The Three As of Grading Selection

As it is grading selection time again, I thought it would be a good time to detail the process that we use to reach our decision. I refer to it as the three As; Attitude, Attendance and Ability; and I rank them in that order. Let me explain:

Attitude

This is ranked first, and is therefore the most important quality that we are looking for from our students. Attitude is what separates the good martial artist from the great one, and becoming a great martial artist is highly achievable if you just put your heart and mind into it. Be courageous, be dedicated, and be positive.

Training with the wrong attitude is not only disrespectful to your instructors and fellow students, but is also not being true to yourself. If you find yourself making excuses to miss training, or dreading every session that you do attend, then it is better for everyone concerned if you stop training and seek an alternative activity.

With the right attitude, your instructors and fellow students feel compelled to interact with you and help you develop, and everyone will notice the enthusiasm you have for your training. However, having a great attitude is not enough, which leads me on to:

Attendance

Attendance has always played a large part in grading selection. Since the club began, there have been specific session requirements that had to be achieved before grading selection could be considered. However, just completing the required number of sessions never guaranteed selection, especially if the target had been reached over a long period of time.

In previous blog entries I have highlighted the benefit of regular training, so I will not go over it again here, although regular is the important word. I expect all students to attempt to train at least once a week, and twice a week for senior grades. I say attempt, as it is inevitable that things will get in the way such as holidays, work commitments, illness etc.

Not training once a week has an obvious outcome. Our lesson schedule works on a four week rota of kata, sparring, self-defence and impact. If a student trains once a fortnight, then half of the sessions, and therefore half of the syllabus, will have been missed, leaving large gaps in the student’s training.

For senior grades, I refer you to the NAKMAS guidelines for Dan grade selection, which I have to confirm you have satisfied. They are located in the Criteria section of the National Register of Qualified Black Belts, or ask the existing Dan grades what was and still is expected of them.

I will not chastise students for poor attendance, but in return I expect students not to be disappointed if they are not selected for grading as a consequence. If we assume that students have the desired attitude and attendance, then the final A is:

Ability

There is no getting away from it, having a great attitude and attending every available session will not guarantee that you will develop the ability to progress to your next grade. However, I hope you can appreciate that ability coming after attitude and attendance shows that it is the least important factor in our decision. The most naturally gifted martial artist with a shocking attitude and sporadic training record will never progress, and certainly not in our club.

We, as grading examiners, have to decide whether our students possess the ability to be able to uphold the grade they are hoping to achieve. It is not an easy decision, and often we have to decide whether the student is performing to the highest standard that they will ever achieve, i.e. are they doing the best they can, and will they ever get any better.

With the correct attitude and regular attendance ability will improve, but we all have to understand that karate (like many other things in life) comes easier to some than others, and age, illness and injuries can and do take their toll!

So…

As you hopefully now appreciate, grading selection is not the simple task that it may have first appeared.

Excelling in some areas will not make up for the shortfall in the others. Having a great attitude and good ability will not make up for poor attendance, the same as training regularly and demonstrating good technique will not compensate for a poor attitude.

However, I firmly believe that every student can influence their own attitude and attendance, and ability will definitely improve as a result.

Sensei Damon Cooper 4th Dan
Chief Instructor

'Real' karate in action

I received the following message from one of my students a few weeks ago. With their kind permission, I want to share it with the wider audience of my blog.

'Evening Sensei Damon. On Sunday afternoon I was walking through Worthing town centre minding my own business. A group of youths (about 4 I think) were walking past. For no apparent reason, one of them deliberately shoulder barged quite forcefully into me, as he went past. It could, potentially, have been the first time since I started martial arts training that I may have had to put the skills to the test. I turned round, rather annoyed, to see said youth staring at me. Perhaps he was surprised when, although tempted, I said nothing at all, turned back and walked away. As you have said, if you can avoid conflict, do so. Wise words, and at least I walked away, completely unscathed, no problem.'

What a shame that there are people like that around, and the student must be congratulated on their restraint. You'll never know which one of the group had the knife, but unfortunately I expect one did, and I feel that this situation was handled perfectly.

