Being a Reputable School

Part of being a reputable school means being part of a registered national or international organization. Some students acquire a few weeks’ or even a few months’ training in a martial arts and feel qualified to call themselves a black belt or refer to themselves as certified in self-defense, when, in fact, they lack the fundamental skills or knowledge to teach the basics. As a result, these people become a danger to themselves and to others they may try to teach. Still others may reach black belt level and cease to be affiliated with the organization that promoted them to black belt. This more commonly occurs when the act of reaching black belt level is the end-goal. However, teachers and those aspiring to teach prove character by exhibiting the loyalty to maintain affiliation with their organization and continue their training.

Regardless of style, reaching black belt means the basics have been learned and having a black belt in two styles means one has learned the basics again. To really master a style means learning in-depth the techniques, the katas, and acquiring the understanding associated with the moves that help the practitioner instinctively react without having to remember.

I once had a student from another local school join our class. This person claimed two years of study and had reached the level of brown belt (one level below black). After observing this student over the course of a few classes, I wondered exactly what they had learned at the other school. After I was satisfied they had learned how to block, I allowed them to spar with some of my students. Almost immediately, it became painfully obvious their so-called training was almost nonexistent. Other students in my class reassured me that this young man had, indeed, studied at the other school for two years. Either he found our class too difficult, or, being embarrassed by his lack of ability, he did not stick around for many more classes.

I am always a little skeptical when I hear or read about someone who has started their own style, even after 30 years of teaching or competing. I find myself asking why that person left the organization that taught them everything they know? Twenty or thirty years of studying different styles may justify creating one’s own style, but priority should first be given to gaining full proficiency or learn all there is to learn about one traditional style first.

Even after becoming an instructor, I kept studying from my teacher and later, his teacher, (who happened to be the highest ranking occidental in the world). Soon after opening my first school, I had a gentleman come in my dojo claiming to be a black belt from another style. He quickly made it known that wanted to fight me. I granted his request after he participated in a couple of my classes. As I recall, he had the ability of a beginner in our style and soon became discouraged because I blocked all his punches and kicks, and he couldn’t touch me. While our exchange remained friendly, he didn’t come back.

If you are searching for a good school. It is not a good idea to go in a school and ask a black belt and especially the instructor to fight regardless of how good you think you may be. First of all it is an insult, secondly, this person has trained years to defend himself or herself.

When a student experiences dismissal from an organization, this generally means they have not adhered to the regulations governing the fairness of federation members, clearly demonstrating in the process they have not learned what it means to be a black belt. Sadly, there are those few in our organization who have lost their black belt rank and no longer have the right to wear one and be affiliated in any manner with that organization. Frankly, people who continue practicing martial arts without a reputable organization’s backing are essentially no better that a street fighter.

In choosing a style, it is important for the new student to understand the importance of joining a school that is part of a reputable, certified organization. Multiple schools teaching the same style located within a geographic region is another indicator of potential soundness. Still, it pays to do your homework and plenty of research. Read about the style on the internet. Check out their website. Talk to current and past students. Find out how long have they been in business. Do they teach what you want to learn? The higher the instructor’s degree of black belt is an excellent indicator of knowledge, expertise and proficiency. However, beware the 10th degree black belt, and the instructor calling himself a “master“. There are no real masters of the traditional styles anymore; only those that have started their own style. Beware of a school that promises a black belt in two years or less. Most schools require a minimum of three to five years of study to attain a black belt. As a street fighter you learn from one person, being part of an organization you learn from hundreds of instructors that have passed along their skill and teachings in a positive manner.

Good luck in your search as you embark on the rewarding study of the martial arts.