Starting up a club at 2nd kyu

[Shotokannon]

Hi Guys,

Does anybody know if it's possible to set up a Shotokan club as a high level kyu grade? If you've done this, what was your experience?

Thanks

[Zaine]

This is something that I would talk to your Sensei about. In this case, it's more of an issue of approval from them.

Personally, I would be nervous to step into a club and find that the instructor was not at least a 1st Dan. The fact that you're a 2nd Kyu might hurt your business. What experience do you have teaching at the moment? Have you begun teaching classes at your dojo, or at least assisting?

[Lupin1]

In addition to Zaine's question, I'd also wonder if there are other clubs in your area run by dan ranked instructors and if you're planning on charging a normal fee.

If your area has very few martial arts schools, you may be more successful starting a school at 2nd kyu and people could forgive your lack of experience. If the area is flooded with 3rd dans and higher teaching, most people will gravitate towards them for instruction.

Also, if you plan on starting a small, free or cheap program at a youth center or rec club that might be different than wanting to open a full blown school with normal fees. People again will be more open to taking lessons from a 2nd kyu for free or for cheap through a rec center, but may not want to spend a good chunk of their income on lessons from a kyu ranked student.

[sensei8]

What would the ultimate purpose of the club be?? Training?? Exchanging of ideas?? However, it's none of my business!!

Again, imho, a person of any rank or no rank at all could start a club!!

I'd never refuse any of my students if they wanted to start a club; it's their given right to do so. For me to refuse them, if they even asked, is me trying to control them outside of the dojo, and I've no right to do so. It's also, imho, not cool to try to monopolize commercial trade of any type, for any reason(s) whether it's for profit or non-profit.

I do, however, understand why a Sensei and/or governing body might have objections about a student, especially one of 2nd Kyu. Aside from the competition aspects, there's the proprietary concerns, as well as Brand protection.

One bad apple can destroy the whole bunch, but on the other hand, one good apple can enhance the whole bunch!! It's a risk I'd be willing to take because I've no right to stand in the way of ones opportunities as well as their right to pursue free enterprise.

In short, GO FOR IT!!

[Shotokannon]

In addition to Zaine's question, I'd also wonder if there are other clubs in your area run by dan ranked instructors and if you're planning on charging a normal fee.

If your area has very few martial arts schools, you may be more successful starting a school at 2nd kyu and people could forgive your lack of experience. If the area is flooded with 3rd dans and higher teaching, most people will gravitate towards them for instruction.

Also, if you plan on starting a small, free or cheap program at a youth center or rec club that might be different than wanting to open a full blown school with normal fees. People again will be more open to taking lessons from a 2nd kyu for free or for cheap through a rec center, but may not want to spend a good chunk of their income on lessons from a kyu ranked student.

Well at the moment I'm planning on doing it at cost, I taught many lessons at my old club since I was green belt, so I have a good foundation for teaching and plenty of interest and after all, a belt doesn't really prove anything, I believe its what you know that really counts, and I think that after having a few lessons, my students may have a lot more faith in me

[sensei8]

Are we speaking about a club or a dojo?? To me, there separate in totality!!

To me, a club is where ideas are exchanged, and a dojo is where someone is being taught. Both are important, yet to me, one's more informal than the other.

[JR 137]

What would the ultimate purpose of the club be?? Training?? Exchanging of ideas?? However, it's none of my business!!

Again, imho, a person of any rank or no rank at all could start a club!!

I'd never refuse any of my students if they wanted to start a club; it's their given right to do so. For me to refuse them, if they even asked, is me trying to control them outside of the dojo, and I've no right to do so. It's also, imho, not cool to try to monopolize commercial trade of any type, for any reason(s) whether it's for profit or non-profit.

I do, however, understand why a Sensei and/or governing body might have objections about a student, especially one of 2nd Kyu. Aside from the competition aspects, there's the proprietary concerns, as well as Brand protection.

One bad apple can destroy the whole bunch, but on the other hand, one good apple can enhance the whole bunch!! It's a risk I'd be willing to take because I've no right to stand in the way of ones opportunities as well as their right to pursue free enterprise.

In short, GO FOR IT!!

I agree with this to an extent. By all means, do what you feel. However, if I were running an organization, a branch chief, etc., I'd refuse to allow you to use the organization's name. I'd allow you to teach Shotokanon's Karate and do what you wish, but wouldn't allow you to call it JR-Do-Te, I wouldn't test nor recognize rank of your students if they were to train with me, etc.; it's YOUR thing, not mine.

As sensei8 said, there's a difference between a club and a dojo. Running an after school club, training with other students, and so forth is one thing. Running a dojo under the guise of an organization is quite another thing.

If you have the higher ups' blessing, rock on. If not, follow their rules or you could at the least be excommunicated. You could be sued if you use someone's name without their permission.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Personally I don't feel like starting a club or dojo at 2nd Kyu is advisable. BECAUSE many people may not take you seriously.

For prospective students i feel like they would want to see a black belt around the head instructors waist. As I have spoken to several friends of mine who don't train in any form of martial art about this and that they felt like you would have issues in training higher ranked students and appear to have lesser knowledge + experience than a BB.

To me if you had the clearance to commence your own school from your sensei, then go ahead. I'd then say you should find a mentor to assist you with students and curriculum, because they can help you with those ranks that are closer to yours.

[The Pred]

Do what you think is right. Now that I think of it. I remember a post here of some person who was a blue belt opening a BJJ school.

[GojuRyu Bahrain]

May I ask why you want to open a Shotokan club? What do you bring to the table that your current Shotokan Dojo does not?

Personally, I think that (under normal circumstances) a ni-kyu in a Karate style does not allow for enough time, experience and knowledge to teach that style properly. You might not know most of the Kata, partner forms, even Kihon techniques, hence our teachings would be severely limited, if not crippled.

In your profile you list a number of full contact styles, as well as Shotokan, so I am curious why you decided for Shotokan specifically?

Related to your other styles, and my own background = 26 years in a number of other Karate and MA styles (plus ni-dan in Shotokan), I feel most Shotokan Dojos are a bit detached from reality. I am wondering if you want to bring more "realism" into the training, which is what I am currently doing for a mixed crowd in a small class setting. In my case I don't call it Shotokan despite the fact that most of my "students" are Shotokan-based or still actively train. We do Karate...