I assume that they were trying to provoke a response as an excuse for a punch up, but one on one is reckless if you don't have to get involved, let alone four on one. Movies are full of one person fighting off hoards of attackers, but that does not happen in real life. The best you can hope for is to 'damage' a few of your attackers before you inevitably get overwhelmed. They will also not attack you one at a time, as Hollywood would have you believe.

However, I don't agree that this may have been the first time this student put their martial arts skills to the test. Karate, and all other martial arts, is about much more than just fighting, and I feel that 'real' karate was shown in abundance throughout this whole encounter.

A potentially nasty situation, but a perfect example of the attitude and composure that we, as instructors, are trying to instill into our students.

A martial artist has the ability to take the fight beyond the legal limit, and therefore must assume the responsibility to know not to.

Sensei

Reason, Season or Lifetime?

I recently stumbled over the popular poem relating to why people come into your life, entitled Reason, Season or Lifetime? I'm sure that any Facebook users will have seen it many times before.

It wasn't long before I realised that 'people' could easily be replaced with 'karate', or any other martial art that you practice, and subsequently encourage you to examine your goals and motivation.

My personal thoughts are:

Reason - this type of student comes to karate training with a defined goal, be it to lose weight, get fit, or become a Black belt. Once the initial goal has been achieved, the desire to continue training often evaporates, and the student invariably leaves to pursue another goal.

Season - this type of student comes to karate training with no defined goal, but instead has a dedicated and committed attitude which allows them to continue training as they reach and surpass the goals that the 'Reason' students set themselves. These students usually attend every session to begin with, however there becomes a time when the 'Season' student reaches a plateau, and begins to lose their drive and motivation. They begin to miss sessions as the excuses roll in, and eventually they decide that their time is up.

Lifetime - this type of student comes to karate training with any of the previously mentioned reasons, and may take some considerable time to change from 'Reason' or 'Season' to 'Lifetime'. However, at some point in their training, the proverbial penny drops, and they suddenly have difficulty visualising their life without karate. They continually want to improve themselves and others, and realise that they will never know everything or attain perfection. It won't stop them trying though.

So which applies to you?

I am not suggesting that any of the three definitions are wrong, but sometimes recognising which path you are on can help you plan your training accordingly, or seek assistance and guidance to change paths if you feel you are heading in the wrong direction.

Until next time,

Sensei

How to be a Black Belt

First published Wednesday 15th February 2012

The main aim of any beginner or intermediate student of karate is usually to attain the coveted black belt. The black belt represents technical excellence, high ethical standards, and the ability to endure a strict and rigorous training programme. People with black belts are seen as being more than average karateka. They are rightfully seen as being highly disciplined and skilled exponents of the art.

So what are the steps that any student can take now to ensure a successful path to black belt? In this blog entry I will attempt to give you my top planning and training tips for becoming a black belt. If you read and follow these tips, you will significantly increase your chance of success in reaching your desired goal.

1) Define what being a black belt means to you personally

"If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else". By defining what the black belt means to you, you now have specific reasons to become one. You must take full ownership of your goal if you are to achieve it. Your instructors and fellow students will encourage you along the way, but the responsibility of reaching your goal lies squarely on your shoulders.

2) Set a realistic period in which to reach your goal

It typically takes three to four years of regular training to attain the level of 1st Dan black belt. If you say you are going to do it in a year, then you are definitely being over ambitious. Likewise, if you set a timescale of eight years to reach the goal, then you are probably not stretching yourself enough.

3) Break your overall goal down into smaller pieces

You cannot possibly learn everything that you need in order to become a black belt at once, so it is very important that you break down the syllabus into smaller bite sized pieces. Fortunately this has been done for you already, as each belt level has specific required content. Download a copy of the grading syllabus from the website and focus on what you need now, instead of what you will need further down the road.

4) Ask the current black belts in the club how they were successful

A black belt is somebody who has already achieved the goal that you are striving to reach. They obviously know what it takes, otherwise they would not be wearing the black belt. Do not be afraid to approach the black belts in the club and find out what it was like for them during their progression to black belt. They will more than likely have lots of great advice that will be very helpful, and will be more than happy to share their own successes, as well as the challenges they faced on the way.

