Hapkido - McDojo or Not

[Arys]

I just moved which means I had to quit my former martial art, Wing Chun.

 

There is a Hapkido dojo by my house and im thinking about going to check it out and maybe join.

 

Is there any was I can tell if this is a crappy dojo or a good dojo teaching the true art?

[stl_karateka]

The best way is to go check it out for yourself. There are a lot of 'characteristics' that people use to label a school a mcDojo but you have to look at the whole picture.

 

I heard that being in a strip mall is McDojoish....well both of the schools I actively trained at where in strip malls....but then you have to take other things into account.

 

Anyway --- don't go in there with the attitude "if I see things 1, 2, and 3 then its crap"

 

Take a couple a classes. Most schools will let you do this for free. Talk to some of the advanced students...see how they like it and why they do it.

 

Watch the instructors decorum with: beginners, kids, and visitors.

 

I like to drop by unexpectedly, then make an appointment to take to the instructor. Why --- cause some dojos will put on a show for visitors. Maybe some visitors are interested in that....but as someone who is coming who is transfering I was more interested in business as normal.

 

Contracts: You'll get mixed reviews on this one. I don't think they are a bad thing, but I also don't think they should be shoved in your face before you get both feet in the door! I trained at both my schools for over 2 months before I had to sign a contract. One let me sign a 6 month at a time contract....and currently I am not under a contract at all -- but I've been training for a year here and my instructor knows I ain't going nowhere until I have to (military)

 

Blackbelts: Ask some of the shodans how long it took them to get their black belt. DO NOT....I repeat....DO NOT ask the head instructors or even another student "How long will it take me to get my black belt! You will be branded and leave a bad impression. But ask the student black belts how long it took them. After their answer is in the 3-6 year range then all is good. Anyone answers 1 year...I'd be very leary....proceed to ask them if they transfered from another style. If not....white - black in 1 year

 

There's plenty more.....but the key is experience it for yourself! Hope this helps!!!!

 

Best of luck!

[Akima]

I agree with stll karateka.

 

Make sure that it is really a Hap ki do school. I have seen a lot of Korean schools that claim to teach Hap ki do along with other korean styles. In a lot of these cases, they teach TKD or TSD with very elementry HKD.

 

If they do teach other Korean styles, doesn't mean they are a mcdojo. It does mean more research on your part.

 

Contracts....do they want you to sign a contract for a time period or a belt contract? Belt contracts are a very bad sign! It puts the school in a position to test and pass you.

 

Do they want you to sign anything right up front? If they want any kind of trial fee or contract, that is bad. The only thing you should be asked sign for a tiral is a liablity release. They should not presure you into any contract until after 3 classes, at minimum.

 

Watch the Blackbelts and advanced students...do they suck?

 

I remember once I looked at a school, and there was the BB that was horrible. I found out later he had sign up for a BB in a year contract.

 

Talk to other students...are they happy...how is the school about enforcing contracts if somthing comes up (school, work, moving)? A good school should be forgiving in certain situations. If they're not... that could be a red flag.

 

Most of all, go there and sit in...see if YOU like. that's all that matters in the end.

[Arys]

Thanks for the great info ^^

 

Ill check it out within the next week and report back.