Martial art intructors should be tested against 50 most comnon street attacks before they are allow to teach?

Question

So often, masters give out black belts with really easy grading just to keep the business going. Most people became instructors because they have been around long enough. They don't even have enough real life fighting or self-defense experience to know what it is like. A surf instructor need to prove that he know how to surf. A chef need to prove that he can cook. A fighter pilot instructor need to have been an ex or current experienced fighter pilot. Why should a martial artist or self-defense instructor be any difference? They should also be tested. Otherwise, they can be wasting a lot of the students' time and putting a lot of lives at risk for giving a false sense of confidences to their students. No offense to some of few good instructors out there, you obviously have done a good job.

Answer 1

in brazilian jiu jitsu, they cover all common street attacks in typically one class a week. you're right otherwise.

    Some martial arts are very popular, real crowd pleasers, because they look good, have smooth techniques. But beware. They are like a wine that has been watered. A diluted wine is not a real wine, not a good wine, hardly the genuine article. Some martial arts don't look so good, but you know that they have a kick, a tang, a genuine taste. They are like olives. The taste may be strong and bittersweet. The flavor lasts. You cultivate a taste for them. No one ever developed a taste for diluted wine.

    Ã¢Â€Â“ Bruce Lee, in Tao of Jeet Kune Do

BANG ON

Answer 2

The reason martial art instructors shouldn't be tested in the 50 most common street attacks is because martial arts are sports, not for defending yourself in the unfortunate event of a street attack. A self defense instructor should though, I agree. Martial Arts are different from Self Defense. Also, if they have a black belt then they must have experience and knowledge of the martial art / self defense.

Answer 3

I agree, so many of these martial arts intructors and trainers practise paterns and dont dedicate much time to full contact sparring. This is why i loving boxing, when you train in boxing you fight full contact every session, this is the only way to become a better fighter.

Answer 4

I would agree with you with the fact that a person instructing, should have the ability to defend themselves, and they should demonstrate it. That's generally what my classes were like, every one. My testing for Dan ranks indeed involved other aspects that I tend to keep close to the chest in case younger folks come and read, but, the physical testing part was the same as a regular training day. We train hard, with concepts applicable to the level of understanding, every time.

I believe that from a good school, the instructor has gained what they need for proof they can physically handle themselves. Then next aspect would be for the mental capacity, and the ability to pass the information on to potential students.

So AS the instructor, they shouldn't need to prove anything, other than a technique that when executed properly, will work. After all they've finally made it to being an instructor.

My instructor, humble in his own right, traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia many years ago and during his travels asked to be recognized for his San Dan rank. The test was a grueling three days, and at the end of it. He not only was recognized by the abbot, but also promoted to YonDan. That's my lineage, and as much as I try not to be, I am d**n proud of it, and will do everything in my power to keep the standards that high.

Answer 5

an instructor isnt required to fight...that isnt his job. his job is to teach.

ive had a few instructors i could kill...but they still had alot to teach me.

so an instructor needs to not prove he can fight...but that he can teach!!

however...id agree anyone who has a black belt should be able to defend themselves against a real attack. and should be tested...many are actually. not all tma's are mcdojo's.

my instructors black belt test (for him as well as his students)..was hard sparring..full speed, full power..no rules...against 4 higher ranking black belts.

on the other hand...Ed Parker said something like...belt grades simply say where you've been...and where you've yet to go....so they say nothing about how "good" you are.