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Chaotic gradings..should I wait?


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I know the general requirements stated for our grades, but my sensei seem to change them from time to time, by for example omitting/changing parts of the tests if the panel is in a hurry to get out of there, or by explitedly stating some technical requiment during training, and then omitting it at the test. Or running gradings without enough people on the panel (and getting away with it..), getting open complaints for not taking into accordance what the other people on the panels mean etc..The results of the gradings vary wildly and are hotly debated in the dojos (well in the lockerroom..) Teaching wise this sensei is very good, but imo something bad happens with him when he does gradings.

After participating in and witnessing a lot of my sensei's grading sessions, I decided to take my latest grade (shodan) somewhere else. In fact take all my grades elsewhere. (Which will cost me big $). So I signed up for a competition/grading outside my town. But now I have found out that my sensei and his sempai will be on this grading panel... :cry:

I'm so close to pulling the plug on this one and wait for another occasion. I want to get something positive out of the experience. But with my sensei's involvement I'm pretty sure it will turn into chaos, and this expectation is not something I will like to have in my head when I grade.

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Wouldn't your Sensei notice if you showed up for class with a different colored belt? Don't know about your Sensei but mine would be deeply hurt if I tried something like that. I wouldn't do him that way for anything.

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To clarify, this is not karate but another japanese art (which is so small that maybe it is not wise to say exactly what it is...then people will know who I'm talking about...;-)). Anyway, it is not unheard of travelling somewhere else to grade, since we all belong to the same organisation, and getting a panel for dan grading is not that easy. Yet the feelings of my sensei might be a little hurt if I don't grade at this opportunity. And probably some other peoples feelings as well. But during my time in this art I've yet to feel that I've had a proper grading as long as my sensei is involved in them. I'm kind of running out of patience now. So maybe it is a matter of who's feelings that are most important...

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Does your Sensei know you have signed up for this out-of-town grading/competition? If he does then I suggest you go through with it - he might be very hurt by the fact you've found out he's gonna be there and then decided to pull out.

"Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My Cologne


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If you do not want to do the testing, then don't. Wait until the next one, if you like. Another option would be that if you feel that you aren't getting a fair shake, you may want to try out a different school.

It is your training, so do what you think is best for it.

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Another side of this might be veiewed as a good sensei will not permit students who are not ready to test to actually test for higher level belts.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe your Sensei omits certain things on the test because he knows your capabilities. If he's seen you execute a particular technique time and time again in class and is confident of your proficiency, does he really need to see you do it on the test? I realize I may be reaching a little. Most senseis (mine included) require you to execute everything on the curriculum in testing. Your situation does sound a little unusual in that regard. However, you've already stated that your Sensei is an excellent instructor. If you're confident you know the material and your Sensei is confident of that as well, is the testing issue really important enough to risk damaging your relationship? Not offering an opinion, just curious.

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SaiFight MS: I can understand that for the lowest grades, but not nearing shodan.

Blackexpress: I agree that omitting parts of a lower grade test can be ok if he has seen people do it in class. I think my sensei is very aware of where I stand, but that doesn't mean that he will acknowledge it in public..

Aefibird: Yes he knows. But I could also be very hurt if the grading turns into one of his usual ones. If I had just trained a little for this grade I would just say "what the heck..I'll do this and make sure that he is not involved in the next".

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If you feel that you are ready to test, and others feel the same way, then you could go ahead and test.

Use these experiences so that when you get to do it your way, you will know what you do want to do, and what you don't want to do.

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After participating in and witnessing a lot of my sensei's grading sessions, I decided to take my latest grade (shodan) somewhere else. In fact take all my grades elsewhere. (Which will cost me big $). So I signed up for a competition/grading outside my town. But now I have found out that my sensei and his sempai will be on this grading panel... :cry:

I would think that this would be seen as disrespectful. If you want to get rank with another school then train with the other school. Just my thoughts. Perhaps express your concerns to your sensei? Good luck

"Don't tell me the sky's the limit because I have seen footprints on the moon!" -- Paul Brandt

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