IcemanSK

I could see not wanting to tell someone for a lot of different reasons. But I don't see getting bent out of shape (or thinking it a rude question) just because it's being asked.

I'm not defending the poster who got bent out of shape from the other forum: but I understand his reasoning. Apparently, to his instructor, when a MA-ist asks a high ranking master/grandmaster that question it was considered rude. In Western society, we don't really have that thought process. Heck, we put stripes on our belts, M.D. after our names, & other things to distinguish us from the person next to us. Maybe that guy doesn't wear his rank on his belt or publicize it in any way (although he did tell us his rank in the thread) but it's not the normal in American society to take offense to such questions.

That's great, Matt! Keep it up & let us know how it's going!

It'll be 25 years later this year. I'm old

Wow, you're instructor says that, too? Maybe ya should

You haven't given us a lot of info. (And quite honestly, you're asking complete strangers about what we think about something that only you are intimately involved with). Have you thought of asking your family? Training partners? Other friends that have been with you on your MA journey? I'm not trying to be difficult, but I think you're asking the wrong people. It also does sound like you're looking for the courage to do what you want to do. You don't need our (or anyone else's) permission to leave. But maybe you should get advice from folks that are personally involved with you & your life. They love & care for you. We're just strangers on the street. I wish you all the best in making your decision. I've had to make that coice a few times in my life. It's never been easy.

It's funny, but we MA-ists (instructors) have a very different attitude about training than boxing trainers do. What I mean is that we have an expectation that folks will stick around until BB & beyond: boxing trainers don't. I think it is a by-product of having a belt system. (Since we have one, we figure everyone will do what it takes to get "the big one.") My 1st intro into boxing was after & been in MA for more than a dozen years. The 1st class, the trainer taught my to throw 2 jabs & a cross. He told me to do that until he came to get me. I knew it was a test to see how long I'd stay. After 7 rounds, he came to check on me. My arms were dead, but I was still going. My younger (teenage) students had given up at round 4. I stuck with that gym for many years. But, the trainer had the expectation that "boxing training is hard" & a lot of folks can't do what it takes. Folks come in & out of the gym due to 100 reasons. If you're there, I'll pay attention to you. If not, I'll move onto the next person who shows up often. I think MA instructors could learn to adopt this mindset more.

I've had issues like this come up a few times lately. From high rank students from other schools (how long will they stay?) to the just before BB drop out. I think the best way to deal with it for yourself as an instructor is to let them go & try to move on as quickly as possible. After all, you have many other eager students to focus on. Life happens. Folks move, get other jobs, leave jobs, find something else, get bored, get scared, get injured....the list goes on & on as to why they'd leave. To spend too much time on wondering why they left, is too much time wasted.

They use IV

In my TKD organization, "professor" is a title reserved for 7th Dan black belts who meet other requirements as well. (A PhD is not one of those requirements.) It seems to work well in our organization. We only use a few Korean terms for advanced ranks. The rest are in English (Master, Master Instructor, Chief Master, Prof., & Grandmaster.

It's been a very interesting question for me for a long time. I've trained for a long time with for folks who were a lot better than I am. Because of this, I really never thought I was doing very well. I tested for my 3rd Dan last Thursday & was paired up with a guy who was talented & half my age. I wound up teaching him how to test (by whispering to him to go harder, faster & with more power) during the test! I don't mean to say that he wasn't good, he was just inexperienced & intimidated by the testing process. I guess if I've learned anything in my nearly 25 years of training it's to relax a bit & take things as they come: instead of letting the moment get to me. When I truly realized that I wouldn't fall apart when I got punched or kicked in the head, it got a lot easier. To answer the question. I enjoy forms & technique, but sparring is a lot of fun, too. I guess I'm better than some, but not as good as others.

Mine has my name in English & 3 embroidered stripes on one end & Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan in Korean on the other. It's a 2" belt. The 3rd stripe was just added on Thursday!

