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deltabluesman
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What do you look for in a school?

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted in these forums, but I'm at an interesting transitional period in my martial arts training and I thought it might be worthwhile to open a forum topic.  A disclaimer:  this post is somewhat self-indulgent, so consider yourself forewarned.  

I have a fairly eclectic martial arts background that ranges across several different styles.  I didn't plan for this to happen; instead, it grew out of changes in my living circumstances, especially moving to different cities.  I'm sure that many of you can relate to this:  you commit to a style of martial arts, you reach a certain level of proficiency, and then without warning your life takes you to a different part of the country.  

The very first time this occurred, I had to switch from studying Kenpo (my first style) to JKA-style Shotokan.  I was in high school, so it wasn't that big a deal, but it still involved a lot of work.  I had to re-learn virtually everything in order to develop that distinctive Shotokan movement style.  My Shotokan teacher (instructor #1) was adamant that I should not try to mix the two styles:  in his words, "a warrior does not need too many swords."  

Fast forward a year or so, and my Shotokan instructor is suddenly leaving town for a new job.  There's only one other karate school nearby, and it's a different style, taught by an instructor (instructor #2)  with a strong interest in Okinawan karate.  I switch schools and start the process fresh:  I un-learn each kata and then start re-learning how to move in the same way as this new instructor.  I don't regret it, because this new style is dynamic and bunkai-focused, with an emphasis on limb control.  My new teacher is an excellent fighter and he's open-minded, so I'm able to develop a diverse skill set.  We cross-train frequently with BJJ practitioners and wrestlers.  It's a great environment.

Unfortunately, it doesn't last.  I'm accepted to a college that's five hours away, which makes it impractical to return home frequently.  I decide to look for a new teacher in my college town.  When I visit the local Shotokan school in my college town, the instructor (instructor #3) asks to see me perform a kata (he wants to assess my progress).  I'm about halfway through Bassai Dai (if memory serves) when he interrupts me and explains that I'll need to be completely re-trained in every single skill and every single kata (beginning with Heian Shodan), because I'm moving "improperly."  He teaches traditional Shotokan (with very deep stances) and he questions whether I'm even a karateka, because I move so differently than his students.  I remember he was particularly critical of the timing and rhythm of my kata.  We never discuss kata application, and I don't have an opportunity to spar with any of his students (other than a brief bout of slow, one-step sparring).  

Looking back, I understand why this instructor wanted to re-train me.  After all, how could he train and award me a rank in traditional Shotokan if I did not even move in the "correct" style?  And I suppose he didn't see any point in discussing kata application, as he didn't think I was properly performing the kata in the first place.

I stayed to finish the class and thanked him for the lesson.  

About a week later, I signed up with a local MMA / submission wrestling school, and trained there for several years.  (I still did kata on my own, but otherwise this was the end of my formal karate training.)  Although there was a long period of re-training in striking (their boxing coach was very particular), I actually felt like much of this training was a natural complement to my karate.  In fact, in many ways this training unlocked certain parts of kata for me.  Oftentimes I would develop a skill in class and then realize that the same skill was recorded slightly differently in a kata somewhere.  Once I understood the underlying principle, I could make both work against a resisting opponent.    

So fast forward to the present time.  I've just started a new job and I'm finally in a place, financially and personally, where I can commit to a single school again.  I'm fortunate enough to live in a city now where I can choose from a wide variety of different styles.  What do you look for in a school?

I've created a list of criteria.  Importantly, I don't mean to suggest that these are universal--these are simply the criteria I've been using in my present search (based on my present needs):

Must Have

First and foremost, an emphasis on striking hard. 

Secondly, very little to no point sparring.  I feel like this creates bad habits (at least for me).  By point sparring, I'm referring to those matches where people can "win" by tapping you with light backfists and quick snap kicks.   

Thirdly, a willingness to train hard while minimizing injury.  I'm okay with hard sparring, but it needs to be done intelligently.  I don't want every single day of class to feel like an amateur MMA match.  

Fourth, an emphasis on training against resistance.       

Fifth, an encouraging environment.  I'm coming back to training after a bit of a gap, so it will take hard work to get back up to speed.

​Normally, I would also list "grappling, both standing and on the ground, with strikes."  However, one of the bad habits I picked up from my MMA training is an instinct to take fights to the ground when they are not going well for me.  I'm actually more comfortable on the ground than I am on my feet, and I don't think that's a good thing.  So in my case, I think it would be okay to sign up with a "striking-centric" style for a while.

There are a few optional features that I consider ideal, but not necessary.  For example, it would be great if I could find a school that met all of the above criteria and also included frequent training against multiple enemies.  It would also be great to find a school that had a realistic perspective on weapons defense.  I understand that there is a strong difference between training for self-protection and training for fighting/sport.  I'm open to either pathway, and the school I choose will help to shape my approach to this distinction.    

