What is a McDojo?

[foreveryoung001]

Several different posts in the forum make reference to the "McDojo"

 

As came up in conversation on another thread,

 

What are the Characteristics of a McDojo?

 

Is every expensive MA School a McDojo?

 

Is a poor quality school that is inexpensive a McDojo?

 

Just thought it might be interesting to read some thoughts as to the characteristics of the All-American, Super Deluxe, Hold the onions, McDojo?

[username9]

I only joined this forum a day or so ago but McDojo is the same as a Mickey-Mouse Dojo. One that is too commercialised and doesn't stick to old traditions. it is run as a business and not a school .

 

At least that is how I see it!

[P.A.L]

McDojos are the same as Mickey-Mouse Dojos and Sushi-bar dojos thats what I think.

[foreveryoung001]

okay, but what are the Characteristics of one. Lots of labels, lots of names, but what makes it a McDojo, Mickymouse-Dojo, etc...

 

When you point your finger and say, "hey, that's a McDojo!" what are you looking at that makes you come to that conclusion? I have my own thoughts, but I thought it might be interesting to hear some others thoughts on this.

[dear john]

it is easy

 

when entering a McDojo you have to see it for what it is.

 

ask yourself these simple questions:

 

1. do students commonly get a belt rank with out have the required moves/techniques down for that belt?

 

2. do you have to pay more money as the belt ranks go up?

 

to it is just a belt with dye added to it, so why pay more?

 

3. does the organization spend more time trying to make money than on their students?

 

4. one of the things at one of my MA Dojo's is that they sell video tapes with the master instructor on them showing perfect technique for a particular belt. these tapes go from white belt to brown belt. the white belt curiculum takes about 5 minutes to explain, yet the videos are $20. if they spend any real time at all developing these videos they could fit a good 7 or 8 belt curriculums on one tape. but that wouldnt make as much money, so the spread it out among a dozen or so tapes.

 

little things like this are in McDojos

 

i personally wouldnt be in this one, but i like to mix my MA's and this one cost me nothing.

[thaiboxerken]

Let's change the mood of this topic. Here goes.

 

You might be in a McDojo if:

 

You have to pay money to test.

 

The lead instructor is a fat blackbelt that just sits on the sideline with thumbs in his belt nodding in approval or disapproval.

 

You're told that you too can become an instructor and start your own school, if you pay an extra fee.

 

You're told that breaking boards has anything to do with fighting.

[foreveryoung001]

That's what I'm looking for.

 

Excellent change of direction

[scottnshelly]

for me, the most common characteristic of a mickey mouse dojo is one that promises a belt rank within a pre-determined amount of time (and money) regardless.

 

I've been to schools (as a visitor) that would promote to any rank up to one under the instructor for a price.

 

also, like thaiboxerken said, if you are offered the 'opportunity' to open a school under that dojo for a fee even though you have little to no experience in the style.

[thaiboxerken]

You might be in a McDojo if:

 

The instructors promise to teach you how to knock people out without physical force... if you stay around long enough to be trusted.

[thaiboxerken]

You might be in a McDojo if:

 

It's founder is Ashida Kim.