Schools often advertise that martial arts training helps develop self-esteem. This promise is directed to both children and adults. While this is true, I believe that it has been taken to extremes. I don't intend to criticize my colleagues. This is merely an observation that I have made after dealing with countless students who have come from other schools.
An injustice is done to students when the instructor offers too much praise at the expense of critiquing technique and demanding higher standards. Students, both adults and children, like hearing nice words. From a business perspective, it's all about making the customer happy. When customers are happy, they keep coming back. From a martial art perspective, however, it is deceiving. This deception leads to the instructor avoiding corrections so that his student's ego will not be bruised or offended. For example, one student who had earned a black belt at another school told me that the instructor praised him even when he was hit or knocked down by a lower ranked student. He would tell him that he "did great"! Over time, the student believes what the teacher is telling him.
In reality, it is the instructor's responsibility to admonish the black belt who should know better. If he doesn't, then he shouldn't be wearing the belt. It's dishonest to promote a student just to boost his self-esteem. This practice is widespread especially when it comes to training children. Some teachers will tell parents that monthly testing is great for their kids self-esteem. The only thing it is great for is the school's cash register.
Traditional martial arts instructors were hard on their students because they wanted them to learn. In circles that still hold on to this tradition, the tougher the teacher is on you, the more he likes you and wants you to succeed. They show their love for you and the martial arts by demanding more from you.
A realistic approach to teaching is particularly important when a student has made it known that he is enrolling because he wants to learn how to protect himself. For the student who wants to study martial arts as an alternative to other fitness programs, I say let them have fun. There is room in martial arts for all types. But if the student wants self-defense or a parent wants to help a child who is being bullied, this is a different story.
After 9/11, a lot of my new students are business persons who are concerned with terrorism and ask themselves what they would have done if they were on those planes. The prospect of having to defend themselves is not as remote as it used to be. What good will kind words do them when their personal safety is in danger?
Far too many people who are training in the conventional martial arts or in a "quicky" self-defense program - including police and security personnel by-the-way - take for granted that all they have to do to survive a real-world attack is learn a few tricks and that's it. When, according to the reality and nature of self-defense, no preset, memorized technique that you've learned in a martial arts or self-defense class is perfect in-and-of-itself for the unique situation and circumstances that you will find yourself in when you need it. And...
...that's okay.
What's important to learn is this...
...these techniques that everyone seems to hold up as the "holy symbols of their style,"...
...were just passed down from past-generation masters as "examples" anyway!
After you've been training for a significant while with a focus on being able to handle a real-world self-defense situation, rather than merely memorizing a preset string of moves for your next belt, what you'll find is that...
...in your attempt to defend yourself in a given situation and against a unique assailant with his own 'favorite' techniques and attack-methods, you will actually be stringing several basic moves together in a moment-to-moment, spontaneous flow. The trick is to know your techniques so well that you can do this in what appears to be an effortless flow from one technqiue or skill to the next.
Just as I pointed out in "The Karate-Myth," there are certain critical pieces missing from the vast majority of training programs. And, it is those key elements that MUST be managed during a physical altercation if you are to walk away with most of YOU intact.
So, if you really want to be able to use what you've learned in a real-world self-defense situation...
...then you must be able to give up your attachment to your "perfect techniques."
Remember: The only people who believe that any given technique or skill is "perfect" or "unbeatable," are those who have not been around long enough, or...
...those who have deluded themselves into believing that training in class, or competing in a tournament, is somehow equivelant to the all-out, adrenalin-triggering, knock-down, drag-out overwhelm that makes you feel like your heart will explode in your chest during the "real thing."
Do you want to be able to survive a real attack? Do you want to not have your own training - that thing you've been working to study, that's supposed to work under fire - get in the way and be the VERY thing that causes your downfall?
Sure you do. Who wouldn't?
Then, the first thing you have to do is get over this delusion that any technique, including your "favorite," is perfect and unbeatable. Because, if you don't...
...it may be the very thing that gets "you" beaten!
Both Calasanz Martinez & Jeffrey Miller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Calasanz Martinez has sinced written about articles on various topics from Martial Arts, Fitness and Martial Arts. Calasanz is the creator of his own system for more information go to . Calasanz Martinez's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Jeffrey Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing Tips, Recreation and Sports and self improvement and motivation. Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is the author of "The Karate-Myth" and the Danger Prevention Tactics video, among others. For more info,. Jeffrey Miller's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.