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Hi, by way of background Iím a level 2 whoís been doing Krav for about 9 months training about 3 times a week I have trained in BJJ, Thai and Karate.
The school I go to is a KMWW franchise that from all accounts follows the curriculum. I donít care about levels or belts etc. but what I do care about is progressing and learning at a level that is suitable for me as an individual. I am finding that the requirement to do specific midterm tests on specified dates before I can learn more advanced techniques is really slowing me down. I find it frustrating to see students who I know in a real life situation would have a difficult time fighting their way out of a wet paper bag learning and practicing techniques that I am ìforbiddenî to do because I havenít ìput my time in yetî. I hope that I am mistaken but it is starting to seem that the system is maybe too strongly focused on making a buck rather than the proper progression of its students.
Iíd be interested in some peoples thoughts on the above topic.
Thanks.
Re: Hello and request for input
Welcome Nemo,
I take it you’ve brought up these concerns to your instructor(s)? Looks can be deceiving and there may be more going on than than meets the eye.
How other schools run their businesses I dunno. KMWW does its best to see schools teach the curriculum but they have no say in how the business is run. They can’t watch everyone 24/7 but if you’ve done your best to communicate to your center your concerns and haven’t gotten anywhere, than by all means the issue needs to be addressed.
My school doesn’t have midterm tests but do offer periodic testing for belt advancement.
Re: Hello and request for input
A few other things to throw at you – you talk about not putting in your time yet – how often do you go train? Have you been there long enough for the instructors to get to know you? It could be all a matter of miscommunication:dunno:
Re: Hello and request for input
Um, you still haven’t said if you’ve talked to your center about your concerns. That’s really an important part:rolleyes:
Re: Hello and request for input
Yup, there are required midterms before finals are allowed (2 midterms in level 2). Of course midterms cost $ and only happen every few months.
Re: Hello and request for input
I pay $$ for my tests and they only happen every so often also. If you’ve talked to all who run your center and you’re getting no answers, make sure you’ve documented all your conversations.
Your next choice is to accept your center as is or or go higher up in search of answers. That’s really what it comes down to. I really can’t offer any other advice since 1)I’m not there and 2) haven’t heard the other side of the story from your center.
Hope you find a resolution:wav:
Re: Hello and request for input
I understand your situation. And, I would put money on you knowing the techniques for the level your at. However…
You have to put your time in. We all do. I receintly changed jobs. I’m now working at a place I could easily run. However, I have to start on the ground floor and work up. I have to put my time in, even though I’m at a much higher level than most everyone there…
In the Army, I had to spend time-in-grade before I was qualified for promotion, everyone does.
So obviously, you have to spend your time before you can get to the next level.
Be glad that you are even able to put a timeline to your training advancement. I was in a style that was “traditional” and was no timeline established. You tested when the you were invited to. Some where still white belts with a year and a half training!
There’s a fine line in business motivation between making money and perceived value. Meaning, the customer needs to feel like they are getting value from there their money.
I’m willing to pay for the service I’m getting, because I want the business to continue.
YMMV, but that’s just my .02 cents.
T.
Re: Hello and request for input
quote Nemo_Dat:I find it frustrating to see students who I know in a real life situation would have a difficult time fighting their way out of a wet paper bag learning and practicing techniques that I am “forbidden” to do because I haven’t “put my time in yet”. I hope that I am mistaken but it is starting to seem that the system is maybe too strongly focused on making a buck rather than the proper progression of its students.I’d be interested in some peoples thoughts on the above topic.
Thanks.
Dont be offended if posible but I would wager your frustration stems more from the fact you havent communicated properly with your instructor than the system itself….ruck up and talk to your instructor not a forum, only your teacher can give the answer you need.
It should be easier to sit and talk to the actual person you are giving money to, to train you than anything else…in fact it should be mandatory.As far as the system, I dont know, I do know at my school a “month long trial” can take up to a few months of showing up in every class offered with no mention of money.
Leval two class is right after leval one and many two’s show up for one and roll right into two….Leval Ones are invited to stay to pick up some extra knowledge or what have you (Sink or swim though).I am happier than a fat smelly pig in fuming o-zone killing **** I found Krav and the school specifically I attend, I know the instructor want’s to teach and see students progress and not make a buck and has no problems with open dialog.
Re: Hello and request for input
I would like to see KM open up the curriculum and allow students to take advanced classes if they wish, without testing. There should be some limits of course, such as the approval of the instructor, but just because someone doesn’t want to test, or can’t test, I don’t think they should be held back from learning advanced material that is necessary for a well-rounded package.
Re: Hello and request for input
quote Michael:I would like to see KM open up the curriculum and allow students to take advanced classes if they wish, without testing. There should be some limits of course, such as the approval of the instructor, but just because someone doesn’t want to test, or can’t test, I don’t think they should be held back from learning advanced material that is necessary for a well-rounded package.In most schools, there is no requirement to test and the instructor can let students into the next level class at his or her discretion, but they still need to put in their time. Just allowing any student into an advanced class would hold back the students that have put the time into the system to make it into the advanced class. A level two student going into a level five class would not even be able to perform basic defenses at the same level as the level five student. The first time I went to Darren’s level five class at the NTC, I was totally lost, and I was already a Green Belt with three years in the system. The system is set up the way it is for a reason, it was not done on a whim.
Re: Hello and request for input
quote Nemo_Dat:Yup, there are required midterms before finals are allowed (2 midterms in level 2). Of course midterms cost $ and only happen every few months.I think this is the weird part as this is the first I’ve heard of “mid-terms” in Krav. While testing frequency/intensity/length varies from school to school none of the students and/or Instructors that frequent the board have mentioned this before. It sounds almost McDojo-ish to have “mid-terms”. Have you thought about contacting KMWW directly for information…or as suggested previously…talk with the Head Instructor at your school and get the 411 directly.
– Kelly
Re: Hello and request for input
quote zen4me:I think this is the weird part as this is the first I’ve heard of “mid-terms” in Krav. While testing frequency/intensity/length varies from school to school none of the students and/or Instructors that frequent the board have mentioned this before. It sounds almost McDojo-ish to have “mid-terms”. Have you thought about contacting KMWW directly for information…or as suggested previously…talk with the Head Instructor at your school and get the 411 directly.– Kelly
I also thought that was a little strange…..I know there was talk about mid terms at the higher levels (to break down the material and provide a shorter term goal), but mid terms at level two? I’ve never heard of that and I’ve been in the system for seven years.
Re: Hello and request for input
quote Jeremy Stafford:I also thought that was a little strange…..I know there was talk about mid terms at the higher levels (to break down the material and provide a shorter term goal), but mid terms at level two? I’ve never heard of that and I’ve been in the system for seven years.I’m a n00b for the most part (1yr anniv. coming up soon), but from everything I’ve heard and/or read mid-terms for the higher belts would almost make sense when you figure they are testing on <b>everything</b> learned within the system up to that point. I think it was after L2 that things started being tested cumulatively. Could be wrong on the starting point though, or it may only be that way at KMDC where L1 and L2 techs are tested again in addition to everything in L3, etc.
– Kelly
Re: Hello and request for input
I donít want to out the school as I have a lot of respect for the instructors. But yes there are two midterms for level 2. Generally midterms are about 3 months apart, this means no-one can progress past level 2 in less than 9 months and in reality it would mean longer than that. I was unaware that other schools did not have this requirement.
From a revenue standpoint the required midterm approach is nice for the owner but may be a bit short sighted when they find that students could drift away from the school unsatisfied.
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