the training you receive in return. If you don't think it is a good value, don't start that program. If you want a professional martial arts instructor, don't just go for the cheapest, unless that's what you are looking for.

You can definitely pull it off. It just takes a good location and a good, viable plan. I made the same decision you are faced with early last year and I couldn't be happier. It took a while to find the perfect location, and even longer for the finish out, but I finally got open in October. Today we are well ahead of the projections in our original business plan, and we have a very happy membership that's giving us great word-of-mouth advertising and referrals. Good Luck!!

Two minute test? Our testings are a little different. Our testing day is an event that lasts several hours, involving each student for 30 to 60 minutes or more, depending on rank. We also bring in a guest instructor, usually from out of state, who helps judging and performs a demonstration. The guy down the street actually does net more $ per student, because not every student tests at each opportunity. I only get the testing fee if I have prepared him/her adequately for testing. The other guy gets his higher monthly fee regardless of how well his students are prepared and whether or not they test. Needless to say, since we have testings with several other schools and a guest instructor, I would not embarass myself by allowing someone to test who is not prepared.

I am new to this board, but I have been practicing and teaching taekwondo for many years. A few months ago I decided to make my passion for martial arts my full-time profession. What I don't understand is why people posting on this board are so worried that something they pay for, such as belt test fees, might include some profit? As a full time professional, I provide a superior program, great facility, and 6-day a week class schedule. I factor a profit margin into everything I charge for, because along with being a skilled martial arts instructor, I am a smart businessman. If I only charge just enough to pay the rent and electric bills, a slow month or two would put me out of business, and my students out of a school. Belt test fees are figured into the overall income needs for the business. The guy down the street does not charge belt test fees, but his monthly fees are $20 higher than mine. Neither of us are wrong, just two different ways of doing business.