Disrespecting the Karate Gi

[FangPwnsAll7]

Ok, so I haven't made a topic here in a while, but I think it's time I made this one. I just got home from class about an hour ago, and I felt that I had to bring this up. In class, ever since last month, the other students have been out of control. Some of the younger kids around age 4 or 5, they wear their gi with their chest showing. You might be thinking, that's not a big deal. Well, I think differently. Because, do you know what else they do to their gi? They pick their nose with their sleeve and put their belt in their mouth. Some of the older kids just roll up their sleeves on their gi and also their pants rolled up so their entire skin is showing.

During meditation, some students grab their belt and swing it around. Before class, they take off the belt and bang it off the wall or hit other kids with it. What really makes me angry is because the higher ranks or doing this. They are setting a really bad example. I'm sure half of the comments I'm going to get on this topic will probably suggest to stop worrying about other kids and worry about myself. Right? Well, I am doing just that already. You know, it just makes me angry that the students do this, even after my instructor said, multiple times, not to.

Any thoughts?

[darksoul]

Hmmm... kids classes.

When I taught kids classes, I was pretty demanding in terms of respect and focus. I made kids stand in corners, do push-ups, whatever I needed to if they didn't pay attention.

Honestly, seems like your instructor is not reigning his class properly. You're 14, have you thought of asking your instructor if you can join in the adult classes? If you show proper focus and respect, they may allow you to do so.

As for rolling up the gi's, I have my gi rolled up about half-way up my forearms. It's a comfort thing for me.

[FangPwnsAll7]

Hmmm... kids classes.

When I taught kids classes, I was pretty demanding in terms of respect and focus. I made kids stand in corners, do push-ups, whatever I needed to if they didn't pay attention.

Honestly, seems like your instructor is not reigning his class properly. You're 14, have you thought of asking your instructor if you can join in the adult classes? If you show proper focus and respect, they may allow you to do so.

As for rolling up the gi's, I have my gi rolled up about half-way up my forearms. It's a comfort thing for me.

Actually, the classes I'm currently going to are for ages 11 and under. The classes that are 14+ are from 6 to 7. A good full hour. I'll see if I can go to those.

[TravsintheMartialArts]

If you have already tried speaking to your instructor, it might be time to take the initiative, and talk to some of your senior students about what they think can be done about the situation. I think you're right on in saying that senior students should set an example, and if they aren't, it's something that needs to be fixed. Of course, they might not listen to you, in which case you have something else to take up with your instructor... I'm absolutely with you, though; that sort of behavior is unacceptable and disruptive to a martial arts class. It is the total opposite of the kind of focus and mental discipline needed to properly practice combative techniques, especially at higher levels. If they can't put their mind in what they are doing, they'll never learn.

[Wastelander]

Children will tend to do those types of things--even if you explain how they should treat their uniform, they will either ignore it or forget it. The only thing that can really be done is to be consistent with enforcing discipline and protocol over time, and it must start from Day 1 or it is incredibly difficult to reign things back in.

I say that you should talk to your instructor about getting into the teen or adult classes if you are bothered by the behavior you are seeing in the younger students' classes. As long as you are focused and disciplined and respectful there shouldn't be a problem.

[FangPwnsAll7]

If you have already tried speaking to your instructor, it might be time to take the initiative, and talk to some of your senior students about what they think can be done about the situation. I think you're right on in saying that senior students should set an example, and if they aren't, it's something that needs to be fixed. Of course, they might not listen to you, in which case you have something else to take up with your instructor... I'm absolutely with you, though; that sort of behavior is unacceptable and disruptive to a martial arts class. It is the total opposite of the kind of focus and mental discipline needed to properly practice combative techniques, especially at higher levels. If they can't put their mind in what they are doing, they'll never learn.

I know. My instructor actually said that the younger belts have to listen to the senior belts. But why, when they are acting immature? They are trying to get the white belts to do this stuff.

[FangPwnsAll7]

Children will tend to do those types of things--even if you explain how they should treat their uniform, they will either ignore it or forget it. The only thing that can really be done is to be consistent with enforcing discipline and protocol over time, and it must start from Day 1 or it is incredibly difficult to reign things back in.

I say that you should talk to your instructor about getting into the teen or adult classes if you are bothered by the behavior you are seeing in the younger students' classes. As long as you are focused and disciplined and respectful there shouldn't be a problem.

They seem to be ignoring it. I am asking my instructor if I can go participate in the ages 14+ class with the teens and adults. I don't see why he would say no.

[evergrey]

Yeah, I'd say you are old enough for the older people's class. Usually at my dojo, teens join at age 13 if they're bigger, more mature kids, or 14. Some even younger if they are well-behaved and dedicated, but that is rare.

That kind of thing would never fly in my dojo though. The head instructor (who teaches the kids) is strict but they just adore him. If they don't behave, it's push-ups, or being the demo dummy, heh! (Not that he abuses them, mind you.)

But yeah, two separate issues here. One is, you are very likely ready for teens or adults class. Two is that the students need to get reined in... but that isn't your job. I totally understand your frustration though. It's disrespectful of them, to the space, to the instructors, to their fellow students, to the style.

As for rolled up and chests showing, meh. I wear a shirt under my dogi 'cos they require that of females, though I hate it. We live in a hot area and I have to wear a couple extra layers of clothing, thanks to being female.

Some people roll their sleeves up, but many others just cut them short to a certain degree. It's harder to get grabbed that way, heheh.

And when practicing knockdown karate, well, our gis come open a lot. It's hard, messy work!

OSU!

[DoctorQui]

Sounds typical of any MA class that teaches as young as 4 to me. It may annoy you now Fang but wait until you are actually trying to teach them .

It is both physically and mentally impossible for children as young as 4-5 to stay focused for anything longer than a few minutes at a time (I'm a father of 4 so I have some experience ), MA is no exception. Fidgeting, fiddling with the gi, belt, hair, talking or misbehaving in line etc is completely normal and should be fully understood by anyone agreeing to take children this young. You have to have to work on them over time and they eventually (if they stick it out!) become some of the most disciplined young adult martial artists you will find.

It sounds like you need to move to the older class to me!

[vantheman]

My school also has a 3-4 year old class and a 5-6 year classes. Most instructors realize at this age, the kids are there to have fun. 3-4 year olds are not tested for new belts, just given stars to sew on to their white belts. For young classes like this, instructors are aiming to putting a smile on the kids' faces, while teaching them some basic strikes and self defense. Come the 5 and 6 year old mark, students are diciplined, having to sit out and do push ups for rowdy behavior. They also begin testing (albeit at a slower pace) and doing some more legitimate karate, with class ending with some fun karate based game.

What I am trying to say is that in the younger classes, you are going to see more kids screwing around. While it bothers you that not much is getting accomplished, move on to a more mature group of people. I had similar experiences when I was your age. I have always seen a higher quality of class as you get to higher age groups. Go for that older class.

If they don't behave... being the demo dummy

I love being the demo dummy. It's a privilege!