Is this normal for a first class?

S

Saphron_Girl

0
I recently signed up for classes at a relatively small, local Tae Kwon Do school. Yesterday was my first day of instruction, and I was surprised by how many students there were in the room (from children to adults). It seemed that they were just a hair's width from colliding while doing kicks, but maybe it just takes some getting used to. The size of the class also forced me to jump right in and perform the drills and basic forms without having any idea what I was doing. Talk about trial by fire!
But the experience that kind of gave me pause was when a black belt was trying to teach me some basic blocking and striking moves, and grabbed my neck, and then pushed my forehead back so far, I was arching over backwards to the point where it hurt. The instructor saw this, but didn't say anything. I guess I should get used to this kind of thing in martial arts... ?
 
Dont bother.
This does happen when you get guys with big egos trying to show off.
Usually its the high grade students who teach the lower grades and the instructor teaches the middle grades. This means that you may be working with this guy often.

The instructor wouldnt have said anything. He would never undermine a high grade infront of every one so he may have had a word with him after the class.

Talk to the instructor about it if you still want to go and see what he says.

However, in your post you didnt say anything possitive about the class and so it may not be right for you.

I dont do classes anymore as I dont enjoy the environment anymore. I only have privet lessons.

This may seem an expensive way to do it but you can find a partner and go 50/50 on the cost. Plus you will learn much much more.
 
Yup. The senior belts should be the ones that show the most control. Also, beginning students need to drill in a complacent situation to allow technique to foster.

So, no...that shouldn't have happened in a first class.
 
I normally teach lower belts when they're in our classes while the black belts teach the upper belts. I'm normally very patient, drilling basics until they have competency. Although I am patient, I emphasize proper stance and excellent technique to keep them from developing bad habits early. If I put my hand on a student at all, its to adjust a hand position or demonstrate a principle.
 
Thanks for the response, guys. It's kind of discouraging, but I'm going to give it another chance. There's a later class tonight - I'm thinking it will be less packed, and maybe that black belt won't be there.
 
Wow, I would run from that school. Most good schools have separate classes for children and adults (given different levels of attention span and ability to learn) and for beginners and advanced students if there are more than a dozen or so students in the class. I'd look for a school with smaller classes and a lot more individual attention from a senior instructor.

I have never heard of any good instructor physically (or psychologically) abusing a begineer student. Once you have a certain degree of experience and the instructor knows you personnally and your ability to constructively learn from a certain degree of roughness, then you would expect a little physical contact, but only to the point of teaching something, not to the point of inflicting pain for pain's sake or injuring a student.
 
Allen had a really good point I'd like to talk more about.

For many reasons I dont do any pairs work with new students.
1. Pairs works does involve a lot of contact, this can be unpleasent for new students and you must 1st build up trust.
2. The student may not have any control and could do some damage.
 
Wow, what a difference! I went to the later class tonight, and there were hardly any other students there at all. There were two other white belts, and the three of us got a half an hour by ourselves with the instructor while everyone else sparred. I learned SO MUCH more, it was like night and day. I left the dojang with a huge smile on my face - now that I know what time of the day is the best to go, I'll be making a habit out of it.
 
aevans410 said:
I agree with Russ, pairing off newer students usually results in someone getting hurt. Control is a must.
Click to expand...

tell me about it. My Ju-Jitsu lasted only a few weeks. I took it in college for 1 credit to fulfill fulltime status one semester. 2-3 weeks into it, this moose-woman who paid no attention was my partner. she mis-threw me badly, I couldn't land right, and cracked a rib.

I'm not big on wrestling anyways. Striking is what I like. More stress vented :)
 
There are lots of different martial arts styles and classes, try around before you decide to stick. For that one you went, if I was in your shoes, I will NEVER go back! No need a second chance!

Class too crowded, means you will never get enough attention
Seniors lack of control, simply means they still can't master the art!
Sensei kept quiet, God knows what he thinks!

Sounds a mess to me!

You do get injured in martial art classes, but in pratices if you show any signs of too much stretching the seniors at least privately would ask you how you felt, or if too much, they would have apologized and show some care, anyway, just my experiences! I have been on both sides, in training you must practise self control, this is part of training, and very important!
 
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