5) Train on a regular basis

90% of success comes from showing up. There are no short cuts. Consistent and persistent practice will lead to positive progress and growth. You must make your weekly karate classes a priority and a necessary discipline in your ultimate journey to becoming a black belt. Books and training videos can be great tools, but you cannot learn everything you need from a book or a DVD. You need an experienced instructor who can guide you along the way, and who will give you encouragement, and constructive feedback.

6) Practice at home

Repetition and practice are the keys to success in anything that you do, especially in karate. Training on a regular basis is essential, but practice at home is also highly recommended if you are to make it to black belt within your desired timescale. Practicing at home allows you to work on the things that you know you need to practice more, and gives you a chance to digest the content learnt in the sessions.

7) Find a training partner who shares the same goal and push each other to the next level

There is nothing more motivating than a bit of friendly competition. Try to find someone in the club who is at a similar level and ability to you, and team up with them through your common goal of becoming black belts. Together you will be able to push each other through the tough times, celebrate with each other on each successful step forward, and keep each other focused on the result of your efforts.

8) Never give up on becoming a black belt

When the inevitable doubts as to whether or not you will be successful in reaching your goal rear their ugly heads, just remind yourself of one undeniable truth - Giving up on your goal guarantees failure. Persistence, on the other hand, will lead you to your desired result. If you are single minded in the pursuit of your goal, then giving up will never become an option. There are no hidden secrets or special training methods, just clear goals, consistent practice and hard work.

In future blog entries I will detail the expectations for 1st Kyu brown belts awaiting selection for grading to black belt, and I will also ask the other black belts in the club for their hints, tips, and experiences. As always, if there is anything that you would particularly like to know, just ask.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.

Sensei

Competitions - For or Against?

First published Tuesday 7th February 2012

Competition is a subject that comes up regularly when I am talking to students, and has recently been requested as a topic for the relaunched blog.

The majority of my students probably already know my thoughts on competition within karate, but as this blog is published to a wider audience, I will detail again.

It is my belief that karate and many other martial arts were developed from a self-defence perspective. Therefore, a kumite competition between two self-defence orientated karateka would result in the strangest spectacle ever witnessed, with both participants waiting for their opponent to attack so that they could defend themselves.

Obviously situations will exist where striking first is necessary, but a proficient martial artist is more likely to attempt to avoid confrontation at all costs.

This makes for an interesting dilemma, as kumite is one of the three k's of karate (and other martial arts), and therefore must continue to be a part of a students' training programme. So how can kumite be integrated into what is technically a self-defence activity?

In most clubs, controlled sparring is included as part of the syllabus, which allows students the chance to practice their techniques, in a 'live' situation. By that, I mean that the sparring activity is not prescribed, such as you attack me with a reverse punch, and I will block your punch and then deliver a front kick. Free sparring is, and should be, a random mix of attack and defence, which is about as close as students can get to a 'real' fight.

The problem here, of course, is that if a student was attacked in the street, it would be highly unlikely (and seriously disappointing) if their attacker was an accomplished martial artist. Therefore, fighting in a way similar to controlled sparring could place the student at a disadvantage, as they would possibly be the only one in the fight 'playing by the rules'.

So, it would be easy to think that kumite has no place in martial arts, but that would be wrong. Kumite is much more than just fighting, and introduces students to many aspects of karate that might not be immediately obvious. Let me explain:

Kumite introduces students to the idea that if they do not protect themselves properly, then they will get hit, and possibly injured.

Kumite introduces students to the concept of control, both over physical techniques and powerful emotions.

Kumite introduces students to the need for respect, both for themselves, and their training partner.

I could go on, but needless to say some of the hidden benefits of kumite are some of the most important aspects of karate. But why competition I hear you ask?

The main reason I feel that competition between clubs, and countries, arose was ego. Think back to ancient times, conflicts between warring armies were often settled by one armies champion facing the others. At club level, I feel that this sense of ego or position was often sought to promote the individual club or teaching style. Think of the main plot of The Karate Kid (the original) as a great example.

Organised properly, a kumite competition gives students the chance to test themselves against different opponents, some of which they will not have encountered before. Organised poorly, a kumite competition becomes a free for all, with little respect for the rules, or the safety of the participants. Broken legs and bloody noses should not be part of 21st century competition.

As always, these are my views only, and I do not expect everyone to agree with everything I have said. In subsequent blogs I will go into detail about competition experience, but for now, I will leave it there.

