Grading attitude

**ksan** · 07-30-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!

I interpreted it a little differently, more along the lines of the Dojo being the primary focus of responsibility. What I have seen is that most rush to class, only to arrive just in time to change, train, then disappear.

They take no role in the Dojo, put in no additional effort, then they are surprised when their progress is slow.

My own take on social responsibility is more twofold. Firstly, I want members who think of more than just themselves. Secondly, I want to counter some of the negative image that the public has of Karate. If we are going to claim character development, we better show some.

Osu!

Very well put, i had a discussion / talk with someone just about this yesterday. Specially about the rate of progress / being allowed to take part in gradings and not showing any efford towards contributing to the dojo outside the formal classes (or even lack of showing up for those)....

osu Ksan

Dent · 07-30-2008, 03:44 PM

Osu!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksan

Very well put, i had a discussion / talk with someone just about this yesterday. Specially about the rate of progress / being allowed to take part in gradings and not showing any efford towards contributing to the dojo outside the formal classes (or even lack of showing up for those)....

osu Ksan

Why is it that those who demonstrate a very spotty attendance record think that they should be grading with those who are there for each class? Is it a lack of communication from the seniors, or is it some special blindness?

Osu!

**ksan** · 07-30-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!

Why is it that those who demonstrate a very spotty attendance record think that they should be grading with those who are there for each class? Is it a lack of communication from the seniors, or is it some special blindness?

Osu!

Can be different in different situations...

Mostly i am inclined to say everyone is responsible for himself, if the rules are unclear, you should get them cleared up....

Dent · 07-30-2008, 06:25 PM

Osu!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksan

Can be different in different situations...

Mostly i am inclined to say everyone is responsible for himself, if the rules are unclear, you should get them cleared up....

I think having them on paper makes it much harder to argue. X times practice within Y timeframe are the minimum requirements. More is better. Especially for the more senior grades.

Osu!

walshy · 07-30-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!

I think having them on paper makes it much harder to argue. X times practice within Y timeframe are the minimum requirements. More is better. Especially for the more senior grades.

Osu!

We have grading cards that need to be signed each time you train. Every grade has a set number of minimum classes required to be able to attend gradings. Hence not enough classes = no grading, simple! Although this can lead to very large lessons on the weeks leading up to a grading as some people try to fill their cards in time. but generally I think it works quite well especially with seniors.

Dent · 07-31-2008, 02:18 AM

Osu!

Quote:

Originally Posted by walshy

We have grading cards that need to be signed each time you train. Every grade has a set number of minimum classes required to be able to attend gradings. Hence not enough classes = no grading, simple! Although this can lead to very large lessons on the weeks leading up to a grading as some people try to fill their cards in time. but generally I think it works quite well especially with seniors.

I find that those who are cramming are the first to forget their Kata, and to burn out during Kumite. Better to plan the training, and if it doesn't happen this time, there's still years ahead...

Osu!

**ksan** · 07-31-2008, 09:06 AM

i think i would hate it if i would see people turn up 4x a week the last few weeks to get their "attendance card" filled up to be elligable....

The overal system is a good one though.... as a sensei you can put the dates of attendance in the books and see when the bulk of the training was done (spread out or in the last few weeks)... could be a factor in the decision making

Dent · 07-31-2008, 07:15 PM

Osu!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksan

i think i would hate it if i would see people turn up 4x a week the last few weeks to get their "attendance card" filled up to be elligable....

The overal system is a good one though.... as a sensei you can put the dates of attendance in the books and see when the bulk of the training was done (spread out or in the last few weeks)... could be a factor in the decision making

What I dislike, and I know this may not fit in with the soft and cuddly way of doing things today are the following two elements of grading today.

1) (Continuing on this line, which is a bit off the original topic.) The expectation of grading. Why do people expect to grade? Shouldn't they hope to be invited? If the latter, then we don't have to worry about people trying to squeeze in sessions...

2) Expecting to pass. I've seen more and more people show up for grading, expecting that the process is just a formality. IMO, if the individual folds under the pressure of grading (Forgets Kata, or even basic Kihon. Is asked to do the physical requirements like push ups or weight lifting, and simply can't do them.), then they aren't ready for the grade yet.

The mental part is maybe the most important part of the test, isn't it?

Osu!

**MilkManX** · 07-31-2008, 07:39 PM

My Enshin class is very small.

