The Common American

[TKD_McGee]

Ok lets face it people. The people in America today are fat and weenyfied for the most part. They are extremely soft and give into almost any physical harm. (Not all people) This brings us to Martial Arts. People who are weak go into Martial Arts expecting to come out like Jackie Chan. These people go so far and quit because they can not put up with the hardships. I think this is how a lot of schools make money. They push you to a certain point of training, then they push you off the edge to see how tough you really are, and how bad you really want that black belt. Most people give in at this point and quit. Scheming Black Belts and McDojos don't do any good to help this issue out. When we compete against other countries we get slapped around like little children most of the time. Secondly we have children, some rich people put all of their kids into martial arts at a young age and hope to get the best from them. When junior messes up once the parents are there to make sure their precious child is pushed to the next level. I see this all too often, and I think its ridiculous. I train harder than anyone I know at my level, I can do more physical work and perform at a higher level, yet I feel held back.. System or no System? Should a adult be held back while everyone else has to catch up? Then when it comes test time he has to work harder while he watches the kids with no attention span be pushed through because their parents are there to squeek!

 

 

[Joecooke007]

I'm right with you on this one. I feel like I'm the only one actually working in my class. We've actually had to stop class and sit because the sensei became to irritated by the lack of respect from one of our students. I can't take it. I've been training for so long without a test he says by the next test I'll be ready fora double promotion. In my school these are quite rare. I've been working like a dog for one.

 

 

[ramcalgary]

Maybe you need to step back and look at why you began training and thingk of how your life would be without it. Sometimes it gets hard when you feel that life is passing you by but as the saying goes good things come to those who wait.

 

If it is just the black belt you want go to another dojo i am sure you will find one that will give the rank for a price. But is that how you really want to get it.

 

Getting the black belt is one thing how you react after is another. Remember that the black belt is only a beginning to another stage in your development.

 

Also remember "It is not how hard you train, it is how you train hard."

 

 

[TKD_McGee]

Haha, I don't want to hear that bull...

 

That basically translates to... your a good student enjoy your time as at this belt... while I enjoy your hearty checks!

 

Your missing the facts read my topic over again.

 

 

[Bon]

I don't live in America, but..

 

Last dojo I was at, I was the only committed one. I felt held back because there was no one else traning on a regular basis. I think the instructor lost motivation too, and wasn't committed. Had classes 3 times a week, cut down to 2, then once a week! Moved it back up to 2 times a week, but I had enough and started BJJ. Everyone there since I've only just started is higher ranked than me, some guys have been training for 3 years to get to blue belt. There is a few committed ones and it clearly shows when they're rolling on the mat! I don't feel at all held back at the moment, because there's a wealth of knowledge to be gained and I can learn off practically anyone there.

 

People do give up all too easily though. At my last dojo after a 'hard' training session, they wouldn't be there the next couple of sessions. This forced my instructor to cut the intensity down so he wouldn't frighten off students. I'm there wanting to train harder! I don't think I've been to a worthwhile training session unless I walk out exhausted and feel sore the next day. It's simple, people don't want to put in the work and effort required to get results, so they give up.

 

One guy had been training for a year or two longer than me... He quit I guess, came back for one session after a few months, we ended up sparring. I hit him around a bit to say 'fuck you, I'm better than you now you contemptous ****, I've been here every session working my ass off' lol, not that it seems that way from what I've said! Just had to vent my frustration on the people who aren't committed.. The people who aren't committed are the ones who don't have my respect and the ones I purposely go hard on! If they come back, they have my respect, if they don't, they lose it !

 

 

[AnonymousOne]

Nothing holds you back but yourself. Are you training for the colour of a belt or are you training to develop skill?

 

Dont worry about others concentrate on your technique and always have it growing no matter the circumstances. So what if you are better than certain other colour belts. Be proud you have progressed so well!!

 

 

[Bon]

I got sick of seeing the same cycle over and over again.

 

New people come, they come for a month or two at the most. They get taught basics and stuff, so we're not doing any sparring, we're waiting for the beginners to catch up. They're not committed, a 'hard' training session and they're scared off. Heck, I don't know why I'm saying 'we'.. I was the only who reamained training on a regular basis out of the last year and a half. Time to move onto BJJ! w00t

 

 

[SBN Doug]

Couldn't agree more with the way the typical American is turning out nowadays.

 

TKD_M, is this a small club you're in? I only ask because We don't test our adults and kids together. And, we treat the adults the way you would prefer. If they didn't work hard enough to test, they don't. If they didn't make it to class regularly, they don't.

 

If they don't keep up with the others, they have to wait until the next scheduled test. No "extra" tests are ever scheduled to help the keep up.

[TKD_McGee]

Nope is a big club with over 100 members. Kids and adults test together, and there is a stripe system used for each belt. You get a piece of black tape on your belt for each level... 1 for basics, 1 for form 1, and one for form 2, then a red tape for everything. After that you can test for the next belt.

 

 

[CTpizzaboy]

I'll have to agree with TKD. I took taekwondo before, quit that, and now practicing Yoshu Kai Karate. With the dojo I'm in, some of the black belt do not have solid kicks. When I came in for the first time to sign up, I saw their side kick and thought, "I can probrably beat him, and her, and him... and maybe him too." I am white belt and sensei includes me in the beginners class, practicing basic kicks.