Does this place seem like a McDojo to you guys?

Question

http://www.martialartselkgrove.com/

They reside by my house...I was interested in attending their classes and I have a flyer from them but now I'm starting to doubt because I've done research and read that ATA schools are McDojos...but it doesn't seem like they are interested in money...and it seems like they care about the students (I just hope the little kids don't have black belts already lol)

So I just wanna hear input from you guys. What do you think of this ATA school?

Answer 1

I looked at the site you gave a link to and it doesn't appear to be a Mcdojo.

The next thing you should do if you haven't been there yet is to visit the school and see for yourself. Ask the instructor questions if you can and observe the students -- especially the higher ranking ones. See how the class is run. Do the students appear to be enjoying what they're doing or do they look bored?

Based on what you see, you can make a fair decision.

Answer 2

You need to go to the Dojo and see for yourself.

Answer 3

In the upper left corner, there is a coupon for a free two week trial.

Why not take the trial and see for yourself?

Also, what are your goals in doing this?

James

Answer 4

I just saw the web sight and it looks okay to me. I would recommend a small establishment where more time and attention can be given by an instructor. I'll think a BJJ establishment would do you some good. Try to see if there's a Gracie Academy near you.

Answer 5

yes, it is a mcdojo...i was with the ATA for about a year. ...it's a belt factory. i hate trash taking, but seriously, do not go there. they give black belts to 7 year olds. they dont break down their forms (hyung/kata) for applications, its just for show and sport. and nothing else. their self defense techniques are c**p. ...don't get me wrong, it was great fun and i met alot of great people. but martial wise, all i got out of it was that i learned how to kick. i got a whole year free, which is the only reason i stayed.

if you want a real art for self defense...this is not your school or organization.

matter of fact...some of their top instructors here (im talking world champions now) ...study arts that i had studied previously for self defense...what does that tell you? im all for studying different styles, but you shouldnt study a different style because your first style is all but useless. lol

i've seen people test for their belt and do their form wrong, or fail to break their boards or something, and pass anyway.

i was still a white belt in kempo jujutsu when i started tkd with the ATA...and i beat everyone i ever sparred with regardless of rank...save one, which was a lucky (but very good) punch to the solar plexus. i even beat my instructor (3rd dan) and another instructor (3rd dan) at the same time...2 on 1.

h**l, my instructor used to have me teach self defense to the rest of the class because what i knew from kempo jujutsu was so much better for self defense.

tkd from them is a sport, and a belt factory, and a false confidense booster and not much more. great people with great morals and great intentions. but the means, the art, and the teaching/testing methods, as well as the self defense is sorely lacking to me.

i also have to say...the day i started my instructor straight up told me that they were a sport art. he didnt claim to be an expert in self defense.

i really hate talking negatively about other artists and/or arts. but i would honestly spare you the run around. i was there 1 year and was half way to black. they test every 3 months whether you're ready or not...but it doesnt matter, they won't fail you anyway. actually the only person i ever saw fail, was for his black belt test.

however i did get to train with the grandmasters (hang ung lee) brother mal kun lee from seoul korea. he was pretty good. bottom line...it isnt much of a fighting art. but a sport sparring/ kata/hyung art.

but they never teach you what the forms are for..you just do a form, get a belt. do a form, get another belt. do a form, and your one steps, get a belt. do a form, one and three step sparring, and break a board (which ive seen small kids do) and get a belt.