Until next time,

Sensei

Blog Reborn

First published Friday 13th January 2012

Having recently re-read my blog entries from last year, I was inspired to begin blogging again, but wanted to make sure that my 'words of wisdom' were not disappearing into cyberspace without being read or reaching my intended audience.

Therefore, I suggested at Monday's training session that if the registered subscribers to the blog reached at least 10, then I would commit to regular entries. In case you are unsure, a subscriber is someone that has indicated that they would like to be informed by email that a new blog entry has been posted.

I am pleased to say that the magical mark has already been reached, so true to my word, blogging will now recommence.

However, it would be nice to hear from subscribers, or indeed non subscribers, if there is anything specific that you would like me to cover in future blog articles. I am not concerned about the diverse nature of topics that this could generate, but please remember that all opinions expressed are my own, and not necessarily representative of White Tiger Martial Arts as an organisation, or any of the other Instructors or senior students.

Obviously karate and martial arts related topics would be sensible due to the nature of the blog! Please feel free to leave a comment to this post, or if you would prefer to remain anonymous to the internet community, you can email me at wtma@live.co.uk.

I look forward to more blogging activity soon!

Sensei

Regular Training

First published Tuesday 17th August 2010

I'm sure that those of you that have trained with me for some time will have realised that my expectations of myself and my students are often unreachably high, and in some instances, impractical or damn right unattainable.

As much as I truly believe that aiming high should never be seen as a fault or weakness, I also appreciate that not everyone will share my determination to continue to improve and develop as a martial artist, or share my passion for karate, and everything that it has given me.

However, whatever your own expectations of yourself as a martial artist are, there is only one sure fire way to achieve them, and that is REGULAR training.

The benefits of training on a regular basis should be obvious to everyone, but just in case, here are the main ones:

a) You will continue to improve and develop, while learning a balanced amount of each part of the syllabus

b) You are more likely to be selected for grading assessments

c) Your Instructors will notice your dedication and commitment, and really enjoy teaching you and pushing you forward

The problems of not training on a regular basis should also be obvious to everyone, but again, here are the main ones:

a) Your development will slow, you will have gaps in your knowledge and ability, and because of this, your enthusiasm and drive will begin to wither

b) You are unlikely to be selected for grading assessments, and because of this, your enthusiasm and drive will wither even further

c) Your instructors will notice your lack of dedication and commitment, your disappearing enthusiasm and drive, and wonder whether they should devote any more time to teaching you

Ok, so the last one is a bit harsh, but put yourself in the instructor's position. They are having to teach you differently to the rest of the class because you haven't learnt what everyone else has. This usually ends up with a student complaining that they don't know what they are doing, when they really only have themselves to blame for missing the previous sessions.

So what am I driving towards with this post? I totally appreciate that it is not possible for every student to make every session, but I do look at the attendance figures very carefully, and it is not too difficult to notice patterns emerging.

It usually starts with the odd missed session, maybe through work or holiday, and then this slips to every other session. Before long, there are more sessions being missed than attended, and then it is not long before the student stops training altogether. I have taught for too long not to notice these patterns, and that is why I assume students that have not trained for four weeks without advising me in advance have resigned from the club.

There are many reasons why students cannot train, such as illness, injury, work or holiday, and these are all totally understandable, but that is why you have to train on a regular basis for the rest of the time, so if you get held up at work one evening and have to miss a session, or the school is closed and the session cancelled as per last week, it does not end up with a month's gap in your training.

If you are making excuses not to train, then you really need to think where you see your karate heading in the long term. I hate missing any sessions, and I know there are a few of you that share this feeling. That is why I have attended the last 88 consecutive sessions, and ignoring holidays, 215 consecutive sessions, last having to miss training through work on the 3rd of December 2008.

In this time have I been ill, injured or been invited to social events? Yes, of course I have, but my attitude and determination keeps me training through illness and injury, and my friends appreciate how important my karate is to me and understand that I will attend a meal or party on any other night, or arrive late on a karate night after a well earned shower! There is not much any of us can do about work commitments or holidays.

I can just about hear you say that it is easier for me when I'm feeling ill or carrying an injury because I am teaching the session. Let me assure you that isn't the case, and when it is your turn, you'll understand.

Until next time,

Sensei