Know Your Role!!

[JR 137]

Had a funny situation last night in class that IMMEDIATELY made me think of this thread...

We had a kata specific class last night. Black belts are performing their kata, and myself and the other 2 kyu students are standing in the back waiting our turn. One shodan was doing Seiunchin and skipped about 4 steps in the middle of it. I immediately picked up on it, but kept my mouth shut. He stops and looks at the instructor running class with a puzzled look, to which the instructor tells him he's right. 2 steps later they both realize he skipped ahead too far.

In the locker room, the shodan says to me, laughingly "why didn't you correct me?" He knows I know the kata and was watching. "You could have gestured (posing in the step he forgot to do)."

My reply - "I'm a yellow belt. Do you really think I should have corrected a 6th dan and a shodan, even though I was right? I know my role."

Also it should be noted that it was my first time in that instructor's class.

We both laughed. Let the teacher teach.

On another note, but subject related...

A student who outranks me asked me a few times about a kata she's just learned - Saiha. She knows I know it very well; I won first place a few times performing it in competition (she doesn't know that). Here I am a yellow belt, showing an advanced brown belt how to do an advanced brown belt kata.

This was on two occasions, once before class and once after another class. Both times the instructor was busy with someone else. I felt pretty awkward, and quietly and as quickly as possible gave her pointers on what she asked.

Do I tell her to ask someone else, or do I help again in the same situation? I didn't approach her in any way; she came to me. No one's said anything, but I think because they didn't notice.

I don't want to be that guy in the dojo who knows everything, but I also want to help someone with a simple thing if they ask me.

[The Pred]

Had a funny situation last night in class that IMMEDIATELY made me think of this thread...

We had a kata specific class last night. Black belts are performing their kata, and myself and the other 2 kyu students are standing in the back waiting our turn. One shodan was doing Seiunchin and skipped about 4 steps in the middle of it. I immediately picked up on it, but kept my mouth shut. He stops and looks at the instructor running class with a puzzled look, to which the instructor tells him he's right. 2 steps later they both realize he skipped ahead too far.

In the locker room, the shodan says to me, laughingly "why didn't you correct me?" He knows I know the kata and was watching. "You could have gestured (posing in the step he forgot to do)."

My reply - "I'm a yellow belt. Do you really think I should have corrected a 6th dan and a shodan, even though I was right? I know my role."

Also it should be noted that it was my first time in that instructor's class.

We both laughed. Let the teacher teach.

On another note, but subject related...

A student who outranks me asked me a few times about a kata she's just learned - Saiha. She knows I know it very well; I won first place a few times performing it in competition (she doesn't know that). Here I am a yellow belt, showing an advanced brown belt how to do an advanced brown belt kata.

This was on two occasions, once before class and once after another class. Both times the instructor was busy with someone else. I felt pretty awkward, and quietly and as quickly as possible gave her pointers on what she asked.

Do I tell her to ask someone else, or do I help again in the same situation? I didn't approach her in any way; she came to me. No one's said anything, but I think because they didn't notice.

I don't want to be that guy in the dojo who knows everything, but I also want to help someone with a simple thing if they ask me.

Very respectful that you didn't correct the instructor. As far as showing the brown belt, if she's asking for your help, I would feel honored. Besides you're both still kyu ranks.

[sensei8]

To The Pred and JR 137...

Solid posts, both!!

[JR 137]

I just don't want to step on any toes. As counterintuitive as it sounds, I'd rather a black belt ask me for help. I'd rather a black belt say 'I haven't done this kata in a few years; what step am I missing?"

It's odd teaching something I'm not supposed to know yet. Add to that that I don't want people thinking I'm walking around giving people above me unsolicited advice about stuff I'm not supposed to know yet.

I'm probably making more of it than I should though.

[sensei8]

I just don't want to step on any toes. As counterintuitive as it sounds, I'd rather a black belt ask me for help. I'd rather a black belt say 'I haven't done this kata in a few years; what step am I missing?"

It's odd teaching something I'm not supposed to know yet. Add to that that I don't want people thinking I'm walking around giving people above me unsolicited advice about stuff I'm not supposed to know yet.

I'm probably making more of it than I should though.

Solid post!!

[Spartacus Maximus]

The most cautious attitude to have is probably to only offer help when asked specifically and explicitly. Differences between peers are cleared by consulting the instructor at an appropriate time.

[JR 137]

The most cautious attitude to have is probably to only offer help when asked specifically and explicitly. Differences between peers are cleared by consulting the instructor at an appropriate time.

Absolutely agreed. There's no way I'm giving unsolicited advice to anyone. I used to be a black belt. Key words being "used to be." I also used to be in college and drank and "dated" like there was no tomorrow. I don't pretend I'm still that guy any more either.

[Spartacus Maximus]

"Used-to-be" is something in the past, and what matters is whatever is happening now. My former rank of sandan is more of an obstacle than it is an advantage. So much so that I dread being asked to help lest I pass on some old habit that stubbornly reappears despite my honest efforts to follow my teacher's instructions.