by greg
I have been reading a lot about “the younger generation.” I can’t remember what letter x,y z, just that they are very selfish minded and quickly leave jobs if they don’t get what they want. That explains a lot. At the school I teach MA at (it’s a large commercial school) a lot of the “old timer” instructors have a lot of trouble at promotion time. Questions, pouting, arguments, comparisons to other students (I’m better than he is!) happen pretty much every month. The instructors are incensed at this sense of “entitlement.” The complaints about how much it costs are particularly infuriating to the instructors who had to fight everyone to get their black belt. One student actually threw his belt at the instructor because he didn’t get promoted. The instructor was flabbergasted. He’s an ex-Marine and probably should have kicked the student’s ass but he was so surprised he couldn’t believe it and just stood there.
It seems the students of today are largely made up of people who thought pro wrestling was real and now think that MMA is the only REAL martial art. Most have no sense of tradition and formality, want to be spoon fed and figure that if they pay their tuition and show up twice a week they will get promoted each and every month until they get their black belt. Then they’ll move on to their next big challenge, rock climbing or triathalons or scuba diving and consider themselves martial arts experts.
The instructors are guilty as well. One felt that no one could spar or fight very well and decided to have a “men’s sparring class.” He then proceeded to beat the living crap out of each and every attendee. No teaching really unless you consider the “lesson” they learned.
There needs to be some way to meet in the middle here. Since all the “experts” agree - this generation of 20 something year olds is largely spoiled and won’t change it’s up to the old guard to set a consistent example. Here is what I propose and personally will strive to do.
- First off set the expectations of the students each and every class. Remember, these kids only remember what suits them so you need to keep repeating what you want.
- Live by your words. If you want respect, you have to give it. If you want people to call you sir or ma’am, you better call them that as well.
- Protect your students. Make sure you keep drills and techniques reasonably within reach. Don’t expect an uncoordinated student to do jumping spinning kicks. At all. Lead them down the path by breaking it down into reasonable parts.
- Actually TEACH. Don’t just have them do drills over and over without some instruction. Everyone wants a good workout but without teaching we are little more than cardio-kickboxing coordinators.
- Plan your classes in advance. Don’t just show up and wing it. Have a lesson and a way to get there.
- Do some self-examination. Find out why people are afraid of you, think you’re a jagoff, etc. Try and develop some good characteristics.
- Above all, Be Consistent!!!! Treat everyone as a person. Don’t ignore the people you don’t like and cater to the pretty girls. Both will hate you for it eventually. The golden rule sounds pretty good here.
Basically I have come to believe the following: rank is meaningless, the ability to fight is little more. We take and teach Martial Arts to develop character, so start developing YOUR character and maybe some will rub off on your students!
Train smart!
