oddTKD Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 So, I just started as a freshmen in college very far from home 3 weeks ago. I knew I needed to stay involved in MAs, since after 8 years of TKD, it's like an obsession for me. I planned on finding a decent TKD dojang in town and training there, but I have too much work for classes, no money, and no time, so at least this semester, I'm just joining the shotokan karate club on campus. The problem, of course, is that it's shotokan karate, and not TKD. We already had the first class (the second is tonight), and it was *so boring!* There are a couple black belts - one guy from town, the instructor, his son, and another professor from the college. Everyone else is a white, yellow, or orange belt. They all went off and practiced patterns with one of the black belts while the rest of us learned...a front stance. Then, a front-snap kick. Then, how to punch. I was bored to tears. I've got so many concerns about it...if it's going to stay so unchallenging. I'm really uncertain about sparring - we're not starting for 2 weeks, and I haven't asked him yet, but I get the impression that the instructor is going to have me sparring the exact same as the other brand-new white belts. None of them have any prior MA experience; I've been a 1st dan in TKD for three years. I'm really unhappy with it right now: he seems really loose, the class isn't that disciplined, and almost everyone (it seems) is just doing it for the hell of it, not to be serious about martial arts. Any of you older and wiser folk had to go through this? Can I get some reassurance that it'll get better and that I should stick it o ut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta1 Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 You'll get better, and you should stick it out. First, doesn't TKD have a large Shotokan influence? Probably some differences, but enough alike to not be alien to you. I'd suggest looking at this as an opportunity to get a different perspective, review basics, and keep up training. Learn something new. Show them (and yourself) some discipline by your example. Just because they are lax doesn't mean you have to be. Talk to the instructor about sparing with some of the upper level students. Maybe suggest sparing with him so he can evaluate your abilities and match you apropriately. As a BB, you should have enough of a grasp on the arts to learn more rapidly, as well as to see the similarities and differences and where the systems can be merged. Go for the deeper understanding, which will keep things more interesting. I'll qualify this advice in that, if the class is so bad that it is a distraction and hinderance to learning, leave. If the instructor has insufficient knowlege, or is not interested in helping you, leave. You might be able to start a TKD club on campus and get use of their facilities. TKD is so popular, I can't see any sizable campus not having some practitioners interested in keeping up their skills. Good luck! Freedom isn't free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddTKD Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 There is a very large shotokan influence in TKD - which is part of the problem. I'm all for reviewing the basics, but if the highest non-ranking student in the class is a yellow belt who's only been training for 2 years, then I'm afraid basics are all we're going to do. I asked my instructor tonight; he said sparring is all ranks mixed, so I will be sparring black belts. But I am used to a much more structured, much more intesive class (ie, an advanced/black belt class...) than this. I've actually thought of trying to get a TKD club started, but I don't think there's anyone qualified enough to teach on campus (I attend a very small school). Next week a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu class starts; I'm going to see if that's more to my liking. Second semester there's going to be an aikido class, which I think would be fun, but it's not until next semester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorinryu Sensei Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 I've never switched from one system to another, but have had many people in my classes over the years that had belts ranging from a 2nd black belt in TKD, to just a few months of something else. What you need to keep in mind is that every class is different, as is every instructor. What may seem wrong to you, is right for someone else. I run a pretty relaxed and loose class also, because that's the way I was taught, and that's my nature anyway. I really don't like people bowing and scraping to me. Some incoming new students like this approach...and some don't. My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tufrthanu Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Well odd I don't know exactly how your TKD classes were structured but at our school we go over the basics every class. Every single class. The advanced stuff is just something we do in addition. Unfortunately without knowing the forms of Shotokan Karate you are going to have to go with the flow of the class. I am sure you will advance faster than the other students seeing as you will already be able to perform most of the techniques but you will still have to go through every class. I would also like to add that with most people quitting by 7th gup or so you will probably outrank most of the students shortly...and that will require the sensei to focus more on you...or at least to have you work more with the black belts. Long Live the Fighters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okc_deputy16 Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 well i know is that if you keep at it. It will help you in the long run because I'm 1st dan to and i do other MAs to help out my tkd and hapkido so just keep on keeping on "It is a brave act of valor to condemn death, but where life is more terrible than death it is then the truest valor to dare to live." - Sir Thomas Brown I bring the pain hope you can take it-Cash Monroe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euphoria47 Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 i switched styles after being a 1st dan. i had some random guy in class who had been taking for about 6 months or so lecture me for 10 minutes on how to make an appropriate fist. i was calm and listened. the instructor, knowing my background, laughed at the guy. i needed to work on patience. this was an appropriate task. once or twice, let it pass, but ultimately, you have to do what is best for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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