Sensei likes it this way. He only wants people that want to train.

So you know you are ready when he tells you.

I have my first serious grading at the end of August.

I am looking forward to it.

**Deaken** · 07-31-2008, 07:41 PM

I see students that wait to be invited to grade (they usually have the best attendance and effort), students that expect to grade once they have done the minimum time / number of classes and the occasional student that expects be be given something for nothing (i.e. asking me if he didn't deserve a higher grade than the one he tested for after missing 6 months of class since his grading).

For me, the most important factor in determining who is eliglbe to grade besides actually learning the material is to show continuous commitment by attending regularly and working hard. Someone could have completed enough classes but if they show up only once evey 2-3 weeks or less I won't grade them, they aren't ready. I find that I am more lenient for beginniers 10-8th Kyu, and expect much more from my seniors (5-1st Kyu) when it comes to attendance, helping with the dojo etc.

I don't yet have regular grading dates such as every 3 or 6 months. I have often considered this and wondered if it would be of benefit or not. Any feedback on the idea? Right now when I have a few students that I feel are ready, I set a date for grading.

**supergroup7** · 07-31-2008, 08:28 PM

But is just showing up, and being physically present in class enough to be considered ready for grading? Even if a person meets the X number of hours spent standing on the dojo floor, that may not mean that the person was applying themselves during that time.

I think that I like the way that you handle it Deaken. I like how you assess the progress of your students, and when you feel that they are ready you set the date for grading.

seienchin · 07-31-2008, 09:05 PM

My pet grading hate is people who lose their temper during kumite. I lobbied (unsuccessfully) to have this become a "fail" for senior grades. It frightens me that we are training people to be very effective walking weapons, but not teaching them that absolute control of their emotions under even the most extreme duress is a critical skill.

Dent · 07-31-2008, 09:35 PM

Osu!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deaken

I don't yet have regular grading dates such as every 3 or 6 months. I have often considered this and wondered if it would be of benefit or not. Any feedback on the idea? Right now when I have a few students that I feel are ready, I set a date for grading.

I think the regular date has a good and a bad side. On the one hand, it can help people plan their training cycle, and on the other, it gives just those kinds of problems with attendance that we spoke about.

It's good for the good ones, and bad for the bad ones...

Osu!

Dent · 07-31-2008, 09:37 PM

Osu!

Quote:

Originally Posted by supergroup7

But is just showing up, and being physically present in class enough to be considered ready for grading? Even if a person meets the X number of hours spent standing on the dojo floor, that may not mean that the person was applying themselves during that time.

I think it can be hard to just stand around, or to goof off during training. If I'm there, I should be training!

Osu!

Dent · 07-31-2008, 09:39 PM

Osu!

Quote:

Originally Posted by seienchin

My pet grading hate is people who lose their temper during kumite. I lobbied (unsuccessfully) to have this become a "fail" for senior grades. It frightens me that we are training people to be very effective walking weapons, but not teaching them that absolute control of their emotions under even the most extreme duress is a critical skill.

A good idea there, Seienchin! I had a young man kick a fan across the room on Monday. Not my Dojo, so I bit my tongue.

I think it should be clear that strong Kumite is different from a loss of temper.

Osu!

ANTSAN · 07-31-2008, 09:41 PM

We grade every 3 months, but the instructor will nominate who attends.

chen3141 · 07-31-2008, 10:09 PM

For the small dojos, how about no grading? Sensei gives you your belt when he feels you've earned it. From what he's seen in class week after week month after month he silently grades you in everything you do kata, kihon, kumite or how far you've progressed in physical conditioning or how you treat others and your attitude toward pushing yourself.

**ksan** · 07-31-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seienchin

My pet grading hate is people who lose their temper during kumite. I lobbied (unsuccessfully) to have this become a "fail" for senior grades. It frightens me that we are training people to be very effective walking weapons, but not teaching them that absolute control of their emotions under even the most extreme duress is a critical skill.

Normally in a kyokushin dojo, as far as i know, the level of expertise goes up, just as the chance of cet student abusing his abilities for the wrong doing goes down....

I ussually call this the "wolf syndrome" Person walks in to the dojo beeing a sheep (just like the rest of the herd) wanting to become a wolf, being broken down and completely rebuild during his time in class walking out .. something else, but not the wolf they desired to be when they walked in.

Sponsored Links