Respect and the Unwritten Rules of the Dojang

 Those of you that like my analytical writing needn't worry.  I'll be returning to that soon, and in quite a way.  I'm working aside from this post on a a rather large post that will very likely turn into a series of posts about the same theme or idea.  I've been doing some research on the forms as a whole, and I'm hoping to bring a fresh perspective to the 24+1.  With that being said, I want to talk more anecdotally and give a little more advice.  While this article is going to be aimed at the students I know, I hope my insights prove to be universal a bit.

I saw something tonight, and after all my time training it is something I have sadly seen countless times.  Tonight I saw a learner question not one but two clearly more experienced practitioners as they tried to help that learner get better at his trade.  As a teacher I've given someone advice before and instead of a thank you, I've been given a reason why they were doing something different than my advice.  Excuses, explanations, these are all things that go against the militaristic nature of Taekwondo.  Could you imagine a private telling his boot instructor that his pushups were sloppy because "Lt. Dan lets him do them that way"?  No that private would probably be treated harshly (I envision the scene in the movie Heartbreak Ridge where the soldier has to run circles around his fellow troops as they march for miles). 

At my school, such breaches of military protocol happen, not frequently, but enough that upon my experience tonight, I got to thinking about it.  It reminded me, in both a good and a bad way about my time as a rank student.

Once upon a time, my school had some pretty harsh unwritten rules.  Those rules don't really exist anymore, and that is probably for the best for a lot of reasons.  It wasn't uncommon, back in the mid 90s for a student who offered one of these "explanations" to find themselves picked first in free sparring by the black belt they explained themselves to.  That student often times found his or herself on the receiving end of some sore ribs or a sore face.  You see, there was an etiquette to be followed, one that was never really spoken explicitly, but that would sometimes get broken, and when it did, the price was always some method of pain. 

I related all of this (my experience tonight and the reminiscence of unwritten rules) to my wife who trained for a very long time in a different type of TKD.  She related that a person who spoke back when being corrected, or offered advice had better have just said "thank you" lest they face pushups, often times while everyone looked on - or - corporal punishment as it is better known.

Once I heard of a student getting his nose broken by one of my favorite instructors of all time because the student wouldn't take a gold chain off.  Whether it happened for real or not (totally a hear-say story) stories like this have a way of becoming legend and driving behavior.  My feelings on these methods are complicated and not appropriate in the context of this post.  Ultimately I reside on the against these practices, for the most part.  

This post is in a way my penance because I've been guilty of this.  It took me a disproportionately long time to learn to just shut up and say "yes sir" or "yes ma'am".  Be it pride, or ego or a combination of both - it would have been better of me to just affirm, and to keep an open mind and to try things that were suggested to me.  I have no idea how many doors I have had locked on me because of this behavior, since physical or corporal punishment isn't the norm anymore. 

Tonight, as I witnessed breach of protocol, I wanted to intervene and make an example. I wanted to slip back into the past and take on the role of those tough black belt heroes and lay the smack down.  It wasn't my place to do so though and we don't live in that world anymore.  For better or for worse, that world has moved on.  Reflecting back I invite my students to understand that an instructor or even a classmate or peer that offers insight, they are sharing their art with you.  When you offer explanations on why you can't do what they suggest, you reject their art -- and this is rude.  Be mindful of this, ask for clarity if you must but try not openly dismiss...you won't get pummeled for it, but understand that in a different time, it could have led to a very bad night for you.  You run the risk nowadays of being cut off from what could potentially be a source of needed insight.  

   

Points of Wisdom from All Valley

Greetings my appreciated readers.  Today is a wonderful day, because today I get to share with you the wisdom of an old colleague.  Today's post is being guest written by Master John Kreese. 

First and foremost, cut off the sleeves on your uniforms, you want your students to see your guns.  

The most important lesson I must share with you is that here, in the streets, in competition, a man confronts you, he is the enemy and deserves no mercy.  Mercy is for the weak and we don't train to be merciful here. 

We practice the way of the foot here - STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY

When in competition always remember the JK method of point fighting.  First you win a point, and then you lose a point.  Keep the match at zero to zero - pulverize your opponent for a full two minutes, then in sudden death, score the point, and win the match.  Make your opponent suffer; and then suffer some more.  

Never hesitate to instruct a lower level student to injure the other team's best player - and always, always sweep the leg.  

This post has been brought to you by Master John Kreese, owner of the Cobra Kai karate studio in Reseda CA. 

This post has also been brought to you by April Fool's day.