I thought I would post this topic and invite others to share their insights as they see fit.  What drew you to your current school?  Would you be willing to completely re-learn your entire kata repertoire in order to start a new style?  If you were about to start at a new place, what would you look for in the coaches/instructors?  

I'm primarily posting this out of curiosity to see how others have dealt with this situation.  At this point, I'm planning to sign a contract with a local Muay Thai / Krav Maga / BJJ school.  It seems like a perfect match for what I'm looking for, and I don't think it will involve intensive re-training.  However, this struck me as a good time to visit other styles and schools in the city, and to get an idea of what's available in the martial arts today.   

(edited to clarify a few details)

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

deltabluesman wrote:
Must Have

First and foremost, an emphasis on striking hard.

Secondly, very little to no point sparring.  I feel like this creates bad habits (at least for me).  By point sparring, I'm referring to those matches where people can "win" by tapping you with light backfists and quick snap kicks.

Thirdly, a willingness to train hard while minimizing injury.  I'm okay with hard sparring, but it needs to be done intelligently.  I don't want every single day of class to feel like an amateur MMA match.

Fourth, an emphasis on training against resistance.

Fifth, an encouraging environment.  I'm coming back to training after a bit of a gap, so it will take hard work to get back up to speed.

That’s a darn good list!

Although my group does not compete (or spar) in a points format fashion, I know plenty of groups who do that kind of sparring, in addition to more holistic forms of live practise too, and they are able to keep them separate. It’s not something that is of interest to me, so it’s not something I would seek to spend training time on so I share your “tastes”. But it can be done.

I’d also want to see discussion and practise of “soft skills” such as knowledge of law, awareness, good personal security habits, verbal de-escalation, etc.

I’d want objective driven live drills so we practise protecting other, escaping from groups, etc. in addition of live “fighting” practise.

And, to state the obvious, I’d also like to see high quality solo-kata taught with meaningful bunkai … because I really like that way of training! :-)

Really like your list though. Some thoughtful points brought out in a very succinct way.

All the best,

Iain

deltabluesman
deltabluesman's picture

Iain,

I really appreciate your input.  I would normally add "high quality kata and bunkai" to my list of criteria as well.  I enjoy the bunkai process and have a deep respect for the kata of traditional karate.  (Of course, that's probably no surprise, given my participation on this forum.)  Unfortunately, my own kata have deteriorated in quality over the years, to the point where I can't really say that I'm a karate practitioner.  I'm not quite ready yet to commit to a re-developing them with a new karate teacher, but I expect that once I have a better ideal of my long-term living situation I will definitely return to a kata-based martial art.      

Also, I see what you mean about the importance of drills that go beyond live fighting practice.  I left this off of my Must Have list, but I think that I absolutely need to include that kind of training.  I have been very guilty in the past of having a general grasp of these soft skills but not drilling them enough to really "own" the principles, especially things like verbal de-escalation and escaping from situations.  It's definitely going to become a priority.

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

These are great lists of key qualities of a good school. I would only add the following:

1 - The general spirit of the school/club is supportive and constructive, seeking to build up its members w/out feeling the need to attack the student nor unduly criticize other systems. (I think we can reasonably critique training practices w/out denegrating styles and systems, and the school should foster that sensitivity in its students and members.)

2 - A healthy open-mindedness to varioius techniques, combative principles, and training methods that all seek to enhance and pursue practical karate and applied martial arts. "My karate is best karate" is too prevalent these days, and I find it counter productive to effective training and ultimately off-putting.

3 - A balance between group goals and individual needs. Indeed, the instructor must design classes for the whole group, but there should also be a general sensitivity to individual needs, purposes, and comfort levels. The instructors should be able to negotiate different learning styles, levels, and comfort zones in their students and adjust accordingly. One size does not fit all. 

I hope that is helpful.

Best,

David

deltabluesman
deltabluesman's picture

David,

Very well said, I completely agree.  Especially about having a healthy open-mindedness to various techniques and methods.  I've been visiting several different schools during the past few weeks (just getting a feel for the landscape before I sign up), and I've found that the best martial artists also tend to be the ones with an open mind and a supportive school atmosphere.

Joshua Shrum
Joshua Shrum's picture

dhogsette said: 2 - A healthy open-mindedness to varioius techniques, combative principles, and training methods that all seek to enhance and pursue practical karate and applied martial arts. "My karate is best karate" is too prevalent these days, and I find it counter productive to effective training and ultimately off-putting.

I would have to agree with this one. We often too become so self centered and 'stuck' in our ways that we fail to look outside the box.

I am asked all the time by friends or family, "What style of martial arts is best?" I always reply that the key is not to get a good martial arts style, but get good in a martial arts style. Too often we see those that spend their entire time searching for that one perfect style, failing to realize that so much can be learned by looking at key concepts of other styles. Even if it is (unfortunately) what not to do...