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Re: Progression?
I haven’t posted much here but I’m going to add my perspective as a beginner. First, I don’t care about belts or even the length of the test. I care about knowing the material and reaching a certain level of conditioning. Yes if I don’t progress I suspect eventually I will get bored with KM but it won’t be in the near term. What I prefer is for the instructor to introduce me to some higher level techniques as he sees me obtain an acceptable level. I don’t expect him to teach me all the upper level techniques without passing the level test but some techniques should be taught across the level boundaries to “entice” continued advancement. For example, during one class, some of the students were having problems with their response to a headlock and loosing their balance. As they lost their balance they didn’t know what to do and so did nothing(none of these individuals had tested). The instructor showed an upper level technique that was basic throw that pretty naturally resulted from the student’s loss of balance. This provided a glimpse of why they should progress but also reinforced the basic premise that when the technique fails continue with some type of combative (as emphasized in the class – be aggressive, be aggressive, etc). Regarding the test length, I don’t see a lot of value in testing to exhaustion. Training to near exhaustion should be fairly routine as the student should be self-aware enough to realize if his technique is getting sloppy (and the instructor should point out the slop) and only though repeated exhaustion can the student (and instructor) really tell if the student can continue through the challenges. In my opinion (mostly worthless) the quality of the techniques and ability to be aggressive should be the focus of the level test. I’ve been doing MA on and off over a 15 yr period; once for 2 years and the school closed and once for a year where I lost interest. I’ve never progressed beyond the first belt and not because I couldn’t have passed the test (actually the instructor was pushing me to test) but because in my opinion I didn’t know the fundamental techniques as well as I wanted. I’m 54 now. Yes it is harder then it use to be (I’m not as fast or flexible either) but I can pretty much drive back anyone that doesn’t out weight me by more then 20 lbs during any of the various drills.
Re: Progression?
Some interesting opinions here. Where I train we have some classes which are mixed ability, and some which are specifically for certain grades. Having said that though the instructors are pretty flexible and often introduce higher level techniques to beginners just to show variations and what you can expect in the future. You also don’t have to grade if you don’t want to and can go to the higher level classes if you can take it! I find it’s a good mix, I like to do the class specifically for P2 on Tuesdays and then one which is more mixed on Thursday or Friday.
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