Comments for Martial Arts Business Daily

Comment on How Long Should It Take To Get A Black Belt? by Rick

Rick — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:36:35 +0000

Thats a Mcdojo tactic. Run find a good school for your son

Comment on How Long Should It Take To Get A Black Belt? by Gia

Gia — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:57:28 +0000

I got my black belt in 5 years, and had a three-day black belt test for my 1st dan. Between day 1 and day 2, we were not even allowed to go home. We slept at the dojang after having to clean it top to bottom. There were three of us.

I am now shopping for a better dojang for my daughter, and cannot find one that I feel good about. The last one I looked at even their Black belts were in t-shirts cause it might get hot. What?

Comment on How Long Should It Take To Get A Black Belt? by Randi

Randi — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:10:01 +0000

I have been training for almost nine years, now, and I am beginning the first “step” in a three-part test for first dan. Our school has an age requirement of 16. We must turn in a six page paper, written on a topic we are given (which I am currently writing now), we must go through a two to three hour endurance test (which many red belts [brown] have quit just before/during because they couldn’t handle it), THEN we must put together a ten minute demonstration, envolving other students (lower ranking…not that I care to refer to them as that…but it is for reason of respect that no higher ranking students can be in the demonstration). Hours upon hours are put into this, which must include forms, breaking, defending an attacker, and may/may not have a short skit. AFTER you have gone through all of this year-long test, you may or may not be honored with your first dan. While it is very stressful at times (or all the time, lol), I have nothing but appretiation and respect for the program (for lack of a better word). Not to mention, all who know of the process of promotion, and the years behind training, have nothing but complete respect for the black belts, and all the dedicated dans.

It is a pet peeve of mine, as well, when I see eight year old “black belts.”
As my Grandmaster has said you us, “I don’t want you to get a black belt. I want you to BE a black belt.”

Comment on When Martial Arts Become Mainstream… by Sean Russell

Sean Russell — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:18:04 +0000

Hi Mr. Massie,

Great article! I teach a very aggressive art (non-stylistic) called Kung Fu San Soo. I noticed that the tougher I am on the children during drills the happier the parents become. Not to mention,the response from the students becomes more respectful. Afrer the drills I lighten up slightly for the technique part of the class. San Soo is generally taugh semi-formal to adults but my children’s classes thrive on tradition.

Comment on Fitness and the Business of Martial Arts by Mike D

Mike D — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:34:30 +0000

Mike,
This is really one the clearest and best articles on the topic of “martial arts fitness programs” ever written. If school owners take your advice and get and stay committed to teaching a fitness program in their school — they will succeed when they do it right and market it properly. They fail when they jump from “trend to trend.”

Comment on How Long Should It Take To Get A Black Belt? by TKDmom

TKDmom — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 04:56:16 +0000

Thank you so much for writing this; it’s cleared up a lot of things for me.

I have a 7 year old who loves taekwondo, and he is also blessed with a natural talent for the sport. We love his school and caring instructors who are genuinely good at teaching children. My one big issue with them, though, is that it’s way too easy to move up. I see kids who can’t remember their forms and not only rise to the next belt but win trophies! It cheapens the efforts of my son, I feel, especially when less competent children get awarded and sometimes over our son who clearly performed better. I had always been puzzled by this until I read your post. Now I know that the school wanted to keep the less competent kids around, by praising and giving out trophies.

I probably should shop around for a higher quality school but by now my son is so attached to his school and instructors.

Comment on Learning, Success, and Suffering Fools in Your Business by Megan Drap

Megan Drap — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:37:23 +0000

I found this article very helpful. Not only am I a student in college writing a paper on the marketing aspect of a Martial Arts School, but I train in one as well. The school I train in has seen better days as far as enrollment, this is partially due to the fact that most of the students are from military family’s and are forced to move all over the country. Hopefully with your incite to marketing I can aid my mother, the owner of the school, in obtaining more students. Thank you for writing a wonderful and helpful article.

Comment on Kumite – The Three Levels by Sempai Marc

Sempai Marc — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:50:24 +0000

I enjoy reading your stuff. We have similar thought process. I like how you broke kumite into 3 levels. That’s a fresh concept that I’ve never looked at before.

I too try to get my students to just let it flow. I’ll say walk across the room. And point out you don’t have to break down every aspect of the act. That’s sparring.

And don’t be afraid to get hit either.

Comment on When Martial Arts Become Mainstream… by Sempai Marc

Sempai Marc — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:43:16 +0000

Thank you for this article. I teach traditional Kyokushin. And started in Okinawan Shorin-ryu. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one with this philosphy. There are several schools around me that may make more money. But my dojo’s reputation surpasses them because we don’t play.
Matter of fact, my own son failed his first brown belt test. And everyone saw how he just worked harder to make it the second time.
The biggest reward is the kid that was getting bullied. Did a simple move that he just learned, showing the bully he can take care of himself. And it ending there.
Tradition is the foundation. I stress to my students you are not working for the belt. You’re working to be a great martial artist and person. You make the belt. Not the other way.

Osu!

Comment on How Long Should It Take To Get A Black Belt? by hailey

hailey — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:07:35 +0000

My daughter, who just turned 6, has been in taekwondo since the age of 2. She started off as a Tiny Tiger, and is now a blue belt. Initially, in her school,graduations are “given” every 2-3 months based on specific requirements being met. After your first year(purple belt), you are tested, and have a pass/fail system! My daughter lost the honor of being allowed to test on a recent test because her feet weren’t facing forward in one of her forms, and she hesitated a few seconds too long between moves on one of the harder forms! On top of that, she must have permission from parents and teachers to test….and there are requirements such as keeping room clean and being respectful, as well as completing homework on time and getting good grades!