Martial Arts Service Excellence!!

[JusticeZero]

I seem to recall hearing about such an effort that New York toyed with some years back.

It would have effectively made chinese and non-asian martial arts illegal, due to poor definitions; if I recall correctly, it required certain dan rankings and belts, with no lenience to arts which had no recognized body to distribute said belts in the Japanese style.

[bushido_man96]

If subjecting to the government through MASE to rid us of those "fake black belts", then I'm for it. Something, and/or someone needs to stop them before the word black belt means absolutely NOTHING. I fear that the time is near us, if not already at our door step.

Let the discussion begin...

The problem here is that you either have to standardize everything, or just make the only way of knowing who is legitimate fight. Winners go home and teach their thing, and losers don't get to teach anymore, and have to be students of the winners. That may sound extreme, but I'm not sure how else you could do it.

What kind of written test would an MAist have to pass? Not all styles have the same history or criteria, or goals, so how would it be possible to figure out a way to find common ground? I have studied in 2 TKD organizations, and they both have different ways of doing side kicks!

As for the government, I'm for the government being involved as little as possible. The standardization of Martial Arts is not something that we need to pay the government to get involved in. In my opinion, it would likely kill the creativity of those Martial Artists who can legitimately break off and put out a good product on their own, without organizational oversight.

[bushido_man96]

I think in the end it might strenghten our own arts and to make sure that they are kept to a high standand of training. But those who teach poorly will contuine to exist. It is a sad truth. I know not anyone who would have the answers either. But I do know who has the answers to everything we do and that is us. Each one of us has to have a personal drive to make what we do each day in life and in the martial arts our personal best. To pass on those values we hold true to our students in hopes they will pass them on to theirs. It's a simple dream.

I agree. Even though restraunts have to follow certain rules, you still get a bad experience every once in a while. Same with Martial Arts schools. Its up to the consumer to do the research into the product they are seeking. Its getting to the point where people don't want to do their legwork anymore, because its expected that everything will be good and plentiful in the land of milk and honey. The problem is that this is not the case, and milk does spoil over time. I don't like what McDojos and mail-order black belt courses do, either, but I know enough to understand that they are likely a scam, so don't fall into the trap. Its something others have to figure out for themselves. And likewise, they aren't a threat to me, because I believe in the product I can provide, and therefore, feel that is all I need.

[Liver Punch]

Perhaps our time, money, and effort is better spent promoting tournaments and competitions. If everyone who is currently a practitioner or is a future practitioner has an obsession with competition, then it won't take a truckload of rocket scientist martial artists to figure out who in the area is a good or bad instructor. Embarassment and shame are two of my favorite tools.

[sensei8]

Imho, tournaments can be manipulated; I've seen it happen way to many times!!

[Jeffrey]

Imho, tournaments can be manipulated; I've seen it happen way to many times!!

Another Political mess!

[ShoriKid]

Perhaps our time, money, and effort is better spent promoting tournaments and competitions. If everyone who is currently a practitioner or is a future practitioner has an obsession with competition, then it won't take a truckload of rocket scientist martial artists to figure out who in the area is a good or bad instructor. Embarassment and shame are two of my favorite tools.

What competition rules and formats determine who's good or bad? Who certifies judges? What political body gets to set schedules, rules, divisions, fees and formats for the competitions? How do you judge the kick boxer's skill and worth at the point tournament, the point fighter at a mixed venue competition that allows hard contact, or the kyokushin man when you put on gloves and allow face contact?

Any competition put together can favor one style, format, school over another. That's before you get into judging quality and favoritism. It's no different than the question of who determines what makes an "objective" martial arts exam. It does not encourage diversity, exploration. It will encourage ridged adherence to a worn path. To vary is to parish.

If you want to compare ASE mechanics to martial artists, I can find you a dozen mechanics locally who aren't ASE certified. They've worked for a decade, or more, and are trusted in the community to do any repair on any auto brought to them. Does a piece of paper from a test administered by others who passed the test make them more skilled, or more trust worthy?

Once a governing body is in place it has rules, a bureaucracy up and running, it's going to get gamed by someone. And in short order, a lot of people. Career rank seekers are still going to be there, the political movers are going to be right with them. Now you've given them a vehicle to have more power and control. You've handed them the keys to the kingdom.

The only way you can deal with fake/pretend black belts is through good teaching and educating the public when you get the chance. Don't preach, but get out the word on what's good and don't be afraid to point potential students toward other instructors who are offering what they need or want if you can't honestly do it.

[bushido_man96]

Imho, tournaments can be manipulated; I've seen it happen way to many times!!

Another Political mess!

It seems this happens more with forms competition than with sparring/fighting. Certain judges will like to see certain things in a form, and will judge accordingly. But in sparring, the rules are usually clear enough to see who is scoring points/winning and who isn't.

[Jeffrey]

Imho, tournaments can be manipulated; I've seen it happen way to many times!!

Another Political mess!

It seems this happens more with forms competition than with sparring/fighting. Certain judges will like to see certain things in a form, and will judge accordingly. But in sparring, the rules are usually clear enough to see who is scoring points/winning and who isn't.

I do agree but I have seen Judges "not see" a clear point. Maybe next year I will do some judging and than I might have some different thoughts. I will not say much till I have done it myself. Have to be fair that way.

[bushido_man96]

That's what's nice about knockouts. Can't "not see" those.