AKS Quarterly Newsletter

The DoJo

Dave Thomas
8th Dan AKS

Civility in the Dojo
Respect on the Floor

Dave Thomas

One of the cornerstones of the American Karate System is respect; mutual respect. It is mandated from student to instructor as well as instructor to student. Mr. Lieb always demanded that respect be accorded everyone on the floor regardless of rank. His first consideration prior to testing for rank was, attitude. The student had to demonstrate respect and good sportsmanship or they would not be considered for higher rank.

I recall a class at Muskegon Community College, the night a newly promoted Black Belt was working over the beginners. He was barking criticism and ridiculing their efforts in executing techniques. Mr. Lieb immediately replaced him with a brown belt and called all the black belts to his office. When the situation required his attention, he always dealt with it immediately.

"Why were you yelling at the beginners?" Mr. Lieb asked.

"They weren't doing the techniques correctly." the instructor replied. "I want them to get them right."

"When you were a white belt, did we yell at you?" Mr. Lieb asked.

"No sir." the instructor replied.

"Give the new students some time and the respect that was given to you. Meeting over. And you owe me fifty push-ups."

Over the years, I have visited a number of schools of different styles. There were times I would cringe when I heard an instructor belittle, berate, and even swear at students. Such conduct would never be tolerated in a school of the American Karate System.

Once, I was visiting a school the night they had belt promotions. A little girl, maybe 8 years old, had just gotten her first yellow belt. She was so happy and proud. After receiving her belt and certificate, she walked back to the student line. On the way, her certificate accidently slipped out her hand. As she picked it up, a female black belt instructor said, "Drop that again and I will break your arm." As much as I wanted to, I didn't say anything. Not my school, not my place. But I felt bad for the little girl because she was embarassed and humiliated. Black belts shouldn't correct by being bullies, especially with children.

Several years ago, my daughter, Cheyenne, and I were washing towels at the laundry mat. I told her while we were waiting we could go watch the karate school next door. (Side note: at the time, my wife had a dog grooming business, and I was the laundry service). The class that night consisted of about a dozen kids ranging from 8 to 12 years old. The instructor was strutting around barking commands and asking insipid questions; like, "Do you know the eight general orders of the Marine Corps?" As I quietly watched him browbeat these kids under the pretense of instruction, a mom walked into the school. As she went to take a gallery seat, another lady recognized her and gave her a greeting hug. The instructor stopped the entire class and bellowed at the gallery, "There will be NO displays of affection in my school!"

As everyone stopped and looked around, I took out my cell phone. Cheyenne asked me, "What are you doing Daddy?" "I'm calling David, (my 6' 6" AKS 4th Dan son). I need a hug."

As descretion seeped into my now hostile attitude, I hung up before he answered. We promptly left this school. I had promised Mr. Lieb that I would stop going to other schools and starting trouble. Additionally, in the gallery was one of our county's Assistant Prosecutors; not the time to challenge the instructor's abysmal behavior.

I have often wondered what the gallery thought of this Black Belt's teaching style. That, by having a Black Belt, the instructor was entitled to behavior that would not be tolerated in any other teaching venue? I have long held that intimidation and sarcasm inhibits the learning process; it certainly doesn't enhance it. Even in my own class, I have invited several black belts to "Get out of my gym," if they didn't think they could teach with respect and patience.

We can learn from examples of bad instruction; first, don't do what they did. Next, understand that almost everyone absorbs direction differently. Be positve, be constructive, and most of all be patient.

I tell my Black Belts, demonstrate once, twice, then move on. Spending too much time and being overly critical only embarasses the student and wastes time for the rest of the class. The student will get it, in their own time, at their own pace. By being overly critical, or using demeaning comments, will cost the class a student and possibly more.

In closing, one should ask themself, "Is this the way I want to learn?" and, "Can I respect someone that doesn't respect me?" Mr Lieb told me many years ago, "Students hear what you say, but they learn by what you do. Be careful what you say and how you say it. Once it's out, you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube."