I have heard of and know of people who become about 2nd or 3rd degree black belts sometimes even just 1st degrees then go off and start there own TKD club.

 

Why???

Anyone, in fact, can acquire a business license, purchase a black belt, rent studio space and, to the unwitting public.

 

Generally, 4th dan I believe is when you are considered an "expert" in TKD and 7th through 9th is composed of TKD masters... the elite who fully understand all the particulars of Tae kwon do, mental and physical, although 1st degree -3rd are quite capable and knowledgeable to offer instruction within a school or club.

 

_________________

 

ITF/TKD Black Belt (1st dan)/Fitness Kickboxing Instructor

 

(KarateForums Sensei)

 

[ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-01-16 07:04 ]

Unfortunately this type of thing happens all too often. It is a frequent occurence in the karate world as well. And probably a major cause of "McDojo's".

 

 

Why? Because it could potentially be a money maker... It takes a lot of money to learn the art, why achieve that 3rd degree if your not going to teach anyone?

 

 

maybee but i wouldnt train at a Tkd club if the owner was only a 3rd dan

True. I would not train at any dojo unless I knew that the instructor was qualified. My sensei is a 7th dan in Goju Ryu karate. He has earned the rank of Master (shihan) He is in the hall of fame with the instructor of the year award. Yeah he's qualified. But he still trains under his original master. That way he is always getting better.

 

 

Kuk Sool Won allows you to open a club/school once you've made 1st degree. I think the philosophy is that its so comprehensive, they feel you know the basics well enough to teach them.

 

However, in order to claim it to be a KSW school, you have to teach the same material, in the same order, in the same way. This is in the contract as you apply for a school license. If you're found to be twisting things around your own way, yada yada, you can be stripped of both your school license and your rank.

 

I kind of like this strict regulation. I was able to move from Houston, TX up to Connecticut and find all the students learning in almost exactly the same way.

Qualified ha, I could go to wal-mart and buy a 3rd Degree Black Belt.. then I could go on my computer and print up a certificate showing that ima massa.

 

 

I think my instructor started the schol just before he got his 4th degree...I didn't join until he was testing for 5th degree.

 

What does it matter! Is he/she a good teacher? Do you like the things you are learning? Even 5th, 6th, 7th...degrees are constantly learning. TKD is a never ending process.

yea well that process is a lot slower if your instructor isnt very skillful