Differing (sometimes conflicting) advice in the Dojo!

[DoctorQui]

Has anyone been in a situation where different Dan grades from the same Dojo give you differing advice on technique.

Jiyu Ippon kumite is a prime example for me. I came to Shotokan from Wado Ryu where Jiyu Ippon is not generally practiced. I am a advanced Kyu grade level and am comfortable with Jiyu Ippon.

Anyway, I have sparred with all the Dan grades in my Dojo all of whom have given me their advice and instruction on technique, which normally criticises what I have done (which is normally what I have been shown by another Dan grade) all the advice seems to conflict. In the end I went to my Chief Sensei and asked him and he showed me what he likes to see, I do it and he says spot on! So I do this and since then I have had Dan grades continue to criticise and tell me how I 'should' be doing it!

Has anyone here had this before and how do you respectfully tell a Dan grade that, while you appreciate their advice, you will respectfully decline to follow it. I respect the grade not the person so I am fine with receiving instruction from much younger karateka BUT last night, a 17 year old Dan grade was deconstructing my entire technique which I found a little annoying. Not because he was young but because a) I have been doing Karate for a few years now and have been praised by some very high ranking instructors on my technique b) because he was telling me to do something that I didn't agree with and politely advised him of this.He then tried to assert his seniority and tell me that not heeding advice is disrespectful. As I said, he is 17 I'm in my mid 40s!

Am I being overly sensitive?

[Dobbersky]

DoctorQui

You hit the nail on the head, The senior Instructor saw your technique and said there was nothing wrong with it, where as the Sempai's were making sutle changes, its because Their experience has not come to a level that they go beyond technique.

Everyone has there own "Style" even for styles like Shotokan and Wado and Shito Ryu etc where every hand/foot position has to be perfect. I on the other hand am, in my style, not to concerned whether the hand/foot position etc is 4cm wrong or the toes aren't turned in enough etc. but I suppose like your Senior instructor have gone beyond the technique

Just relax, Bow, thank the Sempai who is showing you and take you own interpritation of what all the Semapis have given you to make your own

OSU

Edited July 13, 2012 by Dobbersky

[DoctorQui]

DoctorQui

You hit the nail on the head, The senior Instructor saw your technique and said there was nothing wrong with it, where as the Sempai's were making sutle changes, its because Their experience has not come to a level that they go beyond technique.

Everyone has there own "Style" even for styles like Shotokan and Wado and Shito Ryu etc where every hand/foot position has to be perfect. I on the other hand am not, in my style, to concerned whether the hand/foot position etc is 4cm wrong or the toes aren't turned in enough etc. but I suppose like your wenior instructor have gone beyond the technique

just relax, Bow, thank the Sempai who is showing you and take you own interpritation of what all the Semapis have given you to make your own

OSU

OSU Dobber, good advice.

I never had this at my last Dojo, people were a lot more relaxed and prepared to discuss it rather than just say, 'do this!'. The guys at my new Dojo are great, don't get me wrong, its simply that, to each one I sparr with, 'I'm doing it all wrong' which of course, as you say, unless you're blocking a maegeri with a block more suitable for Jodan punch , you're technique isn't necessarily wrong but personal!

Some of the Dan grades at my new Dojo just aren't comfortable with having their advice challenged or discussed. Probably because most students are either kids or adults with no previous experience to draw from!

[evergrey]

Hah, story of my life, except beyond the Sempai... I have THREE instructors!

One is a 2nd dan, one is a 5th dan, and one is a 7th dan. The 5th dan owns the dojo, and the 2nd dan claims me as his own personal student. They all teach techniques a little differently! I often find myself having to adjust how I do things to cater to whichever instructor I am working with at the moment. The 7th dan always wants me to do as he says. The 5th dan says ultimately I should follow the orders of the 2nd dan.

I have learned the value of saying "OSU," trying all ways, and then developing the technique that works best for ME... just as my sempai and my instructors ultimately did, haha, and just as your sempai have. Sometimes they forget that what works best for them might not be what works best for everyone. A technique that works really well for a tall, lanky outfighter, for example, may not work at all for me.

I'll never forget the time the 7th dan told me that, during a certain kata, I must not bend down to do a certain groin block. He insisted that blocking with my back straight would protect my groin sufficiently. I have very short arms and a very long back. The 5th dan disagreed and said that I should bend down.

The 7th dan decided to demonstrate how he was correct by telling me to block his way, and swinging a front kick at my groin.

I'll never forget the look on his face when his foot connected, haha!

At any rate, there's something to be learned from all of them.

In your case, err on the side of your head instructor. Nice and simple. If you get chewed on, bow and thank them for their advice and say you mean no disrespect but you must obey what your head instructor told you.

Usually if there's too much of a conflict on how to do something between myself and one of my sempai, I call over an instructor and ask them to clarify.

I feel ya on the cheeky 17 year old bit though. Sometimes I think teenagers aren't ready for a black belt, because leadership requires a certain amount of maturity. Some handle it fine though, and the others... they hopefully grow into it.

OSU!

[Dobie1979]

when I'm told to do something that contridicts something another instructor tells me, I simply say I'm doing this way because, "insert Name" told me to do it this way. I let them know that I am now confused. This usually gets all of the instructors to get together and make them decide on the way to do it..

[ps1]

There is no right. There is no wrong. Asthetics are useless. What matters is what works for you. All anyone else can show you is what works for them.

[sensei8]

Advice from assistant instructors should be taken seriously, however, the final authority comes from the Chief Instructor. Well, except in my case.

[evergrey]

Advice from assistant instructors should be taken seriously, however, the final authority comes from the Chief Instructor. Well, except in my case.

LOL, well you're the head of your style now, Bob! OSU!

PS sorry about this past weekend- I was a dork and I thought I was online on skype, but I was offline!

[sensei8]

Advice from assistant instructors should be taken seriously, however, the final authority comes from the Chief Instructor. Well, except in my case.

LOL, well you're the head of your style now, Bob! OSU!

PS sorry about this past weekend- I was a dork and I thought I was online on skype, but I was offline!

Yeah....that's still not sunk in me as of yet, even though it's been many years since Soke and Dai-Soke have passed away.

Don't worry about the Skype thing, we'll attempt it again this weekend...Cool?