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Post by sifuwhite on Nov 17, 2005 13:14:20 GMT 8
Wow, you guys are giving me a headache on the 1st Kyu Syndrome. First of all I would like to look at rank like in the military. with each rank comes some type responsibility. For instance, for yellow belts to ensure that they learn their skills, but also be responsible for our safety equipment, like pads, bags etc. to ensure that they are put away and out of the area of creating a safety hazard. This gives them responsibility or ownership in what they do.
Tim
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 17, 2005 13:38:40 GMT 8
Wow, you guys are giving me a headache on the 1st Kyu Syndrome. First of all I would like to look at rank like in the military. with each rank comes some type responsibility. For instance, for yellow belts to ensure that they learn their skills, but also be responsible for our safety equipment, like pads, bags etc. to ensure that they are put away and out of the area of creating a safety hazard. This gives them responsibility or ownership in what they do. Tim Alright. if you want to look at rank like in the military, the closest analogy would be between a warrant officer (the highest non commissioned officer) and a 1st lieutenant (the lowest comissioned officer). If my military experience serves me correct this is an interesting example of dynamics that are not really apparent to a quick overview of rank systems. Colin
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Post by supergroup7 on Nov 18, 2005 22:08:30 GMT 8
I don't have any military experiences to draw from, but as a mother of 7 children I can see alot of similarities between the way that I expect my older children to act with how a Sensei expects the higher belts to act.
For example, I have higher expectations of the older children. They have been living in my home longer therefore they know all the house rules better than the little ones. I expect that they will warn their brothers and sisters of the potential of "Mom getting mad" for outrageous behaviour. They are the first line of defense for the lesser experienced children.
Also, since they are older, and have more skills, I expect that they will be able to do chores with more efficiency. My 6 year old has to put in just as much effort as the 18 year old when it comes to cleaning, but I expect more output from the older child. If the 6 year old is achieving more quality, then I will not be happy with the older son/daughter.
I also expect all of my children to treat each other with the same amount of respect. Although there are more responsibilities placed on the older child, due to their age and experience, all children have the same level of importance in this family. If I catch any older child trying to rule, and boss the others, like a pseudo-Mom, I am very unhappy, and I remind that one what their true position is in this family.
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Post by sifuwhite on Nov 19, 2005 13:57:34 GMT 8
Well done, Ma'am.
Tim
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Post by supergroup7 on Nov 21, 2005 5:45:07 GMT 8
Over the week of contemplating the responsibilities of a 1st kyu, I would like to add this thought:
A higher belt MUST be serious about their training, and humble enough to constantly look towards improving their own performance.
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Post by supergroup7 on Nov 21, 2005 5:48:55 GMT 8
*Big big blush looking down at my toes* Thank you, Sifu.. I'm just doing my best in all that I do. I'm grateful that my words have brought an echo of recognition in your mind. That means that I'm on the right track.
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 21, 2005 20:04:35 GMT 8
There was once an awful black belt back in the school I was training at. He was a huge man. And he always used his size and strength as an advantage - over anyone. He was known to knock out green belts and go really hard on those who really didn't have a chance against him. There was even a time when he threatened a visiting brown belt who just happened to kick him in the face. Then there's also the issue about the cup - he didn't wear groin protection. And our club aims for the groin. So anyone striking him there is going to get knocked out! Then he doesn't protect the knees - and while we control strikes to the knee, he doesn't like it and threatens us. Very aggravating. Also he just didn't know his stuff. Author of several books. Promoted himself several ranks YET had no technique. Just a knock down fighter. Tsk tsk tsk. May we never produce something like this again.
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Post by supergroup7 on Nov 21, 2005 22:18:51 GMT 8
"Just a knock down fighter. Tsk tsk tsk. May we never produce something like this again. "
It is a sad thing, but human nature is not standardized. It would be wonderful if positive traits such as humility, compassion, courage, and kindness were equally treasured by all humankind. However, through experience we have seen that the values that one person deems worthy can be seen as useless to another person. Honesty, for example, has not been presented much in my workplace. It almost seems like manipulating other people, and using lies to get results is more valuable. Doesn't politics spring into mind here?
In the situation of this "bully" of a martial artist.. I would say that the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Sensei to decide if it is worth keeping him as a student, and risking the health of the other students. There is a balancing moment of deciding if it is worth keeping the "bully" in the dojo in the hopes of teaching him control, and proper respect, or if the "bully" is beyond reaching and must be asked to leave the dojo.
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 21, 2005 22:35:38 GMT 8
In the situation of this "bully" of a martial artist.. I would say that the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Sensei to decide if it is worth keeping him as a student This isn't your average class. It's a 'club'. It draws 10-15 black belts from various styles every week. The sensei does a good job and this guy is actually fairly 'obedient' to the sensei. Except that in a good sized class, stupidity can rear its head every now and then. The thing is that anyone of us could have taken him out, in various not-so-nice ways. But that's not what we do. Colin
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Post by sifuwhite on Nov 22, 2005 1:38:50 GMT 8
Interesting on he Bully part. I knew a couple of Martial Artists in that Catagory. But, they did not last long because they got frustrated to easy in the Kyu Ranks. My Sifu was big on getting the job at hand done. weather it was cleaning the school, passing out advertisements, and helping other students. If you didn't participate you didn't get you learn any new advanvcemnet material. He had a great eye for this kind of thing.
Sifu White
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Post by sifuwhite on Nov 22, 2005 10:48:11 GMT 8
Sometimes, you just have to wait ten (or more) years. Bill Really, that is interesting. I would hope that the Sempai was being focused all the time when in the classroom, cause that be dangerous otherwise...LOL Sifu White
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Post by supergroup7 on Nov 22, 2005 22:16:46 GMT 8
Really, that is interesting. I would hope that the Sempai was being focused all the time when in the classroom, cause that be dangerous otherwise...LOL YES! I agree! There is so many chances to harm oneself, or others due to inattention, and lack of proper movement. It is very dangerous to this person's partner. I'm always extra careful when training with a sempai who is goofing around.
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 22, 2005 22:33:06 GMT 8
I'm always extra careful when training with a sempai who is goofing around. It's pretty good advice to be careful whenever you train with anyone who's either goofing around or uncoordinated (worse - they don't know what s*** is going on). I once had a white belt 'fall' on me during groundwork and cut my eye open with his elbow. Colin
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Post by supergroup7 on Nov 24, 2005 23:59:39 GMT 8
I'd like to add another requirement for the higher kyu grade's responsibilities. They have to train with the lower belts keeping the level of engagement at a point where the lower belt doesn't flounder, and fall. I think that this is an important part of the lower belts development of a confident mind set as they progress up the experience ladder. They need to feel like they can cope with what is happening. To make them drown under too many expectations is like asking a grade 1 student to write a 20 page essay on Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Higher kyu's should keep that important point in mind when training, or teaching lower kyu belts.
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Post by wmioch on Nov 25, 2005 5:34:04 GMT 8
Yes they should. That should be implicit as well I would think.
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