There was a rash (& I mean that) of pro kickboxers in the 80's that made straight to video films that were awful. Not only Wilson, but Anthony "Amp" Elmore, Jerry Trimble, & even "Bad" Brad Hefton got his mug in at one that I saw. Sad but true, I'm probably the only person (outside of their mommas) who watched em

One of my favorites is sort of a reverse preception. I don't "look" like an MA-ist. (I guess cuz I don't look like Chuck Liddel). I've had several younger people (I'm 39) who have never been in a fight in their lives (let alone sparring) say things to me like, "do you think you could take me in a fight?" After nearly 25 years of training, I still don't know how answer that. I've trained with bigger, stronger, faster, meanier & more skilled fighters than this guy can muster up within himself in the next 5 minutes. I know it's a way to make himself feel more adequate in the moment, but its still odd to me. If I met Yo-Yo Ma on the street, I wouldn't tell him that I dated a cello player in high school to pretend that I may have a connection with him. BTW: My standard answer to the "could you take me" question is to say, "No." & walk away.

Well said, sir.

I'm not sure what he does can be called acting. But seriously, I think the point was to name celebs that weren't known for their MA skills, but are MA-ists.

There always seems to be mystery around the "Black Belt." What is it? etc. Look at it this way, At one time, Michael Jordan was at the top of the basketball world. But he never stopped training to become better. Tiger Woods has done amazing things on the gold course: But he still gets up early to hit golf balls. Why? To get better. If I'm awarded a BB on Tuesday & never train again, soon I'll have white belt skills again. They go away folks. "Mastery" is only available for those who keep training. The belt color one wears is only a recognition of that accomplishment. I mean no disrespect. I just want to boil it down to the simplest form.

I agree with ninjanurse. The belt color may vary greatly, but the gups (10th being lowest, 1st being highest) in the color belt ranks is the comparable factor. (eg. If they've had one test, the student is a 9th gup).

He was too stunned to react quickly. Then he was too intimidated to want to thump me. When I was in high school (when this happened) my instructor had us throw 100's of kicks per class. I had great flexibility & control, then. I'm not sure I'd throw that outside crescent kick that well, now.

I once kicked a cigarette out of a guy's mouth (Billy Jack-style). I was 17 (it was a long time ago) & I was showing off. He didn't expect it. Quite frankly, I wasn't sure I could do it. I hate smoking

I think it's a common thing that many MA schools experience. Some folks think its cool to "challenge the instructor" of a school. I'm sure that guy went & told his buddies that the fight happened, that it was really him against 5 people, & he did very well. I trained in a kickboxing gym in a really rough neighborhood. Guys would come in sometimes to want to prove themselves. They'd always pick out the smallest guy to want to spar. That guy was 140 lbs, but also had a 65-1 kickboxing record. More than 1 big, heavy, slow & out of shape tough guy was awakened by his buddies shortly after he climbed in the ring. I think your assistant instructor handled it well.

I think its a common thing for guys in MA. But I we broke the "guy code" by admitting it.

I'm one of weird people who makes sure I can kick in every pair of pants I own (In the dressing room as I try them on). Seriously, I do think its important to train occasionally in street clothes. Shoes of any style are different from kicking bare foot.

Heidi: I'm sure there is a middle ground between a financially successful bottom line & the "aha moment" bottom line. I wish I knew where that was for me as well. Like you, I teach for the "aha" & I'm $$ poorer for it. I'm in the process of trying to decide if I'm going to make a go at a comercial school or just run it out of the community center where I do now. As it is now, money isn't an issue. It's hard to put a monetary value on our time as instructors when we focus on the "aha". But there's nothing wrong with making a living in MA. It's possible to do both. If I discover how to do that, I'll letcha know.

I'm sorry you've experienced the "used car salesman" type of school. I run a small program & get the rebound students of a guy like that in my town. I wish I knew of a school in Austin to recommend. The good news is, you know what you're looking for (& what you're not). I wish you the best in your search.