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Martial Arts in America
Greetings
I’m Rick and would like to contribute this: while I agree with Mr. Al Case – to a point, about the fact that the Martial Arts in the U.S.of A is a very large money making machine, I also know this about the quality of the Martial Arts in the United States
Before I continue, i would like to make this comment- I was one of the lucky Martial Arts students, who had the great honor of attending an ” All Korean ” Martial Arts Academy while I was stationed in UiJoungbu, South Korea- during my U.S. Army years.
Considering Tae Kwon Do is South Korea’s National Sport, the Martial Art is taken quite seriously- if you can tell me that you did in fact earn your black belt inside of or just over one year, then I contend that you probably attended training on post- post meaning- Military Installation!
Let’s face it – here in America, I would venture to say, nearly around the world the Martial Arts have become a giant money making machine- no doubt!
When I met my wife- 1982 in South Korea, I asked her if she knew of any Tae Kwon Do schools- off post, where I could study – the Korean way of a Martial Arts student?
My wife first shared with me this- most Korean Tae Kwon Do schools will not accept an American student- for a few reasons- they know you want your black belt quickly- they beleive that many of us are lazy- they believe if we are injured we will sue the school and of course the language issues!
My wife did find a school off post in which would accpet me- the Grand Master gave her a few conditions that I would need to meet- no smoking or drinking – always be a gentlemen – follow the rules – show up on time – if he gets hurt, well, its all a part of the training – and, there is no guarantee he will make his black belt before he leaves Korea- oh, one last one- learn Korean, the class is only taught in Hangul ! You may be wondering if I was promoted to black belt when I wanted it- the answer is no!
I studied very hard, each night- Monday thru Saturday- yes, even on Saturday. There was a time when the class began but there was no special finish time- we were finished when the Grand Master thought I had enough!
My wife asked me- why not just study on post- she said, they have a teacher there!?
I told my wife- who is Korean, I was not interested in being a student on post, because I knew I could get my black belt in one year if I was willing to pay for it- the Grand Master on post was indeed on contract and also had a love for money- he knew many of the soldiers were not interested in working very hard to achieve rank!
All the above being said- I do not believe, considering the lack of quality in many of the Martial Arts students I have witnessed here in the U.S., that its possible to “earn” the rank of black belt in one year- unless you pay for it ! Something else I noticed while being a student here and Martial Arts instructor/teacher in the U.S. The terrible and obvious lack of quality in many students. Little Johnny and Sarah are moving way too fast thru the ranks- they find, when its too late, they do not poses the ” technical ” fighting skills or discipline for competitive purposes in which our South Korean brothers and sisters can demonstate. While I was a student in South Korea, i cant remember that we wore any padding- perhaps a mouth piece and cup- full contact action.
What is the answer? Let’s move more slowly- be sure your student has actually achieved the skills in which are required for he/she to move on to the next level! This is what I have heard from many instructors here in the U.S. of A. ” If I do not promote little Johnny or Sarah, well then, the parents will just find a school which will promote them”- we all have to make a living! If I were to open a Martial Arts Academy here in the U.S., I would have a trick for those parents and/or students who want to quit because they failed to get promoted- I would not depend on my academy to be my primary source of income!
Incidently speaking- with regard to Mr. Chuck Norris. It was written that he in fact was promoted to black belt level in just over a year- well, if he was only stationed in South Korea for one year, was a student of Judo in the begining, then moved on to Tang Soo Do, how could he have studied Tang Soo Do for even one year? Am I missing some facts?
God bless America!
Martial Arts always!
Rick
